Located on 2nd floor of Hung Vuong Food Market.
Access through separate door right of supermarket entrance, via stairs or elevator.
Soft opening. Let's say squishy.
You order from a touchscreen terminal kiosk, entering your phone number, then pay with card.
Confirmation texts to your phone.
Wasn't at all clear if I had to stand around and wait for my order to be called or if I would receive text notification when order ready.
Choices mostly ramen, with some customization.
Not much explanation on screen menu for the different oprions. Lots of Chinese characters.
Only one vegetarian option.
Noodle choices were thin, thick and udon.
Ordered one vegetarian, one spicy beef broth.
Turned out they were out of the vegetarian. Maybe.
Person called me on my phone and initially spoke in what sounded like Mandarin and I had no idea what the hey she was saying. Hung up. Had no clue who it was.
Called second time 5 minutes later, in halting English, this time I was hovering around counter and saw she was speaking on her cell and - Eureka - figured out it was about my order.
As best as I could understand, they were out of the vegetarian option.
Said ok then, no broth.
Unfortunately, she understand this to apply to both orders.
So got 2 dry noodles with some bok choy and bamboo shoots. Spicy one had a sauce I could add in from a small side container.
Food was ok, not spectacular.
Also ended up waiting 40 minutes! With all the confusion, other later orders became prioritized.
Others had hiccups too.
One couple had been waiting longer than I was and came up to counter asking about their order. It had been sitting there for quite some time. Turns out you dont get notification on your phone, as they expected. They were understandable upset and asked for a refund (and got it without a problem).
Another guy came back multiple times after realizing what he got was a little different from what he had ordered, as least that is what I expected.
I could not understand any of the Mandarin.
Order number was up to the 70s and they kept saying something that sounded like 'Chee Chee' and I figured that must be the Chinese word for 7. So I think I learned some Mandarin (in Japanese, 7 sounds similar).
Would rate lower but I will give them the benefit of the doubt as it is new.
Take out easy, even with broth, as you get it in a large plastic bin.
Entire floor was busy. Multiple stores, boba, dumpling, poke, friend chicken, and even Pho options.
A lot of seating but few open.
Mostly Asian-American and, more specifically, Chinese-American customers.
Mix of old and young. Local school was out.
Vegetarian food very very hard to come by. At least for now.
Bottom line. Would like 1) more front facing workers who speak English 2) more vegetarian options. I am not too optimistic. read more
