Back in September when I was working in Berkeley, I hit up this place whenever I was craving pho. I think I got takeout twice from here, and all the times, the food was pretty tasty. The service is friendly and efficient. They do have safety protocols implement at this place so that's great. I felt safe in getting food from there. I remember the first time that I was there, the guy helped open the door for me so that was very kind of him. This is a great Vietnamese spot in the area, and I'm glad that it was nearby where I worked. I would say 4.5 stars, but I'll round up the overall rating because of the staff and service. read more

Small acts of kindness go a long way!! I was walking around in the area when I noticed I started leaking blood (period problems). Most places won't allow use of the bathroom, even with purchase of food. I stopped into Saigon Express and asked if I could use the restroom if I purchased something. The man was a bit reluctant at first but I told him I was on my period. He quickly said, "Oh yes, that's an emergency." And rushed me to the bathroom. I thought that was so sweet so I thanked him very much. After I was done, I ordered some yummy spring rolls and when he gave me my order, he added a chocolate just to be sweet :) he smiled at me, as if to say, "chocolate seems to help." It's the small acts of human kindness that go so far. Plus, the shrimp spring rolls were bomb :) read more

Saigon Express - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

This review is only for the banh mis but the banh mis here are pretty good. I think flavor wise they taste far better than anything else I've had in Berkeley. They're also a bit cheaper. Workers here are really friendly and they usually have your sandwich made pretty fast. I usually get the #1 combination and it's delicious. read more

The vibes here are always nice. The staff is super friendly and the food comes fast. Everything is very tasty and very reasonably priced! Love this place for a quick lunch. read more

Saigon Express - Saigon Coffee - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Very warm and friendly customer service. The food was delicious and authentic coming from a Viet. Recommended to students in the Berkeley area for the viet coffee and fast service. Clean dining space as well. read more

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It was super good!!! The workers were very nice and service was fast. I ordered Banh mi and they were delicious

This was my go to viet place in college. 10 years later, they still have the best value banh mi in the bay. Can't go wrong with a $6 banh mi. read more

On my walk back home, I opted to get a #5 grilled pork banh mi (without jalapenos)! I enjoyed it, but I found the meat to be a bit too sweet. The radish and carrots are pickled well. Located in downtown Berkeley, it is a convenient location, as it is close to Bart and also close to UC Berkeley (good for students)! The price is very reasonable, as it was only $3-$4 for a sandwich. They also prepare their food quickly, and I literally got my food immediately after I paid. Bring some cash because they don't take card unless the amount is over $5! read more

Saigon Express - 02.09.18 #5 grilled pork (no jalapenos) - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

The first time I came here, I just grabbed a banh mi and was pretty unimpressed, but I'm glad I gave it a second try! On my second visit, I actually ventured further into the restaurant and discovered they have a seating area in the back! I think a lot of people (including me) usually pass over this place because it looks sort of shack-ish from the front, but it's actually pretty nice. I had been looking for a pho place since Anh Hong closed, and Saigon Express did just fine. The noodles, meat, and broth were exactly as I'd expect - no complaints here! Prices are good too. This will probably be one of my go to places when I'm looking for cheap asian eats in downtown. Still, I'd probably skip the banh mi. It's a great deal in terms of food quantity, but the bread is a bit tough and the bread:not-bread ratio is not ideal. read more

Saigon Express - Combination pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Pretty much everything you'll expect from a Vietnamese restaurant but geared towards college kids in a hurry. If you want it your way this isn't the place to go. I wanted to add meat balls to a sandwich and they were not willing to do it even though I was willing to pay. read more

The prices for what you get here simply can't be beat! My Vietnamese friend loves this place because it reminds her of home, with authentic recipes and generous portion sizes. Like the banh mi here is $6!!! That's amazing for a place situated in downtown Berkeley, and it makes for a great lunch stop for local workers and students. I personally love getting their bun bo hue and pho. The broth for both is super flavorful and rich, and the bun bo hue is actually spicy! A lot of places I've been to serve mild or non spicy bun bo hue, but this place doesn't skimp out on the spice! It's a good, warm, sinus clearing kind of spicy, mmm. I could go on about this place, but Saigon Express is a must-try! The staff here is also very nice and they remind me of my grandparents :) read more

Saigon Express - Bun bo hue - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Been coming here for a few years now for cheap and fast pho and a chill eating environment. I always get the seafood pho, which is decent. I wish they would serve a bit more bean sprouts with the pho, but at their price point I can't complain! Had the fishcake banh mi once -- the bread was really flaky/had a lot of crumbs, but it was a good size and for only $3.95! Today I ordered veggie fried rice to go (arrived around 7:50 and they weren't serving banh mi anymore) and it came out quickly. I thought it was considerate of the worker to point out that the takeout container was really hot -- it was too hot for me to hold in my hands for long -- and he put some napkins on the bottom, and then double bagged it. The fried rice was a large portion with lots of fried tofu. It wasn't salty at all, which I appreciate a lot because I try to avoid excessive sodium but that can be hard to do with restaurant food. Overall l appreciate this place for the great prices and yummy food, and will continue coming back. read more

The roasted pork bahn mi so goooddd !!! My go to place !!!! U should try the place is good too read more

Saigon Express - Love the bahn mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Love this place. Yummy sandwiches go great with a can of grass jelly drink. Enthusiastic customer service, quick prep, and great value. Wonderful location for people watching. read more

Food was okay. Small portion, meat was dry, dish that should be saucy was not. A general side comment on eating out: it has become so expensive. For the money I spent here, I can go to a supermarket and buy some premium ready-to-eat items and have a much more filling and satisfying meal. read more

The bhi mi sandwich is very good. And the gentleman who works behind the counter is very polite and nice. I highly recommend this business to anyone looking for some good food read more

Chicken fried rice fantaboulous!! Nom nom ! Wasn't that hungry but who can pass up fried rice . Very flavorful, I normally use pepper or sriracha . It can stand alone , unless you have Godzilla taste buds . Haha! read more

Saigon Express - Chicken fried Rice ! - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Intro: This little place near downtown Berkeley has been one of my go-to hidden gems. I would often come here during my time in undergrad for a quick takeout lunch and I recently returned after graduating and am pleased to see that it is not only open, but the food is just as good as I remember. Getting There: It is located on the corner and is unassuming and easy to miss. As is most places in Berkeley, parking is going to be a bit challenging. Food: I would say their pho is not bad and is definitely on the better side of what is offered in Berkeley. But their star is their banh mi sandwiches. They are so flavorful and a perfect lunch to order to-go. The bread is crispy and serves as a perfect vessel to hold the delicious proteins inside. My favorite is the roasted pork (pictured), but a lot of the meats are marinated well and super juicy. The sandwiches include some fresh vegetables to balance out the flavors, some cilantro for some herbaciousness, and some jalapenos for a kick. Overall, every bite is a perfect symphony. Final Say (tl;dr): If you want some relatively cheap Vietnamese style eats, this is the place to go! Especially for their banh mi! read more

Saigon Express - Pork banh mi - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

As a Viet from socal, I was feeling a little homesick and wanted a banh mi that would satisfy me. I haven't spoken Vietnamese to anyone (besides my mom over the phone) in a while so I was excited to order and speak in my native tongue. The man who took my order was so nice and after talking to him for a bit, I felt a lot better! He even wished me good luck with studying. I got a bánh mì đặc biệt with extra pate for only $7, I'm from San Diego so it would've been at least $2 more. The bánh mì did not destroy the roof of my mouth which happens with many banh mis I've had. It had a nice crunch on the outside and was soft on the inside. I also enjoyed how fresh the veggies were. Overall, I would definitely be back! Cảm ơn :) read more

Saigon Express - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

My go to Vietnamese restaurant in Berkeley. They have very reasonable prices and make fresh and delicious food. My favorite dish here is the vermicelli. The employees are also very nice and it is easy to tell they care about the customers. read more

Loved the banh mi sandwiches!! I ordered the veggie shredded tofu and it was one of the best vegetarian banh mi I've ever tasted! Prices are on par with other vietnamese sandwich places but compared with the typical prices for a meal in Berkeley, this place definitely gives you the most bang for your buck! Try their veggie banh mi and you won't be disappointed! read more

Food comes out very fast and there's plenty of seating towards the back and by the window even though it's a rather small space. You order and pay at the cash register, they'll bring the food to you! Bun Thit Nuong (vermicelli bowl with grilled pork and egg roll) was very good. The pork was flavorful and there was a generous portion. The fish sauce is also perfect. Banh Mi Thit Nuong (grilled pork banh mi) was super flavorful and the amount of pork was actually a lot. The pickled radish and daikon was perfect. Even though the bread was rather soft, the filling makes up for it. Banh Mi Dac Biet (combination banh mi) was also just as good and flavorful. In contrast, Banh Mi Ba Le gives ridiculously small portions of meat! At a much more affordable price and greater portions/flavor, banh mis here are great for college students. read more

Saigon Express - Bun thit nuong cha gio ($8.25 w/ tax) - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Love this place for cheap eats! I always get #5, the Vietnamese sandwich with grilled pork. The flavor is good, and the food is consistent each time I go. Love the $3.95 price! The baguette itself sometimes crumbles a lot, but overall I love the sandwich and keep ordering it. I recommend this place for anyone looking for a quick and cheap eat! read more

Saigon Express - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

Saigon Express is the best Banh Mi in the East Bay in my opinion, having tried Ba Le amongst other staples in the east bay. Their Veggie or #2 is unmatched in taste and flavor, it's incredible and the prices are ~$5 per sandwich. Fast and speedy service and all of their staff is extremely respectful and they know me by name and face. The only thing this place is missing is Sugarcane juice. I would highly recommend investing the $1000 in this machine as I think you'll sell a lot of it in the area and it's an extremely popular drink that I'd love. Thanks for your awesome service, food and hospitality and Ill continue to support this business weekly. read more

This has been one of my go-to places for pho for years now. You can't beat the price here; their sandwiches are especially extremely affordable. The pho portions are huge and there are a bunch of ways you can mix and match beef parts depending on what you like. The service is also impeccable, and the food comes out extremely quickly. It has a very casual ambiance and is close to the Downtown Berkeley BART station. I also highly recommend their fresh spring rolls and the salad bowl with protein choices of your choosing; the salad bowl is not actually really a salad, as it comes with rice noodles are well and is extremely filling read more

Saigon Express - Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

The restaurant is a very basic place. There's nothing special about this place. The kitchen and the presentation of the cooking area is very basic. The food was good and came out in a decent amount of time. The price of the Phõ wasn't amazing bit it wasn't expensive either. All and all I would return here again but I wasn't blown away by anything I got or the restaurant itself. read more

Saigon Express - Meatballs and Brisket PHŌ - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Quick, casual place to grab pho. Pho is decently priced for the Berkeley area. Pho is okay...the soup seems to be a bit bland and the meat isn't as fresh/nice as other more "upscale" pho restaurants. It's still okay enough for me to stop by on my way home. Don't expect good service- it's just part of the business model. You order food at the counter and then sit down at the tables. They will bring the food to you. The staff here- probably part of the family business- seem to speak mediocre English so they may seem curt to you but I'm sure they're nice people. 3 shrimp spring rolls + pho + glass coke = $17.25 read more

Four stars is really like 3.2. I ordered the Chicken Clay Pot and it was "aight". It was not bad. It was not life-changing. It was really regular. I had high hopes and I was hungry. The man that brought it to me was nice. They took a credit card. It was pretty cheap in the scheme of things. read more

So I don't eat here very often but occasionally ill stop by for a quick banh mi. Here is what I've discovered in 3 years of eating here: - Soups are watered down and not flavorful. - Food comes out really quickly (hence the fast food quality) - banh mi are solid, don't underestimate the jalapeño - vermicelli salad bowl are sooo good (ask for no peanuts if you have an allergy) read more

Saigon Express - Bun bo heu - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is a small little place that doesn't really stand out located on shattuck. I've heard the pho here is decent, so I came to try it with a friend for dinner one night. When you walk in, you'll see the kitchen and a few tables. There's more tables when you walk towards the back and up the stairs. The tables were all pretty dirty and you could tell they weren't cleaned. The hanging lights were also so low that it was impossible not to hit your head on them - watch out! As for the food, I got the rare beef steak pho and my friend ordered the seafood pho. The seafood pho was not fulfilling at all for my friend. He complained they only had imitation crab and there was barely any seafood content. My rare beef steak pho was okay, but the broth was way too oily for my liking. It was good but the environment and the food is not worth going back to again. read more

Saigon Express - #22 - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

** Banh Mi review only ** Small menu with about half a dozen each of Banh Mi, Pho, and Bun dishes plus some steam table items. Banh Mi range from $2.75 (pate or ham) to $3.20 (combo) with vegetarian & tofu options to go with the meat choices. I ordered a grilled pork (thit nuong) & a combo (ham, head cheese, pate) with no cilantro for just under $7 including tax. When I first unwrapped my sandwiches I couldn't see any filling (Yelp lost my picture due to a network error. Does it save the pictures somewhere secret on my phone?), just a baguette with a slice down the side. As I ripped them in half I could finally see something other than bread (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/I9kf1m-IId8TTviGeoZMdg?select=dPvgI03wTtHLca5XLmEBiQ). The baguettes themselves were nicely toasted with a crisp crust and soft insides. I started with the grilled pork. The pork was very thinly sliced and a bit dry and underseasoned. The pickled daikon & carrots also were both not very strongly flavored and limp with not much crunch. Overall the bread to filling ratio was too much for the bland fillings and the strongest flavor came from the soy sauce sprinkled on the sandwich. The combo sandwich was more flavorful with the cold cuts and pate being more assertive, but the flavors were a little off like maybe not the freshest ingredients. Again the weak veggies and large bread to filling ratio didn't provide the flavor contrast you find in a great (or even very good) Banh Mi. read more

Saigon Express - Vietnamese Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have had banh mi here a couple of times. It is honestly pretty good for $5. I usually get banh mi dac biet and it is loaded with meat and fresh veggie. Perfect for roadtrip or picnic or if you want a quick meal. I also had their eggrolls, very solid, they fry it as you order and it come out hot and crispy. I would recommend you give this place a try. read more

I love the customer service. The food was so good and authentic. It's convenient and so delicious. The shop itself is cute I love it. The owners are such sweet people and make me feel so welcome as if I've known them for my whole life. definitely come here. read more

This place is awesome! It's express! I'm not sure what the more critical reviewers expect. Bun bo hue kept me alive while I studied. I drank the broth and felt a skillful Vietnamese street vendor watching me from above, who sprinkled cilantro and fatty beef tendon all over me. read more

Every dish I've ordered from this place has been delicious so far! They definitely don't skimp out on the servings and ooomph the flavor is all there! Super friendly staff as well :) thank you for never disappointing! read more

Owner is very personable, but the rice vermicelli bowl was so disappointing and prices seemed to have raised too

Quick and cheap Vietnamese food. This is the best pho I've had in a while, and the fixings are exactly what I'd hope to dress my soup with. It definitely tastes like that of a southern Vietnamese variety. However, even when ordering a large size, the person preparing it has small hands. The rolls were okay- I was a little disappointed with the amount of rice vermicelli ratio to everything else. Also, the shrimp was sliced in half so you get about half as much as what it looks like from the outside. Still, they did the trick. The bahn mi won't be a menu choice for me if I return, as the spicy pork was way too sweet to enjoy all the way through. The bread was soft and fresh, but I was definitely hoping for something a bit more savory and tart. It reminded of eating granulated sugar. Overall, very reasonably priced and always busy. If you're hankering for some noodles, you could definitely do worse elsewhere. read more

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Haven't been here in several years (before the days of reviewing on Yelp), so I came back here to see what's up. We got: Pork Eggrolls (3) - This was pretty deep-fried, so the outer crust was super flaky and crispy. The inside was filled with minced pork, as well as some strands of vermicelli, which I thought was interesting. Despite the deeply satisfying outer shell, the inside didn't quite meet my expectations, as it wasn't as porky as I thought it would be. For reference, I like the ones from Pho Saigon II, even though they aren't as fried and crispy as these. Chicken Eggplant Basil - This is a classic Southeast Asian dish that I see all the time, especially in Thai restaurants. Unlike other variants that I've had, the eggplant wasn't very mushy, so the eggplant retained a lot the water that it had. I thought the flavor was pretty good overall, though probably less flavorful from somewhere like Thai Basil (also less salty!); this makes sense since the flavor doesn't quite permeate the eggplant as much as if it had been cooked longer. Chicken Coconut Curry - This was a typical southeast asian curry that has a coconut cream base, with pieces of celery, zucchini, bell peppers, carrot and chicken. Very creamy. While it smelled very strongly of coconut, it did not taste like it as much (which I enjoy) I liked what I had here; I remember trying pho in the past, but don't remember what it tasted like, since it was several years ago. One thing to note, is that all the pieces of vegetables and chicken were quite largely cut, which wasn't a bad thing, I think; I'm just more used to having smaller bite-sized pieces. read more

A little while after I moved to Berkeley for school, I started to develop this insatiable craving for Asian food. Growing up in the San Gabriel Valley which is considered to be the largest Chinatown (that's not actually considered to be Chinatown), there has always been a abundance of good Asian food literally everywhere. Since I was in a new area and the accessibility to Asian food was limited, I decided that I had to find new go to spots to curve my cravings. Thus began my search to fill this newly formed void in my soul. One day, I was on the west side of the UC Berkeley campus near the crescent lawn after finishing my day of instructions, I decided to give Saigon Express a visit. I ordered my food at the counter and waited a couple minutes for it to be brought out to me. The smell coming from this bowl of Combo Beef Pho was mild. Ratio of noodles to meat was a bit disappointing to say the least. But it's also a cheap bowl considering how everything here in the Bay is more expensive. I didn't think much of it and after adding the better looking veggies, I dug in. The broth, much like the aroma, was mild. Nothing particularly stood out to me about this bowl of pho. Perhaps the other food they offer here is better than what I had. Must have been in and out within 25 minutes. Not the best pho I've had, but also not the worst pho I've had. Definitely been spoiled with the cheap and delicious food I grew up with back home Tl;dr: cheap prices. come here if you're really in need for some Vietnamese food. read more

I love Bahn Mi but find that many Vietnamese sandwich shops don't have the meatball variety. (Lee's is another one who does). Sandwichs here are tasty and the rolls are fresh and crunchy. I think they make a great shrimp roll too. Price can't be beat. read more