Trying to figure out which "Madame Saigon" or "MME Saigon" I'm located at is extremely confusing, and it appears to be confusing others as well because the photos are all mixed up showing both locations and reviews talking about both. I did some quick research, and the one I went to is actually not even located at the two business pages Yelp has!!
According to the restaurant website, it states there are two locations: one is in the Remington College Building located at 1111 Bishop Street that has other eateries such as Dim Sum House, Seoul Kimbap, and several others. I've seen this location firsthand, so it's accurate. The second location is in the Pioneer Plaza at 900 Fort Street Mall, and I have also seen this firsthand. None of them are closed. Both open.
Now, the one I went to was neither of these locations. I went to one that's in Bishop Square with Pauahi Tower and American Savings Bank Tower. Additionally, my receipt says MME Saigon with the address listed as 1003 Bishop Street!!
So I made a business page for this, and hopefully it'll help fellow Yelpers if there are any in Downtown.
But it's not that important if you don't find this place because you're not missing much, and there are much better and cheaper options with friendlier service than here.
Whenever I want something light, my first thought is usually Vietnamese food. I've been here twice already, and perhaps my last...already.
The first visit, I just grabbed Summer Rolls. Two came in one package, and I had a shrimp and a tofu roll. There's no price on anything on these cold items, so you have no idea how much until you pay. They just list Pho, Bahn Mi, party trays, and plate lunch prices. Maybe the prices for other items are around, but I haven't noticed.
The Summer Rolls were okay. It's just romaine lettuce, rice noodle, and very little basil with the meat or tofu. Super basic. The all important accompanying peanut sauce was just okay too. It's on the bland and thin side. Missing that savory and nuttiness from the peanuts.
Second time I grabbed a BBQ Chicken Bún. Again, no price, but whatever. Can't be THAT expensive, right? Well, it was $11.95 plus tax. Forgot to mention the Summer Rolls were $8.50 plus tax. These are sit-down, made to order restaurant prices, and everything in the cold section has been premade for who knows how long, and it tasted like it's been sitting there for a long time. My noodle salad was okay. The chicken was cold, and poorly sliced. The knife never went through the chicken, so it was just one whole piece, which was annoying to eat. The spring roll was the clear indication of how long it sat there. The wrapper was soft and tough, and the filling was bland. The shredded lettuce was okay. No basil or mint. The accompanying sauce not even close to enough. I grabbed an extra peanut sauce that I was thinking of using for the spring roll, but I ended up dumping that in the bún, or else there would've been no taste.
The best thing at Madame Saigon is its Satay Sauce that you can just grab on the way out. That sauce had nice flavors and a real nice spice kick. It was this sauce and the hoisin sauce that made the food acceptable.
The service seems unfriendly and a little pushy. There's no greeting and if you're looking at the cold items, the lady will stand next to the register holding a bag open to put your food in, and then immediately tell you the price before ringing it in. I guess it seems helpful and efficient, but that's not the feeling I got.
Overall, the food is pretty generic, and pricey for a fast food Vietnamese place in Downtown. I think I'll stay away from the cold items, and perhaps order other things next time. Or go to the other two locations! read more