A long time ago Brenda had a restaurant in West Des Moines and my mom and I loved to go to. I even had her cater a few dishes for my high school graduation party and it was AMAZING. Eventually a family member took over that store and she moved over to Merle Hay Mall to focus on Vietnamese cuisine. After college I worked nights and weekends at Kohl's as my second job and heard her yelling across the food court that she recognized me and was cooking me something good to eat! The lady is a saint and goes out of her way to make sure everything is clean, fresh, and flavorful. I've never had a dish I did not enjoy and miss spending my 15 minute lunch breaks enjoying her food and conversation. Highly recommend supporting this local business. read more

Surprisingly decent pho and vermicelli at Merle Hay Mall. Would recommend to anyone stopping by the mall.

I stopped in on trip to Minneapolis from Kansas City that started from home in the Upstate of South Carolina. Just to try the food I've heard such great things of. My wife and I ordered three things. Pho, noodle salad, and banh mi. All were wonderful. The plan was to eat the banh mi for a snack on the road but it didn't even reach the car doors before it was all gone. It was delicious! When I'm back in Des Moines I will for sure stop in again! read more

The monthly buffet is so good! It's always on the last Friday of the month and I go as often as possible. I've brought several friends and everyone always enjoys it. My four year old also gets so excited for, "buffet day!" The owner is so kind and efficient, love this place! read more

Great place for pho. Very reasonably priced and they give you big proportions. I like how they have an open condiment bar. The place also has other food and on fridays that have an all you can eat buffet that is $10.95 for an adult and $6.99 for children (Age 10 and under). Perfect place for the family or a quick date. read more

Vietnam Cafe - Pho Beef with chili oil - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This is one of those gems that you definitely don't expect to find in a mall food court. I've been coming here for a couple years now and the food is definitely worth it. My favorite thing to order is the Bun Bo Hue - Spicy Noodle Soup with everything. It's has so much flavor and the perfect amount of spice, I like to add more spice just because I love spicy food!! =) I believe they serve the most authentic version in town! It's my favorite item on the menu but I've also had other items. The spring rolls are delicious and veggies are always fresh. The end of the month Friday buffets are worth every penny. They have Chinese and Vietnamese dishes and so worth it. I highly recommend it. I've also had the pho and it is very good but it's not my favorite pho out of all the restaurants in the Des Moines area that offer it. The Banh Mi is very good also. Brenda, the owner, is so friendly and sweet! The rest of the staff are also really friendly. I usually order my food to go since I live in Ankeny and I've never had any issues so I'm definitely a happy and frequent customer. If you had reservations because it's in a mall food court, don't. It's so worth it! read more

Vietnam Cafe - Bun Bo Hue - Spicy Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

After eating so much fast food on our road trip we were craving for some Vietnamese food and luckily we found this little restaurant! I'm so happy we stopped by. The Bun Bo was spicy but so delicious. It's a family-owned business and the owner was the sweetest. She even gave us some food to eat on the road. They have a buffet event every month so if you ever wanted to try authentic, inexpensive Vietnamese food stop by! You won't regret it. This spot is located in a mall food court and I'm usually not impressed by mall food but this place has proved me all wrong. read more

Vietnam Cafe - Vietnamese caramelized fish. So good! - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Love the pho ! Great place to eat. It's in the food court so it is mall atmosphere. Absolutely worth the visit !! read more

Vietnam Cafe - Three meat Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Coming from San Francisco Bay Area, I was pleasantly surprised to find an authentic Vietnamese eateries in a food court in Des Moines! They made an fried egg/tofu version of the Vietnamese sandwich for me as I cannot eat meat. Absolutely divine! read more

Vietnam Cafe - All for less than $10! They made a tofu/egg version of the Vietnamese sansandwich for me. Absolutely divine! - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Just when you thought mall-food-court food was boring as hell, a place like Vietnam Cafe opens up. I think this is one of the best places around town for authentic Vietnamese food. Service is extremely quick and friendly. Prices are incredible. Pho was great. I've also tried the porkchop/rice dish...excellent. My favorite has to be the noodle bowl with the nuoc cham sauce, sliced vietnamese eggroll, and a generous portion of tender vietnamese style pork. The bubble tea here is also awesome. I'm really glad that they decided to open up in the mall - I get to do some shopping and get a piping hot authentic Vietnamese dish at the same time. No complaints at all about this place. The flavor, serving size, authenticity, and service is spot-on. I'll continue with my weekly visit to Vietnam Cafe. read more

Pho lunch break anyone? I work in Urbandale so this place is my go to whenever I get a pho craving. Food always comes out fast and the pho is ALWAYS amazing. Good broth and generous amount of meat are my rules for a good pho. But if you aren't in love with pho as much as I, no worries they have alot of other options for you. So if you are looking for fast, convenient, and delicious Vietnamese food, this place is for you. read more

Okay I like it! I like it a lot, the Phò! The warm chewy egg roll not so much. I got the combination and when I tasted the meat, it actually had its own wonderful beef flavor. The broth was flavorful and it came packed full of noodles and then sprinkled with basil leaves, bean sprouts and scallion. I personally want a huge plate full of these to put on and then eat instantly before they cook too long but it was okay. I had to ask for line but having left a tip earlier I was delighted in getting as much as I wanted. It's a great place with wonderful friendly owners too!! read more

I'm giving it 5 stars now since I've experienced their buffet that they offer on the last Friday of each month. It's $11 and you get a drink and there are so many tasty items! Pho, banh mi's, roast duck, Vietnamese spring rolls, Chinese items, more Vietnamese items, and a whole lot more. My coworker and I were amazed and will definitely go back again! read more

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I am surprised by how much I really liked my pho from Vietnam Cafe. I am surprised that a 'restaurant' in a mall could serve such wonderful food. I've eaten at pho shops along NE 2nd ave. I've eaten at other notable vietnamese restaurants in the des Moines metroplex. I will go back to Vietnam again. and again. read more

Probably the best mall food I've eaten. I got the #2 Hu Tieu (pork and shrimp soup), and it was divine. I loved the roast garlic bits on top- it gave the soup such depth in flavor. The Spring Rolls were ok- in my opinion, too much vermicelli, no pork only shrimp and the dipping sauce was on the weak side. The Crab Rangoon filling was great! However, it would've been better if it wasn't cold, and the dipping sauce again was pretty watery. 5 stars alone on the Hu Tieu + cheap prices and the fact that this gem is in a mall food court. read more

I have to give props for Vietnam Cafe for trying to keep the Merle Hay Mall food court alive. The service is solid and the pho and spring rolls....not so much. Their broth is usually some of the best in town, however, Vietnam Cafe is also known for being inconsistent within my circle of pho experts. One of the things the cafe does differently is they garnish the pho for you; meaning your bowl will already come with bean sprouts and basil in your soup. I'm sure you could ask for it to be on the side but for the first timers who are wanting to give Vietnam Cafe a try, it could come as a surprise. I do like the addition of roasted shallots, which adds additional aromatics and flavor. Tonight's experience was a bit disappointing; the broth tasted watered down. My spring rolls were generous in portion but the the ratio between noodles, shrimp, herbs and lettuce were not proportionate. In each bite, all I got was a huge mouthful of ice berg lettuce and noodles, none of the medley of flavors and textures that makes a spring roll so popular. The peanut sauce was also watered down, even the crushed peanuts couldn't thicken it up. I added some Sriracha to jazz it up but failed miserably. Because the pho is normally delicious,portions are pretty generous and the service is welcoming, I'll give today's visit a 3 star. I just hope today was just one of those "off' days that can be forgiven. We all have those days sometimes. read more

Vietnam Cafe - Looked better than it tasted - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Not Impressed pho was more like a 2 star. Not a lot of flavor other than over powering amounts of basil. The lady that owns it or runs it was extremely rude therefore with those two combinations I rate this place with 1 star for real. Can't imagine how she has so many good reviews! read more

I absolutely love this place. The owner is incredibly sweet and always makes my experience enjoyable. The food is something you won't ever have anywhere else, especially the pho. Vegetarian options are available and the cheese puffs are to die for. One of my favorite restaurants of all time. read more

While the sandwiches were a bit bland, everything else was spot on and very affordable. The Crab Rangoon is as good as any in DSM, and the spicy beef was tender and flavorful. I shall return. read more

Vietnam Cafe - Leftovers! - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Love this place! I can't wait to go back for their monthly buffet. I think the sign said November 23???? would be the next buffet day. Anyhoo, I ordered a HUGE medium pho and it was the perfect amount of spice. I simply could not finish it all. They have to go boxes if you need to take home. I tried the cheese puffs, and while they were very yummy, I think I like crab rangoons better. The egg rolls are delicious and crispy. Next time I want too try their banh mi. I love the entire concept that Merle Hay Mall is doing with this food court. Eclectic and varied restaurants to fit any taste. Win win in my book. read more

Full disclosure: I've only eaten their Pho. I also have no regrets about that. Their Pho is amazing and one of the best in town in my opinion. Yes, this is in a mall food court, and yes, that is unexpected, but it's a pleasant unexpected, don't you think? Enjoy your Pho. read more

Ordered delivery it was 40 minutes late. Pho came 90% overcooked mushy noodles, 8% broth (flavor gets 2/5 stars), and 2% meat. Literally 2 pieces of meat. Crab rangoons were chewey almost as if microwaved but inside had good flavor. Banh mi had 0 flavor. All you can taste is bread and some cilantro. Spring rolls were shrimp... May have been my mistake but I'm allergic. Tried something new... Never again. read more

Vietnam Cafe - 2 pieces of meat, overcooked noodles, broth major lacking flavor. - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

This place is definitely one of my favorite pho spots in town. It's tucked in the back of the food court at Merle Hay Mall, and usually the busiest place there. Beef combo pho is my usual order. Egg rolls are very good as well. They also do an open buffet on the last Friday of every month. The owner is one of the nicest ladies you'll meet and she always remembers how I like my order. Highly recommended. read more

This place is awesome. We have been here quite a few times and the family business never fails to deliver fantastic Vietnamese cuisine. The Bun Bo Hue is fantastic, Bun Mi is amazing, and pho is spot on. Mocha bubble tea is ok, avocado one is really good. Love this place. Restaurant quality at the mall. read more

Good cheap pho and its on par with the more expensive restaurants. One of the best pho around Des Moines. read more

Vietnam Cafe - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

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Literally the best place to go for this type of food. Brenda is very good at building rapport with people. She remembers specific orders, even when I haven't been back in a while since I live in Ames now! Great food. I love everything about this place and refer everybody their :) read more

The last time I was in Iowa visiting family, I was brought to Vietnam Cafe because in IA there is not a lot of choices for Vietnamese cuisine. They told me to try the Banh Mi and it was delicious made with a very soft french roll, the meat choices were good, and it wasn't bad for some quick lunch while walking the mall to do some shopping without bogging me down. The food is tasty and in some ways healthier than the other options available and didn't leave me with that oily gut feeling. A good place to try and definitely what I needed for this week long family visit before heading back to CA. read more

Was okay... Friendly staff but expected a little more fresh flavors... We bought The beef Pho and tried the spring rolls... The pho was okay and the peanut sauce wasn't to great read more

This my go to place for take out! They have a great variety of food from pho to sandwiches and everything is delicious. The staff are so nice- it's really great when places recognize you and appreciate your business Definitely stop by and give them a visit! read more

It's in a mall food court folks. And it's as good as any brick and mortar "sit down" type restaurant. The Pho was wonderful, the Banh Mi was tasty, the Bun Bo Hue (as others have mentioned) was delicious. I liked the spring rolls, liked the crab rangoons, basically, I liked everything. My wife and I took advantage of the buffet the last time, and I thought it was great. A very good bargain, and the workers were polite, and helpful. Though I will say the routing of people was difficult. Almost needed a traffic cop to keep people moving. I can highly recommend this place, as even with the limited menu it is top of my rotation amongst the other Vietnamese established restaurants. read more

I had the vermicelli noodle bowl, delicious, very reasonably priced, and served up by the owner and her sister, who were helpful and cheerful. Yes, it's in a food court; it definitely deserves better. Somewhat ironic that right next to them in the food court is Maid Rite, a long-time Iowa institution. They represent the changing face of Iowa and the Midwest. And we diners are definitely the beneficiaries. (My five stars are for the food, not the location.) read more

Vietnam Cafe - The vermicelli noodle bowl at Vietnam Cafe in Merle Hay Mall, Des Moines, Iowa. - Vietnamese Near Me - Des Moines, Iowa

Very impressed with the Pho. Don't let mall location keep you from coming in. I got the medium beef combo and it rivaled all of the other top locations I go to for Pho. Hands down one of the best in Des Moines! read more

Wow..who woulda thought that there would be good pho in Iowa in a mall food court. I would not have believed it. It's very good and authentic. They give you a huge bowl of beef pho for less than $10. You get all your typical condiments, chili, lime, etc. The pho is up there in my top 5 of all pho I have eaten here in the midwest. read more

Best pho in the Des Moines area, hands down. I only came upon this place when PHO 888 was closed and we were really craving pho. Never did we expect that a food court restaurant could serve pho this authentic and fresh. The customer service was nice as well. Do not judge a book by its appearance! read more

I'm used to the Vietnamese food in New Orleans, which is more fresh. I think this food is okay, but very salty. Also, I would like to see something a little more complex in the broth... read more

Worst viet food ever. Not coming back. They cook to "american" taste. Not authentic. Suck. Ordered #3 Bun Bo Hue and it was plain only few thin slices of beef used for pho. Double Suck. I know my viet dishes bc I love the countries food but if you're asian and expect authentic made soups go somewhere else not here. read more

I love this place! Really great broth and the chicken is amazing. The people are always very nice too. My favorite phö place in DM.

So unexpected for a food court restaurant! I really enjoyed the variety of the Friday buffet, good (but not GREAT) pho and spring rolls, also a nice price point and size of portions. I also really liked these fried dumplings filled with a creamy cheese, had never had them before and they were fresh. Give it a try if you are out and about shopping! read more

Love the Customer Service and the Pho. The mall hit so much. It s really the only reason I go to this mall. The cheese puffs are amazing too. read more

Very Good Vietnamese food. Not alot of items on menu but everthing they have tastes yummy! Can't believe the authentic taste for being a mall fast serve restaurant. The owner and employees were also very friendly. I give it a 5 stars for the quality of Vietnamese food they have brought to the mall food court. Definitely eat here again! read more