I know how Vietnamese food should taste because that's all I got the first 18 years of my existence. I must first point out that it's not labeled "Chinese" because it's nothing like it. Vietnamese food emphasizes freshness, so the dishes are typically seasoned with herbs like mint, basil, lemongrass and cilantro. If you're expecting flavor explosion, you're in the wrong area of the continent - Vietnam is not a city in China! That being said, Phong Lan is my go-to place when I'm missin' my mama's cooking. If you want the authentic Vietnamese experience complete with the screechy shouting in the kitchen and little Asian kids doing math at a table while their daddies drink beer and play cards at another table, you've come to the right (and only) place in CR. It's family run so don't expect fast service, but the food will come out hot and fresh. A note on the pho if you've never had it before - add hoisin sauce and sriracha hot sauce to flavor the broth to your tastes. I would question anyone who compares the food here to a Chinese place because that just screams ignorance. This is Vietnamese food, and this is how Vietnamese food should taste. read more

In a large city overrun by chain restaurants, Phong Lan is my favorite spot for a fresh and tasty meal. I used eat there frequently when I was working in downtown CR. While Phong Lan may not live up to some people's west coast big city standards, it's the best option for Vietnamese in this area. First off, Phong Lan is a dive with no atmosphere whatsoever. It's a little family- run restaurant off the beaten path, practically in an alley, in an area of CR that includes consignment furniture shops and a salvation army store. Parking is always an issue, so you may need to walk a block. But the food is the star, and that's why you should try it if you are interested in something extraordinary. My favorites are the "bun" ... Basically rice vermicelli noodles atop a bed of lettuce and cucumber, garnished with cilantro, basil, sprouts and crushed peanuts, topped with a meat of your choice. I've tried them all, and two of my faves are the shrimp and pork, and the spicy lemongrass chicken. Fresh, filling, and healthful, low in fats, and totally satisfying combinations of flavors and textures. I've tried the pho and other soups on the menu, as well as some of the rice dishes. A steaming hot bowl of pho on a cold winter's day, or a cool bowl of bun on a hot summer day ... Always something hits the spot. Phong Lan has a special place in my heart. read more

Delicious Vietnamese food in a clean environment! Love the crab rangoons, spring rolls, and pho.

This is Cedar Rapids saving grace. The tofu spring rolls are delicious. The best vietnamese restaurant in town!

Fast service, they use fresh vegetables. We ordered a veg. Fried rice and chicken with veg shrimp egg rolls, crab Rangoons, pho all was very good. They have a very clean restaurant as well. read more

Authentic, that sums up this place. Food is stellar, their S.19 bo bun hue (spicy beef soup) is my staple, had it many other places no one else even in big cities come close. People looking for Chinese (American) don't bother, if you want to travel to Vietnam without leaving Cedar Rapids you are at the right place. read more

As people mentioned, its a Vietnamese restaurant so don't go expecting it to be Chinese or Thai. Vietnamese is fresh, light, non-greasy food it's not typically spicy unless you make it that way with the little peppers or some Sriracha. I like to get the combination lemon grass under the "spicy entry" on the menu. I really like the shrimp egg rolls here! Shrimp wrapped in a piece of pork, wrapped in a eggroll wrapper and fried to deliciousness! Don't go for the atmosphere, go for an authentic meal with friendly service. read more

Well, visited my go-to Vietnamese spot in CR for lunch during workday. Not sure what has happened, but service and food just didn't match up with my memory of this place. Ordered my regulars and while they were what in expected, they just didn't seem as good. Also, I missed my smiley and energetic server who always seemed happy to see me. When I asked the server for some carrot and radish, he refused me. Then, when I asked for our check, I was instructed to just go to cashier. Didn't like the new system. Oh well. I will go back, but I have taken away a star. read more

Pho was good but I felt it was overpriced. Other Vietnamese restaurants I've been to give you huge bowls and tons of meat and vegetable, but I felt like this place was pretty skimpy in comparison. But, if you are in CR and you are dying for some pho, Phong Lan will scratch your itch. read more

I was so surprised with the small portion , noodle soup - with so little noodle, maybe it's in Iowa , but still noodle cost is so low , so when I ask for more noodle , he went and charge for another $2 dollar!. Pho is really light almost flavorless , with so little beef. read more

I am always pleased with this owner chef restaurant! I eat here weekly and enjoy the variety of dishes, although I have pho ga quite often. I have a restricted diet and they accommodate me every time. I like being able to eat on my schedule! It stays open and no one is cleaning around my table at 2 pm waiting for me to leave! Don't you just hate that when you eat lunch late and workers make you feel like you should hurry and wolf down your food so they can close up? Never here! I can relax, read the paper and drink tea after my meal and feel very welcome! read more

Always great food and service here! The egg rolls and crab rangoons are the best in town. Try the Vietnamese coffee whle you are there too! Way better than those chain coffee places make! read more

I love this place, and it really got me hooked on Pho. I can't vouch for its authenticity but can rave about the flavor. It's wonderful! I've also ordered the spring rolls (delicious), crepes, and hot tea. Service is quick and friendly. Food is affordable and attractively presented. There is a vintage charm to the mismatched dishes, and the clever post-modern condiment holders on each table. The ambience is part of the appeal. Nothing fancy about this place! Every time I visit the same friendly gentleman greets and waits on us. He is speedy quick and food and drinks are delivered promptly and accurately. The food is fresh, served piping hot, friendly service, affordable in a campy yet endearing atmosphere. This is a real gem in downtown CR. read more

This place is a hidden gem. The man working there is friendly and attentive to his patrons. I've been there a few times now and the food is consistently wonderful. I had never had pho before, but I'm glad I had it here. My body feels so good after eating it. The spring rolls are also fresh and delicious too. read more

This place is everything you could want and need from a local phó spot. Food is always delicious. The staff is helpful and attentive. The two daughters that hang around after school are the sweetest kids imaginable. I always make it a point to talk to them when I drop in for carry out. read more

Best Lemongrass Chicken, I love the fresh raw vegetables it comes with. Also very great tasting Summer Rolls!

For the price portion Are small! I got the pho is was ok broth was good but little meat and veggies condiments! This will b the last time come here unless changes are made. Don't me wrong i want to help small businesses but food and service needs to b on par with the prices they're charging! read more

Wow! What a great Vietnamese restaurant! The service was impeccable; fresh tastes; and amazing sweet iced coffee. We tried the vermicelli bowl with egg rolls, seafood with veggies (huge pieces of squid), pho, and a kids meal. All delicious! read more

Great pho and the rest of the menu is pretty good. Big portions for the price. Parking for lunch is a mess, but well worth it. Walk a block and stop complaining already! Lunch service can be a little slow so put your order in with the drink order and you'll save some time. I kind of wish they didn't leave the chopsticks on the table in the holder so that no one can mess with them before you use them. A fresh set wrapped in a napkin would be more reassuring than a container full of them at the table. read more

This place is so good and I miss it quite a bit. Their fried rice is to die for and their shrimp egg rolls are second to none. You can't leave without having an orange slush there too. The owner is always doting on the tables and checking up on how things are going with your meal. read more

My husband and I decided to order take-out of soups- beef noodle pho and hot & sour. We got home, sat down to eat, and started unpacking the bag of food. The pho broth was in one container, the sliced beef, onions, rice noodles in another, and the basil, bean sprouts, and lime came in a baggie. We even got a little cup of hoisin-sriracha sauce. We opened the beef/onion/noodle container and much to our surprise, the thin-sliced beef looked lovely, but it was raw :O I am not sure if this is the way take-out beef pho always comes...Maybe this is normal? We still give Phong Lam 4 stars. Both soups were complex in flavor and, well, delicious! The hot & sour soup had a lovely tangy (not your typical brown) broth, a lot of different veggies, and egg. Just beware, you may need to cook the pho when you get home. read more

I had the 8.0 which was excellent. It was recommended to me by a friend and it was my first time eating at a Vietnamese restaurant. I am glad that I was able to try it. It has been about 5 days and I am already wondering when I can go back. I think it will be soon. read more

Oh yeah baby, a great place for pho and spring rolls when I'm traveling. Not the best ever but not bad at all. My Vietnamese iced coffee was pretty skimpy. Other than that totally worth a trip. I think the owner waited on me and he was very friendly. read more

My girlfriend and I will find excuses to visit this place even though it is around an hour away from where we live. The pork vermicelli is highly recommended. read more

Another great Vietnamese restaurant in Cedar Rapids. This small and not very atmospheric restaurant offers excellent Vietnamese foods. All of the dishes prepared are fresh and authentic. Phong Lan has been around a long time and I hope it survives. Its location is not the best. It has never been easy to get to nor to find nearby parking. It has also unfortunately been marred for far too long by continuous street construction. It takes some effort to get to it but your eating experience will be worth the effort. And as an after dinner treat you can shop next door at the Saigon Market. read more

I ate there often when I lived in Cedar Rapids from 2003-2005 and this restaurant was an oasis of ethnic food in Eastern Iowa. I especially loved the lemongrass chicken and their pho, but everything tasted good and had a great homemade feel. read more

the price for their food is kind of average. I would definitely prefer mai-pho over phong lan because for the same price mai-pho offer double the portion, however the appetizers are really good and it has ok service. read more

We came in around 1:30pm Sat, thinking maybe a lunch special but there didn't seem to be one. The food was in my opinion just mediocre. I ordered the large vegetables, combination of all seafoods and steamed rice, my wife ordered the regular portion of fried rice and chicken. Both our orders came on the same plate the size difference was undistinguishable, but the price wasn't. I 'd probably go back again just to make sure it wasnt an off day for the resturant. read more

This is one of my absolute favorite places! I love the spring rolls. I've ordered a number of different items off the menu and have never been disappointed. My usual would be chicken and rice or chicken, shrimp and rice and if you've never tried the lime drink - can't think of the specific name of it, but it's very refreshing! Everything is very reasonable and the portions are more than ample! read more

My family and I always go here when we need comfort food. Inexpensive, and the decor is very "hole-in-the-wall" and simple, but the pho is great, as are the fried rice dishes. Good yellow curry too! Service is fast, friendly, and accurate. read more

One of my favorite places to eat in cedar rapids! Never had a bad dish! The service is great very nice staff and you don't have to wait forever for your food. read more

Unassuming casual spot with wonderful Pho. I had the seafood pho, Mr had the beef. We both had the (and I'm spelling this wrong-sorry) cui gon rolls. Food was served quickly. The bowls of Pho were large and the broth was full of rice noodles and meat(or seafood). I recommend it highly! read more

Coming from a Texan Vietnamese native, this place is the closes thing to hit home. The food here was pretty fresh from the ingredients used to the rice. Never had I ever have fried potatoes wedges in my bo luc lac, so interesting experience haha. Will come back to try for other things if I have time. Pricing was a dollar to two dollars more exspensive but I dont blame them, for the quality you can't beat! read more

Phong Lan Vietnamese Restaurant - Bo luc lac!(Shaken beef) - Vietnamese Near Me - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

I love this place. Very good food, reasonable price. I have known this restaurant since 2006 or so, I never disappointed. AlsoI tried several Vietnamese restaurant in Various places, like Minneapolis, Illinois, and east coast, but still this is the best! I love egg roll, spring roll and pho. The service is always quick, and the taste is very consistent. Stuff is friendly. Interior is not very fancy, but not bothering me. Difinitely I reccomend this place!! read more

I love this restaurant. It is clearly a family owned restaurant, as we frequently go here, and the owners' daughter is sometimes hanging around playing or watching cartoons. The same people are there to greet us every single time. The food is authentic and wonderful. The prices are good. They recently updated their menus, which they were due for. The service is friendly and the food always gets out to us SO fast!!! The chicken with lemongrass bun is my favorite. I always ask them to add in shrimp egg rolls to my bun dish. They are delicious!!! As for the review mentioning the portion sizes. The appetizers are small, but they're priced accordingly. Paying 3 bucks for 2 spring rolls doesn't equate to a rip off for me, especially when the main dish I order is huge. read more

They gave incomplete orders charged extra and when I called they said it was my fault for not telling them that I wanted bean sprouts in the soup. Bean sprout a d coriander are basic things in a pho. What idiots read more

i came in looking forward to the bowl of hot pho- with my favorite, tendon! except they don't serve pho with "actual" tendon. instead they give you slices of beef shank or as the server said: "meat with tendon inside". i was so disappointed. there was no indication on the menu that they serve "meat with tendon inside". the sliced beef (without tendon) was dry. the soup itself was very tasty. perhaps if i ever come again, i will try a bun or a rice dish. read more

This place is nice and clean. Parking lot is small and tight. You will find your usual Vietnamese dishes here. I had the 4.1 beef noodle soup with sliced beef and sliced meatballs. Meatballs and steak were good. Noodles were a little over cooked. I found the broth to be slightly bland personally. read more

My favorite place in Cedar Rapids. The Bun is delicious. The summer rolls are the perfect have the perfect balance of herbs. Eat here.

I normally get one of the lemongrass dishes when there and I love it. The service can be a bit slow but normally this is not an issue. I've just seen them get overwhelmed with people a time or two. I'm not sure if this is authentic food or not but because is is not nearly as greasy as Chinese I am very fond of it. read more