42 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Oakland

“This place gets busy but they always manage to handle their customers. They have the best bahn mi sandwiches here!!! Always fresh and their drinks are delicious. My favorite here is the Vietnamese coffee. Their rice plates are also good with huge portions. Plenty of options to choose from. Highly recommend to visit here.“

“Fresh, delicious and great folks“

“Delicious * Fast * Great price * Courteous

The Tofu Banh Mi Sandwich was excellent! Wonderful flavor, amazing texture, just the right amount of sauce and spices. I called in my order, and it was ready when I arrived in 10 minutes. Their service over the phone and in-person was engaging and courteous. The price was extremely reasonable. I also love that they charge less if you pay in cash – a great way to wean all of us off the credit card system.“

“I have had their veggie (vegan) pho a couple of times now. It has a big portion of mixed veggies and fresh tofu, with yummy fried shallots sprinkled on top. The soup is warm and flavorful. I would love to try their other vegan options next!“

“Lemon Pepper is hands down one of my favorite spots! Their dry hủ tiếu is easily one of the best I’ve ever had—perfectly cooked noodles, incredibly flavorful sauce, fresh toppings, and every bite is packed with flavor. The quality is always consistent and authentic!

The owner is also one of the kindest and friendliest people you’ll meet. I promise I didn’t know him prior. You can tell they genuinely care about their customers and take pride in every dish that comes out of the kitchen.

If you’re looking for authentic, delicious noodles with amazing service, this place is an absolute must-visit. I’ll definitely keep coming back!“

“We often bring out-of-towners here because it's hard to find Laotian food outside of the Bay and Vientian Cafe always delivers. The menu is super extensive and very reasonably priced, so you can try a bunch of new things each time. We always get the nam kao and the lao sausage (which you can also take home frozen). Angel wings are also super addictive.

Food also travels well if you're looking for takeout. One of our favorite spots in the east bay!“

“I’ve been going to Monster Pho ever since I moved to Oakland five years ago, and it has become my go to spot for pho. I usually keep it simple and order the rare steak pho without adding much because the broth speaks for itself. As someone who has had pho from all over the Bay Area, I can honestly say that Monster Pho has a style of broth that is uniquely their own. It tastes like a family recipe that has been perfected over time. It is rich, comforting, and consistently delicious.

What keeps me coming back is not just the food. The staff has always been friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere makes you want to stay awhile. As a father of four with kids ranging from a teenager to toddlers, finding places that work for the whole family is important. I’ve been bringing my children here since they were little, and Monster Pho has become one of those special Oakland traditions for us.

I also really appreciate the role they play in the community. They are always supporting local causes, hosting fundraisers, and finding ways to give back. In a city as vibrant and diverse as Oakland, places like Monster Pho matter. They help create the sense of community that makes this city special.

Great food, great people, and a great atmosphere. I’m grateful Oakland has places like Monster Pho, and I look forward to bringing my family here for many years to come.

Dominic“

“Vegan Donut Gelato is PHENOMENAL! My wife and I loved our brief stop this week. The donuts are massive and well worth the price. Friendly service and the woman who served us was great. Highly recommended!“

“I tried pho places in Oakland and San Leandro... Pho King Original has very savory broth, not salty, not greasy. The fresh spring rolls with shredded pork are huge and clean along with tasty fish sauce.

The owner is very friendly and plays cool oldies music in different languages. The place is well lighted and clean. Price is great for the portion of food.

Pho King Original has become my regular pho restaurant and will try the rest of the menu soon.“

“Ngon 😍cung đậm chất Việt Nam“

“Love the bun bo hue from here. This place made me fall in love with the dish to be h. Not to glaze or anything but even their water is so good like it's very refreshing. I really like the pho dac biet there as well. Love pho king, heh not trynna make a sussy joke or nun.“

“One of my fav. place to get Banh Mi. Service is certainly can improve, but not expected for a place like this. Pickup pay at the counter. Only one register, expect delay during rush hours (lunch time). I have been coming here for over 35 years, still coming back.

For large order, I recommend ordering a day in advanced.“

“It’s a cute shop with pre made and made to order food/drinks. I only got a Vietnamese coffee, and it was one of the pre-made things on the shelf without ice— that’s added in afterwards. That being said, seeing how much coffee you actually got and the amount of ice they put is upsetting for a $6 coffee. Actual taste of coffee was alright. Workers are nice.“

“I only gave this place 5 stars because Google won't allow me to give them 💯! This is one of the best restaurants in the bay area! If you love spicy soup I highly recommend the numbing spicy chicken soup. My girlfriend and I are regulars, and our favorite dishes are the chicken pho, the numbing spicy soup, and the honey chili chicken wings! 🤤“

“Spectacular food and lovely service. I judge Vietnamese restaurants by their Pho and this is one of the three best I've ever had in America and Europe. Marvelous broth, full of depth and nuanced flavor. Don't love the meatballs, even though they are traditional, but also had great thin cut beef. Would suggest having options to have the meatballs or not, or add tendon. Then had mini pancakes with shrimp, Banh Khot, which I had been looking for for years. These were much better than the ones I originally fell for decades ago in San Mateo, with crisper texture, but most importantly better herb selection (shiso and mint), the addition of turmeric, and a great sauce which enhanced the flavor interplay to truly divine levels. Highly recommend an outing to try these! One caveat, the dining room is nice but not deluxe, with paper napkins and tables that are too high for the chairs. Outside seating option in a wooden framed area next to the onsite parking lot (which makes coming here very convenient).“

“Core competencies: Banh Khot, northen viet dishes

Might be the new best pho in Oakland. Definitely on par with Pho Huong Hue. Bo Ne, Banh Khot, and Bun Cha are all outstanding. Their pho is a delicious cross between southern style broth with northern style noodles and garnishes. I go here several times a month. Also the ube cafe sua da is really a jolt for long mornings.“

“Yummy Vietnamese eats in a casual environment- great for takeout! We had the fried rice and beef short rib, which were great. A lot of places make their fried rice too bland, but this was just right - with seared onion and chicken, little bits of egg, and green onion. Hit the spot!“

“Cam Anh is such a sweet person (she gave us freebie desserts and chatted while the place wasn’t busy) and I basically grew up on this restaurant’s food! Definitely recommend supporting this local business, so invaluable to the community.“

“This spot serves excellent, authentic Vietnamese food that hits the mark if you are looking for genuine flavors.

The clay pot catfish is a standout, perfectly balancing sweet and savory notes. For something comforting, the hot and sour catfish soup is warm, deeply soothing, and packed with bold flavor. The shrimp and cabbage salad offers a sharp, refreshing contrast to the richer dishes.

Service is welcoming and attentive. Parking is limited to the street, but the quality of the food makes it entirely worth the search. It is a fantastic, reliable staple for an authentic taste of Vietnam.“

“There is a reason they sell out early everyday! Really delicious grilled pork, chicken or combo bahn mi. The fresh baguette is my favorite part. There is something about it that makes the sandwich taste even better than other places.

Great value. $6 per bahn mi. If you buy 4 sandwiches, you get a $2 discount. My favorite bahn mis!“

“First time visiting this spot, it was recommended by Gemini actually. Weird hours but if you are nearby when it's actually open this is a must stop place.

First of all, 95% Asian customers which is what you want to see when you're getting Asian food. Be prepared to wait. From getting there to leaving it was about 45 minutes, I recommend getting a few things to make the trip worth it. Waiting an hour for one sandwich is diabolical.

This place is sick. $6-7 bahn mi, big portion, lots of pre-made meals and drinks, I will for sure come back and try more things. I got the #2, #7 & #13. #7 hit hard, #13 was my favorite, the meatball isn't what I'd typically go for but Gemini said it was the most popular and I see why. Although I'll probably opt for the version without the egg next time, not really necessary for me. Bread was good, veg was great, this is a top notch bahn mi.

Parking is tricky, it's a bad part of town but they seem to have made some efforts judging by other reviews, to clean up the space in front. No seating, its a to go only, but it's 100% worth it. Check this place out“

“I love the bbq pork that I ordered but the fried shrimp cakes were so so. The service was great. I was sitting there at lunch time quite a while talking to my friend but the workers didn't pressure us to leave at all. Also easy parking!“

“What a gem of a place. I always, always pass by here to go to Thanh Ky on the corner and always wondered. I wondered whether this tiny Vietnamese place in Oakland would live up to the hype of Vietnamese cuisine in San Jose, and I’m so glad to report that it did.

They have a huge menu, lots of noodles soups, rice, different apps that represent all across the Vietnam region (all parts, northern, southern etc)

I ordered the Banh Xeo and the Bun Rieu, really good, solid as heck. Prices are reasonable, and will definitely be coming back.“

“Lovely, inviting place with very reasonable prices. I ordered the grilled chicken “banh mi” sandwich and avocado smoothie (requested less sweet). Both were among the best I’ve had. This place seems family owned and they’re all very warm and friendly - especially the handsome young man at the register.“

“This place is phenomenal, not only is the coffee exceptional, the staff is so warm and inviting. Visiting from out of state, I’m sad that I’m leaving because the two interactions that I had made me really want to become a regular here. I’ll be back house of phin!!! I’ll wear your merch with pride :) and if you want to expand to the east, I’ll be your guy LOL“

“The ultimate comfort meal on Grand Ave!
If you are looking for a spectacular vegetarian noodle soup in Oakland, the Tofu Pho is an absolute must-try. The broth is incredibly flavorful, rich, and deeply aromatic. It comes loaded with an incredibly generous portion of perfectly prepared, tender tofu that absorbs all of those amazing traditional spices beautifully.
Pro-Tip: Make sure to order a pot of their house tea! It is exceptionally smooth, perfectly brewed, and makes the absolute best pairing with the pho or any of their other dinners.
Between the giant, comforting bowls and the friendly, prompt service, this low-key neighborhood gem remains one of my favorite stops on Grand.“

“Came here for Valentine’s Day expecting to indulge and try out the Chef Bar or Chef Table experience but those were not available at the time. We were informed there may be a Pri-fixe menu beforehand but that was not available that day either. We had no issues with that, but it would be preferable if they made sure they are able to offer the experiences that are available on the website. We ordered the wicked buns, Saigon give you wings, garlic noodle and the bo luc lac. The food was out very quickly.

🥙 Wicked Buns: The wicked buns were quite good. Truly cannot go wrong with some fried bao buns!

🍗 Chicken Wings: We really enjoyed the chicken wings as well. The fish sauce gives the wings a nice sweetness and makes them quite addicting.

🍝 Garlic Noodles: The garlic noodles had a nice char flavor to it. We could see them set it on fire from the bar, although we felt that the garlic noodles could have had a bit more salt and garlic in them. The shrimp also tasted frozen but they were still good.

🥩 Bo Luc Lac: We enjoyed the bo luc lac as well, it was cooked well and quite tender. It was very flavorful to the point it made us wish we had ordered the dirty rice with it.

🍹Cocktails: For drinks I asked the bartender what he recommended and offered to make me something. It wasn’t off-menu, but he made the Pillow Talks which had gin, calamansi and egg white in it. It had a nice flavor profile and balance and creaminess to the drink. I also ordered the Pandanmonium which is a pandan old fashioned which I really enjoyed. The drinks were quite fairly priced as well which I really appreciated.

Overall, I think the portion sizes can be a little small for the price, but the food is delicious and great. The drinks are also great and I would definitely come back for them!“

“Good food and great environment, a little far from home to go very often.“

“Absolutely love the chicken pho here! Despite the plethora of pho places in this area, I always find myself coming back here to get my pho fix. The broth is intoxicating with a very generous portion of noodles (the Xtra large is massive!). What also stands out is the service. They’re always very welcoming, fast to take orders and bring the food out with a smile on their face. In fact, they remember my order most of the time and ask to confirm before they get it going (love). They’re also open a little later than most of the pho places which is a plus with my work schedule, just make sure to arrive at least 45 min before closing if you plan to eat in (they usually make you do take out if you get there less than 30 before closing which I think is fair). Highly recommend!“

“THE BEST PHO AND SERVICE HANDS DOWN! Born and raised out here, been to all the pho spots and we have a-lot of good ones but this one is my favorite. Once a week two #19s is what gets me through the week haha. Great portion and high quality meat always. Thank you Pho Mekong!!“

“Absolutely fantastic experience at Golden Lotus! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From the moment we arrived, the service was warm and welcoming. The food was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented, with every dish prepared to perfection. The atmosphere was clean, comfortable, and inviting, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal. The staff went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. Highly recommend Golden Lotus to anyone looking for delicious food and outstanding service. Can't wait to come back!“

“At this location, the fried garlic is served separately—a detail I truly appreciate. I also really enjoy their thin egg noodles, which strike a perfect balance between chewy and tender without becoming overly soft. However, the dish tends to be quite oily, so if you prefer lighter meals, this might not be ideal for you.

My usual order is the Number 1 without kidney, with the soup served on the side. I also always add fish cake as an appetizer. The total cost for two regular dishes plus one appetizer comes to $53.75.

What I love about this restaurant is how it evokes the authentic flavors of Thailand’s street food, especially the dry yellow egg noodles. While it doesn’t include traditional Thai-style char siu or wontons, the taste remains quite close to home.

This well-established Chinese restaurant impresses me with its surprisingly clean restrooms, likely due to my morning visits. Parking can be difficult, as only metered street parking is available. The branch tends to be busy, so clear communication with staff is important. Although there may be a short wait, the service is attentive and friendly.“

“Delicious pho ga. Soup is on point. Full of flavor.“

“Love it here! This place feels exactly like Vietnam. All the uncles hanging outside drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes while the women are inside working hard! ?
Coffee is strong and delicious and the banh mi is excellent with fresh bread. Super affordable. CASH ONLY“

“Thanh Ky is a public institution. They have the best noodles hands down. My go to order is the number one with soup on the side. I also highly recommend the tender chicken over fried rice. If you're ever craving a hearty noodle dish, this is the place to go to. The food also comes out extremely quickly as well with reasonable prices.“

“Had a great bowl of pho to start the day the other day. The pho broth has a nice complex flavor- I could taste a good amount of star anise in the bowl and I was a fan of the wonderful plate of garnishes. The thai basil in particular was so happy and fresh, whoever they get it from take a lot of care of these plants! The serving size was excellent I felt happily full and enjoyed this bowl quite a bit.“

“We were seated right away and received our food very quickly. We had different soups and they were very tasty, large portions and had lots of noodles. I enjoyed the extras and the spicy sauces too.
Staff was attentive and respectful.“

“Love 💕 the food here always yummy and tasty , great customer service, all the staff here nice and friendly, the great place think of when I hang out with my friends…..delicious boba drinks 🍹“

“The baguettes cannot be overhyped. There is a big light up sign in the window they turn on when the bread comes out of the oven. When it's on, stop, you won't be sorry. The sandwiches are on the same bread. The baguettes are one good thing that came from French colonialism.“

“I had the best grilled pork banh mi of my life (#7). They bake AND smoke the meat which results in a distinct, signature flavor. They also get their bread custom made.

As for the donut: Nothing inside, but nutty and slightly sweet. Sesame seeds make a difference!

I can’t wait to come back to try the lemongrass tofu banh mi as I’ve heard that the owner is vegetarian and this is her special order. The chicken noodle soup is also supposed to be amazing.

Lastly, I want to support this business because the owner has a kind heart. She has a contract with the state of California to supply the prisons with her food. The prisoners apparently (and as one would guess) get pretty blah food.“

“Every time I come to town I stop for dinner. The paella is amazing. I also have an Anchor Steam every time I visit. I knew this time would be different with them (temporarily, hopefully) out of business. I so love this place.“