i have gone to tamarind tree countless times in the past and haven't been there in at least a year or more. we went for lunch and i was used to it being packed with people who work on pill hill or the i.d. but surprisingly, it was quite empty with only a handful of tables occupied. is that due to the razed building in front of where tamarind tree is located or the precarious/sketchy nature of the main corner of little saigon at 12th and jackson? either way there we're noticeably less people eating during prime lunch hours. the food was exactly the same quality and presentation i remembered. it came out relatively quickly and tasted good. i visited the bathroom at the end of our meal and this was where the noticeable difference was: it just looks run down and shoddy. it was clean but definitely not maintained well over the years. in general, tamarind tree used to be such a popular place to eat. it will still be a place i'll go but my overall impression is that it isn't what it used to be; it's seen better days. read more

Came with a friend to try some Vietnamese dishes that are a bit more challenging to find in NYC and it hit the spot! It's a bit pricey for the portions, but overall we enjoyed our meal and I really liked trying dishes beyond the typical spring roll/pho/rice place. Here's what we ordered: - Baby clams with rice cracker: Generous portion of clams, paired nicely with the crunchy cracker. - Braised fish pot: Make sure you eat this with rice as it can be a bit on the salty side, but super flavorful. - Tamarind tree soup: A great combination of sweet and sour with lots of veggies. Wish there was more protein. It's located in a bit of a sketchy mall, but it's one of the nicer restaurants located within the mall. The food took a longer than we were expecting, service was a bit more short, but overall it's a nicer sit-down Vietnamese restaurant in the area! read more

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I decided to try their Bun Bo Bue, and it was good, not great. The broth wasn't as flavorful as I liked it to be. The noodles were a bit overcooked. It also cost $20 which is a bit pricey. The meat was cooked well and was tasty, but I wished they added more beef. The service was okay. The server wasn't enthusiastic or anything. The dish didn't take long to make though. Ambiance continues to be really good! It'd be good for an occasion night or date. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

a so-so Vietnamese restaurant. The vibe is nice and the atmosphere is friendly and comfortable. It's a pleasant place to sit and eat. Good service. However, the food is a little plain and not very authentic. One dish I did like was the cá kho. The fish was cooked well and tasted fresh, with no fishy smell. That dish stood out more than the others. read more

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Lowkey was very skeptical about coming here at first, but regretted not coming here sooner. I got a large pho with beef and meatballs! The broth was extremely flavorful and to be honest it could've gone without the seasoning, but I love a little kick. Usually restaurants tend to skimp out on the portioning, yet true to their words it was LARGE. Our server was very kind, the food came out at a good time and overall a good experience with no complaints. It's a larger restaurant with indoor seating as well as outdoor seating when the weather permits I believe. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Not a bad Vietnamese food place. We were seated quickly and didn't have to wait long for our orders to be taken. There was a good selection of Vietnamese dishes to choose from. The food was good! Decent taste and portions. The inside has a classier feel which is always a plus especially considering what the surrounding area outside looks like. Solid spot. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Inside - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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What a delicious meal! Came here to celebrate a friend's birthday! Convenient that they have a parking lot. The restaurant has a fair amount of seating and we came with a pretty large group. Service is friendly and efficient. Food is really tasty! Would love to come back and try their other items. My husband and I shared the 7 courses of beef. Really love the salad and the hot pot one but the other minced beef meat things were tasty but didn't blow our minds. We would probably opt to order just their other menu items next time. I also got the pineapple mango lime non-alcoholic drink. I kind of expected juice but it tasted more like flavored syrups. Overall, really enjoyed the food and would love to come back again. read more

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Truly enjoyed the short ribs rice platter, spring rolls (pork and shrimp), and Tamarind Tree noodle bowl. I came with a friend and we were busy talking and not reading the menu so I asked the server to recommend something and she suggested the short ribs which were amazing! Super flavorful and perfectly charred. The complimentary hot jasmine tea was also really delicious. Our server was very kind and attentive. I like that there is a big parking lot. The restaurant is a decent size, my only complaint is of the few people there, they sat everyone close together and I had trouble hearing my friend because the people around us were so close their conversations drowned ours out. read more

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Always my favorite place to come! The food, service and ambience are so good. My favorite dishes are the beef short ribs, chili limeleaf chicken, egg rolls, and the eggplant. If you're in the mood for a cocktail, the tangerine martini or the spicy watermelon are really good. It gets busy, so plan ahead and make a reservation read more

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The most authentic Vietnamese dishes Seattle has to offer. You will find soups you had from mom's cooking growing up, and dishes you can't get anywhere else. The service is sweet and kind. It's never been a full house when we go so they have always been so attentive. The parking is huge. It's a super hole on the wall. But you'll be glad you went. It's somewhat dark in the dining area. Bathrooms are super dark with black toilets. Food is amazing! Price is kind of steep. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Baby clams and vermicelli to make my own com bun - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Stumbled upon this gem which is located a few minutes drive outside of the main downtown area (Pike's Place). When looking at others' reviews, I was a little apprehensive about the service, but we didn't have any issues. The food came out pretty quickly, and I also liked that they give you tea. What we got: -Tamarind Rice Plate (5/5): this comes with a wide variety of items including an egg roll (stuffed to the brim and super crispy on the outside), prawn, pork, shrimp ball (which is on a stick of bamboo), rice, and pickled carrots. I ended up ordering a side of soup to eat with my rice which I'd highly recommend to add more flavor. -Pho (5/5): the meat is tender and the soup is so flavorful. -Stuffed Squid (5/5): I've never had anything like this before, and I've eaten a lot of Vietnamese food in my life. The inside is stuffed with pork and vermicelli, and the squid outside is super tender. Don't let the area deter you from eating here. When we first arrived, we were a little bit sketched out, but I promise it's worth it. read more

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As previously yelpers have mentioned, you enter through a really nasty parking lot. Restaurant is big, but honestly pretty dirty and just a mess with dirty tables, chairs stacked in piles and overall appearance of not being cleaned in quite a while. The food was pretty decent and the service was mediocre. We ordered one of the noodle bowls which was quite delicious, the Korean ribs which were tasty and the eggplant dish, which was actually fairly bitter and also tasteless. Eating the ribs with my fingers, it would have been nice to have been offered some extra napkins or a wet wipe. I just felt the staff were just very disinterested in having us a customer. It was a Monday night and not busy at all. I wont be returning. read more

Have a huge selection including specific Vietnam region's specialties. Everything is so far pretty flavorful but the Bo 7 Mon is pretty sweet in my opinion. The mam nem as well! Way too sweet! read more

The server Thanh Mai (or Mai Thanh?) was very rude and unwelcoming to us for no reason during the whole meal. The food was good but we'd not come back because of the server's attitude. read more

Don't be fooled by the location, this place is truly a hidden gem. Tucked away in a sketchy parking lot on Jackson this place is truly an oasis in a dessert of junkies peddling stolen goods. The 7 courses of beef is an absolute must. Perfect order for a date, everything shareable and more than enough food for 2! read more

The food here is so authentic and great! The ambiance makes you feel like you are at a traditional restaurant. The flavors are great and ho go Kay recommend the spring rolls. The Tamarind bowl was to die for! read more

While exploring Washington state, we found this hidden gem. A bit hard to see from the street but once you walk through the parking lot you can see the modern designed entry way. Very authentic and was even recommended by a local when we asked for the best Vietnamese restaurant. The orders are large so you'll have left overs if you aren't with a large group :) I had the pork fried rice and let me tell you it was just as good the following day!!! You won't be disappointed dining here! We had a pretty early dinner and then walked back to the train station to go back into the city so I can't comment on night time hours. All I will say is there are a lot of homeless people everywhere, so I wouldn't recommend walking at night. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Very extensive authentic menu! - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Hidden behind a parking lot in Little Saigon, Tamarind Tree is the restaurant locals bring visitors to when they want to show that Vietnamese food is more than pho. Yelp and TripAdvisor are flooded with notes on its seven courses of beef, its bánh khọt, and the surprise of finding such an elegant dining room behind such an unassuming entry. I started with the gỏi cuốn -- shrimp and pork salad rolls wrapped tight, herbs fresh and alive, dipping sauce nutty and sharp. Then came the bánh khọt, crispy golden cakes topped with prawn, meant to be wrapped in lettuce and herbs. They cracked and melted in the same bite -- no wonder reviewers call them a must-order. The cá kho tộ (caramelized catfish in clay pot) was the showstopper. Sticky, peppery, sweet-salty sauce clung to each chunk of fish, the kind of dish built to drown over rice. The bò lúc lắc (shaking beef) arrived seared hard on the outside, tender inside, garlicky and buttery, balanced with lime salt on the side. Reviews echo what I felt: Tamarind Tree is about layering Vietnamese flavors in a space that feels refined without being stiff. The room hums with lemongrass and sizzling fish sauce, service stays attentive, and portions match the prices. Parking is a pain (consistent complaint on Yelp), and weekends can mean a wait. But once you're inside, it's easy to see why Tamarind Tree lands on every "best Vietnamese in Seattle" list. It's where tradition and polish meet at the same table. read more

Omg! What a gem! Followed Mikey Chen here from YouTube, and he provides! Tucked away in a parking lot in China Town area, you'd never find this place just walking or driving around. A little upscale inside and outside, curb appeal is nice, like a beacon in a shopping mall. Music was just the right volume and everything was just a little difference and charming compared to your average spot. From the beautiful tea pots to the plating--exceptional. Got the seafood soup, thanks again, Mike Chen, Asian celery was fragrant, seafood was just cooked to perfection and the massive prawn cracker (fresh fried), stayed crisp for like 20 minutes soaking in hot broth. A must try! Also for a tofu noodle bowl, tofu spring rolls and salad rolls, all fantastic! All this (3 people) and a beer for under $70 with tax, can't beat that. Maybe the best Viet spot in Seattle. I'd drive all the way from Portland again, just for this place! And of course, the staff is beyond nice! read more

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We enjoyed this Vietnamese restaurant. There was a good amount of parking in the lot which was great. The restaurant is a good size with a good amount of seating as well. We started with the Banh Khot which was good. It had good texture and a good serving as well. We shared the Bun Bo Hue which we enjoyed. The flavor was good, good depth of flavor, and a good size. The service was good that day and we enjoyed our visit. read more

on our vacation to seattle, my family decided to try this place as we wanted something warm. luckily there weren't too many people and we were able to get seated right away. they also brought over warm tea which was a bonus. the menu has so many options that it was super hard to choose, so many good options. i ordered a bun bo hue and it was delicious. with some lime, the soup had a really good flavor and there were so many fish balls! a lot of other customers got an egg omelette dish that looked good! would highly recommend checking this place out if you want some good viet food! read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Bun Bo Hue Special - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Located in the International District of Seattle, this restaurant has some great varieties of Vietnamese dishes. Don't let the exterior strip mall area deter you. It's tucked in the back corner with plenty of parking. The inside of the restaurant was very clean and decorated nicely. The staff were so friendly, providing frequent water and tea refills. One of my friends ordered an appetizer that had shrimp on top of a deep fried French baguette. I was so pleasantly surprised with how delicious it was. The breading was light and crisp and the shrimp was delicious. The bread made me feel like I was eating a savory version of French toast. For my main meal, I ordered the chili lemongrass beef noodles. The bowl portion was perfect. There was so much fresh vegetables with the noodles. The beef was so uniquely seasoned and perfectly cooked. It complimented the sauce that I poured all over my noodles. What a delicious treat! I'd definitely come back to try some of the other dishes recommended by my fellow Yelpers! read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Chili lemongrass beef noodles - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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insanely good-the papaya salad is everything, and the dish with tofu/pineapple is something i dream about at least once a week. like it's genuinely mouth watering and it always tastes sooo fresh. idk what their trick is but please never stop making this dish!!! also the drinks are good and always super strong. good place to go to for a celebration or date night! read more

I thought the food and service were good! I ordered a rice dish and an iced thai tea, both were tasty! The ambiance is dim with lots of plants and candles inside. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Delicious with hands down the best Vietnamese food in all of Seattle area! Honestly wish I didn't have to go to Jackson to dine here. The area has gone down hill but this restaurant is amazing read more

Came to eat with my friend. We sat for about 5 minutes, when our drinks order was taken. Waitress was extremely disinterested, borderline rude. My friend received her meal after another 5 minutes. Plate came and looked great. Short ribs were flavorful, but tough. I ate a piece waiting for my meal, which never came. Ten minutes later, they seat a large table of mostly Indian men. Waitress was much more enthusiastic. Why, I'm unsure. But I never received my meal... Never again. Gnats everywhere. Outside smells putrid and is littered with drugs NEVER AGAIN! read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This was an amazing place! I have been to this plaza for years, but I didn't notice this restaurant. It's sitting in the back of the plaza where you can hardly notice it. As soon as I walked in, I was impressed with the bamboo themed interior design. Based on the menu, it's more like an Asian fusion restaurant, instead of an authentic one. I ordered a Pho Ga, and my friend ordered a Bun Oc. Both tasted great. The price was a bit higher than I had expected, but well it's in Seattle. The service was good. The staff was friendly and polite. It took a bit longer to get the food, but since we were not in rush, it was fine. When we were leaving, I just noticed that they even had an outdoor area fenced with bamboo sticks. I would love to try sitting in that area when the weather is nice. Overall, I enjoyed my meal here, and I would love to come again to try other dishes. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Pho Ga - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Review for back in OCt'22. Three of us came in looking for food since other shops nearby were closed. We ordered spring rolls to share which was ok. I ordered their pho which was below average. Too oily and not a whole lot of toppings. Ambiance is pretty nice inside. Service was on the slower side. Lots of parking in the back. read more

Babyyyyyy when I tell you this place is incredible, just wow. I'm a Bay Area native and have a pretty high standard for Vietnamese food. For the last two years we have come here when we visit Seattle and it NEVER disappoints. We usually get the short ribs and bun chai Hanoi when we come. The depth of flavor coupled with the ambiance and service, you just have to come and try it out for yourself. 10, 10, 10 shabam. I will forever come here when we visit and can't recommend this place enough. read more

Came in on a Monday 6pm, pretty empty so no wait. There is a parking lot outside, it's free and easy. We got seated immediately, and the service was nice and fast. I ordered the Bun Bo Hue noodle soup, it was very tasty. Good portions and will fill you up. I would come here again, but it's on the pricier side, especially during dinner hours. It has a dark ambiance, so would be nice for dates. Overall, I enjoyed my food here. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Bun Bo Hue Special - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

4.3 stars Tucked away in an outdoor shopping mall this restaurant looks nothing like it surroundings. It's beautifully decorated and done and it feels like you are in a Vietnamese oasis Pros: - ambiance - plenty of parking - menu is huge with lots of options - green papaya salad - stuffed tofu - Lemongrass chicken The beef satay, coconut curry prawns were good but other dishes above were better Tons of drink options Service was a little slow, but they were very attentive when called Would recommend! read more

Came here after a play in Seattle around 5 pm. Service was nice, clean restaurant. We had two orders of com suong bo for our table and one com tam dac biet. Both of the com suon bo's rice was so hard and dry, like it was at the bottom of the rice cooker or leftover rice. The rice for com tam dac biet came out better though. The short ribs marinade was good, but the meat itself was a little chewy. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Com Suon Bo Nuong - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great Vietnamese food. Chill music. Have different regions of food on the menu. I enjoy both dishes by myself because I eat a lot. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Banh Beo and banh khot- authentic tasty - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

they did a great job, accommodating us! We invited everybody in a group chat and didn't know how many people were coming, but they were able to take care of us as our party size was growing. even with 10+ people, our food came out quickly and correct and most importantly... Delicious! I like all the different seating options like the table by the indoor fireplace and the plants hanging around. I will definitely come back and recommend this place. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Vietnamese before music! - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Yummy spot tucked away in a corner in ID. The interior is very nice and the servers are so friendly. Got a vermicelli and absolutely loved the flavor and the serving size is decently large - I had leftovers. They were able to accommodate our party of 7 with no fuss. I will be coming again read more

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I am excited to be back at Tamarind Tree. The restaurant is off the hidden path in the International District. Once inside, you feel transported into a whole new world. We got seated right away, and everyone was so friendly and helpful. The menu had some dishes that weren't in every Vietnamese restaurant, which I was excited to try. We ordered the spring rolls with shrimp and beef, along with the chicken lemongrass plate and Buen Rieu. Everything was delicious and full of flavor. Something I love about their spring rolls is that they have both shrimp and meat inside, as well as a crispy roll, which creates the best spring roll texture. The grill on the chicken lemongrass was delicious. This was my first time trying Buen Rieu, and I will be ordering it again. The shrimp flavor paired so well with the tomato-based soup. I especially loved the thin noodles along with the tofu. I would order everything again. read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - MENU - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Pretty solid spot in ID for Vietnamese food! The interior is decorated really nicely too; we sat outside and there was a little fountain and we could feel the breeze drifting through the covered patio. I ordered the grilled chicken fried rice and loved it! The rice was so fragrant and the chicken was juicy and grilled perfectly. I also really loved the sauce they gave with it as well. My boyfriend ordered the oyster mushroom tomato noodle soup, but it came with a bunch of dill on top, which he hates, so it kind of ruined the meal for him. He's still down to come back though and try a different dish, but I loved the grilled chicken fried rice so much I might just come back for the same thing! read more

Tamarind Tree Restaurant - Grilled Chicken Fried Rice, Oyster Mushroom Tomato Noodle Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Seattle, Washington

From the outside, you might wonder if you got the right place. But inside has interesting decor and comfortable seating. A warm fire adds to the lends a cozy ambiance. The service was quietly elegant and the food incredibly delicious. So many menu items are great that I hesitate to mention just one. Highly recommend for good food and service. read more

We recently went back to the Tamarind Tree after being away for many years. Parking near the restaurant is much easier, but the neighborhood has deteriorated and the connected buildings nearby look deserted. When we were in the restaurant, there were very few customers and only one waitress. Albeit, we were there on a Tuesday night, but it felt like the restaurant was existing on fumes. Hope it is busier later in the week. The food was as good as usual but expensive. read more

I always love the food here, they have a very large menu with many options for all sorts of dietary needs. Everything has great flavor and the service is always friendly. This are is well known to have lots of issues so hopefully the city and SPD can work together to clean this area up so small businesses like this don't suffer as a result of something they have little control over. read more