2 /5 Funky WAA: The food here is just decent, it has a homemade feel, but it doesn’t reflect authentic Vietnamese cuisine. This spot might be okay if you’re in the mood for fried rice or salads, but I wouldn’t recommend it for Pho or Banh mi.
The price doesn’t match the quality or portion.
Although the chef is Vietnamese, his skills come across as rather amateur, which is disappointing to admit.
I also happened to know during my visit that the restaurant sources most of their ingredients from City Farmer Market - an Asian grocery chain known for its budget-level produce and poor sanitation. This calls into question the pricing even more, as the ingredients are far from premium.
—————
The Pho broth had an unpleasant odor, likely due to poor technique in handling the beef. It wasn’t a rich, meaty aroma, but rather the off-putting scent associated with stress hormones from industrial slaughter. Even using fresh meat won’t fix that without proper culinary skill. On top of that, the broth was cloudy, probably from being reheated or cooked at excessively high temperatures. Also, no culantro was served - a key herb and the essential soul of a proper bowl of pho. Neither the chef nor the staff (who appear to be family members) were even familiar with this herb.
The fried rice had good texture, each grain was well-separated yet moist. But the use of margarine for fragrance overwhelmed the natural flavors of the seafood and meats. The seafood used was low in quality, especially considering the price point. Seafood fried rice consisted of fish balls and imitation crab sticks, which felt like corner-cutting.
The goi (Vietnamese salads) were decent, and the fish sauce dressing was fine, though nothing stood out. Again, the price felt too high for what you actually get.
The BBQ short ribs with rice were marinated well, but the portion was small and the meat sliced thin - noticeably less than what you’d get at T Break. It also lacked the usual pickled carrots and daikon typically served on the side. Overall, not worth the high price.
The Banh mi was disappointing. The baguette was overly hard and crumbled with each bite. It came with no fresh herbs or vegetables - just bread and filling. Once again, not worth the price.
In summary: I’d also strongly suggest the restaurant reconsider its pricing, especially given the quality of ingredients used.
