A lot of the Bay Area’s top-tier Vietnamese food can be found in San Jose or East Oakland, but SF has its fair share of fantastic spots. Many are concentrated in the Tenderloin’s Little Saigon, the area packed with tiny takeout-only sandwich shops and casual phở places on and around Larkin Street. But you can also find bún riêu, garlic noodles, and bò tái chanh scattered throughout the city, whether you’re looking to get fancy at a place with cocktails and a tasting menu or want to stroll in for bún bò huế on a random weeknight. Oh, and if you’re looking specifically for bánh mì, we’ve got a guide for that, too.
THE SPOTS
9.1
Saigon Sandwich
$$$$Perfect For:LunchSerious Take-Out Operation
This Little Saigon counter-service spot always attracts a line at lunch time, and for good reason: Saigon Sandwich serves the best bánh mì in SF. Every element of the hallowed sandwich is fine-tuned: the roll is crackly yet fluffy, the roast chicken and pork meatballs are saturated with umami, and the accompanying cucumber, carrots, and jalapeños are fresh enough to make farmers market produce cower in fear. Oh, and they’re $5 each.