Always a solid choice can never go wrong with this restaurant. Clean,delicious, and authentic Vietnamese food. what more can you ask for?
Jeffrey Hoover
We love this restaurant in the mall, if your wanting PHO in Des Moines this is where I would go, and the owner is awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pheng Moua
8-23-25 Wife and I came and stayed in town after visiting maquoketa cave park. She was feeling Asian food and mention this place located in Merle Hay Mall. First, this mall food court was pretty empty until we got to the main area, which has some people but not a lot. Walking thru this mall brings back memories of growing up in the 90s. I feel like I’m walking thru time seems as this mall doesn’t seem updated. I order a medium beef combo pho and bahn mi and my wife got a small bun bo hue. They did get the size order opposites but they corrected right away. My wife got to keep her medium bowl. Not sure if it was close to closing time that had to do with food flavors but the pho broth was just meh, very little flavor kind of bland. I wasn’t expecting anything too much from mall food, especially pho. There was a good amount of beef and the size of the meat ball slice was big. The only disappointment was that there was no tendon which was the reason why I got this combo in the first place. The bahn mi was just okay. I was confused when they said they had to toast the bahn mi. I’ve never bought bahn mi that was toasted but it was okay. My wife said her bun bo hue was spicy which made up for flavors. Overall, okay food for mall food in Des Moines.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Kate
Pho Three Meats: Chicken, Beef, and Shrimps medium size was good! 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Shewmake
While visiting Des Moines, IA this weekend, I was craving Vietnamese fresh rolls and started searching for a place to get them. I decided to try Vietnam Cafe Express inside the Merle Hay Mall.
Walking through the mall was a surprise — more than half of it appeared vacant, giving it a bit of a ghost town feel. When I reached the food court, I approached the counter and was greeted by a woman I later learned was Brenda, who may be the owner. They didn’t have any fresh rolls ready, but she curtly informed me they could make some. I ordered four, which were reasonably priced at $2.50 each.
It took about 10–15 minutes for my order, during which I observed Brenda being rather short with customers — to the point of seeming unappreciative and borderline rude. Honestly, it’s surprising to see that kind of attitude in a mall that’s already struggling with so many empty storefronts.
When my rolls were ready, the interaction was again abrupt, with no real sense of appreciation for my business. The rolls themselves looked decent, but they were heavy on vermicelli (about 95%) and light on greens.
Overall, the food was passable, but the lack of customer service and gratitude left a bigger impression. I’m not sure I’d return.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Jami Brown
Amazing food!!!!
Tony Romeo
Best buffet in town on Fridays
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elaine Shannon
The best pho I’ve had in ages! Delicious, satisfying, and surprisingly affordable. I also highly recommend the mango boba smoothie - it’s an awesome nondairy treat great for cooling off after enjoying your pho.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
morganfitzp
Be careful here: The dried noodle garnish that came with the fried tofu tasted eggy. I only got that fried tofu because their veggie pho doesn’t have tofu in it. They might not give you fish sauce like they used to, but Vietnam Cafe has never cared about vegans.
David Chew
I went at about 6 pm today to buy take out. Bought large Pho Dac Biet and Bun Bo Hue. A guy served me. Unfortunately, he should have told me he was out of broth. Rather he added hot water and the soup tasted like water. Disgusted. Zero stars!
Spur of the moment suggestion by my husband to go tonight. Friday night only buffet and Pho is included. It was amazing. I told the owner I had never been there and she walked me through everything. It was all hot and fresh and oh so good. when I went up to compliment her on our experience, she asked if I had tried the jarred drink that used a ladle to serve at the end of the buffet. I had not but saw a lot of people do so. She explained what it was so we tried it. Holy smokes! Wow! Next Friday, January 31, they are having a big celebration and a larger buffet with even more traditional options for the, I believe, the chinese new year. we will be back! possibly every Friday. 10/10
Martha Matthews
Wonderful Pho. The bourbon chicken is a favorite of family. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Regarding atmosphere, it is in the mall food court where it is fun to watch people gather, friends meet for board games and fun social interaction. Let me say again, wonderful Pho, great staff!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Large Chicken Pho, Cream Cheese Puffs 4 pcs, Crab Rangoon 4 pcs, Pork Egg Roll, Pho and Spring Rolls, Beef Combo Pho
Nick
The BEST orange chicken EVER!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
daniel nowysz
Very good food and the owner is super friendly!
Jimmy
Bon bu hue is very good. Bun is so so. Bahn mi was not great.
Always a solid choice can never go wrong with this restaurant. Clean,delicious, and authentic Vietnamese food. what more can you ask for?
We love this restaurant in the mall, if your wanting PHO in Des Moines this is where I would go, and the owner is awesome
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
8-23-25 Wife and I came and stayed in town after visiting maquoketa cave park. She was feeling Asian food and mention this place located in Merle Hay Mall.
First, this mall food court was pretty empty until we got to the main area, which has some people but not a lot. Walking thru this mall brings back memories of growing up in the 90s. I feel like I’m walking thru time seems as this mall doesn’t seem updated.
I order a medium beef combo pho and bahn mi and my wife got a small bun bo hue. They did get the size order opposites but they corrected right away. My wife got to keep her medium bowl.
Not sure if it was close to closing time that had to do with food flavors but the pho broth was just meh, very little flavor kind of bland. I wasn’t expecting anything too much from mall food, especially pho. There was a good amount of beef and the size of the meat ball slice was big. The only disappointment was that there was no tendon which was the reason why I got this combo in the first place. The bahn mi was just okay. I was confused when they said they had to toast the bahn mi. I’ve never bought bahn mi that was toasted but it was okay. My wife said her bun bo hue was spicy which made up for flavors.
Overall, okay food for mall food in Des Moines.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Pho Three Meats: Chicken, Beef, and Shrimps medium size was good! 😊
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
While visiting Des Moines, IA this weekend, I was craving Vietnamese fresh rolls and started searching for a place to get them. I decided to try Vietnam Cafe Express inside the Merle Hay Mall.
Walking through the mall was a surprise — more than half of it appeared vacant, giving it a bit of a ghost town feel. When I reached the food court, I approached the counter and was greeted by a woman I later learned was Brenda, who may be the owner. They didn’t have any fresh rolls ready, but she curtly informed me they could make some. I ordered four, which were reasonably priced at $2.50 each.
It took about 10–15 minutes for my order, during which I observed Brenda being rather short with customers — to the point of seeming unappreciative and borderline rude. Honestly, it’s surprising to see that kind of attitude in a mall that’s already struggling with so many empty storefronts.
When my rolls were ready, the interaction was again abrupt, with no real sense of appreciation for my business. The rolls themselves looked decent, but they were heavy on vermicelli (about 95%) and light on greens.
Overall, the food was passable, but the lack of customer service and gratitude left a bigger impression. I’m not sure I’d return.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Amazing food!!!!
Best buffet in town on Fridays
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best pho I’ve had in ages! Delicious, satisfying, and surprisingly affordable. I also highly recommend the mango boba smoothie - it’s an awesome nondairy treat great for cooling off after enjoying your pho.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Be careful here: The dried noodle garnish that came with the fried tofu tasted eggy. I only got that fried tofu because their veggie pho doesn’t have tofu in it. They might not give you fish sauce like they used to, but Vietnam Cafe has never cared about vegans.
I went at about 6 pm today to buy take out. Bought large Pho Dac Biet and Bun Bo Hue. A guy served me. Unfortunately, he should have told me he was out of broth. Rather he added hot water and the soup tasted like water. Disgusted. Zero stars!
Atmosphere: 2
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Spur of the moment suggestion by my husband to go tonight. Friday night only buffet and Pho is included. It was amazing. I told the owner I had never been there and she walked me through everything. It was all hot and fresh and oh so good. when I went up to compliment her on our experience, she asked if I had tried the jarred drink that used a ladle to serve at the end of the buffet. I had not but saw a lot of people do so. She explained what it was so we tried it. Holy smokes! Wow! Next Friday, January 31, they are having a big celebration and a larger buffet with even more traditional options for the, I believe, the chinese new year. we will be back! possibly every Friday. 10/10
Wonderful Pho. The bourbon chicken is a favorite of family. The staff is friendly and welcoming. Regarding atmosphere, it is in the mall food court where it is fun to watch people gather, friends meet for board games and fun social interaction. Let me say again, wonderful Pho, great staff!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Large Chicken Pho, Cream Cheese Puffs 4 pcs, Crab Rangoon 4 pcs, Pork Egg Roll, Pho and Spring Rolls, Beef Combo Pho
The BEST orange chicken EVER!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good food and the owner is super friendly!
Bon bu hue is very good. Bun is so so. Bahn mi was not great.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Spicy Noodle Soup
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