This place has been around forever and this is the first visit. The place itself is quaint and tidy. The staff had our food out in no time. I had the chicken salad and my friend got the noodle salad. Both were delicious. The smoky, charcoal-flavored meat was next level ( i wish they would use those grilled meat for some amazing banh mi - ) . Everything tasted so fresh. Definitely a 5-star spot in my book! Tip: this place takes cash only - so come prepare. read more

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OMG this is one of those little neighborhood gems. It's paired down with mostly just the meat gravy over rice, grilled pork chops and imperial rolls. Get the combo and try all 3. Imagine comfort food Vietnamese style, that will fill you up for hours. Once a year it's awesome, but I couldn't eat this often (and be able to walk not waddle), with the exception of the imperial rolls which I could manage to eat daily if I could! There's usually folks waiting to get in because it's so small, just a round bar of seats around the cooking area with a small table squeezed in the back. The first time I ate here, the overflowing plate seemed overwhelming, but now I know what to expect. Come hungry. read more

I saw this spot review from a cheap eats in SF. We had a meal prior at a nearby spot and as I was walking off the food, I saw a line and the name rang a bell. I decided to try a takeout for their #4 which is their half a grilled chicken with rice. The spot has a small seating area (4-5 adults) by the "bar" seat next to grill area and a family table that will fit 4. As I walked in to place my order, I saw big portions or food and could smell the grill chicken and sausages in the air. Placed and paid my order and waited for it outside for about 10 minutes. A lot of locals in the neighborhood were lining up for dinner and some takeouts. The chicken was definitely wet brined overnight since the flavor was in the meat. The highlight for me though js the special sauce that they pour over the rice and grilled chicken. It's brown butter roux sauce with yummy flavors. Overall good flavor sauce and value for the amount of food. Great to support another of my local AAPI business. read more

It's so good I forgot to take a before picture. The food is very good. The chicken is so tasty and juicy, the kabob is delicious. The rice with sauce is amazing. It's comfort food. The service is very good. The whole is small, but warm and friendly. Love love this place. The price is amazing too! Good price and good food! read more

Cordon Bleu - 5 spice chicken and shish kabob over rice. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Good local fare - call in to avoid the wait as its two ladies doing everything from grilling, deep frying, taking orders and cashier Its sometimes really dark inside but the delicious smell of bbq chicken will let you know they're open The egg roll is gigantic, my go-to order is #4 with the half chicken, and meat gravy over rice read more

Cordon Bleu - 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken (1/2), Country Salad, Meat Sauce On Rice - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

This small hole-in-the wall restaurant is quite popular. I came on a Tuesday night and it was packed, albeit they only have approximately 15 seats. All the seats were taken and they had many to-go orders being picked up throughout our time there. You can watch as they cook the food right in front of you. The 5 spice chicken with meat sauce was delicious and really felt like a comfort meal. It's definitely a must-try restaurant if you're in the Polk St. area. Prices are low (cash only) and portion sizes are generous. read more

Cordon Bleu - Spicy Pork Chop - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Cordon Bleu has been on my list for a while so my friend and I decided to get dinner here on Tuesday night. I am so glad! When we got there we saw the CASH ONLY sign so we had to scurry to the bank real quick. Little did we know they actually take Venmo too. Seating is definitely rough since there are probably only 10 seats. It is bar seating with one small table in the corner. We did have to wait a little for the table to clear but it was fine. We eventually moved to the bar seating. The inside feels very homey and casual. Spicy pork chops (4.5/5): This is their lean pork chops served with green onion oil infused rice. This was SO GOOD. The rice was perfectly fluffy with the sauce and green onion on top. The smokey char flavor was very present on the pork. If you sit at the bar, you can see the grilling process which is fun. I'm used to a sweeter flavor with pork chops but still very good. I think every plate comes with some fish sauce on the side too. Number 5 (5/5): This combo includes 1 piece of their 5 spiced roast chicken (can do leg or breast), 1 imperial roll, 1 shish kebab, country salad, with meat sauce on rice. Literally AMAZING. I like simple, good food and this was exactly it. Meat and rice. What more do I need? The roll was so nice and crisp. The shish kebab was smokey and savory. The chicken was tender. I'm not sure what the meat sauce was but it was so good on the rice. Definitely coming back forever. Two plates was a ton of food too! I loved the casual ambiance. The little old ladies running the shop were nice and quick. They seemed to have a lot of take out orders too. Excited to try other items next time. read more

Cordon Bleu - Grill - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great local spot. Chicken is great. The pork is incredible. The gravy over rice feels like a warm hug from your mother. Insane comfort food. Insane value. Been around forever for good reason. Love stopping by here after work and getting it to go as searing is tight. read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

more of a 3.5. their bbq chicken was good but the gravy and shish kebab were very unappetizing. big portions for the price though read more

Cordon Bleu - shish kebab - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Hidden Gem in the Heart of SF! If you're ever around California Street in Lower Nob Hill, Cordon Bleu is a must-visit! This small, unassuming spot serves up incredible Vietnamese food at super affordable prices--and you even get front-row seats to the iconic San Francisco cable car rolling by. We ordered the Number Five, Spicy Pork Chop, and an à la carte Imperial Roll--everything was packed with flavor, fresh, and totally satisfying. The portions are generous, and the taste? Absolutely unforgettable. Yes, the space is small and fills up quickly, but the cozy vibes and the food make it 100% worth the wait. Plus, you'll be supporting a wonderful local business with an amazing owner who makes you feel right at home. Don't miss this little slice of Vietnamese comfort in the city. Your taste buds will thank you! read more

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Cordon Blue is a **highly recommended**, authentic Vietnamese BBQ experience. The **outstanding, fresh food** cooked to perfection with a secret recipe, combined with the **unique and intimate ambiance** of watching the grill master at work, makes it a must-visit. Excellent flavors, a cool vibe, and solid service earn it a strong recommendation. *(Remember their advice: Come after 1 PM, call 40 mins ahead for takeout!)* I'll always come back read more

Cordon Bleu - Combo No 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken (1/2), Country Salad, Meat Sauce On the side - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We got lucky and went during off hours and got a seat at the counter immediately. This has been on my neighborhood hit list for years. Was excited to finally try. The food 12/10 so good. Feels like you're eating at your aunts place where you can only get this kind of food. Nice and quiet in the middle of the day and we chatted to the lady that worked the counter. It was a nice day outside so there good people watching. This is probably amazing hang over food. Can't wait to take all my friends when they visit. read more

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"It's like I have a Vietnamese grandma" A hole in the wall that is easily missed walking down California St! Service is very direct and transactional. They're cash only and seating is very limited so I prefer just ordering to go. I've gotten the 1 piece 5 (Spiced Roast Chicken, 1 Imperial Roll, 1 Shish Kebab, Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice). Portions are large so it can be a little heavy but you get a lot of food for the price! My favorites out of the combo are the shish kebab and imperial roll so if I don't want as much food I'll order the smaller combo that just includes those with a salad and rice. read more

Cordon Bleu - 1 piece 5 combo - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

For the price, portion size, and taste I left feeling so content and happy. I got combo #5: - chicken: so good - shish kebab: didn't love as much, gave like more chewy/hardy bacon vibes wouldn't get again. - cabbage: whatever sauce they put with it made me want more of the cabbage on the dish - imperial roll: decent, but not the best I had (the one from jasmine garden I enjoyed more). Would go back again, but perhaps will order the noodle salad with chicken substitute instead. read more

Cordon Bleu - Combo #5 - Spiced Roast Chicken - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tiny spot on California. Food is fantastic. Amazing portions. One of the best deals in the city.

If you want a true taste of Nob Hill, Cordon Bleu is the spot. This little gem has been around for decades and still delivers big on flavor without breaking the bank--a rarity these days. The sweet owner cooks everything herself, and you can really taste the love in every dish. It's a small space with bar seating and just a few tiny tables, so don't expect to come with a big group--and it definitely fills up fast after 6pm. Heads up: it's cash only! I always go for the #1: an imperial roll and a shish kebab with country salad, meat sauce over rice--it hits every time. This is comfort food at its finest, and a must-try if you're in the area! read more

Cordon Bleu - #1 Imperial Roll and Shish Kebab - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's been at least over 2 decades since I've last been here and I wanted to see if it is still as good as I remembered or did my grownup palate change. Stopped by on Saturday around 1pm. We got lucky with parking, so already that was a good sign! My nephew and I both went with the #5 combo plate. The combo plate consisted of their famous 5 spice chicken 1/2, beef shish kebab, imperial roll, country salad, & country meat gravy over rice. Both orders came out to around $35. The place was packed and our order took about 20 minutes. They had the lights all off inside as it was super sunny and pretty hot if you sit by the window where we were while eating for our food. I can see why nobody was sitting there! lol Anyways, everything was still very good and hit the spot! My adult palate still approved! The imperial rolls are still gigantic and delicious as well in case ya'll were wondering! read more

Cordon Bleu - #5 - Spiced Roast Chicken (1/2) beef shish kebab, imperial roll (not pictured), Country Salad, and Meat Sauce over Rice - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Great flavor, great value, great ambiance. It's a small restaurant with seating on a bar. They grill the chicken, fry the rolls or anything else right in front of you. The 5-spice chicken is very flavorful and has the char from the grill. Everything else - the rice, thin meat, salad and bean sauce I thought was just ok. It was a big meal, had some leftovers. For the price of 15$ it's an amazing deal. I like coming here for a quick cheap meal, but it can get crowded with a wait at peak times. Also cash only. I see it more as a staple for nob hill more so than a must try restaurant in SF. read more

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Absolute hole in the wall spot. Tiny place with bar seating and one table. The chicken was tasty with great seasoning, but ask for the sauce on the side since it can soak the rice too much. The mapo tofu was soft, flavorful, and served generously, a bit salty and not spicy even though we were asked. Free hot tea, cash or Venmo only. Two plates came out to under thirty dollars. Great find for simple, affordable comfort food. read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

First time coming here, and I was pleasantly surprised. we went on a Friday night around 7 PM and there was no available seating but we weren't in a rush so we decided to wait. after about 10 to 15 minutes, A few people got up and we were able to order immediately. there are only about 10 to 12 seats available, but you can always order to go We ordered one plate of the five spice chicken and another of the meat kebab with the imperial roll. That way we could try a little bit of both. The food was made right in front of us and came out so fresh and delicious. We split both plates and it was absolutely perfect. When I first received my food, I thought it was going to be too much but I ended up killing almost all of it. I definitely think this is a no-frills please where you literally are getting homemade food for a decent price. I will definitely be going back read more

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Amazing comfort food in an unassuming hole in the wall spot. My friends and I have been on a search around the city for the best hole in the walls, and I have to say this really is up there! The food is so delicious and made right in front of you. The two ladies who make the food are so friendly and sweet. We came towards the end of the night, so she kept giving us the leftovers meats for free. Everything was super flavorful and the meat sauce is divine! Highly recommend trying the #5 combo which gives you a taste of everything, as well as the spicy pork chops. I really enjoyed the imperial roll which was super crispy and satisfying. So much food for a great price. You will not leave hungry. Cash only. I will definitely be back! read more

Cordon Bleu - #5 combo includes shish kebab, chicken, and an imperial roll. - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been coming here since the 90's and we stop by anytime we can. Still the same women serving delicious Vietnamese soul food. Highly recommend. read more

I finally made it to Cordon Bleu for a quick solo dinner at the counter and it absolutely hit the spot. This place is cash only and run by some sweet aunties who have really mastered their craft when it comes to simple comfort Asian food. The menu is simple and easy to order from. This place is not fancy but it gets the job done. Portions are generous and the space is intimate. You sit shoulder to shoulder with other diners who are all there for the same reason, to enjoy some good food and to get their grub on! I ordered the number five combo which came with a little bit of everything. Meat sauce over rice, a gigantic imperial roll, a flavorful five spice barbecue chicken quarter, their take on shish kebab meat slices, and a refreshing country salad. I loved every bite and finished everything quickly. The meat sauce over rice was the highlight for me. I am a simple guy who could happily eat a big bowl of just that. I am already looking forward to coming back to see the aunties again and to try the ma po tofu and spicy pork chops. This spot delivers exactly what you need when you are craving something hearty and satisfying. read more

Cordon Bleu - Number 5 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

This is a tribute piece for Women Owned Businesses Month . Cathy is a shining example of a successful woman. She has been in this restaurant for as long as I can remember. She has maintained the best quality , generous portions and genuine taste of Vietnamese cuisine. The place is simple but very welcoming and friendly. You could feel the love and dedication that comes from her cooking. The menu is very well written and easy to understand. The place is small but the mix of the clientele is varied, I usually bring my out of town visitors here for a delightful meal and they are instantly hooked. This place has a lot of great food and pleasant memories , please visit it if you want a hearty meal and special experiences. It accessible to everyone because of the location and street parking. Thank you Cathy for your hospitality and years of dedication in giving us the opportunity to savor your unique and special hospitality. read more

Cordon Bleu - This is number 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken (1/2), Country Salad, Meat Sauce On Rice - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

The best thing about living in a city is stumbling into hole in the wall restaurants and cafes and Cordon Bleu is definitely one of those places. When you enter, the entire space is taken up by the open kitchen and a large surrounding counter with bar stools. You sit down and are immediately handed a menu by one of the two owners. It's simple, but effective, with 5 or so combos or a la carte items to choose from. The meat sauce was incredibly indulgent and the pork rolls were crisp and bursting with flavor. Even though they're cash only, it's definitely worth the extra trip to the ATM to go watch them grill up some great 5 spice chicken read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

nothing like a homey hole in the wall to distract you with good food from how rough life has been for the couple months. literally two sweet old ladies grillin meat basically in their home. must i say very yummy and affordable. forget coming in a big group btw. finished my meal full and happy then stepped out of the spot and remembered my life is still not great read more

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We've been going for decades!!! Delicious fresh Lu grilled right before your eyes Tasty Affordable Friendly Owner Cozy Soo yummy read more

I wouldn't say this is super authentic Vietnamese food. The bathroom feels the most Vietnamese. I think they need to add more fish sauce, fresh herbs, and pickled veggies before they get close. The ladies working here are quiet workers but friendly. They grill everything themselves. I got a bit of everything to try for this trip. My favorites were the meat sauce, kabob, and imperial roll. I've never encountered meat sauce in Vietnamese cooking, but it did taste familiar, like a bland chilli or bolognese. The kabob are thin strips of grilled pork that have a nice marinade. And the imperial roll was large and impressive. The grilled pork chop was also tasty and the chicken was tender, but didn't taste like 5 spice. The salad it came with wasn't amazing with the bland dressing, and the green onion oil rice that came with the pork chop was a little mushy. The meals here are super meat heavy and fairly priced. But if you're looking for a more authentic Vietnamese taste, this isn't it. read more

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One of my friends recommended this place to me, saying it was one of the best meals she's ever had! The seating area is quite small (~7 seats), but the service is great! Definitely more of a hole in the wall spot, and note that they only take cash! I got the Number 5, which was quite a large serving size, but very delicious. My friend got the noodle salad. She doesn't eat pork, but they were accommodating of her dietary restriction and adjusted appropriately. For instance, they switched out the imperial roll for a veggie one and the shish kebab for chicken! They also gave us complimentary tea. Food summary: Number 5 (rice with meat sauce, country salad, five spice chicken, shish kebab, imperial roll) - 10/10 I loved this dish! Everything merged together wonderfully to create a delicious meal. The chicken fell off the bone, and was seasoned very well. Nothing was too salty or too bland - just perfect. The rice was also cooked very well, and I enjoyed the meat sauce much more than I had thought. It has pork and onions in it. The imperial roll was fried well, and comes with sauce on the side. I definitely devoured this meal faster than I should've, but I would definitely come back again to eat this dish again and try new items! read more

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Hole in the wall location. We door dashed the order and I got the shish kebab plate ($16 after tax/tip). It came with an imperial roll which was pretty decently sized and stayed crispy (comes with sauce too). The plate was hefty - rice portion was huge!! Meat slices were thin but some of the edges were burnt burnt. Rice is also topped with a gravy which was yummy. I would try the chicken plate next time. My friends got it and there was so much meat of the chicken!! read more

Cordon Bleu - Imperial Roll - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came with an out of town friend who used to live in SF. She had never been here and loved her meal. Pleasantly surprised at the fast, friendly, quality meal that hit the spot and impressed her at the good prices and menu items! read more

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In full disclosure, I'm not giving Cordon Bleu a five star for its ambience. Let's face it. It's a hole in the wall kind of place, but it's a cool, funky hole in the wall kind of place with a cook dishing out Vietnamese specialties on a stove right in front of you. I think there's like three tables that aren't counter seats for groups of two or four. But the real experience, for first timers is definitely to seat at the counter so you can see the process. And if you like Vietnamese street food or grilled chicken, this is definitely a 5 Star spot. I find their dishes to be comforting, delicious, filling, and a good value. And the owner is a very nice lady too so there's that. read more

Golden Girls 2025. Three special ladies making lunch and dinner. A neighborhood gem and 5-star dive. Tea goes well with a steaming hot plate of food. read more

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If you're looking for a classic Vietnamese comfort food spot, Cordon Bleu is it. I ordered the #5, and it honestly felt like the ultimate combo platter. The #5 comes with a piece of their 5-spiced roast chicken, one imperial roll, one shish kebab, country salad, and meat sauce over rice, basically a little bit of everything they're known for. The 5 spiced roast chicken was the star for me. The skin had that beautiful golden color and subtle crispness, while the meat stayed juicy and flavorful all the way through. You can really taste the aromatic five-spice blend without it being overpowering. The shish kebab was tender and well marinated, slightly smoky with a nice char on the edges. It paired perfectly with the rice and that savory meat sauce. Speaking of the meat sauce, it's rich, slightly sweet, and super comforting poured over fluffy white rice. Simple but so satisfying. The imperial roll was crispy and packed with filling, not greasy at all. It added a great crunch to balance everything else on the plate. The country salad brought some freshness to cut through the richness, which made the whole plate feel well-rounded instead of heavy. Portions are generous, especially for San Francisco prices. Service was quick and efficient, and the vibe is casual and old-school,the kind of place that's been doing the same thing for years because it works. If you can't decide what to get, the #5 is the perfect way to try a bit of everything. Definitely coming back. read more

Cordon Bleu - Menu as of 02/2026 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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mom & pop, hole in the wall run by 2 aunties that make the best food ever. the chicken has that charcoal grill taste but it's so juicy and flavorful. everything is grilled right in front of you and comes served pipping hot. and all for only $10 for lunch (they take venmo & cash only). read more

Cordon Bleu - lunch special - chicken - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Wow. The food is amazing. Small hole in the wall counter only joint! Take out or dine in - 8 counter seats and a small table for 3. Owner is the cook and is so nice and the BBQ CHICKEN, The BBQ beef skewer, The imperial roll, rice with meat sauce. Oh my gooodtnessss! and don't forget the Noodle Salad! OOF! combo #5 plus a coke was less than $18. And portions are great. Highly recommend! I'm so glad it is still here. I had been coming since 1980 when I lived here and now when I come to SF - this is my go to. You never know who you will sit next to at the counter. Last night it was a writer from some of the earlier Marvel movies. He has been coming there since mid 70s. And the guy and wife on the other side was coming since early 70s. Great food, great convo, great staff - made it a great experience l! 5 Stars read more

It's a classic hole in the wall kind of place. No frills all the attention is on the food. And it's cheap. What more can you expect

Delicious meal at Cordon Bleu. The imperial roll and the noodle salad were both impeccable. Great portion sizes, reasonable prices, and very, very high quality food. Will happy be back, hopefully soon! read more

Cordon Bleu is a special place. The moment you walk in here and see who is behind the counter and how they are cooking, it's pretty obvious you're going to get epic food. Not a complex menu but reallllyy complex flavor right in your face. This is just no frills, great eats and it's truly legendary. If you live in the neighborhood this is probably a place you frequent. As a San Francisco resident this is a must try establishment. The single grill in there has seen so much meat, it's probably keeping 1000 farms in business to this day. The imperial rolls are epic. The shish kabob is my favorite. But obviously the chicken is great and the meat sauce over rice is something new. The only negative thing I can say about this place is it's cash only. That's deterred me from several meals when I've been walking by. Cordon on Bleu, good on you. This has been my love letter. (4.7 Stars) read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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So good. A friend brought me lunch from here and it was so tasty. I loved the imperial roll and the meat sauce they had on the rice. read more

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