Monsoon is a Vietnamese restaurant on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, a block away from Fenton's Creamery. They have a wide range of items, I've tried their pho noodle soup and their rice places. I particularly like their lemongrass pork ribs combo, their fried chicken banh mi (not sure if that's a traditional dish but it's pretty good how they make it). When I've ordered ca phe (Vietnamese Coffee) it really seems like they make it from scratch using the metal filter, if they just poured from a jug they'd bring it out to you really quickly, The pricing is reasonable, but like a lot of places on Piedmont Avenue tend to at least a little pricier than your average bear. This place isn't super far from home, plus they're currently on the Rewards Network Dining, which I'm part of to get more Alaska/Atmos points, so that's a bonus. When in line to get takeout from Fentons, I recently called Monsoon to get a Fried Chicken Banh Mi and they turned the order around in about 15 minutes. If you're on Piedmont Ave, try them out. read more

Monsoon - Fried Chicken Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

It's been a while since I've visited this family owned business and not much has changed. From what I've heard from talking to the family during slow hours, they've been doing pretty good. The food as always is yummy and I got to hear a funny story whilst having meal. Apparently, the main server had a Togo order, and was asked to deliver it to some office nearby. Now note that the customer who placed the order wasn't actually expecting the server to go run down the street and deliver her Banh Mi sandwich, instead, the customer was intending to pick it up at the end of the day. The level of dedication this family has to customer service is unreal! But I also heard that the overall health of the owner is declining due to working so hard, so that they plan on selling soon if able. It's sad to see such an awesome restaurant go, but perhaps we can give these guys one last token of appreciation by showing some love? read more

Monsoon - We got a BBQ chicken rice plate with some scallion oil on the rice, veggie on the side and a sweet sauce that you pour over everything - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

I ordered the chicken banh mi and it was delicious, the meat was marinated so well. It's also so hefty in size. I could only eat half of it and I saved this second half for the next day. All the staff was so friendly and helpful and checked in on us and also wrapped up our leftover sandwich. [[HIGHLIGHT]]This is a great casual spot to go to.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Monsoon - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

Huge portions, and great food! Came for lunch with 3 others and we all left full and satisfied. I was hoping for short ribs like I saw on one of the photos here, but they didn't offer it on their menu. Their prices on banh mi seems high (compared to Oakland Chinatown prices) but their vermicelli and rice plates and pho bowls are huge, so likely you'd get your money's worth for whatever you'd order. I'd likely come again! read more

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Excellent pork banh mi sandwich and vegetarian egg rolls. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is small and sparse, however the food I had was terrific.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The veggie rolls were hand-rolled and the banh mi was super-flavorful. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great spot to drop into for some lunchtime variety.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Just had a similar sandwich at a 4-5 Yelp star place in SoHo NY for $9, vs $16 here. But Mon was more than 2x better, easily. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]A calm, peaceful vibe after walking around to the stores and shopping.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The best banh mi I've ever had and the portion sizes were huge. Efficient and kind staff. Highly recommend. read more

It's so hard to leave negative comments. I will just stick to the main points that turned me off. Pho and fried wantons were ordered. Beef was tough. Broth was very salty and not very savory. Soooooo many noodles. So many. Wantons ... again super salty. Sigh. Will skip this spot next time. read more

The pho broth was on the blander side but not completely bland, just a faint taste of the beef bones and spices. There are meatballs, brisket and slices of thin beef but no tripe and tendon in the combo pho, to my surprise. A hefty serving of pho noodles were there at the very least. service was attentive and friendly, I liked how the guy upfront gave me the sriracha and hoisin sauce per my request. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambiance was a bit empty but the decorations were more on the modest end.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]The chairs have cushions, which made it comfy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Parking here was a bit of a nightmare on Sunday evening, but I did end up finding a spot around here. It is also on the BILT restaurant list so easy 6x cash back with the BILT card. I would not drive here for pho specifically as the primary reason, but if I have a strong soup craving, I wouldn't mind coming here. read more

Monsoon - Monsoon Decorations - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

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Good food. Good service. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I loved the quiet and calm ambiance, and the soft music playing in the background.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The only thing I wasn't a fan of was ordering and paying at the counter before sitting. I understand why, it's just unfortunate that it has come to this. I'd go back but probably for take out moving forward. read more

I was looking for a place for lunch on this street lined with plenty of choices. Their name caught my attention then their menu. The short rib plate special item peeked my interest. My curiosity drove me here. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The store front has plenty of space but dining room was limited to the window facing area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Order was placed at the counter then locate a table. No true table service but they bring the water, silverware and food to your table, a bit short of full table service. On this afternoon, it was near capacity so food delivery took a while. I must admit I had a different expectation of short ribs. I guess I was hoping for the meatier short ribs served at western restaurant rather than the Korean bbq sliver sliced ribs. The lemongrass seasoning was akin to the grilled pork which was nice and the portion was generous. The rib was served with rice, coleslaw (pickled carrots, lettuce and cucumber), and fish sauce. Overall, nice meal. I would come back to try other fare. read more

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It's funny, I went to this restaurant expecting to order the curry soup. They were sold out. Good sign I guess, but made me pivot. So I ordered some "vegetable noodle soup". At a Vietnamese restaurant, I normally expect a "vegetable soup" to be called Pho. Doesn't matter but still, just saying. Anyway, once I ordered my food I sat down and started reading reviews about the soup I had ordered. I found out from this website that the broth was going to be bland. Oh well, looking forward to vegetables and noodles. Who needs flavor anyway. But when the soup came, it was full of flavor! Good news, I thought to myself. I could definitely taste that broth. Yet as I ate more of the soup, I slowly realized how salty it was. It seems like they must have pivoted or who knows what.l they did. But they clearly have not sorted out their vegetarian/vegetable broth routine yet. Beware. Maybe by the time you go there and order the vegetable soup, they will have decided to make the broth from scratch and it will taste delicious. But whatever mix they're using right now, the ratios are off. My wife got some lemongrass veggie dish which was nice except there was no lemongrass apparent in the dish. Plenty of garlic though, and it tasted nice. I kinda wish I got what she had. Also, no basil or mint or any of that stuff with the "vegetable soup." [[HIGHLIGHT]]Ambience: it's an interesting experience to go into a space that you used to cherish on occasion to see how it has changed after the old restaurant went out of business and the new one moved in. It seems like they decided to hollow out the old restaurant and make it into something much less sophisticated, much less inspiring.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Order at the counter, very a few decorations, a lot of tables that still hadn't been bussed when we arrived, counter service that was plenty kind but not remarkable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Ultimately, we both agreed it was nice not to have to cook for ourselves today. Won't be going back. read more

3.5 stars. No frills, order and pay before meal at the counter type place. Quick and hassle free. Food is ok. Enjoyed the shrimp rolls, the beef pho lacked depth and flavor and meat was bit gamey for some reason but otherwise we enjoyed our time. Perhaps the vermicelli bowls and rice plates are better. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Bathrooms could be cleaner.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

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Small family owned restaurant in Piedmont. The menu is not very big but I like that in some places! I had the pork banh mi sandwich at the recommendations of the young lady behind the counter. What a sandwich! It was big enough for two if you wanted to share but if only one person has it then you are not going to be hungry for the rest of the day! We also had fresh spring rolls which were also very good! I think this place is somewhat of a Vietnamese fusion restaurant since some of their menu items sounded like fusion. Either way, definitely try this place if you happen to be in the area! read more

Monsoon - Pork Banh Mi sandwich. - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

Love how big the portions were & how tasty the pho was. Great addition to piedmont ave! read more

Monsoon - Pho combo - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

Ugh this was really really difficult for me to grade because their porkchop over rice was AMAZING! Really good marinade and tender and honestly probably the best Vietnamese porkchop I've had that I can remember, BUT the other stuff was a fail. The fried chicken had too much batter and honestly needed more seasoning. The eggrolls were awful. The meat tasted stale or old. It was fried and hot, but the meat inside had an off putting flavor. My friends shrimp vermicelli bowl was a hit. Large grilled shrimp and fresh noodles. Honestly if they would have had better eggrolls that didn't taste funky I probably would have given this place 4 stars. I would come again though. read more

Monsoon - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

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Highly recommend this place for the flavorful food and friendly service. Originally came across the restaurant by chance and we've kept returning for the fresh and consistent quality. read more

Pork banh mi is amazing. Meat is tender and smoky. Bread is lightly crunchy and doesn't fight me Spicy Beef Noodle is indeed spicy but in a good way. read more

Food was superb. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Good tuck spot hidden in plain sight.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] One of those places you leave knowing you'll be back read more

Monsoon - Combination Plate w/ an extra Wing. - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

Incredibly slow service and out of many items including rice. Unprofessional, but they are communicative at least. Food was above average. Prices are fair. Small businesses . I'll never come back... read more

Monsoon - Menu - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

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This spot is right on. It's a hidden gem. Every thing on the menus is delicious. It's also wallet friendly. Portions are perfect. The staff is friendly and caring. I love it here read more

Probably the best banh mi I've ever had. Spring rolls were also super delicious. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Went on a Sunday, was pretty quiet.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Quick and kind service. read more

Monsoon - Beef Banh Mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice ambiance and service.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The shrimp rolls and are excellent. The pho noodles are large portions with generous beef and noodles. The broth is okay. read more

Came here for lunch one day and everything we ordered was delicious. -bun Bo hue -chicken pho -pork vermicelli bowl -pork spring rolls On the pricier end but they give good portions! Great service! I loved my bun Bo hue broth, better than most other places in Oakland that I've had, just wish they used actual bun Bo hue noodles and not pho noodles. Will definitely be back :) read more

Monsoon - Bun Bo hue - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

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The BBQ was decent but what the pho? I had the pho tai and it tasted like water. I added a bunch of like and all the herbs and hot sauce I could but it was beyond remedy. Like, I get that it's Piedmont but c'mon read more

I had the pork vermicelli bowl. A large portion. Fresh and tasty. Excellent value. Good service.

Gee, I didn't know Xyclo closed. I tried it years ago and was a bit underwhelmed by their chicken pho, but I noticed the recent change in name and found out it indeed reflected a change in ownership. New chef/owner has shifted the focus of the Vietnamese cuisine from the North to the South. I'm not nearly enough of a pho connoisseur to know the difference. What I do know was that the $16 Chicken Noodle Soup was more freshly executed than the pho I had before and consequently a lot tastier. Interestingly it was not referred to as pho, and I wasn't sure whether it was not technically pho or it was a concession to the decidedly non-Vietnamese clientele to be found on Piedmont Avenue. It really didn't matter, it was good (photo: https://bit.ly/3JtU3YN). They use poached chicken that reminded me more of Hainan chicken especially since they served a tasty helping of ginger garlic sauce on the side (photo: https://bit.ly/3CK5W90). All the other requisite elements were present - thin rice noodles, fresh bean sprouts, cilantro, chopped scallions, sliced peppers, and light chicken broth - along with some unexpected items like red onions and fried onion bits. It was quite satisfying and kept me full. However, I felt I would be remiss if I didn't take advantage of a Yelp check-in coupon that gave me a complimentary $5 Vietnamese Iced Coffee (photo: https://bit.ly/46klqhH). I haven't had one in such a long time that it was quite a treat. They offer the expected rice and noodle plates, so chances are pretty good that I'll return for more of Chao's homestyle dishes. FOOD - 4 stars...a tasty chicken pho with fresh ingredients AMBIANCE - 4 stars...pretty spacious, not overly decorative SERVICE - 4 stars...quietly attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...this is a Monsoon worth weathering RELATED - Exploring Piedmont Avenue? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2I0RAHj read more

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Great banh mi sandwiches - my favorite is the pork - good quality pork and the bread is top-notch. Finally found my "go-to" banh mi place in the East Bay. Very highly recommended. read more

Very good food, Priced very well, Large portions, good service. What more does one ask? read more

This is a good spot for take out or a quick lunch. I ordered the chicken rice plate from the simple menu. It came with a fresh salad and side of dressing. Next time, I will probably order the pork rib as I tried a bite and it was tasty, too. Or, I might get the banh mi sandwich. read more

Service was great, friendly and attentive but the foods were a bit off. They're not authentic Vietnamese foods. If you're open for a non-authentic pho with salty taste, it's passable. It's like you're buying a SONY TV but got a SQNY instead. The other dishes were not too bad but ingredients were also... off. read more

Monsoon - Beef Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

Just got the chicken Bahn Mi. Really really solid. Almost too big, tbh. I kind of like them on the smaller side but it's the right price given how big it is and how fresh the vegetables. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I just got my sandwich to go but the inside seemed quite nice and they had some great looking plated meals.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

Step right up, order and pay first, menu on the wall - fast service, delicious, fresh ingredients, Spring rolls and egg rolls done just right - the meat is marinated and sweetened and perfectly grilled, the pickled carrots, green onion, daikon are all still fresh and nicely rice vinegared. Great lunch place, we'll be back to try the Banh Mi next! read more

Monsoon - Chicken rice plate - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

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I think the restaurant has great potential and has a nice indoor aesthetic. Ordered the spicy noodle soup (bun bo hue) and chicken rice plate with extra chicken. Originally tried to order chicken rice plate with chicken wing add on but was told they don't do rice plates with chicken wings. Was texted that my order was ready and pick up was easy. The spot was not too busy during our 4:30pm pickup. My takeout of spicy noodle soup only had raw brisket and no meatballs and no filet mignon/tendon. The overall flavor was okay. I think I would prefer it if they contacted me if there were items missing from my noodle soup order so I could maybe order something else or cancel my order. read more

Extremely fresh banh mi. Nicely toasted bread and pretty big. Also tried the spicy beef soup, which was surprisingly decent. Great water. read more

I'm really sorry to say that I didn't love Monsoon. I wanted to love it - the former occupant of this space, Cyclo, was also a Vietnamese restaurant, and they had the best pho around IMHO. So I got some fried wontons and some beef pho. The fried wontons were good (but you kind of can't screw up fried wontons), but the pho was just...bland. And unlike Cyclo, they no longer have beer on tap, which was kind of too bad, I've always liked having a pint with my pho (even though most pho places generally don't serve alcohol). Anyway: oh well, kind of a bummer. read more

Monsoon - Fried wontons - Vietnamese Near Me - Piedmont, California

service was good. very easy going place to eat. order at the front. they bring your food over in a timely manner. [[HIGHLIGHT]]nothing too exciting about the aesthetic of the place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] their combo pho when i went was thumbs down. i've been to over 50 pho restaurants in my life. Pho Dac Biet should not be this bland. lackluster flavor. their broth needs some spark. read more

I've ordered from this place every now and then over the past couple of years. But wow things have seriously gone downhill. We got takeout yesterday and it was a total mess. Not only did we overpay because they mess up our combo and give us the wrong dish, but the meat in everything tasted weird as well. To top it all off, my husband got food poisoning and was up all night with diarrhea. Honestly, if I could give zero stars, I would in a heartbeat! We're never setting foot in this place again! read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]The perfect " no frills " place[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. Pleasant staff and all three dishes were great! Ample servings.Bahn Min was the best I've had. If today wasn't Monday, I'd go back for lunch.! read more

The food is totally incredible and I would recommend this to anyone that loves Vietnamese food. I've been too many different restaurants on Piedmont Avenue and this is certainly one of my absolute favorites now. You owe it to yourself to go and try their sandwiches their spring rolls and whatever that pasta dish was that came with chicken and vegetables. read more

The customer service is bad. The server Julie had a bad attitude. I asked for extra jalapeño on the side, but was placed inside which was the regular amount. I paid extra for jalapeño. I don't recommend this spot for a bai mi sandwich. Go somewhere else. read more