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Had the tofu banh mi. Thought the bread was special, perfect combo of crunch and softness. However, the tofu, accompanying veggies, and sauce was very boring indeed. Wouldn't return, that's for sure. Definite bummer!
My friend and I stopped by on a weekday afternoon. It is a small space with decent amount of seating inside and outside. There was a line out the door. Grilled lemongrass pork banh mi (4/5): This was pretty good. The grill and flavor on the pork was my favorite. The banh mi wasn't as fresh and crisp but not too bad. Didn't really taste any of the pate. Tofu spring roll (4/5): The rolls were refreshing. It came with a peanut sauce that was only okay. This is a good little cafe to check out. The food is good and they have a variety of drinks.
Nowadays a $12 sandwich feels like a steal in San Francisco. This place also has a pretty significant caffeinated drink menu too. A great new gem for the neighborhood. Shrimp Spring Rolls: The extended scallion outside the wrap was novel and made it seem fresh. Lots of great veggies inside to balance out the shrimp. Nice peanut sauce. A yummy appetizer. Grilled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi: The first thing I noticed was the high quality and baguette-like roll. I'm so tired of banh mi with lazy/cheap rolls, so this was such a treat. Lots of veggies and pickled veggies for tang. The pork had a good flavor. Though the texture could have been a bit firmer/thinner/grilled than it was. But still a great lunch. Cold Cuts Special Banh Mi: I know the cold cuts are a classic banh mi, so I have put in my rotation occasionally. I was very impressed by the pork loaf, which seemed homemade. It was kinda mortadella adjacent. The headcheese texture was a bit too squeaky for me. Overall, it was solid, though I prefer the grilled meat fillings. Grilled Lemongrass Beef Vermicelli Noodles: Technically, this is a fine noodle bowl with lots of fresh veggies and a good amount of protein. However, the beef just wasn't that great. For starters, it didn't seem grilled in texture. More like lightly stir fried. And the quality wasn't amazing, with quite a few bits of chewy gristle and fat. Five Spice Grilled Chicken w/ Steamed Jasmine Rice: I think this five spice chicken is my favorite protein here. The flavor permeates all of the rich thigh meat. The texture is the right balance of firm grilling but still tender. The rice had a fun purple hue to it. Lots of veggies too, like the vermicelli bowl. Ca Phe Sua Da: A very intense Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Very strong coffee base which pairs great against the sweetened condensed milk. Egg Coffee: I asked about this, since I love egg coffee, and apparently it is an off-menu option. It takes a lot of whipping, hence why it's not listed. I ordered it a bit off-hours, when it wasn't busy, so had the time to wait and the time to enjoy it. Their version put the egg foam on iced coffee, rather than warm coffee. And it was super sized, so more egg foam than I'm used. It was sweet and custardy and foamy and delicious. I really appreciated savoring that moment.
Cute interior and nice location to eat at the park or waterfront! Great menu options as well - cold cuts banh mi : nice crunchy bread and decent filling. Wish there was more pate - did not get much in it. Would try a different meat next time - Vietnamese iced coffee: disappointed that it was mostly ice, otherwise it was great
First time at saigonese cafe after seeing it pop up on my TikTok a few times. Super easy walk to the end of the Levi plaza pretty much across from the exploratorium which is an excellent spot for everyone. We walked in on a Saturday morning and it was pretty much empty so we were able to really taken in the beauty of the cafe. We were immediately tended to and we ordered two drinks, the Saigonese coffee and the ube iced latte. The staff member was very attentive and our drinks came out pretty quick. They have both indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of different sized tables and they had a beautiful lunar new year tree that was stunning. Perfect place for a quiet coffee with lots of vibes! They also sell food but we weren't hungry that morning.
A cozy new cafe across from the Exploratorium that's quickly become one of my favorites. Stopped by on a Wednesday mid afternoon - the inside is brightly lit with lots of beautiful plants and a tree decorated for Lunar New Year. Plenty of seating and tables for working or spending time w friends. I ordered the following: - zesty orange matcha: I love matcha and orange, so this was such a good combo for me. The orange juice was fresh while the matcha came in at the end as the aftertaste. - grilled lemongrass pork banh mi: pork was warm and tender, the bread was fluffy and crispy. so good Staff were so friendly and came w the order within 10 min. They have a ton of specialty drinks and other food options so will definitely be back to try more!
Updating my review to confirm Saigonese Café has indeed become my go-to in SF. I come here almost every week, and just in the last month, I've stopped by 5 times and tried all 6 of the banh mi sandwiches. I thought this place would be a hidden gem, but that's definitely not the case. I'm quite happy to see it's popping off!! I'm such a regular here that Alex, the owner, recognizes me and knows me by name. It's so nice to have that level of familiarity in the city. I always feel well taken care of. When I first visited Saigonese Café, they still had holiday decorations up, but not long after, they changed it to tết decor in anticipation of the new year, and it looks absolutely stunning. Love the modernity and relevance! Also want to add that about 1-2 weeks ago, they added WiFi, which elevated this place to 11/10. Not only can I get the city's best banh mi and Viet teas, but I can also work here too for the win. It does not get any better than this!
So we decided to venture out to this area for a snack to hold us off for a few hours before dinner. I remember seeing this spot on social media. It's a warm and inviting cafe to enjoy a Banh mi and a hot latte! Perfect for the occasion! Cashier was in front to order and then have a seat at a table. It was about 2pm, yet it was lively and somewhat busy. Luckily, we found a table next to the Christmas tree. When our food was ready, they brought it to our table. ***OUR PICKS*** LEMONGRASS BEEF BANH MI SANDWICH ~ tasty beef surrounded by yummy veggies with nicely toasted bread! My partner thought the beef should be sliced thinner to absorb the marinade better and it would be better enjoyed eating thin than thick. I share his sentiment, but thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the sandwich! If only we had our own sandwiches, we would have been able to try a different type of meat to compare. 4/5 HOT MATCHA LATTE ~ ever so lightly sweetened! Just the way I like it! 5/5 For just a snack, it hit the spot for me! It's been a while since I had bread this crispy. Makes a world of difference! Ambiance got us into the holiday spirit and food was delicious!
I saw this was a new coffee shop and banh mi place near my gym, so I had to go after a workout class! I really enjoyed my ube latte. The banh mis looked delicious--they were very popular, I saw people in front of me get them. The decorations and decor is very nice inside. There was someone doing work and another person reading inside as they have a few tables. Will be back for the frozen coconut coffee! Service was very good.
Cozy interior with lots of seating inside this brick historic building and lots of plant decor Drinks and food were delicious -- toasty banhmi with housemade paté! My favorite is their ube coffee and they make their syrups in house too!
A very welcomed addition of this new lunch spot! lnside is quaint and relaxing with a very chill vibe. The barista who took my order and made my beverage is so sweet and friendly. Ordered the Cold Cut Special and an iced Matcha latte. The taste of the sandwich definitely hit different from all Banh Mi's I've had-from Oakland to San Jose, to LA, so I had to inquire! French roll and meats, are picked up daily from San Jose (IYKYK). Pickled veggies are home made vs the usual prepared/bought, which was very apparent. Butter and pate delicious, complimented by the cinnamon pork loaf and topped with a secret sauce. Matcha also on point. I'm a satisfied patron and can't wait to try the beef & vermicelli next!
This place is so well decorated inside. The bahn mi was yummy, and it looks like they have a good drink menu too. It was small inside for the amount of customers they had, but I was still able to get a table. I'll be back!
A great stop for banh mis, coffee, and other delicious Vietnamese treats. This cute and cozy gem is a great new addition to the city's cafe scene. The owners are super nice and the service was fairly quick.
The Embarcadero has so many places to eat and drink. You can just go to the Ferry Building and think there is just enough places just at one place especially during the Farmers Market. There is a place hidden but in plain sight in the cuts of the Embarcadero. It's located a block away from the water of Pacific Ocean and the Exploratorium. There is one thing this place has the Ferry Building doesn't is good Banh Mi and a quiet space. It's located on 1 Union street in SF and it's called Saigonese. On a Summer stroll on The Embarcadero of San Francisco. I landed inside 1 Union street at Saigonese. There is outside seating in front of Saigonese and inside feels like you stepped into a garden and a plant habitat. The decor is relaxing and welcoming. I decide to get their combination Banh Mi. There were veggies and good cuts of meats along with a French baguette for the Banh Mi. It had good taste and the bread wasn't too flakey like some in SF. I washed it down with a Cà Phê Sữa Đá which had a good kick to it. They also sell vermicelli ( not angel hair ) noodles. You can also grab an Ube ice Coffee and Matcha for Don Juan de la Matcha. This place is only open on weekdays. A great place to enjoy Vietnamese drink and food. Come get a sandwich with veggies and no "cheese" it can be flakey like some in SF and is located a block away from North Pacific Ocean one of the "seven seas "on a cool around San Francisco Embarcadero enjoy the "breeze"and have a Banh Mi at "Saigonese" Take a trip the week of the World Championships in SF for" Pokémon" a digital character which is digitally "drawn"and come enjoy with me a tasty treat with a " Banh" with the one and only cool "Don Juan" read more
Super cute place I always kept passing by while on my way to work. Good: - Good portion sizes! The pork vermicelli bowl was quite large - The interior is really beautiful - it's nature themed and well lit - There is a lot of seating inside and we found a table instantly, the line moves quick too Bad: - The vermicelli was ok - it was filling but didn't blow my mind - I would have gotten a sweeter matcha latter it was Overall would try the banh mi next time. The vermicelli was just ok read more
3 months ago
cute neighborhood cafe that is super busy at lunch thanks to nearby office workers. most seemed to be regulars, chatting it up with the gal at the register, which was endearing. according to my coworker, they tend to sell out of items often, so late lunchgoers beware! ube viet coffee is great. and for $6?? i will def be back when i need an afternoon boost. cold cut banh mi could be a bit more filling, but the price is good (i think $12). will be back to try more items! some seating inside and outside, and turnover seems to be quick. read more
2 days ago
My friend and I stopped by on a weekday afternoon. It is a small space with decent amount of seating inside and outside. There was a line out the door. Grilled lemongrass pork banh mi (4/5): This was pretty good. The grill and flavor on the pork was my favorite. The banh mi wasn't as fresh and crisp but not too bad. Didn't really taste any of the pate. Tofu spring roll (4/5): The rolls were refreshing. It came with a peanut sauce that was only okay. This is a good little cafe to check out. The food is good and they have a variety of drinks. read more
Nowadays a $12 sandwich feels like a steal in San Francisco. This place also has a pretty significant caffeinated drink menu too. A great new gem for the neighborhood. Shrimp Spring Rolls: The extended scallion outside the wrap was novel and made it seem fresh. Lots of great veggies inside to balance out the shrimp. Nice peanut sauce. A yummy appetizer. Grilled Lemongrass Pork Banh Mi: The first thing I noticed was the high quality and baguette-like roll. I'm so tired of banh mi with lazy/cheap rolls, so this was such a treat. Lots of veggies and pickled veggies for tang. The pork had a good flavor. Though the texture could have been a bit firmer/thinner/grilled than it was. But still a great lunch. Cold Cuts Special Banh Mi: I know the cold cuts are a classic banh mi, so I have put in my rotation occasionally. I was very impressed by the pork loaf, which seemed homemade. It was kinda mortadella adjacent. The headcheese texture was a bit too squeaky for me. Overall, it was solid, though I prefer the grilled meat fillings. Grilled Lemongrass Beef Vermicelli Noodles: Technically, this is a fine noodle bowl with lots of fresh veggies and a good amount of protein. However, the beef just wasn't that great. For starters, it didn't seem grilled in texture. More like lightly stir fried. And the quality wasn't amazing, with quite a few bits of chewy gristle and fat. Five Spice Grilled Chicken w/ Steamed Jasmine Rice: I think this five spice chicken is my favorite protein here. The flavor permeates all of the rich thigh meat. The texture is the right balance of firm grilling but still tender. The rice had a fun purple hue to it. Lots of veggies too, like the vermicelli bowl. Ca Phe Sua Da: A very intense Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Very strong coffee base which pairs great against the sweetened condensed milk. Egg Coffee: I asked about this, since I love egg coffee, and apparently it is an off-menu option. It takes a lot of whipping, hence why it's not listed. I ordered it a bit off-hours, when it wasn't busy, so had the time to wait and the time to enjoy it. Their version put the egg foam on iced coffee, rather than warm coffee. And it was super sized, so more egg foam than I'm used. It was sweet and custardy and foamy and delicious. I really appreciated savoring that moment. read more
Cute interior and nice location to eat at the park or waterfront! Great menu options as well - cold cuts banh mi : nice crunchy bread and decent filling. Wish there was more pate - did not get much in it. Would try a different meat next time - Vietnamese iced coffee: disappointed that it was mostly ice, otherwise it was great read more
8 months ago
First time at saigonese cafe after seeing it pop up on my TikTok a few times. Super easy walk to the end of the Levi plaza pretty much across from the exploratorium which is an excellent spot for everyone. We walked in on a Saturday morning and it was pretty much empty so we were able to really taken in the beauty of the cafe. We were immediately tended to and we ordered two drinks, the Saigonese coffee and the ube iced latte. The staff member was very attentive and our drinks came out pretty quick. They have both indoor and outdoor seating with plenty of different sized tables and they had a beautiful lunar new year tree that was stunning. Perfect place for a quiet coffee with lots of vibes! They also sell food but we weren't hungry that morning. read more
8 months ago
A cozy new cafe across from the Exploratorium that's quickly become one of my favorites. Stopped by on a Wednesday mid afternoon - the inside is brightly lit with lots of beautiful plants and a tree decorated for Lunar New Year. Plenty of seating and tables for working or spending time w friends. I ordered the following: - zesty orange matcha: I love matcha and orange, so this was such a good combo for me. The orange juice was fresh while the matcha came in at the end as the aftertaste. - grilled lemongrass pork banh mi: pork was warm and tender, the bread was fluffy and crispy. so good Staff were so friendly and came w the order within 10 min. They have a ton of specialty drinks and other food options so will definitely be back to try more! read more
Updating my review to confirm Saigonese Café has indeed become my go-to in SF. I come here almost every week, and just in the last month, I've stopped by 5 times and tried all 6 of the banh mi sandwiches. I thought this place would be a hidden gem, but that's definitely not the case. I'm quite happy to see it's popping off!! I'm such a regular here that Alex, the owner, recognizes me and knows me by name. It's so nice to have that level of familiarity in the city. I always feel well taken care of. When I first visited Saigonese Café, they still had holiday decorations up, but not long after, they changed it to tết decor in anticipation of the new year, and it looks absolutely stunning. Love the modernity and relevance! Also want to add that about 1-2 weeks ago, they added WiFi, which elevated this place to 11/10. Not only can I get the city's best banh mi and Viet teas, but I can also work here too for the win. It does not get any better than this! read more
So we decided to venture out to this area for a snack to hold us off for a few hours before dinner. I remember seeing this spot on social media. It's a warm and inviting cafe to enjoy a Banh mi and a hot latte! Perfect for the occasion! Cashier was in front to order and then have a seat at a table. It was about 2pm, yet it was lively and somewhat busy. Luckily, we found a table next to the Christmas tree. When our food was ready, they brought it to our table. ***OUR PICKS*** LEMONGRASS BEEF BANH MI SANDWICH ~ tasty beef surrounded by yummy veggies with nicely toasted bread! My partner thought the beef should be sliced thinner to absorb the marinade better and it would be better enjoyed eating thin than thick. I share his sentiment, but thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the sandwich! If only we had our own sandwiches, we would have been able to try a different type of meat to compare. 4/5 HOT MATCHA LATTE ~ ever so lightly sweetened! Just the way I like it! 5/5 For just a snack, it hit the spot for me! It's been a while since I had bread this crispy. Makes a world of difference! Ambiance got us into the holiday spirit and food was delicious! read more
I saw this was a new coffee shop and banh mi place near my gym, so I had to go after a workout class! I really enjoyed my ube latte. The banh mis looked delicious--they were very popular, I saw people in front of me get them. The decorations and decor is very nice inside. There was someone doing work and another person reading inside as they have a few tables. Will be back for the frozen coconut coffee! Service was very good. read more
2 days ago
10 months ago
Cozy interior with lots of seating inside this brick historic building and lots of plant decor Drinks and food were delicious -- toasty banhmi with housemade paté! My favorite is their ube coffee and they make their syrups in house too! read more
11 days ago
10 months ago
A very welcomed addition of this new lunch spot! lnside is quaint and relaxing with a very chill vibe. The barista who took my order and made my beverage is so sweet and friendly. Ordered the Cold Cut Special and an iced Matcha latte. The taste of the sandwich definitely hit different from all Banh Mi's I've had-from Oakland to San Jose, to LA, so I had to inquire! French roll and meats, are picked up daily from San Jose (IYKYK). Pickled veggies are home made vs the usual prepared/bought, which was very apparent. Butter and pate delicious, complimented by the cinnamon pork loaf and topped with a secret sauce. Matcha also on point. I'm a satisfied patron and can't wait to try the beef & vermicelli next! read more
This place is so well decorated inside. The bahn mi was yummy, and it looks like they have a good drink menu too. It was small inside for the amount of customers they had, but I was still able to get a table. I'll be back! read more
3 months ago
7 months ago
This spot finally reopened with a new business and the Saigonese Cafe is it. It's conveniently across the street from the parking lot from the exploratorium. Both lunch crowds from the Levi's and Pottery Barn corporate offices come here to grab delicious bowls and sandwiches. The cafe itself is small but has great ambience, customer service and quality food. I tried the vermicelli bowl w/chicken. The portion was just right and super filling. I wish there was more space to eat there because it's so nice and chill. About the worst thing you'll encounter here are long lines! They do move fast but be prepared at this popular stop. read more
9 months ago
The bread was fresh and the banh mi was delicious with the house made pate. I also tried the ube iced coffee. It was strong, flavorful, and not overly sweet. I loved that there's a wide selection of Vietnamese coffee and drinks to choose from. There are a few tables inside and outside. The interior is cozy. The staff was super friendly and took the time to explain the different options. I'm excited to come back and try more items on the menu! read more
9 months ago
I was skeptical at first given its in a touristy spot but this place blew my socks off with how good their food and drinks were. Me and my partner always judge a place based on how good their nuoc mam is and this place by far probably have the best fish sauce I've had. They make their nuoc mam sweeter than your usual and stickier which coats the protein perfectly. As for their coffee, I'm an avid fan of vietnamese coffee however I tend to hold off on getting them because they tend to be super sweet because of the condensed milk however their coffee here are amazing - a perfect balance of the strength of the coffee and not too sweet. Our server was also super friendly who explained to us why their food is different from your usual vietnamese spot and they did not disappoint. I'm incredibly happy that this spot is walking distance to where we live as this will definitely gonna our new go to spot. Note I never finish my food cause I have a tummy issues but I did not care finishing everything we got cause it was amazing. Chefs kiss. read more
6 months ago
Came here to buy some banh mi for my daughter who is into banh mi right now. While I was waiting, a coworker came in asking if I was ordering breakfast and told me how great the sandwiches were. Well, my daughter ended up only getting half a sandwich because it smelled so good. The crisp on the bread was perfect. The pork was so tasty she was lucky I saved her half! Hope this place does well as it is a great place for breakfast and lunch! read more
28 days ago
3 months ago
8 months ago
8 months ago
Great banhmi that won't hurt the roof of your mouth Friendly staff that don't mind working on my custom orders (Coffee is great not gonna lie) Neat Decor (Definitely not a paid promotion in any form) In office around the area 2-3 days a week throughout Dec - Jan, and got the same order every morning read more
9 months ago
why is no one talking about this spot lol i don't even write long reviews but this place needs some love came at 2:30 on a saturday, plenty of seating (they only had a few stragglers here and there). owner was so incredibly nice from the get go, explained the menu and we ended up with bun thit nuong (vermicelli with lemon grass pork), banh mi with five spiced chicken, ube iced coffee, and lychee refresher i'm just gonna say - their nuoc mam is the best in the city. point blank PERIOD. the fish sauce makes or breaks the entire dish (for bun thit nuong) and wow, their nuoc mam was like liquid gold - viscous, coats everything so nicely, slightly sweeter. you just have to try it for yourself. as for their banh mi, so moist and proportions were on point. i hate when banh mis aren't correctly proportioned (more bread, more patè, etc). so flavorful too, can actually taste the five spiced chicken unlike other spots the ube coffee is a must no questions asked. so well balanced they knew what they were doing this place is so cute, perfect for lunch date - need to come!! read more
9 months ago
Very yummy and especially with fish sauce to dip for the rolls also tried their drinks the ube and coconut coffees didn't take a pic but i really enjoyed those recommend to go here!! as well the ambience is so nice and pretty chill there!! read more
7 months ago
Food: 5/5! Have tried the noodles, pork banhmi , and just tried the cold cut for the first time! I love it! Crispy Banh mi, full of flavors and quality meat. I waited my banh mi for less than 10mins on Thursday afternoon. Expect 10-15 wait during lunch time! Ambience: very cozy ~ Service : they're very welcoming ! Good vibes only Please check them out! read more
10 months ago
This place is AWESOME!!! So many choices of Premium Vietnamese Coffee and refreshing drinks to choose from! So far I've tried the following: Grilled lemon grass pork Banh Mi Sandwich Grilled lemon Grass Beef Banh Mi sandwich Cá Phê Sũa Dá - (strong iced coffee drink) Saigonese Latte Hot and Iced - perfection Frozen coconut coffee - perfect in a hot day Matcha Latte Hot - premium matcha Peach Herb Iced Tea (these iced teas are divine) Lychee Citrus Iced Tea I LOVE IT ALL!!!! I've been able to try all these different items and have ENJOYED each and every one! Makes me excited to go back and try the next menu item. Great vibes from owner and staff combined with a pleasant plant ambiance. I will definitely be a regular at this little Gem! read more
5 months ago
Came by early in the morning to get Coffee and did not disappoint! Very flavorful and rich! Nice little nook place read more
6 months ago
6 months ago
7 months ago
7 months ago
Probably one of the best little cafes I've come across in SF. Prices are extremely affordable and within a daily lunch budget at least for me. While working and eating out in SF everyday can be pricey Saigonese is my new gem. All the food items are delicious and drinks are so refreshing..... read more
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More info about Saigonese Cafe
1 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94111
North Beach/Telegraph Hill
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(415) 919-9779
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