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We haven't been here in years but it's still delicious as last time. The service is friendly and we were immediately seated and placed our order. I ordered the "House Special " which is basically all meat and tripe also vegetables with a delicious broth. The place was busy since it was dinner time but our meal arrived quickly. The portion was generous and I ended up bringing some home to eat latet.
Pretty delicious pho for this area. I highly recommend asking for the beef on the side so it doesn't get overcooked in the soup when they bring it out. The service is fast and the restaurant is pretty massive and spacious. The broth is flavorful and very cozy. With so many good pho places in the south bay, this is a great option when you're not in the south bay!
The food was fine, a little on the salty side, but I was thrown off by the color since I've never had a Bun Bo Hue that wasn't entirely red. That said, the broth was salty but not that strong at the same time. I am very particular with my Vietnamese food so take this with a grain of salt. My friends did like their orders tho! The staff were friendly, service was quick with no wait, and there's plenty of seating. It's a nice little hidden gem in Albany, and I'd definitely come back to explore more of their menu.
Ao Sen is probably my favorite pho/Vietnamese spot in the East Bay. I've been coming here since college and the service and quality of food has not changed. They have renovated the restaurant so it looks more modern with ample seating. We ordered 2 rice plates and 2 phos and both portions were generous and tasty. Would definitely recommend if you're in the area!
If you're looking for traditional pho flavors, this is the spot! I've been coming here for over 5 years and have never left disappointed. I recently tried the fried egg rolls for the first time--10/10 TASTY! My go-to is the chicken pho, especially when I'm feeling under the weather. It's comforting, flavorful, and always hits the spot. The service here is top-tier--friendly, respectful, and consistent. The vibe is chill and casual, perfect for showing up in comfy clothes and enjoying some comfort food. Pro tip: Ask for their free hot jasmine tea Taste: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Portion Size: 10/10 Happy? Absolutely
Came back and tried their bun bo hue. It's the first time seeing this light of a color; bun bo hue are usually pretty red. Flavorwise I got a lot of the lemongrass flavor but I felt the overall flavors was a bit lacking. There wasn't a whole lot of proteins either. I'd say it's still pretty serviceable. In fact it's actually pretty good for the area.
It was cold and rainy, so soup was on our mind! I suggested we get pho and try Ao Sen. Both my friend and I had never been, despite living close, so we're excited to try it. We arrived on a weekday evening for dinner. The parking lot was busy, but the restaurant not so much. We were seated immediately and our order was taken relatively fast. The layout is quite spacious with lots of booth seats plus some smaller tables. Service was fine, your items were delivered and water refilled but you weren't checked on, it's self-service with the condiments and utensils on the table. I had the Pho Ga and my friend had the Seafood Noodle Soup. My pho had a light and clear broth. The chicken was fine but not tender, a bit tough. The noodles were okay but I found them to be short as if they were cut. The toppings were okay but they didn't give much. This area doesn't have many pho-specific restaurants, but I'd say it's decent if you're living nearby. The restaurant is located off San Pablo with a shared parking lot plus street parking. Glad we could try a new spot!
I can't believe after living in El Cerrito so long we finally visited Ao Sen over the break. What a huge space, and quite crowded for a Sunday afternoon. Service was quick and efficient, love that the staff brings out all meals on a cart. We ordered Vietnamese Egg Nog after glancing at the menu and wanted to experience/try something new. Tasted similar to an East Coast Egg cream, love the Perrier soda water add on. Essentially it's egg yolk, sweetened condensed milk, and soda water. Probably wouldn't order again, but hey, there's a first for everything. Also ordered Vietnamese Iced Coffee, egg rolls, chicken noodle soup, and a beef pho. For the chicken noodle soup I subbed egg noodles for an additional couple bucks and that was the winning ticket. Mixed with the broth, pulled white meat chicken, and a little hot sauce/hoisin, it was super yummy. My husband enjoyed his bowl and thought the meat was juicy/hearty. The chicken noodle soup was in my opinion the perfect fixture to feeling a bit under the weather ~ clean, simple, easy. My only qualms were that the egg rolls, although packed with flavor and all the pork/shrimp ground yumminess, were a bit excessively greasy (the kind of greasy where ya have to actually wipe your fingers on the napkin). Flavor was still there and maybe it was just our batch, but would try this spot again in future if we're feeling a pho trip, fasho :) I did love that they were playing Get Hard with Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart, and the small koi pond/waterfall next to the TV. Plenty of parking in back/street parking, reasonable price points, and located next to Ocean View if wanting a fun local brew stop before/after.
Delicious food and big restaurant interior almost like a diner with plenty of seating and a parking lot outside. Extremely fast service with attentive waiters. Never had pho in a metal bowl before. It's simple and easy to eat from.
Such a beautiful restaurant, with a large capacity to hold a bunch of people. They have a gorgeous wall of tropical plants like Monstera, Pothos, snake plants, etc. it was wonderful to admire the plants while waiting for the food. The service was pleasant, just not the fastest I've experienced. Not too slow, just a little noticeable that we were waiting for a while, but we went during a slow time so I'm sure they didn't have as many workers as normal. I got the rare steak pho, and it was great! This is actually my second time coming so it's definitely good enough to go back to. Great ratio of meat, white onion, and noodles. I didn't feel like it was lacking in anything. the broth was strong and flavorful, and the meat quality was good! Didn't seem like it had freezer burn or anything.
My friends and I stopped by for dinner on a Sunday evening about an hour before they closed and the restaurant was pretty busy. We were promptly seated and our orders were taken shortly afterwards. Very attentive service. I ordered the extra large pho with a side of beef balls to share with my wife. While the bowl was large, I would recommend adding an extra side of noodles and meat if you plan on splitting. The key thing I'm looking for in a good pho broth is depth of flavor: the broth should have a bit of sweetness to balance the deep, savory beef base. While food was delivered quickly to our table, unfortunately, the bowl of pho fell short of my expectations. The broth was a little on the bland side and my noodles arrived overcooked, resulting in them being soggier than I normally prefer for pho noodles. One thing that helped out with the blandness of the broth was the house-made lemongrass chili sauce. This sauce had the consistency of XO sauce that you'd typically find at Chinese hotpot spots. The lemongrass flavor is bold and the sauce has a good amount of spice: it doesn't linger for too long, nor does it completely numb your palette to the point that you can't taste any other flavors. I would definitely recommend trying out the sauce on whatever you end up ordering. While the bowl of pho fell short, I felt like the grilled pork spring rolls were really good. I enjoyed how well the pork was seasoned and it had a nice bouncy texture to contrast the crunchiness of the fried wonton crisp and the fresh veggies. I owe it to Ao Sen to stop by again to try the pho when it's not an hour before closing. I suspect there's a possibility that because it was the end of the night, the chefs needed to stretch the remaining batch of the prepared pho broth to serve the last diners of the evening, resulting it it being more bland than usual. 3.5 rounding up to a 4.
Came around 12pm on a Monday and was sat pretty quickly. The place is really big, lots of seating! There is a parking lot on the side. I got pho and it hit the spot! Good solid flavors, overall a warm hearty meal for the cold weather. Not too salty and not bland, sits perfectly in the middle. My mom got the vermicelli with pork. There were many different textures and flavors that just blended so well. The noodles were soft, the meat was flavorful, and the veggies were crunchy. It also comes with 2 egg rolls which was good for sharing!
9 months ago
4 years ago
Pretty convenient place in Albany right on San Pablo ave. We were apartment hunting all day and had a gap between viewings so walked right into Ao Sen. The biggest negative was AC malfunctioning on the hottest day of the month :( so that was brutal. Food is good though. We enjoyed the fresh shrimp rolls, beef pho and pork vermicelli bowl. Yum. Service is prompt. Bathrooms are clean. read more
1 year ago
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I'm pretty picky when it comes to my pho. It's a horrible thing for me but probably great for you, the reader. My usual go to is a rare steak slice bowl of pho BUT when I'm trying a new place and I'm "breaking in" the new pho shop's taste, I always get their typical #1 combo (or equivalent). Portion: yea, it's a healthy amount of portion. The extra large was indeed a bit extra and a bit large. Plenty of meat and a helpful amount of pho. They even give a healthy amount of toppings which is always appreciated. Taste: the taste is there and has a bit of broth depth. It's not overpowering with herbs or a singular taste, but you can definitely taste the depth of the broth. Quality: the quality is great. The meat used are great and the noodle is cooked just right. Its not undercooked or too soggy. Its the worst when pho is undercooked and you're left chewing through it like some jerky, yuck. I do recommend you get to work on your bowl of pho because it will soak up all the broth if you take your time. I also appreciate that they use insulated bowls for heat retention. Their lemongrass hot sauce (not hot at all) tastes great. If you like your bowl of pho with scallions, try ordering the scallion oil. They got it here! Overall, I'll be back for more pho. It was really good and leaves me wanting more. read more
Pho Ao Sen is a hidden gem right on San Pablo Avenue, don't pass this one up! We had an order of the Egg Rolls along with the Pork and Shrimp Plate both were tasty, I will be coming back soon! The egg rolls are a crunchy, fried perfection, bursting with flavor in every bite and served in larger portions, making them ideal for sharing or enjoying solo. The Vietnamese iced coffee is a sweet and strong delight that will keep you awake and energized, perfect as a refreshing start or a midday pick-me-up. The pork and shrimp plate stands out with its juicy, generous portions of meat and seafood, complemented by a sweet cabbage and carrot salad that is marinated to perfection. Pho Ao Sen offers a delightful dining experience with its flavorful dishes and satisfying portions; we had to take some to go. If you're in Albany and craving Vietnamese cuisine, this spot should definitely be on your list! read more
Ao Sen is now one of my favorite Vietnamese spots! There's parking in the back and ample space inside (with AC; that'll be really helpful in the upcoming heat!). My friend and ordered the Spring Rolls and the Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio. Both were delicious. The spring rolls are packed with fresh fillings and the pork/shrimp combo inside tasted great. For the bun thit nuong cha gio, I enjoyed how succulent and tasty the pork was. I'm normally pretty sensitive to the scent of pork since it can make it taste a little off to me but their pork is so savory, juicy, and tastes absolutely delightful when it comes off the grill. The egg rolls and nuoc cham are crowning jewels on this dish, which also has perfectly cooked rice noodles. We also ordered the Thai Iced Tea and Vietnamese Coffee and they were both great as well. I personally had the tea and it was chocolaty and mildly sweet - a perfect complement to my dish. Last time I came, I ordered the lemonade with Perrier and it was so refreshing and another great complement to my dish. The service is great and they're very fast with the food! I would highly recommend this spot if you're looking for delicious Vietnamese food in the Albany/El Cerrito area! read more
Delicious Vietnamese food! I really enjoyed the combo rice plate - although a bit pricey (~$20) it came with everything I want in a rice plate. Great flavor with a wide variety of ingredients. The beef soup that they gave was super tasty and warming as well. The imperial rolls were crunchy and didn't skimp on the meat. I would definitely recommend this place! read more
11 months ago
4 years ago
Service was friendly and very quick! I got the number 2 pho medium. The beef balls and steak and brisket was good. Noodle soup was good. Great on a rainy day like today. read more
4 years ago
Out of all the pho places in the area, Ao Sen is definitely my favorite! Their portions are huge; one order of pho usually lasts me 2-3 meals. I normally order the vegetable pho, which includes tofu, carrots, and broccoli. The broth is always warm and savory, while the vegetables add some varied texture. I also like their spring rolls and peanut sauce if I'm in the mood for an appetizer. The restaurant is quite large, so whether you're on a date night or with a big group of friends, come to Ao Sen! read more
It was pretty busy for lunch , went on a Sunday. They seated us after a table opened up, and we ordered beef pho and rice plates. Price was reasonable but food was just okay. It'll satisfy a craving if you're feeling lazy to find someplace better but definitely better pho and rice plate places out there. Rice plate portion and the bean sprouts for the pho was small. Two tiny plates of bean sprouts for 4 bowls of pho, we had to ask for another plate. Service was ok considering it was a bit busy read more
6 years ago
Was in desperate need of some comfort food, and the pho ga hit the spot! Ordered pho ga for pickup and it was ready in 10 minutes. I love vietnamese soups because they always feel so fresh. Generous portions and huge bag of bean sprouts, lime, jalapenos and basil for garnish. They thoughtfully inckuded chopsticks and a spoon with the takeout order, along with some extra sauces. Would definitely come back to satisfy future comfort food cravings. read more
2 years ago
This Vietnamese place DOES NOT play. I came in because I had seen someone online reccomend it on either Instagram or another platform and I wrote it down. I got around to trying it with a friend visiting and it was absolutely DECADENT. Truly such good food, service, and whilst there weren't too many customers at 2pm on a Monday as one would expect-- the lunch we had was nothing short of magical. I am always looking for my fixation favorite Asian-cuisine places and boy is this one authentic. Cudos to the chefs and sercers because I was treated so well by their ingredients and flavor. So so good it was baffling. I would get the seafood pho and the Lemongrass beef rice noodle. So damn delicious. read more
5 years ago
I've been to the location in Oakland a couple years back and thought it was pretty good! This was my first time at this location, and I went with my family who claim this place is good. Taste: I ordered one of the com tam plates so I can speak on the behalf of the flavor of this dish. They don't skimp out on the flavor. I like how they give a great portion of the fish sauce on the dish. It's more than enough which is what I like. I also noticed there is sate served at every table and this is a tad bit spicy which fits my palate. I personally wasn't happy with the amount of pork I received. Other places I've been to give me larger portions for a cheaper price. With that said, the dish is still good, but the portion sizes weren't as evenly sized out. Price: This is honestly a pricey Vietnamese restaurant. I've never seen a com tam cost $20 (not the one pictured here). Also, assuming the portion sizes are this small, then I don't think it's worth it. Service: Fast and efficient. We were seated down immediately and ordered ASAP. Food came out fast. Overall, I think I'd probably want to stick with other options like pho or the vermicelli dishes because it seems more worth my money. I'm not saying it's bad, but personally, the price I'm paying with those proportions can be used somewhere else. read more
4 years ago
Update: i was able to come back again and try the pho this time. While it was good, it wasn't anything too spectacular. There was a good amount of meat and noodles and I especially loved the beef tendon and steak. The broth was a bit lighter than I expected and the noodles also weren't as chewy as I like. However, the ambiance is nice and I love the bowls they serve it in. Definitely satisfies the pho cravings though :) read more
3 years ago
I really like the spacious interior, the beautiful landscape outside, and the polite service staff. I visited this place for the first time since it took over the previous Sizzler location. I went there after reading the raving reviews on the vegetarian lemon grass beef dish, and it was amazing. I only wish they could have more than 2 items under vegetarian section. I love vegetarian pho but the only vegetable pho is in chicken broth. I know most of Vietnamese dishes can be veganized (Golden Lotus in Oakland, Loving Hut in SF). The bean drink really hit the spot but I really dislike drinks served in single use plastic cup when it's dining in. Please serve it in a tall glass. The presentation would be much nicer. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
This review is long overdue, from before the COVID19 pandemic. I used to frequent the original store in Oakland (from its humble beginnings three blocks from lake Merritt) to its current location on international. I think this location pales a bit in comparison to the Oakland location. The flavors are all there, but I had to actually add hot sauce and chili to my bun bo hue at this location. Definitely recommend if you can't get to the Oakland location though. Even though the place is called "pho ao sen", they are better known for their bun bo hue (spicy beef noodle soup). Emphasis on spicy, but I understand that they probably have to tamper down the spice levels to appeal to a wider audience. read more
My order: bun bo hue It was cold and windy today so of course pho was the way to go. The service was smooth and the wait was short, though I was having a late lunch ~3pm. The food was served pretty quickly. The broth didn't look red at all--I'm used to BBH having a redder color so I assumed this BBH wouldn't be as spicy but adding jalapeño did the trick. Also, I've never put mint in my pho before this meal but it's actually pretty good! Overall, it's a decent pho place and I'll stop by again when I'm in the area. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Upon recommendation by someone who happened to be Vietnamese, I ventured to this spot by myself. It was a rainy day so it was perfect for a pippin hot bowl of pho. Greeted fairly quickly - it was 345pm but the restaurant had a decent number of patrons. Order was taken fairly quickly although I felt like I was about to flag someone down, food came out fairly quickly. Pho was delicious, loved the broth. I don't like broth with large amounts of fat bubbles all throughout but this broth was good, didn't see large fat bubbles lol. I kind of felt like there should have been a little bit more noodles but I guess that's why there's a monster pho option. The nem nuong was ok but I didn't like the orange sauce. I told the lady and she brought me warm peanut sauce to go which was nice of her. Overall, it's the best pho I had in the Bay Area, same as the last pho place I went to in Berkeley. Will be back to try the other items! read more
Everything is good here, but I have to praise the egg rolls, the way they serve it with lots of vegetables and mint, fresh, firm, crisp rolls, delicious. Of course the Pho is great and I just love their rice plates too. This second location is just as good as their original place in Oakland. read more
2 years ago
The best authentic Viet place in the East bay to satisfy pho, bun (vermicelli) or com tam (broken rice plate) cravings. Highly recommended by many Berkeley friends, I finally drove out after my last final of the semester to nourish my sad exhausted body. Food came out quick like most pho places and in giant portions. The housemade lemongrass chili sauce was awesome to spice things up. My bf and I ordered: -#23 House special combo rice plate: Giant portion with authentic egg cake, well marinated pork, shredded pork skin, fried egg, bowl of stock, etc. -Pho tai nam sach: Great broth on the sweeter side, just wish the noodles were more al dente -Young coconut juice: Refreshing and comes with coconut pieces. Sad it wasn't in a coconut :( Growing up spoiled with cheap, delicious pho in San Jose, I'd say this place is as close as it gets. Still can't compare to the broth and flavors of SJ, but the cheap, clean and homey diner environment is a welcome change. They have TVs showing the latest sports game, but the volume is kept quiet. It felt strange to be in an Asian restaurant but actually be able to hear the sounds of bowls and quiet conversation around me. It's chill with a mix of mom/dads and students. read more
3 years ago
Last lunch of 2018! Finally got around to trying Pho Ao Sen. Haven't been here since it changed from my childhood Sizzler Restaurant. We were seated in a booth and brought water. We decided to get the fresh spring roll and fried egg rolls for appetizers and then I ordered the #18 Beef Ball Pho. The fried spring rolls came in an order of 3 with a dipping sauce. The fried egg rolls were dense but worked well with the dipping sauce. They were fried very nicely. The fresh spring rolls came in an order of 2 but they were cut in half so there were four pieces. The majority of the spring roll was vermicelli and bean sprouts so I wasn't that impressed given that this was $7. This was pricey for what you got. I'd get the egg rolls over these. The Beef Ball Pho was very filling. They make big beef balls and cut them into pieces. For less than $9, this was a good deal. The only downside was that I felt so thirsty after eating this and I hardly drank any of the broth. Everyone in my party felt the same. The service was excellent and the restaurant was very clean. Frequented by many students since it's off the 72 bus line. read more
More info about Ao Sen
665 San Pablo Ave
Albany, CA 94706
Directions
(510) 679-5000
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http://albanyaosen.com
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