Vung Tau Restaurant surprised me with another mouthwatering delight on their menu - the banh khot. These bite-sized crispy rice pancakes, filled with succulent shrimp and served with fresh herbs and dipping sauce, were a revelation. The contrast of textures and flavors in each banh khot was simply exceptional. I couldn't get enough of them, and they quickly became one of my favorite dishes on the menu. The attention to detail in crafting these little morsels was evident, and they were a delightful addition to an already impressive array of Vietnamese dishes.While Vung Tau Restaurant's popularity can sometimes lead to longer wait times, especially during peak hours, and some may find the portion sizes slightly smaller than expected, these minor inconveniences are easily overshadowed by the delightful flavors and genuine Vietnamese culinary experience that Vung Tau Restaurant offers. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Vietnamese cuisine or looking to explore it for the first time, this restaurant is sure to leave you with a craving for more of their delicious dishes, particularly the banh khot, which is not to be missed."
Fred Berkowitz
I've been to Vung Tau 3 many times, and it's great. Vung Tau 2 is just as good. Everything is always fresh and delicious.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Pork, Fried
Cindy K.
Love this restaurant so much. The food is always tasting fresh and delicious. I always get their special dry clear noodles which never disappoints. The staff goes over and beyond and makes you feel welcome and like your family. It's sad that they will be closing early next week. There is no other place that makes this type of noodles, if they do then it's a copy.
Presto Parkins
I never write reviews like ever but this restaurant used to be one of my favorites. Their San Jose location was peak service, atmosphere, and food. Then the pandemic hit and they closed that location down so I try to go to the Milpitas restaurant every so often. My lord. The one server (and you'll know who she is when you go) is so irritating she practically tried to feed one of the folks at our table by hand and couldn't let us just sit there for a minute to eat. Constantly harassing us the whole time. The only redeeming factor was their egg rolls. I get the craving every so often. They make really good ones but everything else has dipped dramatically in quality. The last experience soured my opinion so much, it'll be at least two years before I go back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Naikkie Saeteurn
I ordered papaya salad that costs over $14 and requested that they make it Thai spicy (very spicy) when it arrived to my place, I opened it up, it wasn’t what I expected. I’m not sure if this is Vietnamese style papaya salad or what? If so, they should put a print on it (Vietnamese style) and even though if that was Vietnamese style, how does one just throw soil sauce in a bowl of papaya and call it papaya salad? There was the papaya, jerky on top of the papaya, I think there was mints on top of beef jerky, only 1 whole Thai red chili pepper(not even crushed) and get this, 1 cup of soil sauce. Not even tried to toss or meshed the salad. I had to bite pepper and the so called papaya salad tasted like I drank a cup of soil sauce. If I wanted to taste soil sauce, I would just go in my kitchen and pour me a glass of it. Where is the tomato and the fish sauce and the other ingredients that supposedly be in the salad? Maybe, Google on how to make papaya salad. The worst papaya salad I’ve tasted in my life. I gave it 1 star for making it to my place in time.
Food: 1
Darren Darren
Good is good but the woman server (owner of the restaurant) is horrible, we have been there many times and she recognize us, but every time we go there and order, the sarcasm from the lady is just bad service and attitude. We stopped going just because of her horrible service and attitude.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
John K.
Would have been four stars except for the undisclosed "SVC" charge that appeared on my receipt that I didn't notice until after I left. I absolutely refuse to participate in this BS. I am on an ongoing crusade stop this practice dead in its tracks and I suggest you do the same. I don't know if this recondite "SVC" entry is to offset credit card fees, pay for "employee wellness," or any other stupid stuff. Whatever it is, it is a cost of doing business and needs to be reflected in your food prices. Not snuck in after-the-fact, masking to the true cost of my lunch.As I've done at every other establishment that pulls this baloney, I have instructed my card issuer to bounce the undisclosed fees back. I ate lunch but Vung Tau will eat the $3.49 hidden fee plus whatever their bank charges them for having a returned item.Cut it out.
Take-out Princess M.
This is by far our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the Bay Area! My family and I have been going here for years! We've tried almost everything on the menu and EVERYTHING is consistently DELICIOUS! Our favs are the Cha Gio and Banh Dat! Their tamarind shrimp is also crazy good! The food is always super fresh, and service is always fast and friendly! The owner is so nice and Marcos is absolutely sweet and helpful!I also love how relaxing it is to dine here; the restaurant is clean, tables are spacious and spread a part, noise level is low... so different than most of the other Vietnamese restaurants in the South Bay. And they are always so welcoming and happy to see us! Definitely give this spot a try if you're one of the few who haven't yet!
Brandon Cadelinia
This is our go to spot for banh khot … shrimp cups! They are so good wrapped with lettuce and mint leaves. Spoon over some of the sauce … delicious! The banh khot comes out nice and hot and crispy. We always order two lol and lately we also ordered the shrimp on sugarcane with the rice wrapper to make our own shrimp rolls! Fast and friendly service. Also plays great music while eating!
I had been to the DTSJ location countless times but never this one. Since I was craving hu tieu ba nam, I made my husband take the trek with me to try out Vung Tau II.Parking isn't hard to find here and we were seated right away. For it being peak lunchtime on a weekend and the restaurant nearly empty, we were already thinking uh oh, why? A few more patrons walked in after us but they weren't even half full the entire time we were there.Our orders came out and I immediately noticed it was a bit on the smaller end and my hu tieu didn't look quite the same. It was missing crab claw but I guess they don't serve it here. The shrimp cracker was not great looking either, seemed old because the shrimp was so shriveled. There are large chunks of mushroom in the sauce which was different as well, I think it's normally chopped very small to the point you don't notice any. I prepared it the way I like and took a bite ... disappointing. The flavors were lacking, the cracker was stale and the shrimp in the cracker was cold and grey??? I was hungry and tried to overlook things but it definitely was not up to my expectations. My husband's bun tom thit looked lackluster as well- the pickled carrots were really thick. It looks like I'm going to have to learn to cook a new dish because I'm definitely not coming back here to satisfy any craving.
Our group of 5 people went for a late lunch on Father's day. It was after the rush. The restaurant is ordinary. We were seated within a reasonable time but that was where it stopped. After 15 minutes, I got up and found 2 menus at a nearby empty table. After another 15 minutes I went to the waiter to request service. We had not had even a glass of water. My friends were not impressed. I was embarrassed for suggesting this place. The food was very slow. The food was good. It seems that the take out orders were filled before ours. We asked for 2 separate checks. The waiter just shrugged. When the check came, it was all together. We had to go to the cashier to ask her to split it up. This is not a language misunderstanding since I spoke Vietnamese with the waiter.Vegetarian options: My husband had a vegetarian curry. It was white, not yellow. I don't know if it tasted like curry but the food came so slow, he was so hungry, he ate it all.Parking: Free parking lot but there are so many stores here that parking is hard to find. We finally parked on the other side of Lion Food Market.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Serra Ano
Wed June 28 202201:30 p.m.parking not too crowded.made it before close at 02:30 p.m. (reopens 05:30 p.m. for dinner.good buc lac lacgreat service.Parking: located in corner towards grocery store side.
The owner of Vung Tau II Restaurant is incredibly kind and generous. She not only warmly welcomes guests but also willingly shares her culinary knowledge and techniques. If you have any questions or need advice, she is more than happy to teach you how to savor and enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Her kindness and care add a warm and comforting touch to the entire dining experience. Whether you're a fan of Vietnamese cuisine or eager to explore new flavors, Vung Tau II Restaurant is a place worth visiting. Here, you can not only savor delicious Vietnamese dishes but also experience the hospitality and guidance of the owner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rose L.
Went around closing time ~7:50pm and they still let us sit and were very sweet! I decided to go for the 25, the soup with fish in it. They unfortunately do not have pho or many red meat options which was disappointing. We got tea with our meal. The food came out very fast and the food was alright. The fish pieces were very soft and tasty and the soup was flavorful with the noodles. However, the portions were very small compared to the price point but it was overall a decent food experience.The service was great though and it was nice seating.
Pratiti Mandal
Jan or host was the sweetest! All her suggestions were so perfect! She was so kind to explain the dishes and even customized some dishes so that we could try their best spread!Will definitely come back to try their elaborate spread of authentic Vietnamese dishes!Very friendly staff and great place to dine in with great food!Best of all, this is a family run business with family recipes on menu.
Vung Tau Restaurant surprised me with another mouthwatering delight on their menu - the banh khot. These bite-sized crispy rice pancakes, filled with succulent shrimp and served with fresh herbs and dipping sauce, were a revelation. The contrast of textures and flavors in each banh khot was simply exceptional. I couldn't get enough of them, and they quickly became one of my favorite dishes on the menu. The attention to detail in crafting these little morsels was evident, and they were a delightful addition to an already impressive array of Vietnamese dishes.While Vung Tau Restaurant's popularity can sometimes lead to longer wait times, especially during peak hours, and some may find the portion sizes slightly smaller than expected, these minor inconveniences are easily overshadowed by the delightful flavors and genuine Vietnamese culinary experience that Vung Tau Restaurant offers. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Vietnamese cuisine or looking to explore it for the first time, this restaurant is sure to leave you with a craving for more of their delicious dishes, particularly the banh khot, which is not to be missed."
I've been to Vung Tau 3 many times, and it's great. Vung Tau 2 is just as good. Everything is always fresh and delicious.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Pork, Fried
Love this restaurant so much. The food is always tasting fresh and delicious. I always get their special dry clear noodles which never disappoints. The staff goes over and beyond and makes you feel welcome and like your family. It's sad that they will be closing early next week. There is no other place that makes this type of noodles, if they do then it's a copy.
I never write reviews like ever but this restaurant used to be one of my favorites. Their San Jose location was peak service, atmosphere, and food. Then the pandemic hit and they closed that location down so I try to go to the Milpitas restaurant every so often. My lord. The one server (and you'll know who she is when you go) is so irritating she practically tried to feed one of the folks at our table by hand and couldn't let us just sit there for a minute to eat. Constantly harassing us the whole time. The only redeeming factor was their egg rolls. I get the craving every so often. They make really good ones but everything else has dipped dramatically in quality. The last experience soured my opinion so much, it'll be at least two years before I go back.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
I ordered papaya salad that costs over $14 and requested that they make it Thai spicy (very spicy) when it arrived to my place, I opened it up, it wasn’t what I expected. I’m not sure if this is Vietnamese style papaya salad or what? If so, they should put a print on it (Vietnamese style) and even though if that was Vietnamese style, how does one just throw soil sauce in a bowl of papaya and call it papaya salad? There was the papaya, jerky on top of the papaya, I think there was mints on top of beef jerky, only 1 whole Thai red chili pepper(not even crushed) and get this, 1 cup of soil sauce. Not even tried to toss or meshed the salad. I had to bite pepper and the so called papaya salad tasted like I drank a cup of soil sauce. If I wanted to taste soil sauce, I would just go in my kitchen and pour me a glass of it. Where is the tomato and the fish sauce and the other ingredients that supposedly be in the salad? Maybe, Google on how to make papaya salad. The worst papaya salad I’ve tasted in my life. I gave it 1 star for making it to my place in time.
Food: 1
Good is good but the woman server (owner of the restaurant) is horrible, we have been there many times and she recognize us, but every time we go there and order, the sarcasm from the lady is just bad service and attitude. We stopped going just because of her horrible service and attitude.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Would have been four stars except for the undisclosed "SVC" charge that appeared on my receipt that I didn't notice until after I left. I absolutely refuse to participate in this BS. I am on an ongoing crusade stop this practice dead in its tracks and I suggest you do the same. I don't know if this recondite "SVC" entry is to offset credit card fees, pay for "employee wellness," or any other stupid stuff. Whatever it is, it is a cost of doing business and needs to be reflected in your food prices. Not snuck in after-the-fact, masking to the true cost of my lunch.As I've done at every other establishment that pulls this baloney, I have instructed my card issuer to bounce the undisclosed fees back. I ate lunch but Vung Tau will eat the $3.49 hidden fee plus whatever their bank charges them for having a returned item.Cut it out.
This is by far our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the Bay Area! My family and I have been going here for years! We've tried almost everything on the menu and EVERYTHING is consistently DELICIOUS! Our favs are the Cha Gio and Banh Dat! Their tamarind shrimp is also crazy good! The food is always super fresh, and service is always fast and friendly! The owner is so nice and Marcos is absolutely sweet and helpful!I also love how relaxing it is to dine here; the restaurant is clean, tables are spacious and spread a part, noise level is low... so different than most of the other Vietnamese restaurants in the South Bay. And they are always so welcoming and happy to see us! Definitely give this spot a try if you're one of the few who haven't yet!
This is our go to spot for banh khot … shrimp cups! They are so good wrapped with lettuce and mint leaves. Spoon over some of the sauce … delicious! The banh khot comes out nice and hot and crispy. We always order two lol and lately we also ordered the shrimp on sugarcane with the rice wrapper to make our own shrimp rolls! Fast and friendly service. Also plays great music while eating!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vermicelli with Grilled Shrimp, Banh Khot, Grilled Onion Beef Fired Rice
I had been to the DTSJ location countless times but never this one. Since I was craving hu tieu ba nam, I made my husband take the trek with me to try out Vung Tau II.Parking isn't hard to find here and we were seated right away. For it being peak lunchtime on a weekend and the restaurant nearly empty, we were already thinking uh oh, why? A few more patrons walked in after us but they weren't even half full the entire time we were there.Our orders came out and I immediately noticed it was a bit on the smaller end and my hu tieu didn't look quite the same. It was missing crab claw but I guess they don't serve it here. The shrimp cracker was not great looking either, seemed old because the shrimp was so shriveled. There are large chunks of mushroom in the sauce which was different as well, I think it's normally chopped very small to the point you don't notice any. I prepared it the way I like and took a bite ... disappointing. The flavors were lacking, the cracker was stale and the shrimp in the cracker was cold and grey??? I was hungry and tried to overlook things but it definitely was not up to my expectations. My husband's bun tom thit looked lackluster as well- the pickled carrots were really thick. It looks like I'm going to have to learn to cook a new dish because I'm definitely not coming back here to satisfy any craving.
Restaurantji Recommends
Our group of 5 people went for a late lunch on Father's day. It was after the rush. The restaurant is ordinary. We were seated within a reasonable time but that was where it stopped. After 15 minutes, I got up and found 2 menus at a nearby empty table. After another 15 minutes I went to the waiter to request service. We had not had even a glass of water. My friends were not impressed. I was embarrassed for suggesting this place. The food was very slow. The food was good. It seems that the take out orders were filled before ours. We asked for 2 separate checks. The waiter just shrugged. When the check came, it was all together. We had to go to the cashier to ask her to split it up. This is not a language misunderstanding since I spoke Vietnamese with the waiter.Vegetarian options: My husband had a vegetarian curry. It was white, not yellow. I don't know if it tasted like curry but the food came so slow, he was so hungry, he ate it all.Parking: Free parking lot but there are so many stores here that parking is hard to find. We finally parked on the other side of Lion Food Market.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Wed June 28 202201:30 p.m.parking not too crowded.made it before close at 02:30 p.m. (reopens 05:30 p.m. for dinner.good buc lac lacgreat service.Parking: located in corner towards grocery store side.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Grilled Beef with Onion, Grilled Onion Beef Fired Rice
The owner of Vung Tau II Restaurant is incredibly kind and generous. She not only warmly welcomes guests but also willingly shares her culinary knowledge and techniques. If you have any questions or need advice, she is more than happy to teach you how to savor and enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Her kindness and care add a warm and comforting touch to the entire dining experience. Whether you're a fan of Vietnamese cuisine or eager to explore new flavors, Vung Tau II Restaurant is a place worth visiting. Here, you can not only savor delicious Vietnamese dishes but also experience the hospitality and guidance of the owner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Went around closing time ~7:50pm and they still let us sit and were very sweet! I decided to go for the 25, the soup with fish in it. They unfortunately do not have pho or many red meat options which was disappointing. We got tea with our meal. The food came out very fast and the food was alright. The fish pieces were very soft and tasty and the soup was flavorful with the noodles. However, the portions were very small compared to the price point but it was overall a decent food experience.The service was great though and it was nice seating.
Jan or host was the sweetest! All her suggestions were so perfect! She was so kind to explain the dishes and even customized some dishes so that we could try their best spread!Will definitely come back to try their elaborate spread of authentic Vietnamese dishes!Very friendly staff and great place to dine in with great food!Best of all, this is a family run business with family recipes on menu.