Sad to say this: have been going to this restaurant for approximately 50 years and my taste buds crave the meat sauce over rice but, it is unfortunate that the meat sauce has been changed to something very strange and no longer crave worthy. Makes me sad :( read more

Pretty solid plates for a decent price in SF. Parking can be a bit tough and it's cash only, but if you want a solid lunch with a lot of meat, this place is it read more

Small and cash only hole in the wall restaurant. Very flavorful and filling portions! read more

Cordon Bleu - 1 Piece 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken, 1 Imperial Roll, 1 Shish Kebab, Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Solid food, great portions. I got entree 5 to try all the different types of meat. Not the biggest fan of the meat sauce on the rice (too salty for me), but the meats and imperial roll were not bad. read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

My friend Savannah raves about Cordon Bleu--she loves the chicken here! I've come a few times for takeout lunch, and last week finally ate inside at their lone table in the back (there's a nice bar where people can eat as well.) This is definitely a hole-in-the-wall staffed by the cutest, sweetest old women. 5 stars to them! My mom, brother, and I were starved after a long day spent at the hospital. We tried - Number 4 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken (1/2), Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice - 1 Piece Chicken, Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice - Spicy Pork Chop Everything was delicious and portions were very large and hearty. Given the location in Nob Hill on California near Polk Gulch, you can't find a better bang for your buck. Their imperial roll is delicious and the chicken is cooked to perfection--the insides contain just the right amount of moist. The rice is also wonderful because of their unique meat sauce. You can't go wrong with so many items here at Cordon Bleu, a San Francisco Nob Hill institution. read more

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**Cash Only** I ordered in person to go and took a while, so highly recommend calling in before if you're planning to do take out. There were two very sweet ladies working, was definitely worth the wait and the food was the delicious. Number 5: 9/10 They have the biggest imperial rolls I ever had and the most delicious. It was perfectly crunchy with just the right amount filling. The meat sauce added a unique taste to the dish, it did not overpower the dish like I thought it might. The chicken and shish kebab was cooked perfectly, it was savory and had great charr to each one. Overall I thought this dish was on the heavy side flavor wise, but the cabbage salad and the fish sauce does a great job at freshening up the dish and cutting back on the heaviness of the dish. Noodle Salad: 10/10 I got the noodle salad with chicken. This was definitely my favorite vermicelli dish out of all the Vietnamese restaurants I've been to before. The dish was very well balanced between the savory, tangy and sweet/sour. The charbroiled chicken was cooked perfectly, it had a delicious grilled/charred taste and the imperial roll added a fantastic crunch to the meal. The noodles combined with the veggies and fish sauce provided a very refreshing touch to the overall dish. read more

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

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This is a hole in the wall mom pop type of place that is slowly disappearing in San Francisco. If Katie ever retires, I don't know where I would go for my comfort food fix of gigantic imperial rolls and amazing pork chop rice with just the right amount of char, sauce and scallions. Some people swear by #1, 4, 5, but I love everything here and when my mood strikes, I order accordingly. With that said, I have not been here for over a year, two years? (pandemic amnesia) and just recently went by and grab myself the above-mentioned meal. Still really good! Mostly diner-style sitting (maybe 8 seats) and 1-2 small tables toward the back. When you come here, don't let your expectations exceed itself, it isn't a 5 star Michelin restaurant, but it is a charming neighborhood place that's been here a long while and where everyone seems to know everyone. read more

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I ordered the #5. I got my half chicken (breast), shish kebab, imperial roll, salad, and meat sauce on rice. Everything on this plate was phenomenal and I left stuffed. The imperial roll is larger than most i've had but didn't lack in flavor or crunch. The meats served had a nice smokey grill taste and were well seasoned. Surprisingly I think the meat sauce over rice was my favorite. This made every bite consistent and flavorful. For a plate this big $15 pre tax it's a solid deal. The food is cooked and served right infront of you for fast service. With limited seating the counter is intimate and mostly sounds of the grill fills the space. I will definitely be back to try other specials. Make sure to bring cash or have venmo. read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

*CASH ONLY* Been going here for 5 years now, not sure what took me so long to write a review! A complete hole in the wall kind of spot. If you're looking for a divey place with amazing food, you've come to the right place! We got the number 2 and the chicken salad. Portions are enormous and the prices are cheap. The shish kebab and the imperial rolls are my favorite, but today I felt like getting their chicken salad. It's so refreshing and it has a generous portion of meat. I usually end up eating half and saving the other half for lunch the next day! Aunty has been killing it on this seasoned grill for years now. Don't forget to tip her, she deserves it :) read more

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I loooooove little hole in the wall spots like these (Yamo in the Mission guys, don't sleep on that), serviced by two Asian aunties that have a whole system going on to service the nonstop train of people ordering for sit-down meals and takeout. Came here on a weeknight and thankfully was able to grab three seats easily at the bar. I'd previewed the menu a bajillion times before (excessive, there's only like 10 choices), and already knew I wanted #5. Thankfully my friend was willing to go halfsies on that plus an order of the mapo tofu. Was the mapo tofu the best I've ever had? Nope. But for $13++, they served us a family-sized bowl of saucy goodness (I think we watched them put a whole block of tofu in there) and a heaping service of white rice. The #5 combo was also perfect for folks like me who like just a lil bit of everything. One imperial roll (my favorite, SO crispy but airy and fluffy at the same time), a giant piece of chicken (fall off the bone soft and juicy with a delicious char), "shish kebab" (ok i was so confused on this one - it's grilled pork. Not kebab at all, but again great smoky flavor) over a pile of rice covered in meat sauce and some crispy cabbage to balance out all the grilled / fried goodness. FYI - the *mystery* meat sauce tastes like bolognese without the tomatoes. But a super nice saucy gravy to balance out the entire plate! Love the hot Chinese tea they serve with the combo plates if you ask for it. Only way to eat a piping hot meal of homey Chinese food - with a mug of tea that scalds your throat going down! Heaping portions deliver some really good value. On average, you could probably spend $20 or less on enough food for a meal and a half or two. read more

Cordon Bleu - Combo #5 - 1 Piece 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken, 1 Imperial Roll, 1 Shish Kebab, Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Space is limited but the food is amazing! I've never had this style of Vietnamese food before and I will definitely be coming back. The meat sauce is a must and so are the imperial rolls. We came in a group of four and waited around 30 minutes for space to open on the counter, but service was super quick and the two women running the operation were very friendly! read more

Cordon Bleu - Meat Sauce on Rice, Imperial Roll - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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The best! Been eating here for decades! The number five is the first thing you should order if you haven't eaten here before because then you get a taste of everything. Can't beat the food, can't beat the prices! read more

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

This little hole in the wall, ran by mom & pop is one of the most delicious, and cutest restaurants you'll find in the city. For $15, you can get as full as you can ever get anywhere except the food here is absolutely amazingly delicious! Imperial Rolls: Egg rolls on steroids' with magical bredding & battering. You cant get this anywhere but here. Chicken: I watch the people here cook the chicken EVERY TIME and I just dont get it: they just know how to cook it PERFECTLY so that it's never dry: super flavorful and juicy. The rice & the gravy that comes with it with a small side salad are go so well together. Whenever we are in town, this is the one and ONLY place that we continue to visit every time. I was so very concerned because they were closed for a very long time during COVID but they are finally open again!!! read more

Cordon Bleu - Combo #5: Absolute must try! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Not only delicious food, but such a friendly, intimate space for eating. Your classic hole-in-the-wall gem of a restaurant, the space has only an 8-seat counter seating and two tables, but you get to watch your food being cooked right in front of you by threee sweet ladies. I came by randomly after reading the Yelp reviews for this place, but everyone there that day was definitely a regular; the restaurant owners would greet them by name and knew their order beforehand. The food itself was not only delicious, but so filling! HUGE portions, I ordered the Number 5 and the Ma Po Tofu for two, we had leftovers for a whole extra meal the next day. Would highly recommend the Number 5 as others have with dark meat (ask for leg). The sauce is unbeatable!! It is worth noting the prices have risen from old pictures, but I think it's still well worth a visit for great food in such a fun space :) read more

Cordon Bleu - Counter Vibe - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious hole in the wall for a hearty meal. The menu is small but everything is delicious. The chicken and imperial rolls are a MUST. My go to is the noodle salad with chicken. Be warned this is a very small place - there's only about 10 bar seats total. And they only take cash. Pro tip - The restaurant is BYOB! Pick up a bottle across from Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. read more

I have never been to Vietnam nor am I Vietnamese, but I have to imagine that if I were, this restaurant would feel like coming home and having all your aunties cooking for you in your family kitchen. Its the kind of place that if you finish all your food they will pile on more to your plate and encourage you to keep eating. My fiance and I went here last week and its as good as ever. Small, cozy, unassuming, with a menu to match. You can't go wrong with anything on there, but I got the #1 with a roll and a kebab and it was absolutely scrumptious. Whatever they put in the sauce thats on the rice (magic? love?), I could eat it every day. For a chill/cheap night out or a nice night in ordering takeout, Cordon Blue is for every occasion. 10/10 would recommend. read more

Cordon Bleu - Chicken cooking on the grill - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Inflation is so severe, I would like to thank the boss lady insisting on not raising prices. She is very busy with many jobs by herself, no time to deal with cleanliness, deep frying oil should be clean because if the oil is not changed a couple of times a week then the spring roll and other fried stuff would have turned black, but so far the food stands top-notch, let us all not be picky to eat with confidence. I have been eating here for decades but never had any issues. I'll continue to eat here until she retires. read more

Tiny, counter serve spot. You're sitting right in front of the grill and ginormous pot of meat sauce on the stove. Huge portions. The combos are a must - you get to try a little bit of everything. You can get tea for extra (free refills). Service is nothing special. Cash only. Lots of take out orders. Casual vibe, with some regulars and plenty of solo diners on a weekend afternoon. read more

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

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Food - 10/10 one of the best places I've ever been to in SF, and certainly the best imperial rolls in town. They're crispy, and the filling is juicy and flavorful without being salty. I absolutely loved my noodle salad. Even the fish sauce was good. I want to come back to try their famous chicken! The fish sauce was also perfectly flavored. Service - 10/10 the ladies here are the sweetest. It feels like a family restaurant. They refresh your tea, get your food out with a warm smile, and are ready to help you whenever. They even waited for me to get cash (the place is cash only) from the Chase next door. Ambience - 6/10 I would only eat here if you want your imperial rolls fresh. The place is tiny and could use an ambience refresh. There was a homeless guy that came in as well (out of their control). I would get take out and go to a local park! read more

Cordon Bleu - Noodle Salad - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been going to this place for over 30 yrs. This is one my most favorite restaurant. The Vietnamese cuisine is wonderfully authentic. The owner Katie make the best 5 spice chicken & shush kebab. Their mapo tofu is superb not to mention their imperial roll & salad. They are also very affordable. I always recommend this place to all my friends & visitors read more

Haven't been here to this tiny, cozy Vietnamese restaurant in years and it's delicious as ever. Same owner for last 28 years (restaurant from the 60s) and she was a delight to talk too! Excellent service! Be back very soon! read more

Cordon Bleu - 1 Piece 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken, 1 Imperial Roll, 1 Shish Kebab, Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My clothes smell like BBQ now. I kind of like it. I sat on the counter really close to their grill and had the number five, which was, five spice chicken with shish kebab over a bed of meat sauce on rice. The chicken was very flavorful and moist. The cashier/chef/waitress (it's the same person) asked if I wanted the breast or a leg. It is cool they let you chose. I prefer dark meat. The three pieces of shish kebab meat was a bit chewy. The imperial roll was huge. I did enjoy my meal very much. Great job everyone at Cordon Beu. read more

Cordon Bleu - number 5 $13.76 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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this spot is an amazing hole in the wall restaurant in San Francisco. It is run by two ladies who really know how to make the speciality food that is provided. I highly recommend their imperial roll. I always like their vermicelli salad here as it is so refreshing to eat and crispy with the roll. read more

Fave spot from almost 40 years ago upon setting foot in SF and having returned now with grandkids in tow!!! Food is as delicious and staff/owner are just as nice and gracious! Their sauce over rice is exclusively their specialty and the roast chicken can't be beat! Added to that is the refreshing slaw and the crunchy crispy spring roll! Sorry, no pic of spring roll since I ate it up so fast! read more

Cordon Bleu - Five spice chicken aka Number 5 please! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Its been a local spot there over 30years. I was one my pit stops for years when I lived in San Francisco. The owner Katie ? is great. I always make a stop when I visit the bay area. read more

Cordon Bleu is such a hidden gem serving the most authentic Vietnamese food in the city. It's just a small hole in the wall with approx 8 counter only seating and one 2 seated table off of Polk & California st. Sit at the countertop with locals, watching the ladies grill going strong just steps away. Very friendly staff and they are sure to remember their regulars. Always very welcoming. The 5 Spice chicken and imperial roll are absolutely delicious. I always get the #5 with your choice of white or dark meat, it's plenty of food and the price is right! Imperial Egg rolls is absolutely amazing. Next time definitely try the vermicelli noodle BBQ and egg rolls. Open daily except Sundays. Hours 11:30AM-2:30PM and reopen for dinner 4:30-8:30PM. Highly recommend. They do have a small restroom inside. read more

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Delicious food and good value! Huge portions. Huge imperial rolls that are a must! The restaurant has 1 table in the back and few counter seats so it's great for takeout if it's busy. Cash only! read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Overall: 5/5. If you're looking for authentic Vietnamese food with generous portions, this is the place. The space is smaller but cozy and endearing, and the staff will serve you warmly. Would come here again. Food: 5/5. We ordered the Spicy Pork Chop, Noodle Salad, Mapo Tofu, Chicken Salad, and Dragon Rolls. The chicken had an interesting smoky flavor and the mapo tofu was some of the best i've had. The Dragon Rolls are a must have - super crispy and stuffed with several kinds of meat. Value: 5/5. For just $14 per entree (as of Jan 2023), they give you an incredible amount of food. Every dish was made fresh. They don't skimp on protein, and unless you have a big appetite you'll probably be taking some food home. Vibes: 3/5. I have mixed feelings about this. The layout and decor is no frills and very practical. However, the genuineness is endearing; I did enjoy the cozier vibes, and I felt like I was having a home-cooked meal. Service: 4/5. Food came out in around 15 mins, which is very reasonable. While they didn't check in on the food / water during the meal, the space is small enough that they are always ready to listen to requests. read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Food was good, but I particularly enjoyed Number 5. VERY fairly priced. Interior is a bit small but cozy. Service is kind and would come again. read more

Cordon Bleu - Number 5 - Spiced Roast Chicken (1/2), Country Salad, Meat Sauce on Rice, Spicy Pork Chop, Noodle Salad - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

There's literally 10 chairs in this restaurant and is cash only! Get the food to go, or get lucky for a seat inside! Two Cantonese aunties bustling and running the entire operation, cooking Vietnamese food. My partner and I got lucky and arrived at 7:00 on a Wednesday and were able to snag two seats. We waited about 30 minutes for our food, but the portion size was decent and meats were fresh off the grill. The noodle salad was a vermicelli rice bowl, with lettuce and cucumbers and mint under the rice noodles, and grilled meat and an imperial roll on top. The crunch of the roll, the sauce soaked into the noodles, albeit the meat did have some burned edges. The meat sauce on the combo plate was super good, not even sure what's in it, but lots of flavor and no spice to eat with the rice. The place is a little dark and dirty, but reminds me of an authentic store seen in Vietnam. Definitely would come again, but would stick to take-out probably! read more

Cordon Bleu - Combo 1 - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Living super close by and walking by who knows how many times, I finally saw that there wasn't a line and decided to mosey on in and take a seat. This restaurant is essentially a "hallway." It's super intimate with countertop seating and one table that looks like it may seat 4 tightly. Service is a 2.5 - nothing friendly but these ladies got everyone taken care of very efficiently, as most people were coming in for to go orders. I wanted to taste a little of everything so went with the #5. The 5 spice chicken wasn't overpowered by the 5 spice and was delectably moist with a nice BBQ char on the outside. The Kebab was not what I was expecting for a "kebab" but the chicken was thinly sliced and marinated and then grilled over the open flame. I particularly loved this little surprise. The imperial roll was perfection. The plate came with a cabbage salad that I thoroughly enjoyed and with rice that had a meat sauce. I left all of the rice, as the sauce was reminiscent of an elementary cafeteria weird concoction with lots of black pepper. I now know that I'll forego the sauce next time- oh because there will be a next time. Bring cash as that's all they accept. read more

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I think about this place and it's been almost 20 years since ive been there. Really outstanding. The owner was always so sweet to me, and it was my first time having Vietnamese food. I would go there several times a week...dreaming of those rolls and chicken and noodles and and and everything. I want it now read more

Been coming here since I was wee and will continue to do so until it or I leave this earth. The two adorable Asian aunties that have always been there are super hard working and take no shit. Mostly they are very nice but sometimes it seems like they have attitude but that's part of the charm. They don't need to be sweet to you; their food speaks for itself. They're not answering the phone? The place is a little dirty? Not wearing their mask properly while cooking? That's your problem. The food is super duper good and you can't get anything like it anywhere else so I'm not going to complain. If you can't deal with the fact that it's counter seating only, greasy air inside, a huge line out the door, and maybe a dog sitting inside while its owner eats, you can go elsewhere. The imperial rolls are to die for. I could eat two for lunch and call it a day. Someday when I can get past ordering the #5, I'll go for the mapo tofu. I'm sure it's great just like everything else on the menu. I love that the menu hasn't changed for years on years on years. They know they have a winning combo and their regular customers take comfort in knowing it's always going to be the same. Worth the recent price increase. I'm so happy it's open again! I was getting worried that it might disappear. Cash only forever and ever! Parking can be tough. read more

Cordon Bleu - Dig in! - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love a weekday stop into Cordon Bleu. This cash only counter service spot cranks out plates of rice, grilled chicken, and incredible deep fried imperial rolls. The ladies are always welcoming and pleasant. There's definitely a lunch rush so be sure to grab a seat and enjoy the view of your plate being cooked up in front of you! read more

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

This place is an awesome whole in the wall type place! Awesome grilled plates for an extremely reasonable price. They have combo plates that range from $11-16 dollars with most including a generous amount steamed rice and pork gravy, side salad and then you pick your combo of proteins. There are 10 seats around the counter and they grill everything right in front of you. Delicious and extremely affordable, I'll definitely be back! read more

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I'm surprised I haven't written a review here considering how many times I've been here! You definitely get a ton of food for a good price here. Make sure to bring cash but there is a chase right next door. The chicken is packed full of spices and is super juicy. The gravy with the chicken and rice just ties everything together perfectly! I love how I can see the staff just grilling chicken in front of me. Tells you they are actively cooking your food fresh. The vibe inside is pretty hole in the wall but that's how you know you're getting good food. The staff are very communicative and efficient. I will be returning shortly after my Trader Joe's runs. read more

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CASH ONLY STREET PARKING free after 6pm Bar seating only / one small indoor table (see pic) Got entree #5 for dinner at around 7pm (place closes at 9pm). Not much of a line when we arrived but in front of us locals were definitely waiting for their food while making small talk with the owners. The owners are very homely in greeting us and taking our orders very casually-- it really does give a sense of home in this place :) Entree #5 consists of: - imperial roll - rice in meat sauce - 5spice chicken - shish kebab ..so basically everything on the menu that everyone suggests on a heaping plate, only for about $13 which is decent price for the size! The meat was very tender and imperial roll perfectly crunchy. Definitely recommend if you're a local to support this local business and just generally get to know these women who run this homely restaurant! read more

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

This place is great. A little hole in the wall Vietnamese restaurant that has become my favorite Vietnamese spot in San Francisco. The food here really took me back to the street food served by the friendly faces in Ho Chi Minh city. On both of my two visits here I ordered the number 5. The number 5 is treat because you get a taste of everything delicious at this restaurant. A heaping scoop of white rice, drenched in a chili-like meat sauce. Three to four grilled pieces of sweet and tender pork. One friendly-portioned char-grilled chicken, that's crispy and crunchy on the outside from the car, with moist and fall-off-the-bone meat on the inside. All finished up with some shredded cabbage and a deep fried imperial roll. No one can go wrong with the number five. The portions here are also generous. My first number five was shared between my girlfriend and I, and we both left full and satisfied with one plate. On my second visit, I didn't eat the rice (only because I'm currently doing keto, trust me it's delicious and hard to resist). Even without the rice this was more than plenty. Generous portions for a low cost! This place is definitely great. Be prepared for a possible wait depending on when you go but it'll be well worth it. read more

Cordon Bleu - Vietnamese Near Me - San Francisco, California

They're back open and I could cry. I walked by this place all the time during the beginning of COVID and was deeply upset that the doors were closed and I didn't see movement in there for sometimes a month. The glimmer of hope was seeing the mail being picked up from time to time and case of soda would be moved around the counter. I called one of my best friends and told him what was happening. He currently lives in LA but when he lived in the Bay, he always told me this was his favorite spot. In September of this year, I got to tell him the good word that somehow I missed that they reopened. He sounded relieved and I told him when he got married in SF the following month where he wanted to go for his reception. He said, "Cordon Bleu" and when I said be serious he said, "Did I stutter?" We ended up going the day after his wedding and it was perfect. The food was as good as it ever was. We heard a guy sit down next to us and call his friend and tell him that he was eating a spicy pork chop off Polk Street and how much he loved coming to SF. My friends and I got to eat our #5 meals and fill our bellies until it hurt. read more

unassuming spot but soooo delicious. we got takeout but service was quick and efficient. the char on the chicken was great and the chicken itself was super juicy as well. the meat sauce was super hearty and delicious as well. read more

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