- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
New Saigon Restaurant - CLOSED
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
915 Kearny Street(between Columbus Ave & Jackson St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Neighborhood: Financial District
(415) 982-3853
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
23 reviews for New Saigon Restaurant
Review Highlights
"...restaurant is your classic family-run, vietnamese pho joint."
(in 12 reviews)
"...BEST grilled pork with imperial rolls over vermicelli that..."
(in 5 reviews)
"The tea is always piping hot."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
23 reviews in English
-
Review from Gloria H.
8/4/2009
The four stars is for the previous owner who cooked her last meal on 7/31/09...
We finally decided to try this place after passing by a packed Chef Jia and the crazy House of Nan King. It was empty and we saw a Change of Ownership sign - we thought let's give these new owners a boost. Little did we know we enjoyed one of the last meals cooked by the existing owner. There were 3 older ladies - one sat at the corner table reading newspaper, one served and the other cooked. The cook owned the place and she was wearing a fleece pullover in the kitchen!
Anyway, we ordered:
iced coffee w/ condensed milk - it's strong and delicious
eggroll - it was piping hot and really good
curry lamb rice noodle - the lamb was so tender and the curry was delicious! the rice noodle was the perfect.
beef tripe noodle - this was ok, the broth has a strong herb taste but not sure what herb. there was beef tripe, beef ball and something else
Now we'll have to check it out again and check out the new owner/cook. -
Review from Donna H.
4/16/2009
I came here today for lunch.. alone as usual, because I'm the new girl and the new girl is a loser, who puked on her second day of work, and went home sick twice within the first three weeks of starting her new job. And I totally was going to ask other people where they were headed to, but the courage dissipated. HAHA I'm shy, but then I'm soo not shy at the same time.. It's weird. :/
Anyways, I popped into this little place because someone kept saying that I had been there before with him, when I've never checked it out. The place seems like a good lunch place. Speedy service, friendly staff, and semi grimey, just the way I like it.
Price-wise, it seems to have gotten more expensive. They tack on an extra $1 for every dish due to the increase in costs, so pho was $6, but now is $7, so on and so forth. Not horrible, but not great either. I understand that everyone's gotta make their living. I ordered grilled beef over rice. It started out relatively greasy and delicious, but a couple of slices in, the meat quality started deteriorating, literally. I'd start chewing and it started have the texture of meat paste. Awkward. I picked up another slice, but this slice was fine. And so on and so forth, till I had enough of testing out my slices of grilled beef.
Overall flavor was still very good, but the whole mushy meat thing just made the whole experience of eating by myself even worse. I think I'll come back to try a $7 bowl of pho when I'm desperate. In the meantime, I'll keep checking out other places around the area, where I can drown my lonely tears in bowls of hot soupy goodness. FML -
Review from Trixie J.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2007
Yelper Ellyn K. treated me to lunch today.
I asked, "What are you--made of money?"
She replied, "No, I just want to buy your friendship."
The imperial rolls are good.
Deep-fried goodness on the outside, mystery shreds inside.
I got the beef stew noodle soup. Hearty portion. More tendon than meat. Slight MSG aftertaste but not as bad as some other pho joints. -
Review from Marsha Z.
San Francisco, CA
10/5/2006
"I peeked into Golden Flower and it was packed, so I made my way here to New Saigon.
Overall, this Vietnamese joint is alright. I've tasted better vermicelli bowls, but for the price (under six bucks), it can't be beat. Service is fairly quick, but friendliness is hit or miss. Don't expect your tea to be brought with a smile. I'd go back, but there are so many other Vietnamese restaurants to try before heading back."Listed in: The Requisite FiDi Lunch List
-
Review from Rye G.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2005
You walk into this unassuming Vietnamese restaurant, peruse the menu and are jarred out of your seat when the woman who takes your order barks to the chef. This experience alone is worth 2 stars. (I'm pretty sure this is family owned and operated, so you will get to meet this woman.)
The lemongrass tofu dish I like to get here stinks. That is, the odor isn't pleasant. However, the food is always delicious and very spicy. I love it. Price is right, around $5 for most dishes. Don't get soda though. They'll charge you $1.25 for a can. Heh.
This place probably only deserves 3 stars, there's really nothing exceptional about it. But it always feels homey to me when I'm there, despite not being able to understand a single word spoken (aside from ordering, of course).
Not a destination restaurant, but if you're in the area, a great stop. -
Review from Claire C.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2008
We jumped in here when our local go to Vietnamese was crawling with annoying financial district people (yes like me, I'm one of THEM). The restaurant is a little shanty, but whatever, so many good places have shanty exteriors. We were greeted warmly and our menus brought quickly.
We started with the pulled pork spring rolls. The pork was not as flavorful as it is at some other Vietnamese places in the city, I hit it pretty hard with the chili paste. We also got the lemon grass chicken with coconut milk and veggies and the 5 spice beef. Both were pretty good, the meat quality was average, not anything I'd like to see before it was cooked.
The meal was pretty good, neither of us complained but neither of us high fived anyone either. Also, they were pretty slow with refilling water or bringing the check, and the restaurant wasn't even full.
Average lunch spot. It cost us $26 before tip for one app and two entrees, you can eat cheaper and better in the FiDi. -
Review from Christina N.
San Diego, CA
6/16/2009
My great aunt Sally is the model of what I'd like to be when I get to be her age. A "woman of leisure" is what she described herself as and who I was I to question her. Her lifestyle and impeccable taste for good food have gotten her this far, so when she asks me to join her for lunch, I take it as an opportunity to learn the secrets to living an amazing life!
Aunt Sally and her friends have been coming to New Saigon for as long as they can remember. It is their little neighborhood joint where they can have great, consistent food and Vietnamese coffee in a homely setting. She knows the owners (two Chinese/Vietnamese sisters) and its great to see them chat it up about the latest Chinatown gossip whenever I decide to visit for lunch.
In regards to the food, I truly feel like I'm eating Vietnamese comfort food when I come in. The menu has all the straight shots such as Pho, Spring Rolls, Bun Thit Nuong (my fave!!), and all that jazz. On my mom's recommendation, I strayed away from the typical and went with the Lamb Curry over Rice. Although it was not a dish that I traditionally order, I was so happy I decided to go with it!! The stewed lamb was stupidly tender and worked in perfect harmony with the slightly sweet and spicy coconut curry sauce. It was rich, delicate, hearty, and memorable.
I am so fortunate to have my Aunt Sally around to keep me grounded and remind me to cherish the good things in life. Lunch hour at New Saigon is just one of those things and I'm happy to share it with her. -
Review from mia s.
Oakland, CA
8/2/2007
Before my 5 year hiatus from the city, I used to eat here at least a couple of times a week. It's damn good comfort food. Their pho and bun are always consistently good and the type of curry chicken they serve can't be found anywhere else. The pork chops are some of the best I've had.
I'm back in the city now but a bit far (Union Square) so I don't come as often but when I do I have to order extra food to take home for dinner for my hubbie. -
Review from Evelyn K.
San Francisco, CA
7/29/2009
I have to give this place props!...it makes the BEST grilled pork with imperial rolls over vermicelli that I have found so far in this city!! I make a pilgrimmage to this place practically every week to get my oh-so-predictable order of #31. I'm tempted raise the ante to 5 stars, but I honestly have never ordered anything other than #31....why mess with this near perfection:
* Grilled pork is lean and totally flavorful
* Imperial roll is piping hot and de-lish!
* Veggies are fresh and you get an occasional bite of refreshing mint
* Vermicelli is cooked just right and there's plenty of it
* I love a few scoops of their hot sauce (not just Sriracha) in the fish sauce
The restaurant itself is nothing special, ambiance-wise...
The staff is a friendly bunch of older Chinese women.
So, yeah 4 stars it is! -
Review from Nizaria D.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2008
I had the pho ga here and it was not all that good. In part because of the unremarkable broth (not bad, just not that great), in part because of the lacking condiments. The Sriracha was an inferior brand, with a flavor reminiscent of ketchup. I did not want it in my pho! The hoisin sauce was runny and watered down. I received no basil to speak of, though they did bring me some extra lime with my bean sprouts, which was a nice touch. The noodles on this particular day were some of the most flavorless noodles I have encountered in my years of pho research. All of which merits around two stars, maybe two and a half.
However, I feel very guilty being so hard on this place because:
a) they are located in the Financial District and there isn't much else going on around, Vietnamese-wise
b) the ladies who run the place were kind enough to let me run to the ATM up the street when I realized I did not have enough cash to pay the bill, and didn't give me any shit about it... they even refused my driver's license as collateral -- TRUST!
c) I think they are better known for their non-pho menu items...?
Therefore, I give them a kindly three hot cocks, for trusting a total stranger not to dine n' ditch. And for doing what they can in an unfortunate location at the crotch of Chinatown, North Beach and the FiDi. I will come back again to try the bun or com dia, and with the proper cash at hand. -
Review from Po L.
San Francisco, CA
5/20/2008
3 stars = they do the job
My friend has been here for lunch and picked it and it was your average Vietnamese place. It's definitely authentic as they woman taking the orders barked it back to the kitchen in Vietnamese. I definitely like this place better the house of nanking. At one point it got a little bit smoky from the cooking in the kitchen, but I didn't mind.
If you need to eat and want Vietnamese food you can't go wrong here. $23.00 for 2 people eating two dishes and spring rolls. -
Review from John F.
7/3/2008 1 photo
Came here for lunch today. Typically we hit a couple other Vietnameese places, but they had lines... this place did not... note to self.... stand in line next time the time saved did not make up for the sub par food.
I had the lunch rice plate special. The grilled pork was, OK. The rice it was served on top of detracted from the taste. It was way to wet and sticky. The imperial rolls that came with it was OK as well..... but way over cooked.
The lunch came with a cup of Pho. This was the highlight of the meal. My friend asked the waitress what he could get that was vegetarian and spicy. She pointed to a couple items on the menu. He said what is the spiciest.... she recommended the Vegetable Chow Fun. She said she can make it very spicy. When she brought it to the table there was no spice.... she then handed him the red chili sauce for him to add! When he asked why they did not cook with anything spicy she said... SAME THING YOU HAVE 2 to pick from.
I am not sure how this place got rated so high. There are better options to close to eat at this place. -
Review from jubi l.
San Francisco, CA
4/7/2008
I forgot to Yelp this place last week.
We always work out on Tues night, and it's nice to know that this place is open pretty late. They are supposed to be close by 10 PM and we were there until 10:30 and there are still patrons eating. They don't kick you out.
A typical Mom & Pop vietnamese restaurant. Pho soup is good and our imperial roll taste good. Price is cheap, just don't forget to bring cash. They don't accept credit cards. -
Review from Erin Leigh M.
Oakland, CA
2/6/2006
The walk from the "suit central" is pleasant when this spot is my destination. I've only ever had the spring / cold rolls (which are fantastic) and the pho ga (chicken soup). On those bitter (brrrrrrr) cold days (a whopping 55 F) of San Francisco summers, this soup is to die for. And you just might with all the sodium.
The broth of the chicken soup is made from (gasp!) chicken, and not beef like all the other vietnamese joints I've been to. And they almost always (i've been their twice in 2 years where they didn't) have very fresh basil, lime, and bean sprouts. The tea is always piping hot.
Although the smell coming through the door might not drag you in, the $4.50 for a huge bowl of soup (compared to the rest of the financial districts pocket picking prices) just might. -
Review from Poppa W.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2009
On top of being super-friendly, the little-old ladies in this place make the best pho ga in San Francisco.
My grandma did not make pho ga, but if she had, I'm sure it would have tasted like this. A giant steaming bowl of noodles (not too firm, not too mushy) and delicious chicken, plus a heaping side-plate of hot pepperrs, basil, limes and bamboo shoots. This place is where it's at. -
Review from Bart p.
San Francisco, CA
3/29/2010
I'm sorry to see this place go.. It was there for a long time and the older ladies who ran it were really nice to me. Once they had a birthday cake for themselves and gave me a piece....
-
Review from vuForce Fresh n.
Berkeley, CA
12/8/2006
this restaurant is your classic family-run, vietnamese pho joint. plenty of plastic flowers, food-stained walls, inconsistent service and, most importantly, great food.
the pho is second to none in the financial district/chinatown area. i won't go into too much detail, but it sure as hell is better than anything else within a 20 block radius.
other very good dishes include the bun tahn (thin rice noodles with shredded chicken, pork and eggs in a chicken broth) and their curry noddle/rice dishes.
it's good stuff. -
Review from Laura Y.
Los Angeles, CA
5/14/2007
I only go here with my pho sifu Asian Mustache, when he is on his blessed lunch breaks. One day, I hope to be worthy of a trip to the wilds of San Jose, where the ancient and secretive Pho Nazi simmers his broth, but until then, I will cherish my pilgrimages to New Saigon.
Listed in: PHO EVA
-
Review from Steven K.
Brooklyn, NY
1/3/2008
I really did not enjoy this restaurant that much. We started our meal with the imperial rolls, which were over fried and not good. We were also uncertain of the meat inside the rolls, for all we know it could have been puppy chow. My friend had the wonton soup, which she thought lacked flavor and contained not well cooked meat. I had a veggie dish with an array of vegetables and tofu (bean cake), that actually wasn't too bad, there could have been less sauce but it was still enjoyable. Setting is pretty run-down, it was very cold inside the day we went there, service is prompt and informal. The best part of this experience was that this restaurant is cheap!!!
-
Review from Marc S.
San Francisco, CA
12/20/2005
On my way to lunch I noticed this spot which had somehow escaped my food dollar for a while (or it opened somewhat recently) and decided to check it out. Got a standard BBQ pork rice plate with imperial roll combo. Pork was good, a bit thicker cut than I usually care for, but fairly lean. Imperial rolls I didn't care for particularly, for reasons I can't explain. I think too much black fungus. Also came with soup of the day which was corn something and was not good. Tea had a nice flavor. Lettuce, cucumber and carrotts satisfactory. In all, it wasn't bad, but didn't have enough pluses to take me away from my normal spots. Old lady refilling my tea seemed nice. Price was within normal range at $7.50 out the door.
-
Review from Lainey H.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2008
The soup base was yum, but oily. The steak was of good quality, but they gave too few. The bean sprouts were very fresh and good-sized though. The service isn't extra attentive or superb, but the ladies are pretty chill and cool. The place is dinky and it and probably somewhat dirty.. but its Chinatown, so what do you expect?
-
Review from j r.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2007
How adorable are the ladies who work here? I'd like to keep them in my pocket really. They will change the radio to the Vietnamese(?) station if you ask and can endure their disbelief, but trust me those saccharine songs sound better in another language. The bun carry ga is what I've been ordering forever. I know chicken isn't pork, but this chicken I will BART across town for. (if you have to get pork you can open your meal with the fresh rolls with pork, no shrimp. That's how we roll.)
-
Review from Mark J.
San Francisco, CA
7/9/2007
I found this place about two years ago and it was the only place open during Chinese New Years. I was starving, had a little cash, but was sick of McDonalds, Carls, and all that DT garbage. I went in here not knowing I had found a gem! I have been going there consistently now, about two to three times a week. I refer this place to everyone and I compare it to every Vietnamese restaurant I go.
I've yet to get over eating thier Bun Pork w/ Imperial roll or Beef Noodle Soup. Whenever I walk in, they ask one or the other, depending on weather. I love the fact that they sound like they're arguing half the time or the grandmother is asking if I want coffee. The Spring roll is to die for! All my co-workers too lazy to make my 6 block trek to this place insist I grab them an order of thier delicious Spring Rolls.
If you like vietnamese food, this is a good place to check out. I gave it 5 stars since this is MY Pho Hot Spot!
