Huong Bac is a quintessential "hole-in-the-wall" eatery that surpassed our expectations during a recent out-of-state visit. Craving authentic Banh Cuon led us to this hidden gem.Despite our late arrival—merely 15 minutes before closing time— the lady welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to place our order. We opted for the #9 Banh Cuon Dac Biet and #12 Bun Rieu, eagerly anticipating our meal in the cozy ambiance of the small dining area. The kitchen was bustling, with the gentleman wrapping what seemed to be freshly made Gio Lua.The aroma of sweet and sour fish sauce wafted through the air, a hallmark of genuine Vietnamese cuisine. The wait was about 20 minutes, as the lady needed to boil water anew for our noodles and steam the Banh Cuon. She apologized for the delay, though we insisted it was our oversight for arriving late.Tasting the Banh Cuon at our hotel room was revelatory. The rice rolls were thin, the batter didn't make the banh cuon "cakey" nor runny, it maintains a delightful stretchiness. The seasoning of the meat and mushrooms was spot-on, with the addition of meat floss and fried onions enhancing the aroma. The Gio Lua boasted a pleasant chewiness without being mushy. However, the real standout was the house-made sweet and sour chili fish sauce—a masterful blend that added an explosive burst of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that I fell in love with their banh cuon instantly.As I'm writing this, I haven't had the chance to try the Bun Rieu yet because I was eager to share my exceptional experience with the Banh Cuon. It was so memorable that I felt compelled to write this review immediately. If I ever return to the area, Huong Bac will definitely be on my must-visit list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork and Skin Roll
Tom Huynh
If you are Banh cuon lover , this is a right place to you , they are also good on Bun
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nate D. Suppanade
Was craving some banh cuon but didn't have time to go to OC. Found this place and decided to give it a try. We ordered banh cuon dac biet (#9), spring rolls (#7), and bun cha gio thit nuong (#17). The banh cuon wasn't as good as OC, but it was still enjoyable and really hit the spot. The spring rolls I did not really care for, I wouldn't order that again. The bun was also really good. The portions were a lot, there was 2 of us and we couldn't finish it all, literally had a whole other meal for later. I would definitely come back for the banh cuon and the bun though! This is a mom and pop operation, it took probably 30 mins to get our food. I don't mind the wait to support a family operation like this, but just know that ahead of time, if you are in a hurry, this might not be the right choice.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
NodRog g.
This is the definition of hole in the wall. The food is delicious, cheap, be plentiful. WARNING: please tasted test the hot sauce before using it. It is very spicy.
dat nguyen
Small hole in the wall. Friendly staff and the bánh cuốn was good, but very little meat inside.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
V H
Solid spot with authentic banh cuon. Be patient here, it's worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Edlyn W.
Finally good banh cuon in the SGV so I don't have to drive out to Garden Grove! This little shop is such a gem and run by a grandma, a sweet old lady who doesn't understand a word I say but communicates with me through exchanged smiles and a thumbs up. The banh cuon is bouncy, not super thin, but I love the bite to it. The pork filling is so flavorful and it's a great portion size for the price. I love that the bean sprouts and cucumbers come blanched, the fried sweet potato is perfectly fried. The food and the place just feels homey. It's one of those shops I want to gatekeep all for myself but also want everyone to know about so they never close down... hahah!
dp n.
Five solid stars for their main dish which is in their business name - Banh Cuon! We got two #9 the special. We are very picky about banh cuon. Would not eat Tay Ho and consider Tay Ho a poor representation of banh cuon. The OG banh cuon restaurant is Pho Tau Bay in Westminster. We would make a trip from SGV to OC. Now we don't need to! This spot rivals the best. Some of you will rate it lowly for service, ambiance, shit like that because it's not colorful for your insta... don't come here. Come for great authentic, silky, tasty banh cuon only. And it looks like do party trays too.
Trinh T.
Tried the canh bun and banh cuon dac biet and both were good. The canh bun was flavorful and broth was delicious. The noodles were a bit broken in small pieces but still good. The homemade chili is SPICY but I loved it. Service was friendly. Will definitely come back
The banh cuon and bun rieu was delicious but service was not so good. There was only one guy there when we were there and he seemed overwhelmed even though there were just 3 of us eating in the whole restaurant. As far as the food, the banh cuon is probably the best in the SGV and the Bun Rieu was one of the best I've ever had. Wish the service can get a little better.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 3
alex d
Really great banh cuon that's home made. Plus the shrimp yam cake is freshly fried.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
S H.
One of the best banh cuon I've ever had! We ordered the #9 banh cuon Dac biet and it was really good. We also got one of the soup noodles and I would pass on that next time. We added an additional order of banh cuon but decided on the #7 this time and we liked it even better because it included a fried shrimp and yam. Only after the meal did we realize they forgot to add the fried yam on the first item we ordered . We kindly pointed it out. And they fried up a yam for us to take to go. It's a small shop run by a husband wife team so service is slow, and making banh cuon can be time consuming. But it's worth it- it was fresh and delicious.
Anna Van
This is the best banh cuon restaurant in town. Their takeout banh cuon remains fresh - that's how good they are. They do not skimp on the toppings. I hope they remain open for many years to come because it will be hard for any other restaurants to beat the banh cuon they serve here.
Food: 5
Brian L.
I came here with a party of 3 for a Sunday lunch right at noon. lets start with the food. As far as banh cuon goes, its actually pretty good. Nice texture, thinness, and nice fillings. Came with all the accompaniments you'd expect (bean sprouts, herbs, shredded cucumber, fried shallots, etc). Portion was generous and for the price ($12/plate at time of writing) it is fair. Their sauce is more salty than I like it and I would dilute it more but thats a personal preference. The restaurant is a non-descript hole in the wall, in a fairly run-down part of town and very easy to miss. There is street parking. It seems to be run by a middle-aged couple. Service: this is where things implode. The lady takes your orders, and the man seems to be the one making the banh cuon. They're both friendly and nice. But they are not equipped to run a banh cuon restaurant. As many have commented, the service is EXTREMELY slow. This is not an exaggeration. We ordered 3 portions of banh cuon. They are made one at a time, 15-20 mins per plate, seemingly by just the one guy. He brings out the plates one portion at a time. He brought out one portion about 25 mins after ordering. Then the fixins for everybody. Then another 20 mins pass and a 2nd portion comes out. and then another 20 mins pass before the final, 3rd portion came out. By this time, the first 2 portions were already cold. Eating banh cuon cold is actually pretty typical so its not a huge deal, but the way they serve a table is a big problem. They also got the 3rd order wrong (we ordered the meat filling one, not the special, because one of us had a shrimp allergy). The man was happy to make us a new plate, took another 10-15 mins. Yes, banh cuon takes some time to make since you basically have to make one sheet at a time and then wrap the filling in each one, and a plate has several of these. But to have a restaurant specializing in it, they need a far better work flow; their competitors are MUCH faster. For 3 orders of banh cuon, it took over ONE HOUR for us all to get our food after ordering. AN HOUR. This is definitely not a place to get a quick lunch during your work lunch break, assuming you want banh cuon. People at the other tables were ordering their soup noodles which all seemed to come out very quickly. Again, the food itself is not really a problem. I think the best way for you to enjoy their food is to call in and order takeout, WELL IN ADVANCE, and go pick it up. You can take it home and enjoy it there at your leisure. I may come back to try their noodles, but definitely will never eat-in for banh cuon again.
Huong Bac is a quintessential "hole-in-the-wall" eatery that surpassed our expectations during a recent out-of-state visit. Craving authentic Banh Cuon led us to this hidden gem.Despite our late arrival—merely 15 minutes before closing time— the lady welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to place our order. We opted for the #9 Banh Cuon Dac Biet and #12 Bun Rieu, eagerly anticipating our meal in the cozy ambiance of the small dining area. The kitchen was bustling, with the gentleman wrapping what seemed to be freshly made Gio Lua.The aroma of sweet and sour fish sauce wafted through the air, a hallmark of genuine Vietnamese cuisine. The wait was about 20 minutes, as the lady needed to boil water anew for our noodles and steam the Banh Cuon. She apologized for the delay, though we insisted it was our oversight for arriving late.Tasting the Banh Cuon at our hotel room was revelatory. The rice rolls were thin, the batter didn't make the banh cuon "cakey" nor runny, it maintains a delightful stretchiness. The seasoning of the meat and mushrooms was spot-on, with the addition of meat floss and fried onions enhancing the aroma. The Gio Lua boasted a pleasant chewiness without being mushy. However, the real standout was the house-made sweet and sour chili fish sauce—a masterful blend that added an explosive burst of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that I fell in love with their banh cuon instantly.As I'm writing this, I haven't had the chance to try the Bun Rieu yet because I was eager to share my exceptional experience with the Banh Cuon. It was so memorable that I felt compelled to write this review immediately. If I ever return to the area, Huong Bac will definitely be on my must-visit list!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork and Skin Roll
If you are Banh cuon lover , this is a right place to you , they are also good on Bun
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Was craving some banh cuon but didn't have time to go to OC. Found this place and decided to give it a try. We ordered banh cuon dac biet (#9), spring rolls (#7), and bun cha gio thit nuong (#17). The banh cuon wasn't as good as OC, but it was still enjoyable and really hit the spot. The spring rolls I did not really care for, I wouldn't order that again. The bun was also really good. The portions were a lot, there was 2 of us and we couldn't finish it all, literally had a whole other meal for later. I would definitely come back for the banh cuon and the bun though! This is a mom and pop operation, it took probably 30 mins to get our food. I don't mind the wait to support a family operation like this, but just know that ahead of time, if you are in a hurry, this might not be the right choice.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
This is the definition of hole in the wall. The food is delicious, cheap, be plentiful. WARNING: please tasted test the hot sauce before using it. It is very spicy.
Small hole in the wall. Friendly staff and the bánh cuốn was good, but very little meat inside.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Solid spot with authentic banh cuon. Be patient here, it's worth the wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Finally good banh cuon in the SGV so I don't have to drive out to Garden Grove! This little shop is such a gem and run by a grandma, a sweet old lady who doesn't understand a word I say but communicates with me through exchanged smiles and a thumbs up. The banh cuon is bouncy, not super thin, but I love the bite to it. The pork filling is so flavorful and it's a great portion size for the price. I love that the bean sprouts and cucumbers come blanched, the fried sweet potato is perfectly fried. The food and the place just feels homey. It's one of those shops I want to gatekeep all for myself but also want everyone to know about so they never close down... hahah!
Five solid stars for their main dish which is in their business name - Banh Cuon! We got two #9 the special. We are very picky about banh cuon. Would not eat Tay Ho and consider Tay Ho a poor representation of banh cuon. The OG banh cuon restaurant is Pho Tau Bay in Westminster. We would make a trip from SGV to OC. Now we don't need to! This spot rivals the best. Some of you will rate it lowly for service, ambiance, shit like that because it's not colorful for your insta... don't come here. Come for great authentic, silky, tasty banh cuon only. And it looks like do party trays too.
Tried the canh bun and banh cuon dac biet and both were good. The canh bun was flavorful and broth was delicious. The noodles were a bit broken in small pieces but still good. The homemade chili is SPICY but I loved it. Service was friendly. Will definitely come back
Good flavor and reasonably priced.
Restaurantji Recommends
The banh cuon and bun rieu was delicious but service was not so good. There was only one guy there when we were there and he seemed overwhelmed even though there were just 3 of us eating in the whole restaurant. As far as the food, the banh cuon is probably the best in the SGV and the Bun Rieu was one of the best I've ever had. Wish the service can get a little better.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 3
Really great banh cuon that's home made. Plus the shrimp yam cake is freshly fried.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the best banh cuon I've ever had! We ordered the #9 banh cuon Dac biet and it was really good. We also got one of the soup noodles and I would pass on that next time. We added an additional order of banh cuon but decided on the #7 this time and we liked it even better because it included a fried shrimp and yam. Only after the meal did we realize they forgot to add the fried yam on the first item we ordered . We kindly pointed it out. And they fried up a yam for us to take to go. It's a small shop run by a husband wife team so service is slow, and making banh cuon can be time consuming. But it's worth it- it was fresh and delicious.
This is the best banh cuon restaurant in town. Their takeout banh cuon remains fresh - that's how good they are. They do not skimp on the toppings. I hope they remain open for many years to come because it will be hard for any other restaurants to beat the banh cuon they serve here.
Food: 5
I came here with a party of 3 for a Sunday lunch right at noon. lets start with the food. As far as banh cuon goes, its actually pretty good. Nice texture, thinness, and nice fillings. Came with all the accompaniments you'd expect (bean sprouts, herbs, shredded cucumber, fried shallots, etc). Portion was generous and for the price ($12/plate at time of writing) it is fair. Their sauce is more salty than I like it and I would dilute it more but thats a personal preference. The restaurant is a non-descript hole in the wall, in a fairly run-down part of town and very easy to miss. There is street parking. It seems to be run by a middle-aged couple. Service: this is where things implode. The lady takes your orders, and the man seems to be the one making the banh cuon. They're both friendly and nice. But they are not equipped to run a banh cuon restaurant. As many have commented, the service is EXTREMELY slow. This is not an exaggeration. We ordered 3 portions of banh cuon. They are made one at a time, 15-20 mins per plate, seemingly by just the one guy. He brings out the plates one portion at a time. He brought out one portion about 25 mins after ordering. Then the fixins for everybody. Then another 20 mins pass and a 2nd portion comes out. and then another 20 mins pass before the final, 3rd portion came out. By this time, the first 2 portions were already cold. Eating banh cuon cold is actually pretty typical so its not a huge deal, but the way they serve a table is a big problem. They also got the 3rd order wrong (we ordered the meat filling one, not the special, because one of us had a shrimp allergy). The man was happy to make us a new plate, took another 10-15 mins. Yes, banh cuon takes some time to make since you basically have to make one sheet at a time and then wrap the filling in each one, and a plate has several of these. But to have a restaurant specializing in it, they need a far better work flow; their competitors are MUCH faster. For 3 orders of banh cuon, it took over ONE HOUR for us all to get our food after ordering. AN HOUR. This is definitely not a place to get a quick lunch during your work lunch break, assuming you want banh cuon. People at the other tables were ordering their soup noodles which all seemed to come out very quickly. Again, the food itself is not really a problem. I think the best way for you to enjoy their food is to call in and order takeout, WELL IN ADVANCE, and go pick it up. You can take it home and enjoy it there at your leisure. I may come back to try their noodles, but definitely will never eat-in for banh cuon again.