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    Gia Lam II

    3.3 (238 reviews)
    InexpensiveVietnamese
    Open 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

    Gia Lam II Photos

    Business Info

    GIA LAM II ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Gia Lam II

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    Pho Pho with pork chop
    Edna L.

    I frequent this place with friends when I'm in the area. As with any pho place I judge them by their broth and noodles and their signature is what I usually order. If not, then I order the noodles with pork chop, that comes on the side. Unlike a lot of pho establishments after Covid, the broth here remains the same- full of flavor and not watered down. They also give a lot of scallions and cilantro (which I love) and a slice of lemon to enhance the flavor of the soup. The noodles aren't overcooked and have a nice chew to them. The bean sprouts that you put into the soup are consistently fresh and adds a nice crunch to everything. I also love their pork chop, also rich in lemongrass flavor. The only thing is that they only give one pork chop. Most places give at least 2. Overall- a place I would come back to. The staff are friendly and very efficient. You get your food quickly- so while it can be a place you go to in order to catch up with friends or family, it can also be a place to get in and out of very quickly as well.

    Vietnamese spring roll (M)
    Tiffany S.

    This is one of my favorite pho places on 8 Ave. Their pho is full of flavor and the noodles are always perfectly cooked. Their pho may not be the best but it never disappoints. Their spring rolls are a hit or miss. Unfortunately, this time, it was a miss. The texture of the meat inside was off. The service is very quick and the food comes out piping hot.

    Grilled Sliced Pork on Rice
    Chin T.

    This place is cash only!!! The servers were friendly, they told us we can choose anywhere to sit as soon as walked in. The menu is listed out on the table however, they can provide you a paper copy as well. Food: -Grilled Sliced Pork- Spring Roll on Rice Sticks: was basically chopped egg rolls on top of vermicelli and the bottom had salad. It also came with a sauce. -Grilled Sliced Pork on Rice: wasn't the best grilled pork, had 2 sliced of cucumber and topped with scallions over white rice. It also came with a sauce. Be careful eating, there were some cartilage and bones in there! -Grilled Chicken on Rice: Same as the grilled sliced pork on rice, but the chicken you will have a knife to cut. Again, the dish had two cucumbers topped with scallions over white rice. It also came with a sauce. Ambiance is good for affordable dinner eats, you can order take out or dine in.

    Interior
    Ruby N.

    This spot had fast and great service and is located on 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. They have an extensive menu and I had to go with the classic bowl of pho. The interior is spacious and has a cozy warm feel to it. Do visit it if you're craving Vietnamese food in the area.

    Alvin Z.

    It's a decent pho/Taiwanese pork chop place and does have a restaurant atmosphere that feels like home. The food wasn't exceptional but it was satisfiable. The service was okay, a bit rude, and the food took a long time to come out when there wasn't that many people.

    Karen C.

    Ate lunch here with my family of 6! We all ordered #10 pho tai. They have a large menu! Service was very quick. Prices are fair since each bowl was about $8.75. However, only lemons and bean sprouts are served as sides. Only a few pieces of beef are in the pho too. I would recommend it if you're in the area, but I wouldn't go out of my way to try it again.

    Just to be clear, this is the restaurant. We literally stood outside in SHOCK for 5 minutes before leaving. WORST RESTAURANT IN TOWN.
    Ollie N.

    If you're reading this, you're probably wondering if you should eat at Gia Lam. The short answer is no. The long answer is hell no, save yourself the headache and go down the street to Pho BK. This is such a disgraceful restaurant with completely shameless and terrible employees. My party of 5 ate here on a Sunday for lunch and to say the service was bad would be generous. We got no menus for 10 minutes then they asked if we're ready to order. They gave us paper take out menus. We ordered some stuff and while some things were okay, many things were not. The Thai Iced Tea tastes like floor cleaner. The Pho soup was NOT hot enough to cook the raw meat sitting in the bowl. Food came out slower than other tables and came out of order with 2 bowls of pho coming out, then some appetizers, then 1 other rice entree, then 1 more bowl of soup, then ten minutes later my dish. This place is so god damn incohesive. I'm so pissed off I gave them a chance and it's unbelievable they can survive in this area. Many many good restaurants on 8th Ave and this is NOT one of them. The restaurant management would be best suited to CUT ALL THESE WAIT STAFF AND HIRE PEOPLE OFF THE STREET. My GOD I have never dealt with ruder, more uninterested waiters than this stupid restaurant. They act like you are bothering them by asking for things or ordering food. We asked for water refills multiple times and finally some lady comes over and is pouring the water so aggressively it spilled over the cups and on the table, hitting food. She said nothing! Didn't care, no napkins, no sorry. The best part ... given how HORRIFIC this clown academy was, we got our bill for about ~100 and decided to leave a $12 tip. They deserve NOTHING but given my friends and I have worked in the restaurant industry, we opted for a less than standard tip and decided it would be fine. Again, not only did they deserve no tip, they couldn't PAY ME to come back to this place to eat. YET ... the waitstaff who didn't give a shit about our table the whole meal walks up and says " Sorry, the minimum tip is 15% thank you!!!" ... WELL THAT MAKES MORE SENSE, this place treats you like complete shit because they think they're ENTITLED to a 15% tip at the end LOL!!!! Oh my god, these employees are killing this restaurant. It's really so sad to see a local business suffer so much from waiters who rather pocket an extra $3 than actually be good at their job and retain customers. We tell them NO, a tip is additional and your service was BAD. They got mad and yelled at us. Boo fucking hoo. We literally walked out. I WISH we took the $12 back too. I don't come here to criticize the restaurant but rather completely criticize the HORRIFIC employees and the below average food. Is your reputation worth keeping these types of employees?

    Bùi T.

    cash only restaurant convenient location $10.10 for a regular size bowl of beefball Phở

    Grilled Pork Chop over rice (Take-out)
    Jason U.

    Got the grilled pork over rice. Comes with that plus a few cucumbers. The lady who took my take-out order was pretty kind, so I appreciate the friendly component. The grilled pork itself was good, there were some parts that tasted better than the other in terms of flavor and tenderness. Good balance with the white rice. I've had better-grilled pork dishes which include more and taste better at other Vietnamese restaurants. However still overall solid, filling, and would come again to grab it to-go if I'm in the area.

    Shrimp and tomatoes, and a spring roll in the background.
    Cheri G.

    Its good to explore. If i wasnt just walking around . I probably wouldve never found this place. It was good food and tasty shrimp and rice and tomatoes at a decent price. What more could a girl ask for.

    Ali T.

    I love Gia Lam on 8th avenue between 48th and 49th street, but this one was not good. We came to this location because the other Gia Lam was going through renovations. What a let down. We all ordered the traditional pho dish with all the fixins and were all disappointed. There was barely any meat in the bowl. It looked like they just threw it together and did not pay attention to detail. The broth was just lacking in flavor. I hope the other Gia Lam opens soon so I could get my pho fix this winter. The 2 stars are for the delicious spring rolls and service.

    #9 Pho Dac Biet $8.75 -- $9.50 with tax

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    3 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Ordered takeout after my favorite pho place closed and I think I found my new fave! Great quality pho and bahn mi, highly recommend!

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The Pho is good, but service... Come on seriously? Absolute terrible service and demanding for a tip... That is crazy.

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    12 years ago

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    Page 1 of 6

    Gia Lam II Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gia Lam II

    What time do they close Oct 2021?

    7 or 7:30 pm

    Are they still open?

    Yeah

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    5ive Spice

    5ive Spice

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    **CASH ONLY** Came…read moreon a Friday at 6:37 PM and got seated after about a 20-minute wait. My boyfriend and I shared the classic beef pho, spring rolls and classic Vietnamese banh mi. Everything was excellent, but the spring rolls were particularly good. Will be back pre-Barclays event!

    **CASH ONLY** I do appreciate that's the first thing they tell you as you walk through the door so…read moreyou don't have to waste your time eating and then doing that awkward dance of asking whoever came with you if they have cash or having to go to the ATM, etc. However, it's very unfortunate they require that to begin with, but that seems to be the general consensus on all the reviews. The service was okay - it was obvious the server was brand new/still in training so I'm sure he'll get better and congrats to him on the new job! Btw, in case you were wondering this place is NOT Vietnamese-owned, or at least the server + the host + some workers in the back were not, or perhaps they're trilingual. In any case, I was a little sad about that because there really is a lack of good Viet food in NY so although other ethnicities are more than welcome to own places not of their own ethnicities, I was just hoping to find more Viet-owned Viet food businesses. That being said, I got pho bo vien (which I suppose now I know why there's no Vietnamese text on the menu... so this is the viet meatball pho??) and it was okay. Nothing bad, nothing special, probably a bit too pricey for what you get. I was hoping for some comfort food since this location is nearby. The broth was overall fine after adding some hoisin sauce and Sriracha. Unsure if I'll come again... the convenient location for me is probably the main selling point

    Photos
    5ive Spice
    Viet Banh Xeo
    Viet Banh Xeo
    6 Piece Rooster Wings.

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    6 Piece Rooster Wings.
    Ba Xuyen

    Ba Xuyen

    4.5
    (858 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $

    I really thought I had reviewed Ba Xuyen before. I first ate here pre-pandy and it never occurred…read moreto me that I hadn't chimed in about this awesome spot. Well, let's clear that up now. The aunties are mentioned often in other reviews, and that's because they're amazing. They'll gladly explain what you need, especially when it comes to the super tasty (and extremely inexpensive) deserts that populate racks and the drink fridges here. Some are sweet, some are sour (the deserts, that is), they'll let you know. Honesty since a cake here is $5, you can afford to try everything! How on to the main reason that you came, the Banh Mi. You literally can't go wrong with any of the eight main sandwiches here. I've tried them all so you don't have to, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't. The bread is crispy, the ingredients are super fresh, and the tastes combine perfectly. The decor is perfect for this kind of spot. No frills. There are three tables and a bunch of chairs. It's exactly what I want in a takeout type place. They concentrate on the food. So, to wrap this one up. Go. I'd say that I'll be back, but I've been coming here for years. If you haven't, it's time to start.

    very good vietnamese food the banh mi reminds me of home…read moreprob one of the best ive had in nyc.... avocado smoothie was great im used to it being a little less blended with ice chunks and sugar but flavor was on point after adding another packet. viet coffee was above average for sure! not breathtaking but solid. lady was nice she also spoke vietnamese and chinese. fast service and showed me the restroom! come here if u want some viet food!!!!

    Photos
    Ba Xuyen
    Banh Mi & Rice Plate
    Banh Mi & Rice Plate
    Banh Mi Pate Thit Nguoi

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    Banh Mi Pate Thit Nguoi
    Em Vietnamese Bistro

    Em Vietnamese Bistro

    4.3
    (246 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$
    Vegetarian friendly
    Takes reservations

    Em Vietnamese Bistro A Vietnamese comfort gem hiding right under the Brooklyn Bridge! Em…read moreVietnamese Bistro brings Chef Ly Nguyen's take on elevated Vietnamese comfort food and tapas to a bright Front Street corner -- think 24-hour broths, shaking beef, and cocktails that actually match the food. ATMOSPHERE: The space feels modern-cozy, not touristy. White marble tables, teal booths, pendant lighting, and a backlit bar make it bright for lunch and glowy for dinner. It's built for lingering -- solo noodle missions, date night, or a post-Brooklyn Bridge walk catch-up. Locals treat it like their neighborhood living room. SERVICE: Family-owned by Dumbo native Patrick Lin, and the team leans into that hospitality. Servers know the menu cold, especially the gluten-free labeling and the QR visual menu you can scan for allergen transparency. Big love to the staff who check in without hovering -- they walk you through spice levels and broth styles like regulars. FOOD: Comfort food done with precision. Everything tastes slow-cooked because it is. What to get... - Cha Gio - Ly's Chicken Wings - Oc Xao Dua - Com Suon Nuong - Muc Chien Gion DRINKS: The cocktail game is strong, and they have a full bar. What to get... - Perfume River - Prosecco ACCESSIBILITY: Street-level entry on Front St with roomy booth seating. Step-free entrance. It's easy to navigate inside. The bathroom is fully accessible and big. ADDRESS: 57 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Thank you for having me, @emvietnamese

    I stopped by Em Vietnamese Bistro for a weekend lunch and was promptly seated by the windows,…read moreperfect for people watching. The restaurant was bustling, that's for sure. The bun thit nuong/pork vermicelli ($18) was just what I wanted and needed, and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of grilled pork that was provided. And by the overall size of the meal. It was excellent to eat! In addition to the pork and noodles, there were cucumbers, pickled carrots and daikon, ground peanuts, and fried shallots. Yum. I'd return when in the area again to try out some of Em's other dishes!

    Photos
    Ngheu Xao Bo - Saigon-style Butter Clams
    Ngheu Xao Bo - Saigon-style Butter Clams
    Em Vietnamese Bistro
    Em Vietnamese Bistro

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    Di An Di

    Di An Di

    3.9
    (467 reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$

    Di and Di is a large spot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with both indoor and outdoor seating. During my…read morelast visit, I sat in the front dining area, so I didn't get a chance to see how far the restaurant extends towards the back. The restrooms are conveniently located in the middle of the space. The staff were all efficient and constantly on the move. We had reservations for 2pm, and the restaurant was already packed when we arrived. We only had to wait a few minutes while our table was being cleared. The staff apologized. For drinks, we kept it non-alcoholic and ordered a Vietnamese iced coffee and a lychee fizz. To eat, we shared the papaya salad, rice cake omelette, grilled pork bun bowl, and the wok seared beef pho. Everything we tried was so flavorful and well prepared. One thing to note is that if you're planning to visit on a weekend their banh mi is only available from Friday to Sunday until 6pm. However, we go there on Sunday and ordered around 2:30ish and it was already sold out. So I suggest dining in earlier.

    Food: Delicious food! We tried the beef pho, fish lettuce wrap platter, pork skewer platter, and…read morethe spring rolls. All four dishes were delicious, and I would highly recommend the spring rolls and beef pho. The beef pho broth had deep flavor, and the noodles had a great, chewy texture and were different from the typical pho noodles in Vietnamese restaurants. The pho is also served with their homemade sriracha and hoisin sauce. The beef slices in the pho were a bit dry and overcooked, but I would still recommend you try the pho here; it was delicious. The spring rolls were big and packed with filling. We really enjoyed them! The fish lettuce wrap platter and pork skewer platter were exactly the same with the exception of the protein. The platters come with rice paper wrappers that you dip into water for 30 seconds, lettuce, mint, basil, cilantro, pickled radish and carrot, and cucumbers. The platters were good but also seems like something you can easily make yourself at home. The fish was a bit dry and overcooked, but the pork skewers were well made. Although I really enjoyed the food here, it wasn't special enough for me to want to return to dine here. Service: Service was excellent, and staff were friendly. At 5pm, we were the first party of 2 to arrive, and soon after, three other parties came after us. I'm not sure why the hostess chose to seat all four parties in one small corner of the restaurant while the rest of the restaurant was completely empty. Tables were placed very closely together, and seating was a bit tight. It seemed odd to seat everyone in one corner even when the restaurant was clearly not filling up. Ambiance: The ambiance and decor is lovely here. Seating is very comfortable, and the place is beautiful. It's well-lit and has a nice outdoor garden feel with plenty of sunlight. The restaurant is pretty big with tables for both small and large groups. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Cha Gio / Crispy Spring Rolls (4) - $24.
    Cha Gio / Crispy Spring Rolls (4) - $24.
    Vietnamese iced coffee

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    Vietnamese iced coffee

    Gia Lam II - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

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