I walked in with my young daughter after a long day exploring NYC. The staff could not have been…read moremore welcoming and friendly. We tried the ribs, dumplings, and salmon carpaccio. All fantastic. The carpaccio was legitimately one of the best small plates I've ever had in my life. Bursting with flavor and texture. The atmosphere was warm and relaxed, everyone around us was having a great time and we heard many comments from other diners how amazing their food was. Incredible meal - thank you to the owner and her team for having us!!

Prior to coming to Saigon Social, visiting Vietnam was an idea we had flirted with for our summer…read morevacation. Although that didn't work out, coming here was definitely worth our trip across the river. Shortly after sitting down, I soon realized that I was visiting my second Vietnamese restaurant within a week. However, this place was definitely not a typical Vietnamese restaurant that we New Yorkers are used to. After getting some input from our friendly server and some discussing, we decided on the two signature dishes of oxtail fried rice and garlic noodles, Helen's Bo Kho that was highly recommended by the server, and the lemongrass ribs. Both signature dishes lived up to their reputations. The fried rice was very flavorful from the oxtail and was prepared at such high heat that we could tasted the intensity from the wok. The garlic noodles had a great chewy texture that contrasted perfectly with the tobiko coated on top. Helen's Bo Kho had a more mixed reception by our family. I loved how earthy and fragrant the broth tasted and was ideally paired with the toasted bread. The beef shank was flavorful and tender that made you want to savor each bite. Across the table, my wife was underwhelmed as she found the broth a bit too salty for her palate. Our boys were too full to give an honest option at that point. To us, the lemongrass ribs were less remarkable. The ribs themselves were nicely marinated and tasted good with the green sauce. I was wishing that they were a bit charred or smoky to elevate their flavors. The service was friendly and attentive despite a rather busy weekday evening. As for the place itself, the spacing definitely had a LES-level of coziness and had a modern feel. If you are a Star Wars fan, definitely head downstairs for a little exploration.

would definitely come back for the cua lot rang muoi (soft shell crab) alone!!! it was amazing!!!…read moreeveryone loved it for the table and wished we all got our own lol love the remix cover music hehe and appreciate the attentive staff - keeps filling our water

Food: The food is just okay here. I have been here several years ago and thought the food was very…read moreaverage but decided to come back and give it another try. I still find the food to be very average; there is much better Vietnamese food in NYC. I had The Madame Pho which is their classic pho dish with beef slices and meatballs. The broth was flavorful, but the flavor wasn't as deep as other Vietnamese restaurants. We also tried an appetizer (a crispy pancake with squid and bean sprouts inside) served with lettuce and mint for wrapping. This was also nothing special. There was nothing bad about the food at all, but it isn't special enough to make me want to return and also pay more in general for Vietnamese food. Having given it a second chance and still being unimpressed, I won't be returning here. There is much better Vietnamese food that is less expensive around the city. Service: Service was excellent, and we were greeted with a lot of smiles and warmth from all of the staff both going into the restaurant and leaving the restaurant. Our server was excellent and always around. She was very attentive. Ambiance: Decor and ambiance is very nice in this place. Tables are spaced very closely together, but seating is still comfortable. The restaurant is pretty narrow but can still accommodate both small and large groups. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this restaurant if you're looking for the best Vietnamese food in the city.

Thai Son is always reliable. Walked in on a peak dinner rush, place was packed and lively, but we…read moregot seated almost immediately. Service moves at full speed from the second you sit. The broth on the pho comes out piping hot and packed with deep, rich flavor -- tossed in the lemon slice and fresh basil right away. But honestly the grilled pork chops stole the show. You get that legit smoky char on the edges with a sweet garlic flavor that goes crazy. It really hit the spot after work. Got the Thai iced tea to round it all out, and it hit just as hard. Super affordable spot where you can eat fast and get out without any fuss.

This restaurant has THE BEST authentic pho tai I really missed having pho in Chinatown. The broth…read moreis hearty, I love the type of noodles and the amount they add in, the amount of beef slices and sizing is very good. Everything that comes with it is great. Pho brought back some fond memories. Was able to fill my craving and left happy. We ordered the bun gcuon too. Feel like there wasn't much meat in it though but still very good flavor and cucumbers and stuff the pork slices were enough and the sauce was very excellent. Would come back again for pho and try other dishes. I've been here a few times, I just don't get out much anymore. The service is basically you get what you get (it's Chinatown). Looking forward to coming back though

Phở Grand is a long-running Vietnamese restaurant that has built its reputation around generous…read moreportions, comforting noodle soups, and a menu that goes well beyond pho. Located on a quieter stretch of Grand Street, we walked into a casual, no-frills dining room that keeps the focus squarely on the food. The space is spacious and comfortable, with a simple, functional layout that works equally well for a quick lunch or a more relaxed dinner. The atmosphere stays calm and unpretentious, the kind of place where regulars settle in without fuss and newcomers are welcomed by the warmth of the broth being ladled out in the open kitchen. The pho is the main reason to visit, and the menu offers a wide variety of options ranging from the classic combination beef pho to grilled pork, grilled chicken, seafood, and vegetarian versions. We ordered a bowl of the combination beef pho and found the broth rich and comforting without being overly heavy, with a depth that came from careful simmering rather than relying on added seasonings. The rice noodles were cooked to the right texture, and the portions of meat were generous enough to make each bowl feel like a complete meal. Beyond the pho, the summer rolls and crispy spring rolls are great starters, with the summer rolls offering a light, fresh contrast to the heartier soups, and the crispy spring rolls delivering a satisfying crunch. Dishes like pork chops, vermicelli bowls, and rice plates provide plenty of variety if you are looking for something beyond soup, and the grilled pork chop had a nice char and a balanced marinade that worked well with the rice and pickled vegetables. If you have room afterward, the mango sticky rice is a worthwhile dessert that finishes the meal on a lighter note, with the sweet coconut milk and ripe mango providing a clean, refreshing end. One of the biggest strengths of Phở Grand is the value. The portion sizes are consistently generous, and the food typically arrives quickly even during busier periods. Service can feel a bit inconsistent depending on when you visit. Some meals are attentive and welcoming, while other visits may feel more rushed, particularly once you have finished eating. We noticed the staff were efficient in getting orders out and clearing plates, but the pace of the meal leaned more toward turnover than lingering. Even so, the kitchen operates efficiently, and the overall experience remains centered around getting satisfying food to the table without a long wait. Phở Grand continues to be a dependable option for Vietnamese comfort food in the neighborhood. The combination of hearty pho, large portions, affordable prices, and a broad menu makes it an easy place to return to, especially when you are craving a warm bowl of noodle soup or a casual meal with plenty of options. It delivers the kind of consistent, no-fuss dining that keeps a restaurant like this in business for years, offering a meal that feels both familiar and satisfying.

I usually eat at Nam Som, b/c it's 1 block closer to the direction from which I'm traveling. This…read moreplace is nicer in every way. MUCH nicer interior. Cool (actually) music. Nicer food presentation. Similar portion sizes & prices. This is my new go to for Viet bbq chicken on tiny rice stick + vegetarian summer roll (best order).

I made a reservation for 1 for a Saturday lunch at 12:00 PM. Not sure if the reservation was…read moreneeded, but the restaurant was crowded as I finished up. I given a brief rundown of how the restaurant worked, then left to fill out my ordering card. The seating is short chairs and you may be sharing a table or bar type seating. I ordered the date drink and one of the sharables . When my food was served, person working asked me if I'd eaten this before, and when I said no she instructed me to mix the fermented shrimp paste until it became frothy and then to dip the items in the paste. She also let me know there were other sauce options (fish and soy) if I wished. It was delicious! My favorite item was the blood sausage but the tofu had a great texture and was more pleasant than I expected! The greens provided were a mix of cucumbers and various leaves more common in Vietnam so it was nice to try some again. I left feeling full, with maybe 3-4 tofu pieces left. Halfway through they brought me the fish sauce too, but I preferred the shrimp paste. As a heads up, this isn't casual Vietnamese food most Americans are used to, but the options are delicious!

I decided to go without a reservation and had to wait for 30 mins but learn from this and make a…read morereservation, they usually have availability! My husband and I shared the snails (not a big fun normally but these are made with more filling so it tasted ok!), the egg rolls (very good), and the famous big platter with the tofu and several parts of the pork. As a tofu lover, I must say it was exceptional! The pork cuts were also good and tasty. I love that everything comes with lettuce, leaves and veggies to balance out the protein. They have two places both small but can hold a lot of small tables. Service was quick!

Their pork bahn mi was quite good and also great sized! It was a little expensive, but you get a…read morelot of sandwich, which includes a lot of meat. The meat was very tender and flavorful, and there was a great ratio of veggies to bread and meat! I would definitely give this one a shot! The service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere inside is welcoming.

The grilled pork and grilled chicken over rice are always great…read more The portion size for the pho is smaller compared to other restaurants, especially at this price. It also didn't come with basil on the side, even though it's listed on the menu. The fresh eye of round was sliced a little thicker than I usually prefer. However, the soup was much better than when I visited a couple months ago. Their spring rolls are probably one of my favorites. Always perfectly fried and super crunchy. I like that they have different options for spring rolls: shrimp & pork, pork & vegetable, and vegetarian.

Absolutely LOVED the dishes here! So flavorful and bold and Moc Mac offers unique dishes, which I…read moretruly appreciate. It was perfect for our GNO - delicious food & lots of yap! Moc Mac is worth the visit, especially since the variety is different. Their menu sets them apart from other Viet restaurants and the staff is super accommodating. I'd definitely make the trip out here just for this place!

Food/drinks: can't complain! Everything was super solid!…read more Atmosphere: cute and not too big! Service: as expected Price: as expected for NYC Vietnamese food

Chill vibes and super cute decor. Good spot for date or drinks with friends…read more Solid happy hour til 7:30pm - beer, wine, and sake. Highlight was the creative menu. Dishes here you won't find anywhere else. Crab squid ink pasta, jellyfish salad, katsu pad thai, miso mahi papardelle.

I found this place after seeing a video posted on Instagram and thought it looked great…read more Unfortunately, my experience was mediocre at best, and I likely won't be back. I ordered the Enoki Ten, Shiro Karaage, Ribs Kor Rae, and the Bata Crab. The Enoki Ten looked great, but was so greasy and was legit all fried batter, that I couldn't taste any of the mushrooms. It was just fried batter, and looked better than it tasted for sure. The karaage was just okay. It lacked flavor and I only got it because it was during HH. The ribs were probably the best out of all the apps, but even then, they were just okay. They were a bit on the drier side, but the sauce helped. Lastly, the bata crab was what was the most popular, but it really fell flat for me. There wasn't too much flavor, and it was honestly like an alfredo sauce with the squid ink pasta and crab. All of my dishes looked better than they tasted unfortunately. Instagram can be a trap sometimes!