Lang Restaurant (old Hong Thanh)

Very disappointed with this place and their management. I eat here often and normally love the food. I rave about this place to everyone I know. I love Asian cuisine and Beef Pho is my favorite.

I ordered food for myself and my mother and was quoted 20-25 minutes. She arrived 15 minutes early and the food was waiting at the front desk for her. I live across the street in the Berks Trust Building and I was finishing wfh. My mother got veg noodle soup for the first time and I got my normal beef pho. She couldn’t tell which broth was hers. One was clear and the other was light brown which was odd. Normally the beef broth is darker brown. She ate her soup w clear broth and mentioned it seems light in flavor. She never had it before so we just assumed that’s how it was. I went to heat up my pho and took a spoon of broth and noticed it tasted diluted and very mild in flavor which again is very odd. Normally I can heat it up on the stove and double the broth by adding water and it STILL is packed with flavor. I had another sip and was sure something was wrong. I called Lang and asked if something was wrong today because the pho does not taste like normal. They asked me to bring it back so they could check it out. I live across the street so no biggie.

I come over with the broth alone and my receipt. The host at the front desk says oh I know what’s wrong, you mixed up the broths, this is chicken broth. I said No sir, the other broth was clear. I explained I frequent Lang and normally the broth is much darker and flavorful. He realized he put his foot in his mouth because he already confirmed that the pho did not look like normal because even HE thought it was chicken broth. His coworker/server picked it up and also said yes this does not look right and agreed it was wrong and went to the back to correct it. When they came back out they brought an older woman who said nothing and the young man(server) held up two broths that looked very similar and they all stood there and stared at me. I’m looking at the broth like what are we doing here? They said, “Which one do you want? “ The host points to one and says this one’s darker right. I replied, “yes, but they both still look wrong.” They handed me the darker one. I asked for a spoon, I tasted it and it tasted exactly the same as the first one. I closed it and said it’s still not right. They said nothing, I shook my head and walked out.

I went home (across the street) and grabbed the rest of the items(garnishes, noodle, and beefx2). I came back and gave them everything and asked for a refund. The host said I have to get the manager. I said No problem. A few minutes later, the older woman comes out of the kitchen and the hosts tells me to tell her what’s wrong. I explain and she starts yelling at me. Telling me I ate the food and she saw it with her own two eyes. She started making a huge scene and there were people eating in the restaurant. I reminded her she had customers and explained that I don’t want any trouble I just wanted what I paid for which I did not get. She continues to yell at me and I said, “Can we just be honest here. I come here all the time. This is the best pho in the city and You both(her and the host) know that this is not the quality that you normally serve. Even he(the host) thought it was chicken broth.” She waved me off and yelled “Whatever, give her the money, and don’t you ever come back here.”

She doesn’t need to worry, I will never go back.

I am a former restaurant worker and a foodie. I treat everyone with respect and I was not given the respect I gave. I did not raise my voice or be rude to the people at Lang and after today I can see their quality is no longer what I raved about for so long, so I will not be back.

Beware. I hope no one else goes through this.

Vegetarian options: The vegetable pho is made with chicken broth so I wouldn’t eat it if you are Vegan.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 1

Food was very good. Wonton soup is amazing. Made it even better being a freezing cold night. The fresh spring rolls were tasty as well. The peanut dipping sauce was not wasted.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Fried Spring Rolls

The food is delicious! The restaurant is clean and beautiful! We always enjoy our meals at Lang!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food and service was phenomenal. Plenty of dishes to choose from, and don't skip the dessert!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef Rice Noodle Soup

We were in town after stopping by the Reading Hospital, so my wife decided to try this place. A good restaurant for the area. Not as traditional authentic Vietnamese as we would like but it suits the local taste. We both got Pho.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 3

I love being here, foods are delicious and staffs are friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My friend introduced me to this hidden gem in Reading; I am so glad he did. I will be back for sure. The food was so good. I will be back for sure

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

If you're Vietnamese this place might not be for you. The food here is more "Viet lite", catering to westerner tastes.The pho has missing spices and do not taste right, there is an excessive amount of msg in the soup, they use red onions in the soup which makes it taste strange, the menu is a mess of Chinese and Taiwanese inventions , the waiter has no clue when you ask him for pickled onions (which is a common side dish when you order pho).I would rather take the 30 minutes drive to Lancaster and eat at Cafe pho hoang. Which has the absolutely best Viet food I have ever ate anywhere.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Thought of Lang today. So glad I did. Amazing chicken with lemongrass and of course BYOB. Great service and amazing favors.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The best! Never a bad experience! Solid regular menu, and specials that always raise the bar.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

What a wonderful experience! Thank you so much for the lovely dinner.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Excellent everything very

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Quaint spot & the service was quick & easy. Love that they operate on Sundays!

It wasn’t my favorite Pho but it was good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 4

First time here on a Thursday night.Service was excellent.I wasn't a fan of the steamed dumplings at all but my pho was pretty good as were the spring rolls.The fried rice with egg was good too.The others in my party got the calamari and they said it was good.I was lucky to get a good parking spot less than a half a block from the front of the restaurant.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

We always go here during Illuxcon, and we're usually with a massive group. The staff here handle it with grace. Everyone's order is served quickly and correctly. Great food and truly great service. A different restaurant in the area turned down my party of 8, Lang's handled our party of 22.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spring Roll Vermicelli