Sao Mai is my go-to Vietnamese restaurant and has been for the past seven years. My favorite dish is the cơm bù lúc lắc (beef cubes)—absolutely delicious. Their pho tai is incredible, and the shrimp summer roll is a must-try (I just add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce they provide). I love that it’s family-owned with a warm, friendly small-business atmosphere, and their prices are fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
R M
Food was awesome, definitely felt genuine and not like crafted for the American palate, which I appreciate. I love Asian food and Vietnamese food is one of my favorites and the food came out hot, I got the vegetable pancake. More like a huge fried crunchy crepe than a pancake but very good. We also got some soup that was both spicy and flavorful. The broth was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pho Chin Nam, Chá Gio Spring Rolls, Fried
Jessica Ngo
Was visiting New York for a weekend and a friend recommended this restaurant, mentioning that they served authentic Vietnamese food. We stopped by on a Friday night and it was packed. We tried several dishes including the chicken wings, banh xeo and the crispy pan-fried noodles. They did not disappoint! Everything was so flavorful and cooked to perfection. It really felt like I was eating in my family's kitchen! Can't wait to come back next time we visit New York.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
D J.
L N says the place has a C grade, then, what is this? (Check photo.)
Google needs to stop allowing fake reviews and gibberish.
The pho here is amazing,my whole family loves it, the spring rolls as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
X Me
“The place is small, and the atmosphere feels uncomfortable.Restroom is not clean . The Asian man at the front desk often stares at you with a suspicious, almost interrogative expression. He never smiles, which makes the experience feel even more uneasy. The hallway is narrow, and the staff constantly pace back and forth, watching everyone closely—even while you’re being treated- otherwise the food is good”
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Armii U
I recently tried Sao Mai and found the experience a bit mixed. I ordered the Bún Bò Huế, but the noodles were slightly undercooked and the broth lacked depth. I wasn’t sure if it was just my bowl or their usual style, but it didn’t hit the spot for me—though still edible.
That said, the crispy spring rolls were quite good (4/5), and I’d definitely order them again. The lychee drink was underwhelming (2/5)—it came with four lychees, but the overall flavor didn’t impress me.
Service was simple but friendly. I’d still be open to returning to try their pho or Vietnamese sandwich and will update my review after that.
Overall: • Bún Bò Huế – 3/5 • Crispy Spring Roll – 4/5 • Lychee Drink – 2/5
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Jen Roit
Super tasty. Was exactly what I wanted post-pilates. Very fresh and flavorful. I'll be coming back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danny
Highly recommend this Vietnamese restaurant more than the ones in Chinatown near Canel st. Food is tasty. It's easier to find parking. Come try, and you won't be disappointed .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
tait berwick
This place is so special for Vietnamese food in nyc as the menu has items beyond banhmi and pho! Every single item was complex and refreshing! Prices were extremely fair too.
Javier Kohen
I arrived with high expectations based on the reviews, but I found the food to be average. I liked it just fine, but wouldn't recommend it. The shrimp tasted fresh, but everything else didn't. The flavors blended too much, the ingredients were soggy, and there was a lack of vegetables. The meats had little umami flavor typical of great Vietnamese cuisine. On the other hand, tons of bland vermicelli.
Pho was ok, but not worth the risk. Restaurant has a C for health inspection score.. do you know how much stuff they must’ve found to get such a score…
Garrie Don
Great service Great food Very authentic Vietnamese food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pho Chin Nam, House Special
jina Moon
The kind of place you crave when you’re suddenly in the mood for pho while traveling. Quick service and delicious food!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nero_ Invictvs7
Good place and amazing food came fast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mattea Fenchel
Phenomenal Vietnamese cuisine! The beef pho was aromatic and flavorful, and the portion was huge! The pork chops were deliciously marinated and charred to perfection. The avocado sauce is insanely good! The service was very good, everyone was friendly and we enjoyed everything we ate. We will definitely be back!
Sao Mai is my go-to Vietnamese restaurant and has been for the past seven years. My favorite dish is the cơm bù lúc lắc (beef cubes)—absolutely delicious. Their pho tai is incredible, and the shrimp summer roll is a must-try (I just add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce they provide). I love that it’s family-owned with a warm, friendly small-business atmosphere, and their prices are fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was awesome, definitely felt genuine and not like crafted for the American palate, which I appreciate. I love Asian food and Vietnamese food is one of my favorites and the food came out hot, I got the vegetable pancake. More like a huge fried crunchy crepe than a pancake but very good. We also got some soup that was both spicy and flavorful. The broth was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pho Chin Nam, Chá Gio Spring Rolls, Fried
Was visiting New York for a weekend and a friend recommended this restaurant, mentioning that they served authentic Vietnamese food. We stopped by on a Friday night and it was packed. We tried several dishes including the chicken wings, banh xeo and the crispy pan-fried noodles. They did not disappoint! Everything was so flavorful and cooked to perfection. It really felt like I was eating in my family's kitchen! Can't wait to come back next time we visit New York.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
L N says the place has a C grade, then, what is this? (Check photo.)
Google needs to stop allowing fake reviews and gibberish.
The pho here is amazing,my whole family loves it, the spring rolls as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
“The place is small, and the atmosphere feels uncomfortable.Restroom is not clean . The Asian man at the front desk often stares at you with a suspicious, almost interrogative expression. He never smiles, which makes the experience feel even more uneasy. The hallway is narrow, and the staff constantly pace back and forth, watching everyone closely—even while you’re being treated- otherwise the food is good”
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
I recently tried Sao Mai and found the experience a bit mixed. I ordered the Bún Bò Huế, but the noodles were slightly undercooked and the broth lacked depth. I wasn’t sure if it was just my bowl or their usual style, but it didn’t hit the spot for me—though still edible.
That said, the crispy spring rolls were quite good (4/5), and I’d definitely order them again. The lychee drink was underwhelming (2/5)—it came with four lychees, but the overall flavor didn’t impress me.
Service was simple but friendly.
I’d still be open to returning to try their pho or Vietnamese sandwich and will update my review after that.
Overall:
• Bún Bò Huế – 3/5
• Crispy Spring Roll – 4/5
• Lychee Drink – 2/5
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Super tasty. Was exactly what I wanted post-pilates. Very fresh and flavorful. I'll be coming back again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Highly recommend this Vietnamese restaurant more than the ones in Chinatown near Canel st. Food is tasty. It's easier to find parking. Come try, and you won't be disappointed .
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is so special for Vietnamese food in nyc as the menu has items beyond banhmi and pho! Every single item was complex and refreshing! Prices were extremely fair too.
I arrived with high expectations based on the reviews, but I found the food to be average. I liked it just fine, but wouldn't recommend it. The shrimp tasted fresh, but everything else didn't. The flavors blended too much, the ingredients were soggy, and there was a lack of vegetables. The meats had little umami flavor typical of great Vietnamese cuisine. On the other hand, tons of bland vermicelli.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Pho was ok, but not worth the risk. Restaurant has a C for health inspection score.. do you know how much stuff they must’ve found to get such a score…
Great service
Great food
Very authentic Vietnamese food
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pho Chin Nam, House Special
The kind of place you crave when you’re suddenly in the mood for pho while traveling. Quick service and delicious food!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good place and amazing food came fast
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phenomenal Vietnamese cuisine! The beef pho was aromatic and flavorful, and the portion was huge! The pork chops were deliciously marinated and charred to perfection. The avocado sauce is insanely good! The service was very good, everyone was friendly and we enjoyed everything we ate. We will definitely be back!
Food: 5
Service: 5
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