Top Vietnamese Food In Philadelphia
Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross and the Liberty Bell are often the first things that come to mind when you think of Philadelphia. Vietnamese food, not so much. Yet the City of Brotherly Love has a real love affair with this type of Asian fare. Scores of Vietnamese restaurants are spread throughout the metropolitan area, from Chinatown to Cherry Hill. Here are the select eateries that really do it right.
Le Viet
1019 S. 11th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 463-1570
www.levietrestaurant.com
Le Viet's famous sliders – scrumptious steamed buns with veggies, hoisin sauce and a choice of grilled beef, pork, shrimp or chicken – are a big reason why the restaurant was voted the best in 2011. Ba Vi (a Vietnamese mini version of a burrito with vermicelli, ground shrimp, grilled pork ball and beef with grape leaves, and clay pots of braised spare ribs and caramelized onions) are additional favorites. A full bar menu of cocktails, wines and beers is available. Be sure to leave room for desserts such as Le Viet flan or spring rolls stuffed with fresh fruit, cream cheese and cheesecake.
Nam Phuong Restaurant
1100-1120 Washington Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-0410
www.namphuongphilly.com
Nam Phuong in South Philadelphia is open 12 hours a day, seven days a week, to satisfy all your Vietnamese food cravings. Choose from more than 200 items on a budget-friendly menu that also describes all of the delicious dishes in English. A local favorite is the Three Delight, a make-your-own summer roll with shrimp, beef and grilled meatballs, but a great selection of vegan dishes are also available. To ensure you get a table right away, make online reservations at least a day in advance.
Pho Barclay
1409 New Jersey Route 70
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
(856) 216-8050
www.phobarclay.com
For those on the other side of the Ben Franklin Bridge, Pho Eden in Cherry Hill gets two thumbs up. House specialties include minced crab meat noodle soup and hot and sour seafood pho. While pho dominates the menu, the restaurant has no shortage of traditional Vietnamese dishes, including vermicelli with grilled chicken and spring rolls, stir fried beef or grilled pork and prawns. Top off your meal with bubble tea or one of Barclay's refreshing fruit smoothies.
Vietnam Palace
222 N. 11th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 592-9596
www.vietnampalace.net
Don't confuse Vietnam Palace with its neighbor Vietnam Restaurant. While these two outstanding establishments are just across the street from one another, they are worlds apart in decor and food presentation. Vegan-friendly Vietnam Palace welcomes guests with a clean, modern dining space and bar. While its extensive menu is not limited to Vietnamese cuisine, the chef's spring rolls and vermicelli with meat dishes define the place. While you're there, try one of the bar's martinis or specialty drinks, such as the Saigon Sunrise or Singapore Sling.
Vietnam Restaurant
221 N. 11th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 592-1163
www.eatatvietnam.com
Often noted as being among the best Vietnamese eateries in Philly, Vietnam has a mouth-watering menu with moderate prices. Polished wood tables and black-and-white photographs create a warm, hip atmosphere at this Chinatown staple. Known for its crispy spring rolls and rum cocktails, including the Flaming Volcano and Tiki, the restaurant is open daily, serving up everything from delicious bowls of Bun Cha Gio (spring roll vermicelli) to dishes of Ga Kho To (chicken clay pot). The restaurant doesn't accept reservations, so if you don't want to wait for a table, get there early -- especially on weekends.
Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
