My brother and I have eaten here several times, and the food is usually really good. However, today…read more(Apr 26), the nem nuong cuon didn't look as fresh or appetizing as usual. The flavor was still good, but the presentation was not as well put together. Hopefully, they'll see my comment and improve this problem not to affect to customer experience.

I got the 3 nem nuong spring rolls for $10! Been wanting to try this place for forever now and…read morehaven't been able to go before it closes. I loveeee the grilled pork it's my fav kind of spring roll!!! They do it so well here and there was no line at 4:30 on a Thursday. It took around 8 minutes to make. The veggies taste super fresh and the orange fish sauce was amazinggggg to pair with these rolls!!! I'll definitely be back when i'm in the area. I wish i lived closer

Guess what?!?! I think I finally found Nemo. Aloha Fresh in Japan town is just a block or two away…read morefrom Santo Market making my expectations high. Although I stand Santo market (because my name is in it) Im a huge fan of Poke Nachos with wonton chips and Aloha Fresh has just that. What I dont like is that you have to go in person to get the poke nachos which makes sense so that your wonton chips dont go soggyy, but I do wish that they would at least give you the option to purchase a side of wonton chips online and delivery orders. Despite this inconvenience I was wowed by the poke here. The Salmon poke here is top tier and maybe even better than Santo market. Aloha Fresh has a lot more flavors and kinds of Poke to choose from along with fresh warm musubis. I really enjoyed the poke from here because it's very melty, fatty, and doesnt have that weird fishy odor. Staff here are friendly, patient, and helpful. There is no option to sit in and dine here as the restaurant is similar to Poke House with no seating arrangements. not to worry though.because there's lots of benches around the area with shade. Ive had a lot of Poke and Aloha Fresh is one of the best ive had. However, if you're not a fan of Poke then I suggest you at least give this place a try and just keep swimming

OMG DELICIOUS! I kept seeing Aloha Fresh all over TikTok with their delectable pokenachos among…read moreother things and I finally got the opportunity to stop by. I really like how the Japan town area is a very clean with lots of parking in front of Aloha Fresh. The service here is very fast and efficient. As I stood in line the wait went by super fast. Lucky me! Because I've seen videos of the long lines days they sometimes have. lol. I checked out the menu briefly, but I already knew I was gonna get the pokey nachos because I have been SOO INSPIRED by TikTok. Can I just say? WOW I love these pokenachos. I decided to order the pokenachos with spicy salmon and the addition of the imitation crab. It was SO DELICIOUS, filling, and had a lovely swirl of flavors that complemented everything (especially the chips perfectly.) I really love how you can tell the salmon is super fresh as well as all of the ingredients. It was delightful. :) I honestly wasn't the biggest fan of the crab, but I am definitely looking to try something different next time. I did really enjoy my experience here because the food is clearly outstanding. I will say I was a little sad that my order didn't come with utensils or napkins inside the bag (nor did the worker tell me I need to get them myself.) As a first time customer it would've been nice to be told I have to get the utensils myself before I leave because I was in a rush + starving and had no tools to eat with other than my hands while I was driving *cries* but still worth it! lol. I definitely do see how this business can be one that focuses on sustainability so maybe I am supposed to ask for those? I also do think the staff is very proficient yet it would be nice to be greeted more cheerfully/authentically and/or helped with a smile or more enthusiastic workers. Overall still a great experience! I will remember to grab my own utensils next time. :) ********* NEWBIES PRO TIP******* If you're going to Aloha Fresh for the first time, you will need to grab your utensils + napkins before you leave. They are located in the small corner next to the door. :) Don't make the same mistake I did. lol.

Went here on New Year's Eve for a warm bowl and tried both the H4 - Nam Vang and the filet mignon…read morepho, both with clear noodles. The Nam Vang came with sliced pork, ground pork, and one prawn in a clean, savory broth--light but flavorful. The filet mignon pho was a solid upgrade: tender beef, silky noodles, and a broth that leaned richer but still easy to sip. Noodles had a nice bounce in both bowls. I was craving a vermicelli bowl or bánh mì too, but heads up--they only serve pho and noodle soups here. No rice plates or sandwiches. Still, if you're in the mood for Vietnamese comfort food, this spot delivers fast and clean.

Thank you to my bro and his fam for treating us out to some Mother's Day noods!!!…read more My bro and his family are massive fans of Kali Noodles + Tea Bar. Even with them moving out to the East Bay, they make periodic drives just to enjoy what KN has to offer. I've had one dining experience here previously and was not impressed. This lead to not returning. Fast forward 2.5 years or so, here I was again. Our large party of 9 arrived at opening hours and the owners were so very welcoming. The restaurant was clean and the condiments were in tip top shape. Our family's order was massive. We started the meal with xiu mai [Vietnamese pork meat balls] and Chinese donut sticks. This then continued with mi do bien, filet mignon and beef ball pho, & a variety of nam vang noodle versions. The great thing about Kali Noodles are the multiple options of noodles they provide. There are a number of combinations that could be made with the 6 offerings. The food was surprisingly really good- so much better than what my first visit was. The bowls were presented neatly but plated in a way where the large chunks of lettuce made the bowls seem a lot more fuller that it really was. The noodle soups also consisted a lot more broth than noodles. Having said that, the egg noodles are really really good!! The restaurant cooks them perfectly- chewy with a slight bite that keeps you wanting more and more. Hu tieu dai was unfortunately too mushy in texture for my liking. 4 stars overall. Customer service from the owners were exceptional. They were attentive to each person's order and were so welcoming. The food was good but maximize the deliciousness by strictly going for the thin egg noodles. You will not be disappointed and this recommendation is coming from a person who typically steers clear of this. I'd happily return.

I love the food and service. This place is my go to place when I crave street tacos. Definitely…read morehighly recommend el pastor. Don't have to worry about paying for parking since it is free when you get food at this joint.

Back in the city and searched for tacos within walking distance. This was number one in this area…read more No frills food truck with a covered outdoor dining area with simple table and chairs. Friendly staff inside the truck. Had to first try their tacos. Next time maybe the quesadillas or burritos. Had three "authentic" tacos consisting of Al Pastor, Carnitas, and Asada. Onions and cilantro are optional but had to have them. Al Pastor was the winner. Followed by the carnitas and lastly the asada. Al Pastor had great flavor and the asada was just ok. Didn't try their salsas as I wanted to taste their meats without for the first time. Open until 10pm on week nights and 11pm on weekends. Closed on Mondays.

Scratch Cookery is one of the many local places hidden in the allies of Downtown San Jose. They are…read morenot far from the heart of Downtown, and definitely not far from the university. I stumbled upon this place one day while doing my random walk, so you KNOW I had to give this place a try. I had went in upon opening time, so my wait was a little bit, but I was not complaining because you know what they say: "Greatness comes when you build them up one by one." I got their hamburger with the extra cheese, and curly fries. The patty was extra juicy, and the brioche buns were toasted really well. I especially like how they added on the cheese after the patty was marinated on the grill for quite a while, but not too long to the point all of the juice was sucked up. The only down side to the food: the prices. Be prepared to spend quite a bit on lunch if you decide to go to this place, because they do end up charging quite a bit more than what the regular places around Downtown would. But the IPA beers make up for it, so it's also worth a bang for your buck. Hospitality was pretty top-notch -- my order was taken in an orderly fashion, and they even apologized for the wait as well. I hope Scratch Cookery stays around for a long while so that people can try out such majestic wonders this establishment has to offer! Ambiance was great, and I'd definitely be back again!

Down the Scratch…read more Food truck turned Fountain Alley brick-and-mortar that achieved max popularity during the Pandemic. I kept hearing about their hot chicken sandwiches for years, and we finally made the trek to check them out. The Good: * Friendly service * Prices aren't too bad considering the portion size and flavor. * Outdoor dog-friendly seating * Craft brews in cans * Seven levels of heat for everyone from the spice-averse to the hardcore fire lover. * Chicken sandwiches are massive and delicious. And despite it being a breast, they kept it very juicy. * Really loved their fries; I'm not sure if they make them in-house or if they're frozen, but regardless, they're fantastic. The Meh: * Not much in the way of drinks except for the aforementioned beers and cans of soda. The Ugly: * It's located in DTSJ, so you'll most likely have to pay for parking. If you don't mind walking a few blocks, the 4th St Garage is free for the first 90 min. Conclusion: Great spot to get your spice on.

there hasn't been one time where I've been here and didn't leave satisfied with my food. this is…read morethe best spot for birria in San Jose and you can't convince me otherwise! their quesabirria are always packed with meat, and their consome is always so hot and flavorful, to top it off with their salsa roja.. life changing im telling you!! their truck is behind another taco truck, the area is always cleaned and they have salsas at each table which is nice! the only negative would be the parking, it can be a little tricky, but i live down the street so i walk it :p if i could give them all a kiss on the forehead i would, its just that good.

Yom. Giant burrito filled with meat, beans, and rice. The meat was salty, tender, and rich. So much…read moremeat The birria ramen is what you'd expect I think. I thought the ramen itself was a little overcooked Both were def better with some lemon on top 4.5/5 imho

Excellent experience today. So appreciated Morna helping us with choosing and really caring about…read morehow we liked dishes. Three of us shared: crispy spring rolls, 4 - pronounced crunch and substantial contents and orangey dipping broth pleasant. Potstickers 4 - wonderfully crisp outside, contents had nice texture and brown dipping broth a good accompaniment. Pad Thai and Crispy? Chow Mein - tossup on which we liked best. Liked smooth texture of pad and tofu strips but one didn't care for the shrimp looking yam crescents. Loved the crunchy peanuts and wouldn't mind a bit more. Loved the mushrooms in chow mein. BBQ tempeh bowl with kale and carrots over rice - enjoyed spicy tempeh classic flavor. Shared Cacao pecan cake and New York cheezcake. Loved the subfloor pops and silky texture of both. Bravo to all and look forward to returning! Note: chose them from Bay Area Check Please reviews

Tried Vegetarian House Vegan in San Jose recently after seeing some really great food pictures…read moreonline. The food was decent overall -- not bad, but not something that personally stood out enough for me to revisit. One thing I noticed was that the dishes looked quite different from some of the photos posted online, so those pictures may have been older or presented differently. That said, the food was still good and the place is worth trying at least once, especially if you enjoy vegetarian/vegan options. I do think there's room to improve the consistency and overall quality a bit. Overall, a good spot to check out and experience for yourself

Stopped by for lunch, amazing service! Really good food Thanks Tanya for the food and amazing…read moreservice

Is this San Jose's best kept secret for Mexican food happy hour?? We recently found out they…read morestarted a happy hour, and it's honestly hard to beat. I don't know where else you can find $2 tacos anymore--and that even includes birria. The birria tacos don't come with consommé, but honestly, they're packed with so much meat in every bite that you don't even miss it. They also have $3 volcanes (kind of like a tostada), which were super tasty, and the $6 margaritas were strong in the best way. Plus, the chips tasted fresh, which always makes a difference. On top of the food, the customer service was amazing--friendly, welcoming, and just overall a great vibe, good music. Street parking was easy to find on a weekday too.

Delectable. We ordered a 1/4 lb delux smash wagyu cheeseburger and 1/2 lb jalapeno wagyu double…read moresmash cheeseburger combo (onion rings + pepsi) via Owner. The pickup process was seamless, and we ate our order inside. There weren't too many seats, but luckily it wasn't too busy, and pretty clean too. We both demolished our burgers, they were that good. I personally enjoyed having the lettuce/raw onion/pickles balance out the overall burger. Pickle ratio to burger was good too, very evenly distributed throughout. Only small area of improvement would be the bread, it was slightly floppy and felt like an afterthought compared to the rest of the burger. Onion rings were solid too. Would definitely come back again.

TL;DR: Have to say one of the best smash burgers I ever had. Tater tots were excellent too…read more Was in downtown looking for a good sandwich or burger place for lunch. This place popped up on yelp and I trust my fellow yelpers for good reviews. Looking at the menu, there's a lot of Wagyu burgers. Wondered if it was legit and gotta say the meat was really tasty. Not sure how they cook it on the hot plate, but the meat was juicy and there's something about the taste that made it really good. Went with the jalapeño burger and got to say it was so good. Bite it after bite. Guess normally would go with french fries but decided to go with tater tots thinking it was the cheeky kind that you always get the frozen section at the supermarket but these were really good like almost double cooked so they're a little crispier. I went at 11:30 AM on a Friday and it was really crowded. Justifiably so because I believe the burgers here are excellent . Want to try their mushroom Swiss burger next time. But I'm telling you you have to try this place at least once if you're in the downtown area. The students at San Jose State have that going for them.

Serious dumpling is solid, great for a quick stop in, shrimp & pork hit the spot! Great service and…read moreatmosphere. Anthonyxibarrax

My first impressions were mediocre all-around: -The water…read morewas definitely unfiltered tap; it tasted kinda bad -Their Beef Noodle Soup had a fairly distinctive broth, but seemed made of cheap ingredients and was neither very satisfying nor filling -They overcharge on sales tax by quite a bit -- San Jose's rate is 9.375%, yet they seem to be charging almost 10% This seems like the kind of restaurant that survives only because it's in an area with high foot traffic.