Saigon Bistro

Saigon Bistro is a good place for Vietnamese food. Visited a couple times before. The food is tasty and very flavorful.

Saigon Bistro is a small café with a relatively small menu. But what’s on the menu is excellent & a good value.
I like the duck salad, a generous portion of cold duck with shredded cabbage and dipping sauce. Simple, but very well-​executed. Phở is and noodle soups are also very good.
I wouldn’t pick it for a romantic dinner, but it’s great spot to catch up with friends over authentic & delicious Vietnamese cuisine amde with loving care. Recommended.

Solid pork bahn mi.
Super flavorsome, but missing that elusive fifth star because I’m a sucker for a Vietnamese joint that bakes their own bread. Fresh cilantro, crunchy pickled vegetables, and bbq meat served in a warm and crusty baguette fresh from the oven. Ohhhhhh yeah.
Call me spoiled, but I have lived in a couple of Vietnamese neighbourhoods and I guess I probably am.
You can even cheat and just heat the baguette in the oven if you didn’t bake it. Just humor me.
I almost gave an extra star for the «add a cup of phở broth» for $ 1.00 to your bahn mi order. Genius. The best of both worlds without having to order a silly amount of food.
My friend had the chicken phở. Average.
The poor server looked like she had just had an argument with her boyfriend or something.
Cheap and (not so) cheerful. I left with a smile regardless.

Probably one of the better bun bo hue (spicy beef noodle) in Seattle and metropolitan and beyond.
With one caveat…
We ordered the spicy wings and they were raw. Yes I made sure and probably ate more of another piece than I should have. When I told the waitress, she took it back and just re-​heat it microwave style.
Sad, because I really liked the bun bo hue but it’s fairly slim chance I’ll be back. Adieu Saigon Bistro.

I was here yesterday and bought a beef banh mi for less than 3 bucks — who can go wrong with that? It was not amazing but good. It’s better than the banh mi that bought at Uwajimaya before (those chilled ones). Btw, Saigon bistro is inside Uwajimaya but it has its own stall — at the food court.

This is one of the «hole in the wall» type places that you hear about — I love the small, intimate seating area and the food is very fresh and very good. Perfect for a rainy day and a close friend :)
If you’re looking for it, it’s in the same building as the Uwajimaya marketplace (?spelling).

So my goal lately is to try out all of the Bahn Mi instituitions in the area.
Umm what Saigon Bistro am I reviewing right now? Seems to be like 8 within a block. Stuffing a grilled pork sandy in my face right now, I’ll have to get back with you on where I am right now. Think I’m parked in a 30 min loading zone?

Tamarind Tree across the parking lot? Forget it.
This place, recently remodeled, is probably one of the better kept secrets of Little Saigon. And being a Vietnamese guy myself, let me tell you that this place has food that is downright homey.
Prices are moderate, place has a view, isn’t too crowded. The music is usually some odd jazz selection or something, but not a big distraction.
Now on to the important part. The food! My personal choice? The Banh Xeo. You get a huge warm, crispy crêpe, full of meat, shrimp and good stuff. I almost go here just for the Banh Xeo. It’s just like how my mom makes it. That good.
I’ve tried plenty of the other menu selections and have never been let down. Portions aren’t football-​quarterback sized, but good for normal-​sized folks.
Basically, it’s a taste of a real Vietnamese kitchen without the ridiculous Tamarind Tree price.

Pretty good place, though I am more partial to Green Leaf around the corner. The prices here are very good and no extra charges for rice and tea service. the portions are right sized, so if you want a bucket of food choose another joint, but it is flavorful and well done.
Parking is a bit of an adventure in this lot so be warned! They have a very nice lunch menu as well, so if you are in the area and need a sit down try here. The atmosphere is nice enough for a business lunch but casual enough for short and t-​shirt.

The phở is a ¹⁰⁄₁₀ in my opinion… And the Coconut chicken is to die for!!! If you go here, you have to try the coconut chicken!!! Such a good price for all the items on the menu!
Very delicious!!!

Worth the wait! On a rainy Saturday night at 7:30 pm my husband and I decided to try the Tamarind House because it was supposed to have a good vegetarian menu. We learned that there were 12 – 15 people ahead of us, so we crossed the street to the Saigon Bistro.
Once seated at the Saigon Bistro, we could tell that they were short-​handed. The table for 8 next to us had not been bussed and many of the other diners were drinking water and looking around. We placed our order and in 30 minutes from the time we arrived we were served. The tamarind tofu was crispy with sweet and sour overtones. Paired with the tumeric rice, it was perfect. Next we had the crisp and crunchy green beans lightly sauted in olive oil and garlic. The Phở Chay contained a combination of noodles, carrots, bean sprouts, Thai basil, hot peppers daikon, mushrooms and fresh tofu all in a vegetable broth. With a little chilli paste and lime, it was a steamy delight. We each ordered the Shiraz, which was served in a personal carafe. The entire meal plus tip came to $ 43.00 for both of us.

This business and I go way back (though they may not know that). I think the restaurant was formerly called Phở 99 or 89, and it was once located across the plaza on the opposite end of where it is now. When I was 8 – 10 years old my father would take me there to eat Phở every Friday. Nearly 11 years later their name is has changed. Along with their image and food.
The improvement is astounding.
I am extremely impressed with how they turned the restaurant upside down. White table cloths? Napkins wrapped around silver water pitchers? Waiters and waitresses wearing aprons, demonstrating excellent service? — At a Vietnamese restaurant in the International District? Yes, such class exists.
Besides the great customer service and refreshing atmosphere, the food tastes amazing AND natural. I guarantee their phở will taste like no other broth you’ve had before, and when finished, will leave you sighing in content.
Also, one reviewer said, «fast and friendly service even when we arrived close to closing time». I totally back this up.

I’m a sucker for white tablecloths. We came here for lunch and ordered the Bun with Lemongrass chicken. It had a nice mix of greens, veggies, and the chicken was great. It was as good as Phở Bac /​Green Leaf, and the price was roughly the same as well.
To find this place, drive behind Viet Wah, and you’ll see the entrance.

I was wavering between two and three stars. The absolute lack of atmosphere (tablecloths and red paper globes do not décor make) pushed me down to two.
Duck in the duck salad was dry, herbs were scarce and the dressing lacked sip. I ordered the dish where you roll your own, and everything was fresh and plentiful except the basil — stingy! — but nothing was special or particularly delicious.
M. ordered something that on paper looked intriguing, but on the plate was an incoherent jumble of piles of unidentifiable things, and again, none of them were particularly delicious.
We ate. We talked. We could have been anywhere.

A nice alternative to the Vietnamese place down the street!
Serving a nice blend of Vietnamese and French cuisine.
The portions are generous and the service is great.
The prices are reasonable and the plating of the dishes are beautiful.
I recommend the papaya and shrimp salad, and the Bo luc Lac.
You will be better ordering the white rice as the Brown rice was a bit soggy.
If I could I’d give this a 3.5 star rating. Good for what we have in Seattle, you won’t be disappointed.

i was personally invited to their soft grand opening on February 4, 2009 to snap a couple photos for the owner. The newly renovated place blew my mind. That night they chefs selected various items from the menu for their guest to try. I made sure to try it all and they were all delicious. I recommend anyone who is interested in trying a Vietnamese restaurant with a flare of french cooking.
Great atmosphere, food, and customer service. What else can you ask for?

So, you know how you always want to take your new BFF to Tamarind Tree so you can oooh and aaah over the Tamarind Tree Rolls and lychee martinis? But then you go on a Wednesday night and there’s STILL an hour long wait, and you want to throw something hard at the table that’s all done but lingering over another pot of tea and dreamily gazing at the cool red wall, looking all smug because they have a table and you don’t, and you really really hate them because you FINALLY found somewhere to park and it’s still an hour-​long wait? On a Wednesday???
Do not fret. Tamarind Tree ain’t going anywhere, and YOU have other options, dear diner.
There is a lovely little place called Saigon Bistro that is in the same parking lot, located just West of TT. And it is indeed lovely. Top-​notch unique Vietnamese dishes, terrifically friendly service (far better than TT IMO) – give Ian a shout out for me, he’s the best – and a few really nice dessert choices.
We had the sauteed greens and grilled eggplant appetizers, Goat curry, hand-​rolled (DIY) veggie and herb platter with the flash-​fried fish, a beer, the awesome ginger drink (non-​alcholic) and the warm coconut-​banana tapioca/​pudding dessert. IT ROCKED OUR WORLD. And our bill was under $ 45. I don’t know if it was a math error or what, but I know we’ll go back and will gladly spend more.
Try this place out, it’s yet another great Vietnamese restaurant in the International District. And it’s so satisfying to know you have somewhere else to go before you even attempt to cram yourself into TT’s tiny waiting area and smile uncomfortably at all the other rabidly hungry patrons while peering longlingly into the enclosed outdoor patio (that’s right next to the dumpster) just in case someone is about to finally get up and leave. Saigon Bistro’s got you covered.

Saigon Bistro? Moar liek PARAGON BISTRO, amirite?
bad jokes aside, this place has changed owners recently, but the food is still top notch. when you go, i highly recommend the cari de (a goat curry dish) or the com suon (grilled pork-​loin chop on broken rice). the thit nuong (broiled pork dish) is pretty awesome and the bun trang (a diy spring roll dish– tasty with the fish!) is crazy-​good.
Although the prices aren’t quite the same as they used to be (as another reviewer so sorely pointed out), you can tell that the restaurant is going in the right direction and the ingredients of the dishes have been upgraded to a higher quality.
I mean, where the hell else can you get KOBE-​FUCKING– BEEF in your phở bo?
yeah. nowheres. that’s what i thought.
oh shit, i almost forgot. the spring rolls there are killer. KILLER.
also try their gingerette. a house concoction that is choice. it’s like a homemade ginger ale with mint in it.
as far as service goes, the owner himself waits on tables and always has some entertaining story to tell about his childhood and his brother is head chef and always in the kitchen. the rest of the staff is as hospitable as they come.

I went to Saigon Bistro for the first time the other night and I was beyong pleased. I went with a large group and we were all sampling everything from one another’s plates.
I tried the fried spring rolls with shitake mushrooms and bean mung. I loved that they were not greasy and remained crunchy throughout sitting for a while. The sauces were great too. One a lighter ginger sweet soy sauce, the other a peanut sauce. The peanut sauce was less heavy than some I’ve had at other restaurants.
We also had the shrimp in shells to start. This was my overall favorite dish I had that night. The seasoning was so delicate. It came right out of the shell and was perfectly cooked. I’m usually left wanting more when I order seafood here in Seattle.
I also tried nibbles of the fresh rolls which were up to par. I make them a lot myself and was very pleased with combination of flavors they packed into the light and fresh rice wrapper.
For my entrée I had «monk’s food». Buckwheat noodles (DELICIOUS) with tofu, peanuts, bean sprouts, etc. They leave the sauces and mixtures of vegetables up to your own discretion. Very tasty, especially with the added soy ginger sauce. The tastes I had of the crêpe has left me wanting a whole one for my own.
The service was great, the owner was also our waiter. Allowed us to take our time, have a great meal, great conversation and satisfied bellies. I didn’t feel rushed and I had my drink refilled as many times as I needed it.
Overall one of my best dining experiences in Seattle for under $ 25 in a long time. In fact, it was so great I’m coming back tonight.

I’m a relatively new customer at Saigon Bistro. I started going at the end of last year, and I was impressed. So I decided to keep coming back. I came back a few weeks after my first taste, and I found out they were in a transition to new ownership. Earlier this month, they rolled out a new menu. They kept what was good from the original, and added some new dishes of their own. More importantly, they got rid of all the dishes that were sub-​par.
I have since been back every week to get some food from Saigon Bistro. If you’re a phở person, they have pretty good phở, especially now that they use kobe beef. And if you like trying different things, they have a goat curry that is delicious. The food is just overall very well made. I have yet to try anything that I didn’t like. The new owner even tells you how the dish is eaten. (Some people THINK they know what they’re doing or that the lettuce on their plate is just a garnish, but don’t let that fool you.)
The dishes might be a little more expensive than what it was originally, but you’re only getting robbed if you don’t try the food here because it is well worth it.