Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Mong Thu Cafe

    4.5 (215 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Mong Thu Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    MONG THU CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    More like Mong Thu Cafe

    Recommended Reviews - Mong Thu Cafe

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Andrew R.

    Came here for lunch with some friends and got a chicken banh mi. I do appreciate that this restaurant has seating, but unfortunately the food was not as good as some nearby banh mi spots (Saigon Sandwich). I found the banh mi to be a bit dry and lacking in flavor, and definitely on the smaller side. The restaurant itself is a bit run down, but has great natural light. The service was good overall. Really annoying they don't accept credit card, fortunately I had cash on me.

    Kevin C.

    I have been coming here for a while now and it is one of those spots I keep going back to. It is small, locally owned, super clean, and they do Vietnamese comfort food really well. I usually get the Pho Ga (Chicken) and it is always consistently great! The soup comes out boiling hot every time, which is exactly how pho should be and something I expect with all the herbs and bean sprouts on the side. Their sandwiches are also very very good, especially the meatball banh mi. The coffee is strong too and it will wake you up! :) There are only four tables that seat 4 people each inside, though some can split into two so it still works for solo eaters and pairs. The staff is super friendly and quick, and the food comes out fast. This is a CASH only spot, but the prices are very affordable and some of the best in the bay area. Street parking can be rough right nearby, so if you were to come here by car, I would recommend parking a bit farther out closer to Van Ness and walk over. Luckily I just live a couple blocks away. This place is a solid neighborhood spot with good food and good value. Opens early at 7am but closes at 4pm everyday and closes on Tuesday.

    Bun mam =
    David V.

    I've been on the hunt in finding more hidden gems and my palate is yearning for more soup spots. I read a few reviews for this place and since I was in the area, I stopped by to see if this bowl they call Bun Mum met my palates expectations. First slurp of the soup, WOW! It had so much flavor and depth, everything that I look for in a bowl of happiness!! Nice little hole in the wall in the TL. The ladies were very sweet and welcoming making me feel like family that was just getting up from a long night out in the city!!! *Extra kuddos for the ladies calmness even while there was a person just outside in need of mental assistance which is a sign they have compassion for the people in the area they serve

    Vietnamese vegetarian noodles
    David C.

    Authentic and great Vietnamese food. Try any of the soups. The #1 has pork spam and shrimp pancake. Delicious. Baum Uot chao lua The soup # was shrimp and pork was also delicious Hu Tieu Mi Love the shrimp pancakes. The Vietnamese coffee is good but very strong Family restaurant and very good service. Only has four tables. So call for take out. Cash only so bring money

    Menu June 2026
    Francina L.

    Cash only! Walked in on a Saturday around 1:30 PM and it was completely full. Fortunately, a table of two was leaving and we only had to wait about five minutes. The restaurant itself is pretty small. There's only about six tables and most of them are for either four people or two so if you're thinking of going in a big group, maybe try to go when it's not rush-hour. Re-ordered a #7 Hu Tiem Nam Vang and 6C Hu Tiem Bo Kha. #7 was my favorite as it came with minced pork, a cha siu like pork and shrimp, super clean broth with glass noodles and side of shrimp pancake... would definitely get that again. The slow braised beef in the Bo Kha was super tender, just had lots of noodles that soaked up the delicious broth. I wanna go back for some of their plated dishes and try their corn dessert.

    Menu
    Jared D.

    Nice cute tiny shop run by Vietnamese ladies. Great authentic food being served here. I tried the Bun Mam, fermented fish soup. It was amazing omg. Some pork belly, shrimp, and fish in a funky, pungeant broth. Comes with lots of fresh veggies like mint, rau rum, bean sprouts, lemon, and jalapeño. The neighborhood is a little rough, but that's the Tenderloin for you. Will come back for more.

    No. 1
    Maurine S.

    Came here for a quick bite since we were in the area. The place is tiny, but the waitstaff are super nice. Note it is CASH ONLY so we had to pull out our wallets to make sure we had enough to cover 4 people. Whew! Just made it with $10 bucks to spare! So I won't spell things wrong I'll just tell you the numbers we ordered hahahah. We had a No. 1, 2, 17, 18. My son had the No. 1 and it was surprisingly good! Never had the shrimp inside the rice flour like that so it was different. I was skeptical of the flat rice noodles as I thought they would be all hard but they were warm and pliable. It was a dish I've never experienced before so I'd come back just for that. I ordered the No. 2 and even though it was good, there were a couple of bites where the meat smelled a little funny and I wasn't sure if it was me or what. Cuz of that I didn't enjoy the meal as much. Hubs and friend had the other dishes which I didn't try but they did like it. Overall the portion sizes were decent and I liked that the cost listed included the tax! I'd stop in again if I was in the area. Just don't forget the CASH!

    Bun Bo Hue
    Laura J.

    ** CASH ONLY ** This is a little hole in the wall spot in the Tenderloin, it's a little small inside with few seating so you may have to wait or share tables with someone. I ordered the Bun Bo Hue and the Che Bap. The Bun Bo Hue is a beef soup with pork slices and rice noodles. I'm a huge fan of rice noodles and really enjoyed this dish, it tasted great with a squeeze of lime to make things a little sour and savory at the same time. The soup was hearty and savory but I was not a huge fan of the pork slices, I found it a little tough. I also tried the Che Bap, which was their corn pudding dessert with coconut milk. I never had this before but I really loved it, it's definitely a very unique flavor and might not be for everyone. The dessert is sweet, a little salty and a little savory, and the corn itself is kinda chewy. It tastes like a salty and sweet corn dessert.

    menu
    Thaybeth M.

    Came by a Sunday around noon. It's a very small spot, and it was a bit busy, but they cleaned but a table very quick and we were able sit down within 5 minutes. The staff was kind and attentive. I ordered the bun thit zoo. It was good, but the stir fried pork has a lot more grease than actual meat, so I was a bit disappointed by that. However, the actual flavor was good. As expected the rice noodles had a neutral flavor, but the combination of the pork, veggies and noodles was good. Overall, I would be down to revisit; they have a decent selection of Vietnamese dishes worth trying. Also, keep in mind that it's a cash only spot before visiting!

    Outside
    Allison W.

    Came here around 12:30 PM on a Sunday. There's not a lot of tables inside, but they were able to clear a recently vacated table for our party of 3 very fast. It's a bright, cleanly painted store with beautifully large windows for sunlight to stream in from, which made the small room feel bigger. They are cash only, so keep that in mind before coming. I got the 4. Hu Thieu Mi, and I loved it! Loved the mix of noodles, and the broth was clear and fresh yet robust. There were plenty of slices of pork and peeled shrimp, and it comes with lemon and jalapeño slices. Very satisfied after! The waitstaff were very kind, efficient and friendly with customers. I wish they were open later so I could come for dinner, but I'm willing to come in the middle of the day just for their food. Can't wait for my return!

    Banh uot, banh mi bo kho, banana tapioca che
    Alison H.

    Sooo delicious, excellent Vietnamese food. They open up pretty early, so if you're feeling breakfast noodle soup, this is the place to go. I've had their banh uot, bun rieu, and bo kho with banh mi. All delicious and generous portions. I recently tried my friends bun mam and the broth was so flavorful - may just need to get that next time. I love their che options - my favorite has been the che bap (sweet corn pudding with coconut cream). My husband likes their Vietnamese coffee. Their iced water is also great (lemony!). The neighborhood is definitely on the rougher side and it's quite a gauntlet to get through... but you'll be rewarded with some of the tastiest Vietnamese food in SF! (Coming from San Jose, this is high praise. Not many good Vietnamese food options in the city!)

    Bun bo hue and Vietnamese iced coffee, a great combo
    Ming S.

    A hidden gem in the TL! This restaurant is loved by locals, you'll see plenty of non-English speaking customers drop by. This place is super clean, the staff is helpful and friendly, food and drinks are delicious, and don't pass up on the desserts!

    From bottom and going clockwise: Bun Rieu 8/10, Bun Bo Hue 9.5/10, Banana Pudding Sago Dessert 7/10, Vietnamese Coffee 9/10
    Katrina W.

    Cute little restaurant with authentic dishes, kind workers, and good portions. The food was tasty and the Vietnamese Coffee was strong and a good sweetness level, not too sugary. We ordered the Bun Bo Hue and Bun Rieu and enjoyed the Bun Bo Hue more of the two, it comes with a lot of fresh veggies as well. I will be coming back here!

    Hu Tieu Nam Vang shrimp pancake

    See all

    5 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 1
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lily M.
    1
    84
    126

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Elli C.
    1
    77
    160

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 2
    Love this 9
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tommy P.
    496
    12
    2

    3 years ago

    Definitely a once a week kind of place. I'm able to get my vegan Banh Coun fix. The little aunties are always so sweet.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great business that is family owned. Love their vegetarian options. Good place to go for a quick work lunch.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    BOMB I'm from LA this spot was so good especially after a wedding hangover. Very authentic

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Huong T.
    29
    54
    137

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack L.
    2
    53
    57

    7 years ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    10 star Pho Ga. Neighborhood is tough but worth it. We walk up the street to Aces and enjoy.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 15
    Thanks 0
    Love this 14
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julie K.
    440
    1412
    4491

    16 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jess C.
    1309
    2984
    5724

    12 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Donna N.
    15
    65
    58

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of A C.
    52
    15
    0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hoa V.
    40
    4
    1

    6 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anh N.
    20
    31
    738

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 3 of 6

    Ask the Community - Mong Thu Cafe

    You might also consider

    Mr East Kitchen

    Mr East Kitchen

    4.5
    (996 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Vegetarian friendly

    I tried 4 different dishes and 4 different drink items. We ordered the Hai Nan Chicken, Shrimp…read moreBenedict, Pad Thai with shrimp, and Saigon steak. For drinks we got a hot and cold matcha latte, cappuccino, and a Jasmine milk tea. My favorite had to be the Saigon steak, the steak was so juicy and tender! Love the sunny side up egg on top, we dipped the steak in the yolk I loved the matcha latte, we got it with 0% sweetness and it was perfect for us. Helped wash down all the delicious food! Buisness was also popping on Sunday! We kept seeing people line up and wait for a table. Despite how busy it was, our food and drinks came out pretty quick. Everyone was very helpful when I was ordering l

    Great Asian fusion brunch menu and I especially loved the signature drinks here!…read more I love when you can make reservations for a popular brunch place instead of being forced to walk-in and wait. I made a reservation via Yelp for 3 people on a Saturday at 11:15am. My table was ready on time and they seated me even though our full party was running late. I got the Omelette Fried Rice (4.5/5), that came with delicious sriracha bacon, and an okay salad on the side. For my drink, I got the strawberry matcha latte with oat milk (5/5), which was fantastic. It's on the sweeter side, which worked for me. It was fairly busy and a bit loud inside. The dining room is long and narrow but has a decent amount of seating. Service was good, and friendly.

    Photos
    Mr East Kitchen
    Mr East Kitchen
    Mr East Kitchen

    See all

    Plow

    Plow

    4.1
    (3.6k reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Plow is definitely worth the wait! Our group got a…read moredelicious smorgasbord of plates Lemon ricotta pancakes - absolutely delicious. Not too sweet - loaded with flavor Fried egg sandwich - pairs great if you split the lemon pancakes - sweet and savory - definitely add the bacon! The iced coffee was good - a little on the bitter side We sat outside, it was a hot day so bring a hat/sunglasses Plow is a spot to have on your brunch bucket list

    Today is a great day to give this place the recognition it deserves!…read moreMy hubby & I have been coming here for a couple of years now & I don't know why I haven't done a review of my wonderful experiences in the past and especially now?!! :)) Today we came for a late lunch but we came on time before they close around 2pm..actually the last call to order food! I'm glad we got there!! The sweet hostess..Crystal Gayle..took down our name..we didn't wait long & got a table where are awesome server Thomas took our order! My hubby got the Fried Egg with avocado & bacon along with their signature plow potatoes with ice tea! I ordered the Scrambled Eggs with shiitake mushrooms..sweet corn & goat cheese..side of buttered toast & their amazing coffee! Love their coffee coz it's always good there! We shared their yummy delicious biscuit and that sweet butter! So So good I can't get enough of it! :)) That's if you're a butter person which I'm All About..a Butter Girl! This place isn't very big but I love the ambience & the coziness of it! It's like eating in the presence of your own kitchen! With great hard working..happy employees ready to serve hungry people like us! We're never disappointed leaving after my hubby & I eat there! So try this fabulous place! Good food.. Good Place..Great Workers! :)) Shout out to Brit..by the way..who has served us a couple of times before Is an AWESOME Gal! Always with a great smile & helpful making sure we're good in every possible way from giving us our food & filling our cup of coffee..she & the others that work there is what makes us go back! It's not easy to work in the food industry if one doesn't have the energy or passion to do their best! But PLOW is that place where you leave full and satisfied! Thank you to everyone @ Plow! Hubby & I will continue to support & go there!! :))

    Photos
    Indoor ambiance
    Indoor ambiance
    Buttermilk biscuit
    Buttermilk biscuit
    Cold brew Equator Coffee

    See all

    Cold brew Equator Coffee

    Mong Thu Cafe - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...