5ive Spice Tacos & Banh Mi

A moderately priced restaurant on the West Village that caters to students and weekend tourists on a budget. Not for discerning palates or first timers to Vietnamese fare. The unappetizing gray color dough on the steam vegetable dumplings was way too thick and chewy, overwhelming the filling. The grilled shrimp on the main entree were on the smallish side, the salad abundant in iceberg lettuce, and the fried rolls too greasy. The bathroom well hidden behind a bookshelf, before 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday looked like it had not been cleaned since Friday night. Once was more than enough.

You really can’t go wrong dining here. The food was consistently solid, and the service was more than acceptable. I also loved the overall vibe—it felt inviting and thoughtfully curated. The menu had a unique Vietnamese twist. I don’t think I’ve ever tried a bánh xèo taco before, so that alone made the experience memorable. That said, while it was definitely tasty, I’m not sure I’d return just for that specific dish. One fun touch: the secret passage to the bathroom was a cool surprise. But sitting right in front of the bathroom door? Not the most pleasant spot.

Good atmosphere and very nice service. I love pho with lemongrass pork shop and watermelon Lemonade is so good. This my 2nd time here and I will come back for sure. Love this place.

A very chic and wonderful restaurant. The food was truly delicious and very good. We came here without ordering and were seated immediately. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. We felt very comfortable here and had a great meal. We can absolutely recommend this restaurant. A special attraction is the bookshelf. But we don't want to give away any spoilers.

Amazing place to eat for a date or a one-on-one with friends. Theres a really intimate vibe going on and I love it. Their pho is genuinely top teir and one of the best in NYC. Their bathroom was super cool and was located behind a brick wall. I 100% recommend this place and i WILL be coming again

I went to 5ive Spice in Little Italy and the place itself was actually really cute and had a nice vibe. But honestly, the service wasn’t great. It took a while for someone to come to our table, and the staff didn’t seem very friendly or helpful. The food was just okay — not bad, but nothing special either. I was kinda expecting more because of how nice the place looked. Overall, it’s not terrible, but I wouldn’t rush back.

Great pho, though the flavor didn’t feel fully authentic to me. Overall, it was still a great experience with excellent customer service. Highly recommended!

The appetizers’ here are to live for! I often struggle to find dumplings that live up to those I had back in Taiwan, but the fried dumplings we got here were delicious, so was the lemon pepper chickens. The food portion here is large and tasty. Our server was welcoming, will definitely be back.

The food never disappoints - best viet in NYC. Amazing services - shout out to Melanie for the best service

Food- all the appetizers were AMAZING. However, the main dishes were a miss. The bun thit nuong didn't have enough lemongrass. It didn't taste Vietnamese enough for me. The shaken beef needed the main ingredient to make it shaken beef, that's the red onions. It wasn't too bad, but I wish they worked on it as much as the way perfected the appetizers. The viet coffee was amazing. The staff was very nice. The ambiance was very chill. My fiancé and I came here for lunar new year, we wish they did something to celebrate it. Maybe give each customer a red envelope? Or even give us the red envelope as a bill. Idk, something to make it more interesting. Especially how heavy they showcase the Vietnamese culture throughout the restaurant.

We stopped by for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and the place was fairly busy. We started off with fried spring rolls and some mini tacos. Fried spring rolls were classic, but the tuna mini tacos can be skipped. There was something sweet and crunchy in it and the tuna was diced so small you could barely tell it was there. For entrees we had the special pho and short ribs tacos. The tacos tasted fine but were small for the price and you'd probably need 4 to be full. The pho was fine, but a little heavy on the anise/cardamom flavor. The iced coffee was probably the highlight of the meal and perfect because the heat was blasting at the table we were sitting at. Overall, food was fine, but if you walk a few blocks you can probably get the same for a fraction of the price.

Their lemongrass chicken was sooo good! Additionally, the still water was infused with mint, which was pleasantly refreshing. Service was quick, friendly, and attentive throughout entire meal. Overall had a nice cozy atmosphere and didn't feel cramped despite all the tables being full. The bathroom was also behind a hidden door in the bookshelf (what a cool feature)!

My friend and I had a great meal the other day. I got a spicy pho dish and she got a banh mi sandwich. We both enjoyed our food which was flavorful and fresh. Service was good. Atmosphere was totally fine for lunch.

Always a pleasure coming here! Ordered: Beef Vermicelli This was quite tasty! The beef was actually gargantuan level pieces but flavorful and way more filling than if you got another protein like shrimp. Service always fast, never furious. They check in consistently and make sure the water cup never runneth dry. Happy to be hear and always satisfied when I go! Also the play list was bumping, love the vibe.

The food is so good, the service was really great as well & the ambience is so relaxing 10/10

I've been to all 5ive Spice locations and they're consistently good. The price point is great and so is the food. I love their modern spin on the viet classics. My go to is their short rib pho. You can literally shred the pieces of meat with a fork, it is so incredibly tender and the broth is rich and savory. The service is quick and I love their modern decor. Their bathroom is tucked away behind a bookshelf, so cool!

I decided to give this place another try after visiting it once to have the banh mi, the bun bo hue, and fried egg roll. All of which I've had a year ago, so I'm not able to go into details of each item other than I remember thinking to myself that it was alright and I wouldn't revisit since there are better alternatives in Manhattan. This time, I only got the special pho, and I was disappointed. The broth had a nice, deep coloring to it and smelled really good, but taste wise it did not live up to the expectations. It was also sweeter than I would've liked. Pho isn't supposed to be that sweet, but if that's a style they're going for, then I'm just not the targeted audience. The broth lacked flavors in general and really on tasted like sweet cinnamon water. I left most of the meats since it was too fatty and had an off putting color, which came with gamey flavors which I'm also not a fan of. The meatballs and short ribs were the best meats. I'd say this place isn't traditional or authentic, but a more modern twist. I do think if this was the only pho place in Manhattan and I was craving it, I still wouldn't go and just make it myself. The decor of the restaurant was cute and the staffs were attentive!

what a time to eat good food! stopped in when it was wet & rainy; this was a perfect pick me up. we started with a classic thai tea, which has crushed ice (+5 brownie points) for appetizer we had the mango shrimp salad which was totally shareable and a fresh slightly sweet start to our meal. the shrimp chips added a light crunch to the mango slaw, so yum. i ordered the short ribs with rice noodles and pineapple coulis, full of texture and layered flavors with an underlying heat that's not overpowering, fab on the taste buds! i tried a sip of the lemongrass chicken pho and the lemongrass in the broth is so delicious, it tingles across the tongue in a fun way. love the ambiance especially the restroom behind the bookcase. the service was fast and overall decent. i'd definitely go back for another round of 5ive spice!

Came here for a Saturday lunch. Had their BRAISED SHORT RIBS Vermicelli. The short ribs was an extreme thick cut and very juicy. Totally blew my mind. Vermicelli was as expected with the sweet and sour flavor. It was perfect dish for the fall. Getting their Vietnamese coffee is a no-brainer. Highly recommend.

Service started off rocky but the hostess made up for it by comping the limeade and Vietnamese iced coffee. The veggie rolls were good and really one of a kind but everything else was bland. The limeade was really good as well as the Vietnamese coffee. We came here based on the outstanding reviews but I guess we didn't order what everyone else ordered - shrug!

Came to this location for the third time and ordered different things each time. They have a nice menu a variety of options. The Pho and the Bun Bo Hue have been amazing picks! The Bun Bo Hue came with a spicy and flavorful broth with soft rice noodles. This place has a cute hidden bathroom behind this book shelf which really created a fun concept. This is a great spot to catch up with friends and enjoy a hearty meal.

This spot is always solid, enjoyed it every time I went. I have tried a few items on their menu and nothing has really missed. Each dish is super flavorful and service is really fast. The pho broth is a little salty though. The thai ice tea was a great addition.

I had the veggie Banh Xeo here. The soy protein was chewy, savory, and well seasoned. I also liked the fresh veg toppings and the pico de gallo served on the side, which adds some fusion elements to the dish. I did find that the outside was a bit oily, and both tacos were a tad overfilled and hard to eat without the filling spilling out. I'd rather see three smaller ones instead I think. For $15.50 before tax and tip, the prices are about average. This is good for a quick meal.

First time at this 5ive Spice location and it did not dissapoint. My friend and I came here for lunch and we both ordered the beef pho. The broth was flavorful and the beef was tender. We both thorougly enjoyed it. Service was quick and staff is very nice. We had also ordered elote for an appetizer, but we weren't big fans of it. We also ordered Vietnamese iced coffee to go and it was in a cute to go cup. The coffee was strong, and delicious. The inside was nice, and the hidden bathroom via the bookshelf was a cool touch. Overall, we had a great lunch date!

I recently surprised my fiancé with a secret food tour that started in Chinatown and ended in Little Italy. The tour included stops at seven different restaurants, and one of the locations we stopped during our food tour was at 5ive Spice. At 5ive Spice, we had the opportunity to try the Banh Xiao Tacos, which were paired with a Vietnamese lager. The tacos were made with a rice crepe base and topped with chicken, bean sprouts, pickled vegetables, mint, and fried shallots. The combination of flavors was complex and intriguing, with each bite offering a unique mix of textures and tastes. While I can see how this spot might not be for everyone, I personally enjoyed it and found it to be a standout on the tour. The Banh Xiao Tacos were delicious, and I could definitely see myself returning to 5ive Spice for another round. If you're open to trying something new and different, this place is worth a try.

Amazing viet pho restaurant in Manhattan soho I would recommend coming here to spend time with your friends .

Yum! We were able to walk in on a weekend dinner without wait time. This interior is nice with plenty of indoor seating. We got the beer batted fish Vietnamese taco (Banh Xeo) which was delicious. The fish batter was airy and crispy! The way they served this banh xeo felt more taco like instead of the ones I've had before at other places where it tasted more like an omelette crepe.

I came in for a bowl of pho after a weekend workout. The restaurant has a modern, Vietnamese-American vibe, to the restroom tucked behind a hidden study bookshelf (!) - a decidedly different experience from the pho places in Chinatown. The beef pho broth was good, spice forward (star anise and cinnamon?), but not in an overpowering way - and the noodles were the perfect chewy texture. Thai iced tea was also great. Exactly what I wanted for a fall day meal in SoHo. The service was great, very attentive and knowledgeable (thanks, Melanie!).

I got my food to go. I ordered the lemongrass chicken pho and the shrimp and pork tacos and this is the best Vietnamese food I've had in a very long time. The tacos were amazing and heated up and retained the flavor. I'll deff be back.

A yummy spot for Vietnamese eats tucked into the heart of SoHo -- its great for rainy day comfort food and the portions are really filling. The ambiance was super laid-back and no-frills. It was easy to get a table for a late lunch on a Saturday afternoon after window-shopping in the area. I got the Shrimp Vermicelli Bowl and it was good -- I liked that I could sub out the spring rolls to be vegetarian and the shrimp was yummy. They generally have a ton of vegetarian options, and I loved the Veggie Banh Mi that my friend got too.

Walked in at 6pm on a Monday night and it was surprisingly but nicely quiet. Got a table for 3 and they gave us menus and water immediately. Excellent service. I got the pho lemongrass porkchop and it was cooked well. The porkchop wasn't dry which I appreciated. My friends ordered the porkchop taco and cold noodles with spring roll. They enjoyed their food as well. We got the elderflower drink, limeade and rose lychee drinks which were good except my elderflower drink which was a bit lackluster. Overall, cute interior and friendly fast service.

Beautiful environment & great food! Their Bun Bo Hue is amazing and the service is fabulous. S/O to Melanie!! The sweetest service :)

The banh mi was awesome! I haven't had a great Banh mi in the city yet, but this was my first good one. The sweet potato fries were to die for as well. The workers were quick and attentive and super nice. The restaurant was small but cozy with a nice dining space and bar space to choose from. Definitely going back!

If you're in the mood for a hearty homemade meal, this is the place to go. Large portions, great flavors & super quick. Get the wings! Such a good starter to open up your appetite. Service is great! The servers are extremely attentive & speedy. Seats are well spaced out, doesn't feel overcrowded. Nice music, you can hear the person sitting across from you talk without having to shout

This placed seemed like a more dressed up version of their Chinatown colleagues. I would rather walk slightly further into Chinatown for good authentic pho. Service was quick in a low volume place. The ambiance feels like a cafe without the outlets and laptops. Overall, I just didn't like that the amount they charge for their food and that they're one of those restaurants that ask for 20% tips as the starting recommended amount. Unlikely to come back.

Great pho it was delicious and the ambience was cozy as well! Perfect for a winter day

Took my daughters to 5ive Spice cuz this popped up when my youngest one googled "tacos" I warned them this spot would not have sour cream and that they aren't Mexican, yet they still wanted to try it. Great choice girls. We started with fried chicken dumplings, which were banging. The sweet sauce is very flavorful. Then we went Lemongrass chicken tacos, rice and vermecelli respectively. My daughters loved their food, the little one is a noodle person and these did not disappoint. I like the lemongrass here, and their sauces are really a great pairing. And the prices aren't too crazy for the area. We will be back.

Always a great hangover meal at 5ive Spice! Our server Melanie was very sweet and helpful. We ended up ordering our favorites: Braised Beef Noodle soup, braised beef banh mi & taro crisps. Everything was very flavorful & if you get the banh mi, you have to add egg to your sandwich.

Being Vietnamese, I'm very picky when it comes to Vietnamese restaurants since my mom's cooking is my favorite of all. This place brings me comfort when I can't have my mom's cooking. Their decor transports me back to Vietnam. They might not have every traditional dish like other restaurants in Chinatown, but they serve fresh, excellent quality ingredients. Their banh xeo is not served in the traditional style, but still tastes great. Their pho is probably the cleanest I have had in terms of taste and how it makes my stomach feel afterward. I would recommend this place to anyone who just wants clean, and most importantly, delicious Vietnamese food. They also have one of the coolest bathrooms ever!

This is my second time coming to this location and nothing has really changed. The food here is still delicious and the staff are all friendly! This time I tried their braised short rib pho and asked for it to be none spicy if possible so they put the pineapple coulis on the side for me and it would not be spicy. My friend ordered the same did without modification and we both enjoyed it the food. Overall, I would come back again to try their other dishes. Note: we received complimentary drink for writing a review and those drinks were also delicious so I would recommend trying the watermelon limeade drink especially on a hot summer day

Coming back here for a second time and eating in person, I was much more impressed by this spot. The service was quick and it was easy to sit down on a Saturday night. The dumplings we got were solid but nothing special, but I opted for the tacos which were quite tasty! I loved how they made the tofu feel like a normal taco filling and all the Viet flavor influences were really well done. $16 for two tacos isn't cheap but these were pretty good and unique so makes sense!

Overall: 4.1/5 (dine in) From the moment we walked in, the aroma of pho filled my nose. We were seated immediately and were well-attended to throughout our entire meal. The place is super cute with the bathroom incorporated into the bookshelf wall. Their outdoor seating is also nicely decorated with hanging lanterns, string lights, and greenery. The only downside is their prices aren't consistent on the menu vs what they charge. (All the prices in ( ) = what we paid.) Ube Iced Latte ($7): I was recommended the ube over the pandan so of course I went with the recommendation. This came with a shot of espresso on the side instead of poured on top for you. I was expecting this to be sweeter as they use ube ice cream but it wasn't. The drink overall was light in flavor so I probably should have gone with the Vietnamese coffee instead. They only have whole milk (no alternatives) too so if you're lactose-intolerant, I would avoid this. Also the menu says $7.5 but the receipt says $7. Dip ($2): The menu says it's $1 but they charged us $2. The dip was needed for the short ribs banh mi. It tasted like a diluted consommé but serves the same purpose of elevating - in this case - the banh mi flavor. Braised Short Ribs Banh Mi ($16.50) + 2 Fried Runny Eggs ($5): The eggs were a great addition. The bread was crunchy but not overly baked to the point where the crust bits might poke the roof of your mouth. They gave a good amount of short ribs too but they were lacking flavor. I also wished they cut the short rib into smaller pieces too since I got some stuck in my teeth after biting into a big chunk - not cute. Beer Battered Fish Tacos ($14.50): This was amazing! The beer battered fish was delicious, flavorful, and crispy. The banh xeo taco was crispy but a bit dry. You need to add the fish sauce dip to bring out the Vietnamese flavor. The salsa is a bit out of place but other than that, very creative and a great combo :) Opus 00, No 5 ($14): The menu says $13 but we got charged $14. Aside from that, this was a really great cocktail! We're surprised that this is made with a soju base. The charred oak, walnut bitters, and atomized jasmine really gave it an earthy flavor and made it taste like a very strong drink but in a good way. It also tasted very pure and filtered. Would recommend this cocktail for sure.

* Take out via DoorDash * 5ive Spice's Lemongrass Chicken Pho at $21 was a bit more expensive than the competitors, but I decided to give it a try based on the positive yelp reviews. Overall, I was not disappointed. The lemongrass chicken was cooked well, high quality lean breast meat. The broth was not the most flavorful that I've had, but seemed healthier and lighter, which I appreciated. The delivery came well packaged, with a the vegetables and broth packaged separately from the noodles and broth, which were delivered in a large plastic bowl/container I could use to mix all the ingredients. Would order again!

This is by far the best pho I have ever had. I'm from Houston Texas where we probably have the largest Vietnamese food scene in USA and I put this pho against them. Get the 5ive Spice special, you won't be disappointed! Service was good too!

I came here with a party of 5 as a walk-in this past Saturday evening for dinner. Weather has been getting a bit nippy so I was craving for a nice bowl of pho! The service was decent. Interior decor is definitely more modernized yet also welcoming. Here's what I ordered: 5ive Special Pho-regular Viet Taco Pandan Latte The pandan latte off the bat, was really good! Pandan flavor and coffee was on point. As for the food, I got the 5ive spice pho special bowl. The broth, noodles, and meats were excellent. The viet tacos i ordered to share with a friend. Needless to say, our stomachs ordered the food and we may have over-ordered. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal. The portions are very generous. I would highly recommend this place!

First time customer. 5 stars. I had a great experience here, from beginning to end. The wait staff were friendly and accommodating. The Classic Beef Pho $19 is delicious, down to the last drops of it's broth/soup. We each ordered the Watermelon Lemonade $6 on the AAPI menu. We both found it to be on the sweeter side. It's 2/3 Lemonade and 1/3 watermelon puree. Order this before it's discontinued! We weren't rushed out to free up the 4-seat table while we were a party of 2. The tables were spaced-out. high ceilings, some white walls and scant decor & chandeliers make for a comfortable setting. Also, I love the unobvious entrance to the bathroom which is spacious and clean.

I always come here for the pho because the soup is so well seasoned, light, clean, and flavorful. This time I got the 5ive Special which came with maybe less noodles but lots of beef. The soup was mild but a bit on the sweet side. The beef was very tender and malleable. I also tried the watermelon limeade which was refreshing but very sweet with the faint hint of watermelon.

If you're a meat eater and have missed Vietnamese food, I highly recommend stopping by here. The veggie pho is a delicious and filling soup packed with a variety of vegetables. Since turning vegan, the veggie bahn mi has been my go-to. It tastes just as satisfying as the meat sandwiches! The service is also great. The staff are very friendly and accommodating.

I'm not the biggest Pho fan, so I typically stray away from Vietnamese, however 5ive Spice did not disappoint. We ordered the loaded the Pho and the broth itself was incredible. We also shared the wings and and Short Rib Tacos. I preferred the short rib tacos to the wings, even though I'm typically a die hard wings fan. I would definitely come back to 5ive Spice again, especially when places next door like Ruby's have lines so long you're afraid to ask the Hostess how long it would take to be seated.

Not as great as I remember from last year. The soup is not as rich in taste anymore. The tuna tacos are new but it's lacking a little something to make them worth ordering. Doesn't really taste like tuna but rather just random fish taste. The place still good don't get me wrong, but I feel like there's better pho elsewhere.

Very average. Based on the reviews I was hoping to love the pho here, but it just was lacking flavor and was overpriced for the amount of meat and noodles. I will say the inside of this restaurant is beautiful and the service is good!

" When the dog bites, when the bee stings.." When the wind cuts you in half.. what do you do? What do you eat? Pho!!!!!! But of course! I walked on a very windy pre March last day of February..I could have just flew there from Spring Street! Five Spice offered me the warmth I craved: warm brick walls, cozy bar and of course the menu. I knew as I stripped my five layers of clothing off, pho was it! My waiter placed a plate of soup spoon, bean sprouts and lime. A lime based water was also served, very refreshing. Then my bowl of pho arrived.. it looked like a mini swimming pool. The scent of lemongrass, grilled chicken, jalapeño, sprouts in a clear broth made my stomach smile. One slurp and it was a tonic the doctor ordered.. warmth just circulated through my veins. I was busy slurping for a solid thirty minutes. It was delicious and filling. There are of course other food options like Vietnamese tacos, buns and salads. Something for me to try next time. I'll finish the Julie Andrew's song: "5Spice is a few of my favorite things"... 5Spice is located in the heart of Mulberry Street which means you have the best of two worlds; Little Italy and Chinatown. This, you will find a wealth of dessert places nearby like Ferraras or Eileen Cheesecakes. Happy slurping! .

The pho was delicious and the service was very nice. This is a cool place in a great location.

Visited on a thursday night around 6:30pm. Not much of a crowd inside. Service was pretty quick i actually got my food before my drinks. I ordered the shaking beef. The waitress asked noodle or salad so I went with salad. I was going to order rice but I guess they were out since it wasnt an option for the night. Beef was okay, it was a bit tough to eat. Also it wasnt much for the pricetag. Ive ordered the same dish in chinatown and got an entire plate of beef vs my salad which came with 8 pieces. I also ordered the Pika Yuzu which was pretty disappointing. It tasted premade like it was maybe sitting in a pitcher? Not really any hint of alcohol. By about 8pm the place was dead inside. I probably would not return to this spot.

Ambiance (4/5): The restaurant is nice and spacious! The back dining area was blocked off on a weeknight. The bathroom has a hidden door disguised as the bookshelf! There were only about 4 or 5 tables of guests on a random weeknight, which allowed for a quiet dining experience. There also played some awesome retro R&B that I was jamming out to my whole meal. Service (5/5): Since there were very few guests, the service was on point and the food came out lightning fast. Food (4/5): The cocktails were not available for the Thursday night that we dined in. Viet iced coffee (4/5): It was a rich tasting coffee with a nice chocolate aftertaste. Rooster Wings (4/5): There was a wonderful crunch to the chicken wings! The glaze was sweet, ever so slightly spicy, and had hints of the five spice powder. There was also some fried garlic pieces and green onions to complement the bite. 5ive Special (4/5): There was a very mild spice level to the soup but I thought the broth had depth and umami. I didn't feel like I needed to add hoisin to it but definitely needed the spicy chili sauce for the heat level. The boneless braised short ribs piece was phenomenal--tender, seasoned through, and a sizable chunk. I don't know what slice it was, but one of the angus pieces were tough to chew. Some of the viet beef balls had large pieces of tendon in it. My stomach wasn't really that happy with me (probably for choosing the coffee plus a huge bowl of pho) but I really enjoyed my dining experience and would dine here again!

Overall yummy if you're into Vietnamese fusion food. Their egg rolls are unique and a must try!

I would definitely return to this experience! The food was really good and everything we had was yummy. The brussels sprouts were the highlight of the meal. The service was the only reason for the four star rating rather than the five star. It was a busy day and so our table wasn't cared for fully. However, it's a great place to eat!! And the secret bathroom is really cool!