43 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Oakland

“Nice neighborhood no-frills cafe serving some standard options with a Vietnamese food / drink menu.

Ordered Vietnamese iced coffee, as one always should when available, and a croissant. Both delicious. Croissant large and buttery.

The prices are fair and the atmosphere is very pleasant and the spirit of Oakland.

Will definitely return to try vegetarian bahn mi.“

“It is located near SF and I must say it’s one of the best pho places I’ve tried. The pho is amazing and very friendly staff with great hospitality. There are indoor and outdoor options but it doesn’t take away the quality of this place!“

“Fresh, delicious and great folks“

“First time here based on recommendation from a friend.

Hu Tieu Kho was delicious! Reminds me of the savory dry wonton noodles except that there’s no wonton but there are quail eggs, fried pork skin, slices of pork, shrimp and pork giblets. Together with the beef soup, it hit the spot on a cold day.

Cha Gio was crispy, and the filling was tasty. Some places have fried spring rolls that are on the mushy end and that tends to be very oily. But not here.

Com Tam (broken rice) plate was yummy. The pork chop was tender and flavorful. The steam pork egg was excellent - many places serve this too but they tend to be dry. But it was juicy, tender and full of flavor here.

Only thing that we didn’t like here was their slice steak pho. It may be personal preference as the soup had a strong taste of a spice or herb that we are not used to and so it threw us off from the usual pho.

Will be back for more Hu Tieu Kho, Cha Gio and Com Tam.

Parking is tight and it’s the party Oakland where you have to be careful.“

“BBQ pork and shrimp chips!

This is the best bahn mi in town in my opinion. A beloved establishment in Little Saigon, I’m grateful it’s been around for so many years, and the quality has always been top notch through and through.“

“Very solid tofu banh mi (heavy on the veggies but i’d rather extra than not enough) and delicious shrimp summer rolls. I wish their peanut sauce was thicker as it was kind of giving peanut dressing versus sauce, but nonetheless still tasty.“

“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“

“SF resident here ! There no real Vietnamese restaurant in sf no more all took over by chinese very meh! So I drive all the way over every month at least once …. Yes they are that good ! Their noodle is special . Soup is ok …. Meat good !“

“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.“

“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!“

“Everything was good except for the shrimp. Not breaded well, it was super dry and unforgiving. Very expensive for what we received.
I'd go back for the wings and the really awesome family experience.
$37 for inedible shrimp, barely 2 portions of garlic noodles and 8 party wings.“

“Ngon 😍cung đậm chất Việt Nam“

““Phở Hương Quê” basically means pho of the homeland, and it really tastes like it. I grew up in Southern Vietnam and I’m pretty picky about Vietnamese food in the Bay, but this spot hits.

It’s a low key hole in the wall with handwritten menus in Vietnamese, which is always a good sign. They have a special vegetarian section of the menu with tons of options, which is nice because many Vietnamese spots are usually not vegetarian friendly.

The grilled shrimp and vegetarian vermicelli bowls are so good. Vermicelli can be hit or miss since a lot of places don’t season the protein enough, but here everything is super flavorful, nicely marinated, and perfectly charred. The fish sauce ties it all together and they give you extra if you request for it.

Spring rolls are bomb too.

They’re on DoorDash and other delivery apps, but you’ll save a few bucks just going in, and even more if you pay cash. It’s also just a few blocks from Lake Merritt so it’s an easy stop.“

“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.“

“This place is SO GOOD. We ended up going here because our fav spot was closed on Sundays… this is our new spot now.

Get the pho, banh mi, rice plates… doesn’t matter. We tried it all and it’s all fantastic.

Staff is super nice and attentive as well. They deserve more recognition.“

“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! 🤤“

“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.“

“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.“

“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!“

“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.“

“I recently attended a lunch celebration at Co Nam for my niece’s high school graduation, and it was a wonderful experience from beginning to end.

The food was outstanding. Every dish I tried was beautifully presented, fresh, and full of flavor. The shrimp rolls were light and refreshing, the grilled prawn citrus salad was vibrant and delicious, the garlic noodles were packed with flavor, and the roti with curry dipping sauce was impossible to stop eating. Everything that came to the table was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented.

What impressed me just as much as the food was the service. Our group spent hours at the restaurant enjoying the celebration, taking photos, and catching up with family. Throughout the afternoon, the staff remained warm, attentive, and accommodating. Even as we lingered well after lunch, they never made us feel rushed and continued to provide excellent service.

The atmosphere was perfect for the occasion. The restaurant felt inviting and the attention to detail throughout the space complemented the celebration beautifully.

It's easy to find a restaurant with good food. It's much harder to find one that pairs excellent food with genuine hospitality. Co Nam delivered both. I left impressed not only by the quality of the meal but by how welcome they made our entire group feel.

Thank you to the Co Nam team for helping make such a special day even more memorable.“

“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!“

“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!!“

“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.“

“My BF lived in Oakland for a couple of decades and never been here; so we thought we’d give it a try. Seems quite authentic, though we couldn’t quite stomach the fermented pork sausage. The fried version was good of course. Jeo Pa Dach was excellent, as was the quail. We’ll come back to try other dishes! It’s a small, simple, no frills restaurant.“

“I got the special combo ham sandwich without cilantro and jalapeno - but I found a jalapeno in my sandwich. My partner also found jalapeno in #20 grilled pork with lemon grass even it was ordered with no jalapeno. Beside that complaint, the banh mi was really good! The bread is soft and crunchy without hurting the roof of our mouth and it's fully stuffed with the meats and veggies while being affordable!

Although the inside of the shop is clean and organized, the streets is seemingly sketchy and dirty looking so be cautious. It might be hard to find parking.

Otherwise, it's worth to stop by to try!“

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

“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 staff is absolutely nice and professional. The vibes in side are great. I ordered a iced strawberry matcha and it was delicious! I just hate the neighborhood that it is in. If only we can pick up that little shop and place it in a better neighborhood. But everything else was superb.“

“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.“

“Pho broth is still consistent. Have been eating there for decades except recent years. After trying out their number one, broth is still good. Warning, cash only so make sure have enough and beware of your surroundings since it's in Oakland. Lots of crime by blacks these days. We know why.

Parking: Limited free parking. If there is no more parking it can be hard to find parking during peak hours.“

“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.“

“Pretty good vegan Vietnamese food. Yknow most people don’t know that there’s a long history of plant-based cuisine in Buddhist Vietnam but there is! And it’s pretty cool and yummy if you are a curious eater.
I got the pho, which was good but a little bit overstimulating. Besides that, it’s definitely a nice choice! Very sweet broth, I assume, from all the veggies.“

“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“

“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.“

“They have card now (with a 8.5% fee)! Oakland classic hole in the wall that gets busy including weekdays. I can on a Wednesday at 11:40 and by the time I left there was a wait. Fantastic value. Dry Hu tieu with egg noodles is superb 13.50. Coffee is sweet and strong and served with the pinh. Love the condiment variety too. Parking is tough but sometimes there’s spots in the lot kitty corner to it. I would consider relabeling to a Vietnamese restaurant, even though they do serve some Chinese dishes. I mean it really is both“

“Foods pretty good here, but I come for their coffee! It’s decently good if you like sweet and strong Vietnamese style coffee. Best part is that it’s consistent bc it comes from a jug, premade. I’m not a coffee snob but I do like to explore different coffee joints and lee’s is always consistent.“

“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.“