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    Turtle Tower

    3.8 (289 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese, Noodles
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order Turtle Tower Takeout or Delivery

    Turtle Tower Photos

    Business Info

    TURTLE TOWER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Turtle Tower

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    Reviews With Photos

    Helen T.

    We were luckily enough to grab brunch right before the lunch rush that quickly filled the restaurant. Service was quick and food arrive fast after ordering. We grab some appetizers: house made crab chips (kid pleaser) and fresh pork & shrimp spring rolls which comes with 4 pieces with peanut sauce. For entree: we got pho ga (chicken pho) which is what they're popular for and Bún Chá Hà Nôi (Hanoi's style grilled pork, patty served with vermicelli noodle & herbs) which was extremely flavorful! Server were tentative to refill our waters and check in here and there during our visit. Bathroom stalls were clean as well.

    Menu. Note there is an unlisted 5% junk fee.
    Zicheng Z.

    The reason I'm giving this a 1-star is due to the extremely hostile business practices around tipping and fees. The final bill includes a 5% junk fee that is not present anywhere on their menu (see photos). Not only are they not upfront about this (which is illegal), when checking out, the server did not give us an itemized bill and prompted us to tip. Not only that, but I had to explicitly ask for the receipt, because the server took the device away without letting me choose to print or email it. They apply the tip on top of both the junk fee AND the tax. I was suspicious because the tip options were all far higher than they should've been for 2 bowls of pho ($43). This aside - I would probably rate the overall food a low 3 star. We ordered both the chicken and beef pho; the broth was okay, as far as a light broth goes, but it was odd to pair it with the beef pho as well. The aroma of the raw meat, combined with the chicken broth, wasn't pleasant. The noodles were just okay; not traditional, and also was not as chewy as I would hope for them to be. $21.5 is a steep price to pay for some average pho. I would not come back again.

    Alice S.

    I've heard so much about Turtle Tower over the years and finally stopped by for dinner recently. The ambience was a lot more upscale than I expected. The food here lived up to the hype! I know this place is probably more known for the pho ga, but I was craving beef instead of chicken. So I went with pho bo dac biet (#4), the beef combination pho instead. It was so good! I loved how light yet flavorful the broth was. I usually find restaurant broth too salty, so this was a pleasant surprise.

    Mic V.

    This place was so good over 10 years ago when it was still located in the tenderloin. Now, it definitely lost its flavor. Here are my ratings: Grilled oysters 3.5/5 Bun Cha Hanoi 3.5/5 Rice with beef stir fry 2/5 Imperial rolls 4/5 Chicken Pho with giblets 2/5 It was well a well known and delicious chicken pho spot before but I don't recommend it anymore. It was very bland and did not have any good flavor. I would not come back to this place b

    Menu
    Annabelle R.

    Our party of two was seated immediately around 6:00pm this past Saturday. The restaurant had a beautiful and inviting atmosphere, and we appreciated the prompt and friendly service during our visit. To drink, we got a glass of the tortoise creek pinot noir and jasmine hot tea. The wine was good, and the tea came with itty bitty cups that required repetitive pouring. To eat, we ordered nem cua (fried imperial rolls), tôm bọc chiên giòn (crispy shrimp wontons), and pho bo dac biet (beef combo rice noodle soup). The pho was flavorful but there were not enough veggies in the dish. The fried imperial rolls were nice and crispy though the taste didn't really stand out. My favorite item was the crispy wontons with a large piece of shrimp in each, and great seasoning, wrapped in a delicious fried shell. Simple but yummy. All in all, we had a positive experience.

    The Pho Ap Chao, very interesting!
    Vy T.

    I've always known turtle tower to be a northern pho spot. I went a couple times 10 years ago and remembered they had white vinegar served on the side of their northern styled Pho, which I liked a lot. They have since updated their menu and now serve more modern/ common selection... which I don't think plays to their strengths:/ The chicken pho is bland. But I was able to enjoy mine after adding a half a tablespoon of salt lol. I know a lot of folks who would prefer this type of broth, though. It's just not something I look for. The Pho Ap Chap was a highlight because of the Wok Hei flavor on the noodles and veggies. Unfortunatley the broth was bland. I think the Ap chao could have been a staple of its own, but appreciate them trying to do something new. Service was quick and kind. The space is nice, ready for corporate events in downtown now lol.. I might come back to try their non broth dishes.

    Thai Tea & #6 Pho Ap Chao (Pan-fried beef with celery, carrots, onions, & leeks pan-fried noodle soup)
    Min C.

    Came in part of post Let's Glow as it was one of the restaurants that offer a discount - though the staff weren't aware... Just felt like having warn soup after touring half the illuminations and it was perfect! I got #6 Pho Ap Chao, which is pan-fried veggies with pan-fried noodles. While I couldn't tell the pan-friedness of the noodles, the sautéed veggies definitely came through and it was a lovely addition to the flavor. Different from the usual pho imo. The Thai tea was also not too sweet and a perfect pairing. Especially so since I almost burned my tongue on the soup because it was so good but didn't stop me from chugging it down!

    Menu
    Nicole P.

    Turtle Tower serves northern style Vietnamese cuisine in downtown San Francisco. The rare beef pho and the chicken rice plates were both flavorful and filling. We were seated immediately upon arrival around lunch time. Our server was very attentive and the ambiance is nice. I'll have to come back and try something else next time.

    Shannen R.

    Found this place while working on Market street and I'm so happy I did! I don't know why but I didn't love the name so I almost didn't go here. ‍ Anyways I am so glad I ended up here for lunch! The veggie Pho and the Thai coffee really got me through my afternoon and it was delicious! The restaurant was really nice and much larger than it looks from the outside. The staff was soooo nice! Even helped me find an ear bud I dropped like a jackass ‍ It bounced and rolled, took a min to find they even moved tables for me ‍‍ I definitely recommend this place and plan to go back.

    #9 Pho Ga
    Nancy C.

    Quick take: Yum yum Finally tried out the new revamped Turtle Tower in FiDi. It's a completely different atmosphere. Lost some of the original esthetics. Immediately knew I wanted to order #9 Pho Ga. The noodles were overcooked. Broth was good. The pork spring rolls were good. Good peanut dipping sauce. This place is open late on weekends for all the party people.

    Large pho
    Alyssa D.

    I really enjoy the ambiance here, it's unique from other pho places I've been to in the city. The food was good, however, I wouldn't put it above other spots. We got the large pho which was a hefty portion, enough for dinner and the next days lunch. We also got the rice plate with pork. I enjoyed it, but it was lacking sauces. I asked for hoisin to pair with it but they didn't have any which was surprising. Anyways, the service was great and I enjoyed my time but not jumping to go back.

    street view of front
    David H.

    I've long heard about this pho place, but since it was in the Tenderloin of SF, I wasn't particularly motivated to go. It was closed during the pandemic and opened two locations, one in Marina district and the other in FiDi, which is the main store. The main restaurant is beautifully decorated! Very modern, fitting for the FiDi neighborhood. They had plenty of servers and service was quick, friendly, and efficient. I always thought pho uses beef as the main protein but this place's claim to fame is its chicken pho. And wow, its taste was amazing! The broth was clear, not oily, and delicious. The chicken meat was really tender and tasty. I was curious about the name so I asked and researched and learned that Turtle Tower is a real structure in the middle of a lake in Hanoi and is a symbol of peace and pride for Vietnam. That explains their cuisine of northern Vietnam style.

    Junsheng X.

    Was quite surprised to see an upscale looking turtle tower in the financial district, as I was only familiar with the old location. Vibes definitely feel great for corporate meals, but it feels like the pricing is also marked up for such. Good portion size and great food if you're looking for standard pho choices - wish they had more options though like rare beef with lemon juice. Nice service and vibes, but might not dine here outside of work setting due to price

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    Page 2 of 8

    Turtle Tower Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Turtle Tower

    Does the pho contain MSG?

    No the broth tasted very natural, some may even find it slightly bland, it was so delicious! In my opinion, Msg has very distinct, powerful savoryness no matter how little you use in cooking that is hard to hide. Broth at Turtle Tower didnt have… Read more

    When are reservations going to be open? The website still says two weeks but it's been several weeks.

    Hi Jesse, we currently make reservations by email for groups of 6 or more.

    Is this restaurant related to the same name restaurant that used to be located on Larkin Street?

    Yes, same owners new location/rebrand!

    Are any of the dishes gluten-free friendly?

    Almost all of the dishes are gluten free since they are rice based noodles and not wheat.

    Will the hours be expanding to later times?

    As we ease into our soft opening, we're focusing on perfecting our service and ensuring our staff is fully trained before extending our hours. We'll announce longer hours soon but we certainly plan on opening for dinner. Thank you for your patience!

    Hi, any updates on opening date?

    Hi Raymond, We are targeting for March 15th.

    Hi, will you have the egg soda drink on the menu?

    Of course! We will have the traditional menu plus some new options.

    When are u guys open?

    We are targeting the beginning of March pending approval from the health department with final inspection.

    When are you open in February?

    We are targeting for the beginning of March pending approval from the health department with final inspection.

    View All 11 Questions

    Anh Hong - Grilled pork

    Anh Hong

    4.6(153 reviews)
    5.2 miOuter Richmond

    It has been a MINUTE since I've been back at Anh Hong, but as always, it did not disappoint!…read more We used to go back in the day when they were still in the TL doing the seven courses of beef. They don't do that anymore, but they still have the same stuff you just have to order à la carte. The restaurant isn't huge, but they're definitely giving more upscale vibes, and I highly recommended making a reservation because they definitely get busy. You end up with a lot of food on the table so it's nice that the tables are huge! We ordered a bunch of things, including their beef carpaccio, beef wrap, grilled pork, and imperial roll dishes, but I think what stood out the most were the prawns! A little on the pricier side, but definitely tasty.

    This is a small quaint place. Be sure to make a reservation before you go. We waited about 1 1/2…read morehours, and the service is a bit slow. They are not in a rush to clean up tables so they could seat the next guests. It's more like a we'll seat them when we seat them. No sense of urgency. The food is really good and fresh, but beware that their most popular items do contain peanuts inside of them. The river prawns were a bit overrated in my opinion. Overcooked and bit tough, and chewy would not get them again. Ask for extra napkins up front since you do end up eating with your hands most of it.

    Photos
    Anh Hong
    Anh Hong - Nem nuong

    Nem nuong

    Anh Hong - Every table gets a hot water bath, veggies, rice paper

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    Every table gets a hot water bath, veggies, rice paper

    Irving Perilla - Garlic Noodles

    Irving Perilla

    4.1(1.7k reviews)
    4.2 miInner Sunset
    $$

    Cozy family owned Viet place. When I visited many of the guests were buddy buddy with the staff…read more Very cute to see. It's a little dark inside, but the waiter made everyone feel so comfortable and welcomed everyone with a huge smile. Food was good, portion was huge! I didn't solid foods for almost 2 days (I mostly drink my calories), and I was able to finish the food except the greens. If I had eaten solids the day before, I most definitely wouldn't have finish the food. $15 for a huge bowl of vermicelli and pork!

    We walked in to Perilla on a Saturday during lunch, and were seated right away. I came in already…read moreknowing I wanted the Five Spice Chicken with garlic noodles and imperial rolls (#27) since it seemed like the most popular dish. My boyfriend got the Charbroiled beef with garlic noodles and imperial rolls (#24) with an extra order of beef. Our meal was super filling and balanced! They don't skimp out on either the noodles or the protein (definitely could have done without the extra beef we ordered). The chicken was juicy but the skin stayed crispy. The charbroiled beef had the smallest hint of sweetness for me. The noodles had a nice chew to them, and were dry but in the best way possible. A lot of garlic noodles tend to be too oily and leave an unpleasant lingering mouthfeel, but that wasn't the case here. The noodles could have used more garlic for my preference, but I think it was well balanced with the flavorful protein and fish sauce. The imperial rolls were okay and a nice crunchy side. I wouldn't get them as a separate appetizer, but only $1 more to add to your dish is unbeatable. Overall a great experience and I'd definitely bring some friends here for a comforting meal.

    Photos
    Irving Perilla - 11/28/24 Interior

    11/28/24 Interior

    Irving Perilla - Beef Garlic Noodles

    Beef Garlic Noodles

    Irving Perilla - 28. Imperial Rolls & Charbroiled Pork Garlic Noodle

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    28. Imperial Rolls & Charbroiled Pork Garlic Noodle

    Pho Huong Viet - Miến gà trộn (@joeynht)

    Pho Huong Viet

    4.2(505 reviews)
    4.6 miOuter Richmond
    $$

    Delicious Northern Vietnames restaurant with a tailored menu of 9 items but they all taste amazing…read more Of course, we recommend getting the pho (which has the disclaimer that bean sprouts and typical herbs won't be provided). It's a rather small restaurant, so you may have to wait a bit, but food is prepared quickly and is full of flavor!

    TIP: ask for an itemized receipt!! Don't just pay whatever he asks. Review it!!! You MUST be…read morecareful. This older man walks around very ambitious with his little credit card terminal ready to charge anyone who is anyone. He gives no receipt. He is the owner and the waiter. But he does not give any service and just expects tip. All he does is walk around and collect money & does the very minimum. I've given this place multiple chances over the years, but unfortunately each experience has been uncomfortable in one way or another. The first time was around 2022. My family and I arrived about 30 minutes before closing, and the owner told us he would still serve us. After seating us, though, he immediately pressured us to order quickly and told us we had to eat fast because they were closing. I was with my elderly relatives too so just turn us away? If that was the case, it would've been better to simply not seat us. Don't be greedy just bc you want a few bucks. Another time, my husband called to order Hanoi-style pho to go, and the owner responded with unnecessary attitude, saying that's the only kind they serve. LOL, ok. The interaction felt rude for no reason. Most recently, we came on Mother's Day. The dishwasher/staff member was also unfriendly. The bun cha was decent according to my mom, and my husband said the beef stew noodle dish was okay, but my pho lacked flavor entirely. I wasn't expecting it to compare to pho in Vietnam or even San Jose, but it tasted very bland so I didn't finish it. The service from the owner continues to be the biggest issue. When we paid, he stood over us while I counted cash, so I felt pressure to count fast and add tip quickly. He left then came back a few seconds later then quickly grabbed the money without even asking whether I needed change and disappeared faster than the wind. The whole interaction felt awkward and pushy. He has a very strange personality. He's honestly very sleazy and has bad energy After several experiences like this, we won't be returning.

    Photos
    Pho Huong Viet - 7/6/23 Cool Yelp decor

    7/6/23 Cool Yelp decor

    Pho Huong Viet - Phở bò (@joeynht)

    Phở bò (@joeynht)

    Pho Huong Viet - Special beef pho & #7 sensational boon cha

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    Special beef pho & #7 sensational boon cha

    Turtle Tower - vietnamese - Updated May 2026

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