I walked in with my young daughter after a long day exploring NYC. The staff could not have been more 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!! read more

Prior to coming to Saigon Social, visiting Vietnam was an idea we had flirted with for our summer vacation. 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. read more

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Went to Saigon Social on a busy Saturday evening. We had a reservation but had to wait a little while as there was a large party that was slow to leave. Creative dishes and wonderful flavors. We started with the Banh Xeo (very good), Salmon Carpaccio (a little spicer then we expected but very flavorful) and Lemongrass Ribs (excellent) For our entrees, we had the Garlic Noodles (special for the night was with soft shell crab) and the Oxtail Fried Rice (very good) along with a side of tots. Very friendly, helpful service. Energetic environment that is on the louder side. Worth a trip! read more

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Went during the week and was able to try the happy hour drinks. The drinks and food were great. Service was very friendly and the owner was in that day. The fried rice was one of my favorites and the spicy wontons. The drink that was on the happy hour was watermelon margaritas. I also got the pandan cake for dessert. Definitely worth checking out. read more

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Cool vibes with a subtle Star Wars themed mural with delicious Vietnamese dishes! The service is super friendly and attentive and the food is clearly made with high quality ingredients. read more

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I had a wonderful dinner at Saigon Social. Everything we ordered was delicious. My favorite was Banh Xeo (crispy crepe with shrimp, pork, mung bean, and lettuce). Unfortunately, I didn't have a picture to show. The service was excellent very attentive. I wish I could remember his name. The interior is simple and clean. read more

Saigon Social - Shaken Beef - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Stopped in here a couple weeks back and really enjoyed everything. We had good cocktails and food. Will definitely return.. read more

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This Vietnamese restaurant excels in every aspect--from plating and flavor to texture. The balance of each dish is remarkably well executed. The service was attentive throughout, and the dining environment felt comfortable, intimate, and private. The appetizer, the clam salad, was especially impressive. The sesame cracker was incredibly crisp and beautifully shaped like a large seashell, making for an elegant presentation. The clam salad itself was deeply flavorful, with tender clams and rich Vietnamese seasoning. Despite the generous filling, the cracker remained perfectly crunchy and never became soggy, reflecting a thoughtful and carefully crafted approach to the dish. For the first entrée, we had the garlic noodles topped with two large prawns. The noodles carried a subtle seafood and black pepper flavor; the pepper was gentle rather than overpowering, adding just the right amount of depth. Tiny fish roe added a delightful textural contrast, bursting lightly with each bite. The seasoning was exceptionally well balanced, making the dish both satisfying and refined. The second main course was the stewed beef served with the restaurant's house-made bread. The bread was truly outstanding--its crust was beautifully crisp, while the interior remained moist, airy, and incredibly soft. It showcased a remarkable level of craftsmanship and deserves special praise on its own. As for the beef stew, it was richly seasoned and deeply infused with flavor. The cut of beef included connective tissue, yet it had been slow-cooked to a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Served with carrots and a broth clearly simmered from an abundance of fresh tomatoes, the dish felt comforting, authentic, and carefully prepared. Every element reflected the kitchen's attention to detail and genuine dedication to quality. read more

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Recently watched an episode of Somebody Feed Phil on Saigon. Walked by and tempted to try some Vietnamese cuisine. The appetizers were all very interesting. We tried the rice cake and Scottish eggs. They were delicious. Ask for some extra chili sauce to put on top to spice things up. The mains were average in comparison. We order the fried fish and oxtail fried rice. Both were overcooked. The fish was crispy dry and lost lots of flavors. The fried rice felt oily and the rice was too dried out. read more

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Cozy Vietnamese spot in the lower east side. The beef pho is good here although it is a little on the smaller portion side. The broth is flavored. They also have unique appetizers! I don't really see the bahn beo often so when I saw it here had to get it! Pretty good! Also tried the oxtail fried rice which was pretty flavorful! read more

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I've been to Saigon Social a few times, and the food is delicious! The lemon grass chicken is so yummy and I could eat that for days. Also their drinks are so creative and good. The ambiance is so lovely and cozy, and the service is fantastic. Can't wait to go back - I am already craving the food again! read more

Halal beef- informed by server. Service is great. 3/5 beef carpaccio $14- very thin beef slices, not a fan of watercress- minty 2/5 Oxtail fried rice $26- salt unevenly dispersed, beef can be more tender 2/5 garlic noodles - too oily & too salty read more

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Food/drinks: oh my my my it's hard to find the range of viet food/dishes like what is served at this restaurant!! Definitely come here to try what makes up viet cuisine beyond pho & bang mi :) Atmosphere: so cute! Esp the outdoor seating now that it's getting warmer Service: friendly and quick! Price: as expected for the area and nyc! read more

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The service was kind, patience and helpful. Decor was chic and comfortable. My drink- the lychee Paloma- was so, so yummy with the right amount of sweetness and carbonation. The grilled fish with accompanying dipping sauces was absolutely delicious and surpassed my expectations. Would absolutely return and recommend this spot! read more

Saigon Social - Deboned, grilled branzino - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

Saigon Social is always a great, welcoming experience for updated modern takes on Vietnamese fare. I always love the pho, particularly the Bun Bo Hue, so always check if they have it that day. They have an amazing Chicken Sando as well during happy hours. Their Pandan Ice Tea and Pink Jade are my favorite cocktails. Their staple delicious are amazing as well. My favorites are the Garlic Noodles and Pea Shoots. The Crispy Fish and Lemongrass Ribs are top notch as well. The menu rotates regularly so I keep getting drawn back all the time. Chef Helen often stops by tables to make sure you're enjoying everything as well. read more

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This is really cozy and elevated Vietnamese restaurant. Every dish we had was a hit. Menu is pretty simple but everything looks great. We had spring roll, pho and garlic noodles They were packed with flavor. Pho was rich, aromatic broth, perfect noodle and tender meats. Spring rolls were crispy served with dipping sauce and lettuce that brought everything together. Garlic noodles were different but surprisingly very good. I loved the fish eggs on top, adding much flavor. Staffs and chief were very accommodating. There was a fan making noise. Everyone went to each table, apologizing for the noise which i didnt even mind. Will definitely visit back! read more

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I've been trying to find a Vietnamese spot ever since moving to New York that serves authentic Vietnamese food, and I would have to say that this MIGHT just be what I'm looking for. The menu here is simple, but has a lot of classic dishes/appetizers that I love, and they have a rotating soup menu. Cocktails are great here and service was amazing. I got the Saigon platter, and two of their specials: the banh tet and the banh mi burger. Everything was phenomenal. I HIGHLY recommend the Saigon platter so that you can try a variety of Vietnamese bites, from banh beo to banh khot to bo la lot. Everything was so close to how my mom makes it and I enjoyed every bite. I thought that the banh tet was pretty good but really heavy on the rice to filling ratio. And, the banh mi burger was such a fun fusion dish. I would love to come back and try other items! read more

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We decided to try a Vietnamese restaurant in the LES. I'm not sure how authentic it really is, considering none of the chefs appeared to be Vietnamese or of Asian descent. We started with the Saigon Platter, which included Bánh Bèo, Bánh Khọt, Bò Lá Lốt, Lemongrass Ribs, and Imperial Rolls -- definitely worth ordering! My favorite was the Bò Lá Lốt -- savory, seasoned meat wrapped in betel leaves -- bursting with flavor. The Imperial Rolls (Vietnamese fried spring rolls) were just okay; I've had better. The Bánh Bèo (steamed rice cakes) were disappointing -- overly oily and watery, lacking the delicate texture and taste they should have. Bánh Khọt is a bite-sized Vietnamese savory pancake, topped with shrimp. It was perfectly crispy on the outside. Lemongrass ribs were solid. The Oxtail Fried Rice was a standout. Every bite was a tender pieces of oxtail. I'm glad I gave it a try! The cocktails? Skip them. Weak and uninspired. One thing I wish they had on the menu was Bún Bò Huế (a spicy beef noodle soup). Their noodle soups rotate as daily specials, which is frustrating if you're craving something specific. I'm giving it 4 stars mainly because the food was decent and flavorful. However, the restaurant's ventilation could use some serious improvement -- expect to leave smelling like you've been grilling barbecue all night. read more

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Good service and ambiance, unfortunately food was a miss. Com Tam rice plate used the wrong type of rice (tasted like undercooked basmati). Pho was way too oily (my suspicion is they never chilled the broth and removed the top layer of oil). Grilled pork cheek itself was good and banh beo texture and flavor was on point. read more

Food and services were both excellent. Happy hour was especially good! We love this restaurant and will go back.

The hospitality here is unreal!!! Everyone working here was so kind to us. We had a great time eating a late lunch and even though the food was good, the friendly service was what sealed the deal. Thankfully we didn't have to make a reservation since we ate at such an odd time (early dinner, late lunch). There's some seats at the bar and a good amount of tables, and when the weather gets warmer, they'll have outdoor seating as well. The bathroom is on the lower level and you'll have to go down some steep-ish stairs as just a heads up. I ordered the bánh bèo to start and the beef pho (which was their soup of the day). The starter was awesome and I have never had anything like it. Our server was accurate in describing it as a flavor bomb. The pho broth was also so refreshing and the meat in it was delicious (when I get beef pho in general I usually don't eat all the beef but I did this time). I left feeling super full and definitely had a food coma. read more

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My mom always told me to try Vietnamese food when traveling just to see how it is. This spot was recommended by a friend and I am only knocking off a star bc I felt it was a bit pricey (but i am spoiled in CA). Service was very good... honestly, I am always surprised to get such good service. Ambiance was a bit loud... I guess that's typical of NYC spots, but the tables were so close together that I could hear my neighbors' conversations and kids yelling. I had the scotch eggs and grilled branzino. I think the scotch eggs were my favorite bc i love shrimp that is deep fried. Mmm ... something different. The fish was very classic except the branzino part. ‍ read more

Saigon Social - Grilled branzino - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Saigon Social serves modern Viet cuisine. I got their oxtail fried rice and their beef pho. I enjoyed their food here! One thing about their pho that Saigon Social gives their "modern" take on vs traditional Viet that's different from what I'm usually used to is that their noodle seems wider. At the restaurant I also found them to have friendly service as well! read more

This place was on my friend's list, and we happened to walk by it on a Saturday during lunchtime, so we popped in to see if they had any availability. Thankfully, the place was pretty empty so the four of us were able to be seated immediately. We ordered the imperial rolls, banh khot, lotus root salad, peashoots, the oxtail fried rice, and the garlic noodles. It was a lot of food, but we finished everything because it was so delicious! In terms of appetizers, I would definitely order the imperial rolls again. I think the banh khot were just ok, but I'm happy I tried it. The lotus root salad really surprised me. It was so flavorful and fresh! I don't really like lotus root, but there were only a couple of fried pieces on top. I was most excited for the oxtail fried rice because this is supposed to be one of their most popular dishes. It was kind of a letdown, but I think that's just because everything else was so good. The fried rice was good too, but definitely not anything special. Overall, this was such a satisfying meal, and I think it showcased the vietnamese flavors so well! read more

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Elevated Vietnamese food on the pricier side if you're aiming to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine in a more "sophisticated" or "date night," atmosphere. Offer reservations online ($20 no-show fee), but we were able to walk-in just fine on a late Saturday evening--figured with the perfect weather, most people in the area are focused on getting schmoozed, not stuffed. Was craving a BBH, and to my disappointment, it was not their "Soup of the Day," which was Pho. Kinda sucks if you're hankering for a healing broth that's not available. We ordered: - Goi Cuon: super flavorful, had a very gooey and bouncy texture (think qq noodles in Taiwanese cuisine). Filling was cooked perfectly and was probably the star of the show. While it's pricey, you can cut the two rolls into fourths to try to savor it a little more. Knowing these are dirt cheap in VN to cook hurts me a little...but hey, it's NYC right? - Beef Carpaccio: VERY tangy, they went hard as a mf with whatever acid addition they power sprayed on there. The greens were a little too bitter for me so I ended up foisting the rest onto my partner. - Oxtail Fried Rice: this was surprisingly remarkable, especially as I'm not a fan of fried rice. I loved that every single morsel of rice was a little on the crispier side, so you could taste every individual grain. The flavor was excellent, and with some chili sauce on the side, it knocked me off my rocker. - Pandan Honeycomb: while expensive for what it is, the slices of cake are favorable, and the coconut cream and the peanuts were a great addition. This felt like the perfect ending to a flavor packed meal and filled us both up without making us lethargic. I loved savoring each and every delicate bite. Wide arrange of cocktail combinations available as there is bartenders onsite. Our waitress is a bartender here and had sooo many recommendations for us, up and down, from a to z, food to drink. I could tell there was a lot of passion for her work. So much so that she started describing to me different Vietnamese dishes and what they taste like, etc. Which I found a little off-putting as I'm Vietnamese myself and didn't need a crash course. Overall, I was impressed by the variety and intensity of flavors, especially as none of the cooks appeared to be Vietnamese (at least right off the bat). The fact that they were able to reenact Vietnamese flavors and really highlight them was remarkable, so I suppose I understand why things are priced as they are. Our meal, plus a cocktail cost us ride under $100. Crazy when you're thinking Vietnamese food but sensible if you're thinking LES Restaurant. read more

Food: 4/5 | Service: 4/5 | Experience: 3.5/5 I made a reservation for 3, and we were seated immediately. Service overall was good and the ambience is more relaxed, but note that the bathroom is down a set of very narrow stairs. We ordered the imperial rolls, grilled lemongrass ribs, saigon sisig, and the garlic noodles. The rolls' dipping sauce was very good and the outside of the roll was crispy, but the flavor of the meat inside did not shine through for me through the mushroom and noodles. The ribs had a good flavor, but not tender enough. The sisig was tender, but the flavors were not strong enough. I liked the garlic noodles; the garlic flavor is basically the only thing you get, and the roe added a crunchy texture, which I enjoyed. I'm not sure I would come back as I felt the price was not worth the food / experience, but it was good to try. read more

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This was alright, it was good but I wouldn't be itching to come back soon. The sisig was pretty good, the imperial rolls were yummy, and the ribs are decent flavor/tenderness. I wasn't a huge fan of the flavor of the garlic noodles. Quick service and nice ambiance. read more

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We tried some of Chef Helen's food when she did a pop-up collaboration at our fave restaurant in SD & loved it so we made it a point to try her food whenever we were in NYC & boy! Literally from start to finish, everything was phenomenal. To drink, We had the pink jade & a weekly special drink off the menu-a mango rum cocktail, both drinks were delicious & refreshing. For food, we had Chicken wings, garlic noodles with shrimp, banh xeo, oxtail fried rice, fried fish, papaya salad & mussels. We were too stuffed for a dessert, but I can only imagine the desserts would've been impeccable too. The ambiance was perfect, staff was super friendly, accommodating & food came out pretty quickly. We love Star Wars so it was really cool to see the mural & paintings downstairs going toward the bathroom. Chef Helen also popped by our table, not just to check how we're liking our food, but she was actually conversing with us. She is honestly so sweet & super personable. Overall, Saigon Social has made it to our top 10 favorite restaurants & we will eat here everytime we're back in NY!! read more

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I enjoyed the burger as it was flavorful and had vegetables that are usually in banh mi, making the burger have a Vietnamese spin to it. It came with French fries. read more

This is one of the best beef pho soups I've had in the city. They don't give hoisin sauce or anything in traditional Vietnamese restaurants but that's totally okay because the beef broth was so flavorful it stood on its own. The meat was also tender and not dry which I liked. The noodles are thicker than what I've gotten in other pho soups but they work. It's a big portion and it's def big enough to share. The staff was also very friendly. Perfect for winter! read more

Saigon Social - Pho Bo - Beef Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

Hands down my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the city! You really can't beat the quality of the food at Saigon Social. All of the menu items hit, but some of our favorites are the bun cha Ha Noi, beef pho, and banh beo. I also never find myself bored of the menu, with the soups changing frequently and the menu changing seasonally, there's always something new to try. The price tag might be a bit of a shock to some who (like me) grew up with $10 or less pho, but given the quality, the location and ambiance, I think it is well worth it. The service has always been so friendly and attentive. It can get pretty busy and I would recommend securing reservations, but the past few times my partner and I have walked in and snagged bar seats without a wait. read more

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All I can say is absolutely delicious !! The flavors were great. Just loved the new drink the gin gimlet. The mussel sauce was so good we ordered a second one. The fish and garlic noodles were great. My husband loved the marrow bone. The only thing that hat was just okay was the dessert. Don't expect China town prices. This is fine cooking. We will be back read more

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I had the ca ri chay, which was just fine. It's pretty rich and creamy, maybe a bit far on the oily side. I also felt that the balance of vegetables to curry wasn't quite right - there was only about one piece of tofu in the whole dish, and I could've used more vegetables in general. The spices were nice though, and the rice was cooked to the perfect texture. My meal came to about $25 with tax and tip, which is about average. read more

Came here with a friend for lunch on a Wednesday evening at 7pm and it was somewhat busy. We were able to be sat in a wider table which made things more comfortable. The venue is medium sized with more 2 person tables available. Would not recommend for large parties unless you book in advance. For food, we tried the oxtail fried rice and the garlic noodles. Both were pretty salty and the garlic noodles needed something else to offset that overwhelming taste. Although the wait staff were friendly and attentive, the prices here don't reflect the quality of the food unfortunately read more

Date: Saturday, January 13th, 2024 Time: around 12:30am Party of: 4 Meal: Lunch *Banh Beo ($12) x2 *Bun Rieu ($23) *Coffee w/ Condensed Milk ($6) *Xi Muoi Soda ($8) x2 *Beef Pho ($22) x2 *Bun Bo Hue ($23) I eat a lot of bun rieu and bun bo hue back home in the SF Bay Area. When one in our party suggested noodle soup, I was down. Comfort in a bowl? Yes please! I got the bun bo hue. I was expecting it to be spicy, sweet, savory, etc. Please hit all the flavor profiles! But it was rather bland. And they don't give you limes, shrimp paste, or hot sauce unless you ask, so I'm not sure if this is meant to be eaten as is? If so, the flavors are rather muted. I tried my friend's bun rieu and it was a little too sweet and the broth watery. I had to add limes and shrimp paste to balance it out. Price wise, I also found $20+ for a small bowl of noodle soup to be pricey. Service was great! And the restaurant vibe is nice. They have an open kitchen, so you can watch them prepare the dishes. We ended up sitting at the bar since they said the wait for a table would be like 30 mins. (Tho I think they sat someone within 10 mins of us walking in. Maybe they had a rez?) If you want a straight up bowl of vietnamese noodle soup, I'd probably suggest going somewhere else. But if you're in the mood for something a little more tame in flavor, this could be your jam. Unfortunately, it's just not mine. 2 STARS FOR THE FOOD/VALUE 4 STARS FOR THE SERVICE = 3 STARS OVERALL read more

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Really don't get the hype. Sure, the decor is nice but the food here is mad overpriced. Had a bowl of pho for $22 before tip and tax. Pretty small bowl too, I was still hungry afterwards and I definitely have a pretty average sized appetite. Service was friendly, but on a hot day the air conditioning wasn't really working and they have an open kitchen, so the entire indoor area was probably like 80°F. Not a super pleasant experience. read more

Saigon Social - Pho Bo - Beef Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

Low key joint for Vietnamese food in LES. Loved everything about my experience. The place itself was cozy and warm with communal style and open kitchen dining. The staff were super friendly and nice. We ordered the chicken curry and the short rib banh mi burger and it was perfect for a winter night. read more

Saigon Social - Vietnamese Near Me - New York, New York

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Went with the Imperial rolls, lemongrass ribs, oxtail fried rice, and pea shoots. It was all simply delicious with good portion size (I ended up taking some home and devoured it upon arrival). Service was great with a very easy atmosphere. Would definitely recommend! read more

Service was super The food was outstanding! I am already thinking about when to go back ! The chicken spicy dumplings as an app were out of this world. read more

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Unfortunately, this place did not live up to the hype. 2.5/5 Service was fine and ambiance was nicer than an average vietnamese restaurant, but not somewhere you would go to impress anyone. For the food - Overpriced + subpar. We ordered a special appetizer picture in the middle that I can't remember the name. It was supposed to be crispy fried rice stuffed with ?pork belly. Anyways, it was dry & tasteless. Very disappointing. Oxtail fried rice was OK, but oily. The chicken curry was probably the best dish, but I found it to be very standard. read more

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