Winter in Rochester is cold. Pho is hot. At SEA, it's also delicious and inexpensive for the amount you get (which is a lot). Aside from the pho, the other food is pretty good. Not the best Thai iced tea I've ever had, and you can get better pad thai elsewhere. The main attraction at SEA is by far the soup, which is the best you can get around the area. Overall, definitely a place to go with some friends to warm up! read more

I had the Beef Pho. Wow that was delicious. Hot tea. And Beef Pho. So much it was lunch next day. So good. So affordable. Nice folks working there. Very cozy. I shall return. Many times. read more

Best Pho I've had!! I'm from Virginia and came to Rochester for work and I've tried Pho all over VA and my favorite has always been Pho Hoang in Centreville VA but this Bowl has blown my mind!! Great flavor and good portion size!!! So sad I have to leave soon but this is a must go to Pho place!!! read more

This was my first time having Vietnamese food and I have to say, Pho was very good! It was a nice big bowl of flavorful soup with vegetables, noodles and your choice of meat! It was the perfect cure for a 0 degree day. Very reasonable in price, the soup was flavorful and hardy at the same time... And it's a big bowl too. We didn't even finish it all, so I'm looking forward to left overs! My recommendation for people who have never had Vietnamese food is to ask what something before you order. I had ordered Spring Rolls assuming they were going to be hot and deep fried, like a Chinese Resturant. They came out cold and not fried, the Vietnamese version. Still very good spring rolls, I just wasn't expecting what came to the table. Lastly, very cheap! Perfect to go for lunch and not break your wallet. Servers were very nice and always filling up our water and tea cups (tea was also good!) All in all, a very strong 4 stars and my recommendation. Try it, it's unique. read more

Best Pho this side of the river! My boyfriend and I spent a month in Vietnam and now we find ourselves picky.... but we eat at SEA a few times a month and it's a go-to for noodle soups. The specials on the white-board are also usually surprising and tasty. The perfect heartwarming meal on a cold Rochester day. read more

Feeling super sick a few days ago, I desperately needed a good hot bowl of pho. This location is a cute little spot with about 10 tables. The pho was decent but my friend's lettuce had a live spider in it! We told the waitress and she got us more lettuce but we couldn't stop thinking about if the spider had laid any eggs in the rest of the lettuce. Yuck! :( read more

SEA Restaurant - Pho dac biet - Vietnamese Near Me - Rochester, New York

Good noodles and great prices! one of my favorite noodle spots in Rochester!

This is an authentic-feeling, cozy restaurant offering a decent variety of Thai-viet dishes. Loved the pho. My wife wondered if I was only getting that for dinner, until she saw the portion sizes. For $7, a ridiculous value. She had the pad thai, which was also very good. Spring rolls here were fresher and more flavorful than we've had elsewhere, and we ate at The King and I the following night, so there's a pretty direct comparison. Despite it being Friday night, service was reasonably quick and efficient. We really liked it. It's close enough to my office that I will definitely take advantage of their take-out in the future. Definitely recommended. If they could do another 10 dishes as good as they do the ones on the menu now, it would be 5 stars. read more

We went there on a snowy Friday night and had an overall good time. Pros: All the food we ordered was very good. We started with the crispy squid. The squid tasted very fresh and the preparation was great. I would definitely order it again. I ordered the beef pho, which was awesome. The serving size, to say the least, was very generous. The broth was so rich and flavorful. All of the add-on were very fresh and added a wonderful balance. I would order this again in a heartbeat. My fiance ordered the pork pad Thai. This was also good, which is fantastic because most of the other pad Thai that we've had in Rochester has been not the best. I would definitely return. Cons: So, if I had to judge based on the food alone, this would have been a no-brainer 4-star review. However the atmosphere is a bit strange there. It's very tiny, which in itself isn't off putting, but there are some issues with how the place is laid out. When we went, it was quite cold, windy, and snowy out. We were seated within 6 feet of the door so whenever someone would exit or enter there would be a blast of frigid air. We had to leave our coats on all meal. It's very off putting when you're already cold and trying to warm yourself with a nice bowl of pho. Also, the tables are HUGE. The table we sat at was so big that it made sharing across the table impossible. Given that it's so small a bunch of smaller, or in this case normal sized tables, would be a better fit allowing for more people to sit and a normal dining experience. ------------------------------------- Given all of that, I would return, but maybe when it's warmer. read more

Hole in the wall type place, in a good way. The fact that a place like this is popular should serve as evidence that it's product is good enough to forgive a few rough edges. My partner shared an order of tofu spring rolls, then she had the seafood pho and I the beef pho (brisket). Tofu Spring Rolls: Absolutely worthless. 50% flavorless lettuce, 35% mostly flavorless rice noodles, 15% mostly flavorless tofu. Throw away the rolls and eat the peanut butter dipping sauce with a spoon. Seafood Pho: Broth is THE critical element to pho. This broth tasted liked chicken broth, so I found my brief samples of this dish unsatisfying. Not bad, but the chicken/seafood cross didn't work for me. Beef Pho: WOW. Home run, out of the park, fantastic beef pho. After the let down of the spring rolls, I finally some evidence of the brilliance I was hoping for. Barely eeked out 3 stars. The beef pho was just barely more fantastic than the tofu spring rolls sucked. I'd give them another chance. read more

It was tough for me to give these guys 3 stars, because I like going here a lot more than the rating would indicate. Perhaps things would be different if I'd lived in Rochester my whole life. However, I spent 6 years in Boston and the Pho in that city is freakin' awesome. Still, there's much to like about SEA. The place is tiny, so I often find myself hanging out on the corner and puffing my ecigarette on Monroe Ave while another table of patrons scarfs down their pho. No big deal. The service is always friendly and knowledgable (I always know what the deal is, but I usually go with people who have questions). All I've ever had are apps (which are usually very good) and several variations of pho. The thing about pho is that it's pretty easy to make w/ a degree of consistency. I had 3 pho spots in Boston, and I could probably tell you which place made my pho in a blind taste test. In maybe 5-6 visits to SEA, I've had 2 bowls of pho that were semi-clunkers. Weird, right? It wasn't like it was suddenly gross, or that the meat was somehow terrible.... it was all about the broth; it was noticeably lighter in color and less flavorful than other visits. I also noticed that the noodles were totally falling apart, probably from being over-soaked. It's a simple inconsistency in the kitchen. Still, even when the Pho is a little bit off, it's worth going there to get a hot bowl of it for $6-$7. I'll continue to go there and hope they get a bit more consistent, but my quest for awesome pho in Rochester will certainly continue. read more

Nice location but the slap together paint job really detracted from the ambiance. The pho was ok, but portion was a bit smaller than some places. The basil was the least fresh I have ever had eating out. Fried rice was meh. Should have tried the squid but didn't check yelp till afterward. Friendly waitresses. Still, I'd give it another try, maybe it's because of the used book store next door. Now there was a find! I'm a sucker for used book stores. read more

If you love Pho, this is the place to go in Rochester, NY. Not only is the Pho great, the price is what I would consider very cheap. I always order the Seafood Pho which is about $7. If you also like calamari, try the fried calamari appetizer. The sauce and spice they use in it is something you won't find anywhere else. read more

As most people say, their Pho is delicious, fresh and big portion. I also like their tofu pad thai. It's sweet, nutty and also big portion. So you see my point, their food is always big in portion but low in price! Great for budget without sacrificing your mouth! read more

New to the area and have shopping around for new restaurants. Tried the papaya salad, pork egg rolls, pad thai, house fried rice and the house special Bun. Everything was absolutely fantastic and great service, too! Can't wait to visit again and try out more of the menu! read more

Came here with my hubby over the weekend! We are both pretty unfamiliar with southeast asian cuisine and decided to give it a try. First experience was good! Food came out very quickly and service was for the most part attentive. We both had the beef special pho noodles which tasted great and is perfect for when it is cold out. For appetizers I got the fried squid and he got the spring rolls. The squid was my favorite and I would come back specifically for the squid! Great place. read more

Seriously, this place is GREAT! If you're looking for quality vietnamese cuisine at a cheap price, this is THE place to go. The Pho is outstanding, but I'd recommend trying their various appetizers as well. I haven't had anything I didn't love yet. Seriously, if you have a pulse, and live in Rochester, go here. read more

My boyfriend and I come here so often, the waitress has started memorizing our order. The beef special pho is actually my favorite food. I can eat it for every meal and never get tired of it. Had their spring rolls before and they are amazing as well (both the fresh and fried). If you haven't tried this place I very highly recommend it. read more

I've been here twice for dinner. The place is very small, dark, and poorly decorated. The tables are sticky and the place feels damp all the time. Despite the decor the food was pretty ok. I started with the squid appetizer. It was very salty, but flavor was good. Their pho is flavorful, better than the other pho places in Rochester (until I found their other restaurant on Mt hope). I also had the pad thai once. Flavor was good, but didn't really taste very authentic. Very little of everything else except for noodle.....would not order it again. Their boba tea was artificial tasting. If you take your boba seriously do not order it here. After I found their other location I am not coming back here. read more

The Good: Convenient, affordable, and delicious Pad-Thai. The Bad: The first time I went I ordered one of the seafood dishes and felt like I'd "ordered the wrong thing". Times Gone: 3 I still need to try the Pho... read more

Terrible service and disgusting food. It's not authentic Vietnamese food and I can speak on this because I am Vietnamese. If you want authentic Vietnamese food try blue taro or nam Vang or even pho Saigon. read more

Out of a few pho houses, this place is the best pho sho! I and my friends always used to get a brisket and rare steak pho with chicken rice porridge, shrimp spring rolls that come with some sort of a peanut sauce, and a calamari. (Of course, I would be extremely hungover with a buddy or two) Only reason why I am giving 3 stars is because this place used to have a really good calamari which is not the case anymore. The "new" calamari is just a big chunk of things that are not as flavorful as they used to be. Not sure if this place has been cutting down the cost to open up another joint on Mt. Hope, but it's not the same anymore. Pho, on other hand, are still decent. read more

I lived in Thailand for five months, and this place serves the best pho I've eaten in the U.S. The seasoning and portions are spot on interpretations, and the Thai iced tea is remarkably similar to what's served on the streets of Bangkok. The prices are also very reasonable. I've eaten here many times, and the service has always been prompt and courteous. The place can get packed around dinner, so I would wear an extra layer of clothing if you go here in the winter (since the door lets in a nasty draft each time new customers arrive). read more

I was in the area for a good pho and based on fellow yelpers, SEA was the place to go. Coming in with no expectation, the location is nothing impressive, rather small but cosy. Casual dinning area is about 10 to 12 tables, seating for +/- 40 customers. I had the fully loaded pho dac biet, unless you don't know what you are into, this is the way to go. Everything was made on the spot and served promptly. Where most vietnamese restaurants would offer Small, Medium and Large serving sizes, SEA only has one size (medium). The menu is kinda limited, but it appears you can order custom dishes aswell. Next time, I'm ordering extra meatballs. read more

Went for some pho and phound it was a great value too! $6-$7 for pho bowls, add $1 to make it an "extra-large" bowl. Added the $1 and it was enough for leftovers the next day! If you eat a lot it's more than worth it. If you don't eat a lot, get it for leftovers. The place is small so might be crowded - I don't know if they do takeout or not but it's probably a good call if you're close by. I'm coming back next time I'm in town. read more

Went on a Friday night around 5:30 PM - started getting super busy around 6. I actually really liked this place -- I had ordered the Tofu Pad Thai and they brought it out so quickly. Great portion sizes for relatively cheap prices which I appreciated it. Always nice getting your bank for the buck. I'd go back. HEADS UP - parking is behind the building; can sort of be hard to find. I've heard the spring rolls are food (from my friend that got them). Great vibes, quick service. They also had bubble tea - I'm not a huge fan but FYI it was there. My friend got one of their Pho dishes - which I've also uploaded a photo of! Cheers! read more

SEA Restaurant - The pho dish my friend ordered - Vietnamese Near Me - Rochester, New York

See all

my son loves this place, i do too, the reason being 1. freaking huge portion sizes 2. price per portion is better then nyc 3. service is excellent 4. location and distance is favorable 5. excellent atmosphere Try this place out! read more

See all

Step 1: go here right now if you are reading this! Step 2: Order the chicken pho; it's amazing! So much flavor!! Step 3: be nice to the servers they are always working hard. Step 4: bring good company, it's a cozy spot :) read more

SEA Restaurant - Chicken pho !! Yummmm - Vietnamese Near Me - Rochester, New York

An unexpected delight! We had planned to eat at another neighborhood restaurant that was closed and couldn't have been happier with the way our day turned out. Service was fast & efficient. They have a list of vegetarian options. The tofu spring rolls were simple and filling. You can't get a true vegetarian Pho here, but if you decide to accept the chicken broth they will heap it with colorful fresh veggies. Glancing at other tables, the rice dishes looked delish and filling. Would like to come back and try more of their options. read more

Spicy fried squid is awesome and doesn't even need dipping sauce. Pad Thai tastes like you ordered it on the streets of Bangkok from a food stall (that is both a compliment, and something I've actually done so awesome that it's traditional), and the pho broth is full flavored and wonderful for a chilly day or a cold or a even in summer if you're just craving pho. They offer all the fixings of hoisin, soy, chili sauce, sprouts, basil, and lime, though you may have to ask for a couple of them if they're not on the table, and traditionally you'd also have fish sauce to add; they will provide that too if asked. Awesome place and so much food for the price, you can't go wrong. read more

Great food! Great prices! Great consistent service every time my friends and I go! Everyone should try at least once in their life. read more

Definitely one of the best Pho joint I have been to. Everything is cooked well and all the flavor are just right at least for my flavor. Having say that, their BBQ pork is a little over done and the durian smoothie is little sweeter than what I am used to, the beef special pho have so much meat and vegetable in it and the temp of the soup cooked the rare slides of beef into these slides of tender heaven. I would definitely encourage friends and family to give this place a try ! read more

See all

My wife and I are frequent guests to Sea, we always start off with Tai IceTeas and then the squid appetizers. The Beef special PHO is Great and overall between the two of us with appetizers a couple drinks and dinner costs us around 35.00. I would recommend this place for a visit as we are repeat customers!!! read more

Great customer service with their long working employees. Cant wait to try other locations

I came to Rochester to visit a friend for a couple of days and started to miss Vietnamese food. I looked all over yelp to find a decent restaurant and settled on this one. I decided to go with the #10 pho dac biet. The service was okay, nothing great. The pho was decently portioned in my opinion. The broth on the other hand was extremely salty. I had to gulp down water after each bite. Must be all that MSG. I also have to mention that the broth wasn't fatty, and I really appreciated that. It's okay pho in my opinion. read more

HORRIBLE service :( it qas quite obvious that at ten on the dot the workers wanted to be gone. They were not enthusiastic that we came in at 9:15, stared at us oddly...then we had a procession of different waiters who had no personality. The man was decent but the girls were awful. I heard them talking about getting out and to a party. He food was quick cheap and okay. The atmosphere was dirty. Overall, unless you're a poor college student who doesn't mind crappy service and dirty surroundings...don't go. read more

Went to lunch we had the Spicy Fried Squid and Chicken Pho with steamed vegetables... Excellent the best I've had. Heathy Fast Food!! read more

See all

Good, not perfect. My geographical credentials for pho are Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Westminster (Little Saigon). I don't claim to be a pho expert; I prefer ramen, actually. The fried squid tasted amazing. Just salty enough with a kick. However the batter was a little thick which made the final coating a little dense and chewy. Perhaps it was because I was there late and the batter had settled? I like my fried food as light and crispy as possible so I don't feel so bad while eating it. The pho was good and the waitresses attentive. The broth relied a little heavily on a certain salty ingredient which makes everything taste good. The steamed veggies I added were extremely fresh and delightful - by far the star of my meal. Four stars may be a tad bit generous. I rounded up because hot soup on a cold day was what I wanted and this definitely hit the spot. read more

I have never lived in a city with so many pho options... Roc loves its pho. When I first came here SEA was recommended to me as the best pho place in town. I have been there several times, and always been reasonably pleased. As with many places in Roc... good luck with parking. There is a bit of parking around the side and back but it is shared with a laundromat. You will have better luck parking on Oxford and hoofing it across the street. The restaurant is quite small so don't expect to bring a group. It is usually full. As a "to go" only kinda gal, this isn't a huge deal for me. They do have a single restroom for customer use. Service is not bad. I've not been "wowed" but never been upset either. I always go for the chicken pho which is fresh and flavorful. It comes with sprouts, Thai basil, a lime wedge, onions, green onions, sriracha, and hoisin sauce. Pho portions are large. Last visit I also got tofu spring rolls. The spring rolls were not bad... but I did not care for the peanut sauce. It was too sweet and had no spice to it, and was more like a peanut butter than a tangy sauce to me. One time I did find a fruit fly in my soup, but I suspect it just didn't get rinsed out of the basil and I can see how easily that could happen. Wasn't a huge deal to me, but it was something that stuck out in my mind. All in all? I would go back again, but with all the other pho places in town that also serve great food but offer parking, I would be tempted to go elsewhere. Still, check it out and prepare to leaving feeling FULL! read more

I want to tell y'all that this is the last place you should even consider eating... but that would be my selfish side talking. The dining room is small and parking here is just stupid (aka practically nonexistent) but the food is FANTASTIC. It makes a suburban girl face the headaches of the urban landscape. The Chef's Special sauce on the chicken wings alone makes it worth the effort to come here. (Ask for extra sauce and don't you dare let the server take that plate away!) My partner in food crime is hooked on the house fried rice. I'm a lover of the pad Thai chicken. This is our now go-to Asian destination in Monroe county. read more