Ben Tre Restaurant

Vietnamese restaurant · Millbrae

Ben Tre Restaurant

Vietnamese restaurant · Millbrae

1

219 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030

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Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by Eater
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null
Ben Tre Restaurant by null

Highlights

This laid-back spot serves up hearty Vietnamese classics like pho and flavorful meat dishes, making it a go-to for delicious, satisfying bites.  

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219 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030 Get directions

bentrerestaurant.com
@bentrerestaurant

$10–20 · Menu

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219 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030 Get directions

+1 650 689 5588
bentrerestaurant.com
@bentrerestaurant

$10–20 · Menu

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outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 14, 2025

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25 Essential Peninsula Restaurants

"Family-owned Ben Tre has made a name for itself for delicious Vietnamese street food on the Peninsula. The restaurant stays true to its name, serving food from the Southern region of Vietnam — the Ben Tre province, from which the family owners originate. The menu is notably expansive, with a range of hearty noodle dishes, soups, rice platters, and appetizers. But Ben Tre is most well-known for five-spice chicken, which is marinated for 48 hours, then baked, deep fried, and grilled. The garlic noodles and pho both make solid pairings with the chicken, though the shaking beef is another enticing option." - Cathy Park

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-peninsula-palo-alto-mountain-view-san-mateo
View Postcard for Ben Tre Restaurant

sam rusoff

Google
Have had dinner here twice, both times were excellent. Their menu has a lot of options, their service and arrival of the food is very quick which I love. Most important of all, the food is fresh, delicious, and authentic (brings me right back to the soups and rice plates I had in Vietnam). The interior has lots of tables so even when it's busy there isn't a long wait, and they have some TVs to watch while you eat but it's still a calm casual atmosphere. I'll keep coming back here anytime I'm in Millbrae.

tung how run

Google
I ordered a set of pho ga and spring roll: this is perfect as the dish served hot and soup taste great.

David Huey

Google
One of my go to spots for Vietnamese food. Casual place. It can get busy but the wait is never long. Lots of options to choose from and the prices are reasonable. Noodle soup, rice dishes, appetizers, entrees, etc., A good spot to try out. Enjoy.

Keena Middleton

Google
Ben Tre has good flavor with good portion size. In my opinion the spring rolls are some of the best. The soup is in the top groups if you like beef broth. The restaurant is very clean and they are consistent throughout there locations. I always get the rare beef with brisket soup and meatball spring roll. Occasionally I will get the shaking beef or the 5spice chicken and neither option will let you down. The garlic noodles are pretty good, not oily and good flavor of garlic. A place worthy of trying for sure!

ANH KHOA NGUYEN

Google
This place really captures the essence of Southern Vietnamese cuisine. We had the Canh Chua and Ca Kho To for two. The Ca Kho To was packed with flavor, but the Canh Chua was a bit too sweet for our liking. The restaurant itself is clean and the service was super fast. Despite the sweetness of the soup, we’ll definitely be back to try more dishes.

Patricia Anna Dan

Google
Ordered the Chicken Pho (#25) and it was so delicious. The soup was wonderfully aromatic and the broth was so good, literally perfect (to my standards). The noodles were good and the protein was plentiful. I don’t know if my taste buds were magically heightened tonight, or if they just serve an incredible soup here, but I was pleased. Service was quick. Loved it!

James Berta

Google
Just had an amazing meal at this Vietnamese gem! The pho was packed with flavor, and the spring rolls were crispy perfection. The vibe is cozy, service super friendly, and everything tasted so fresh. Perfect spot for a quick bite or casual dinner. Can't wait to go back!

Rovik Robert

Google
Hearty is really the right word here - food is heavy and packed with flavor but also salt and sugar. The garlic noodles are dense and the meats are on the fattier side which means you’re up for a calorie bomb eating here. Service is fast though!

Jeff T.

Yelp
Had pho, soup was hot and tasted not bad. But SSF and Gao still better. Cashier was cool guy who didn't bother to look up and look at you after paying even though I say thank you.
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Gaylord G.

Yelp
Food was superb with good quality ingredients! Service was excellent Ambiance is nice
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Eva L.

Yelp
Ben Tre in Millbrae delivers solid Vietnamese dishes every time. The Pho broth is packed with flavor, and the broth is rich without being overly salty. The Shaking Beef is another favorite--tender, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. The service is efficient and friendly, even when the restaurant gets busy. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable, making it a great spot for lunch or dinner. Overall, it's a reliable choice for quality Vietnamese food in the area.
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Phil N.

Yelp
This is a bustling spot on El Camino in Millbrae. Parking IS challenging on a Friday Evening but doable if you circle around the block. Ambiance. This is a quick serve Vietnamese restaurant. It's not hip. It's relatively clean. They move a lot of chow through this place and maybe not sparkling at the rush, but wiped down Service.There are no reservations here. There was also no wait and ever table was full. They have a lot of tables and they know how to turn them. They are not overly aggressive, friendly enough but not a lot of chitter chatter. Wham, Bam, here's you Pho. Food came quickly Food. You will see some lower reviews spattered in with the good ones. The people who give bad reviews don't order right food. Funny, but it's true. I DID read the reviews . Number one thing in popularity is the 5 Spice Chicken on Garlic Noodles, followed by the Combo Appetizer, then by the Pho. Order those things. If you get top thing, it's plenty to share
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Mariam M.

Yelp
I've been coming to this place for many years just for their beef pho. My go to order is number 18. It's the closest to the best pho I used to enjoy back in NYC. Just lower your expectations with the service which I find is not personable. You barely get greeted with a hello and a menu is thrown at you and waiter walks away quickly. This has been my experience every single time. Tables and place feels unclean but have to admit this feels a hole in the wall place that has been consistent with their pho which comes to your table less than 5 mins with fresh ingredients to place in your soup. The pho is a bit pricey but the portion is big and comes in one size.
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Kirsten L.

Yelp
Food: 4.5 out of 5 I am obsessed with their Banh Xeo and their combination appetizer platter. I've also ordered other dishes in the past and have not been disappointed. Consistent quality every time, since I have been a customer at both locations in SSF & Millbrae. Service: N/A I'm typically ordering my food to go and scarfing it down. Environment: 4.5 out of 5 You are here to enjoy home cooked style food, nourishes both your body and your soul. Don't come here too overdressed; this is not that type of place nor it should be. Overall: 4.5 out of 5 I'm a repeat customer for a reason. Need I say more?
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Melinda L.

Yelp
I used to come here a lot pre pandemic since it was close to the airport and was a solid 4. However, I came here recently since. It has changed a lot and the pho was quite bad. It tasted like water and was pricy. You could tell the broth didn't cook long enough to get that extra oomph. The bun rieu was also just very average. Overall, extremely disappointed and likely will not come back again.
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Daisy G.

Yelp
Came here after flying into SFO, was a must needed meal for me. It warmed my soul and the soup was hearty. After a flight it was just what I needed. I love Ben tre and their food is always so flavorful. Would come back here!
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Joanna S.

Yelp
Every time we dine here, we wonder why we don't eat here more often. The food is prepared well and a great value. DH had the crepe, which is filled with assorted meat/seafood/veggies. He liked it. DS had a 2 item barbecue plate. I can't recall the two items, but he devoured it. I had 21, pho and roast chicken. It was very satisfying. Service was very good.
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Manny G.

Yelp
Consistently fantastic. the service is quick. the Food is delicious. The 5-spice chicken and garlic noodle combo is legit. Parking can be a challenge. Dont sleep on this spot they have plenty of other menu options.
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Ivy C.

Yelp
Yummy! I finally tried this place after years of hearing about it and it lived up to its expectations! We ordered: - appetizer sampler: 4/5 - pho: 4.5/5 - bun rieu: 4/5 - banh xeo: 4/5 Everything was tasty, fresh, and up to par with the best places in eastside San Jose. Service was friendly and prompt. They even subbed noodles for more veggies for me, in my noodle soup. I only wish this was closer by! I never visited because I live in the South Bay. But now I know there's something just as good, if not better up in south SF.
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Tina Z.

Yelp
Parking was a bit hard to find but not impossible. I walked in and was able to pick my own table. After I sat down, it started getting more and more busy and the long tables were shared between guests. I ended up ordering the classic Bun Bo Hue -- which didn't take long to come out. The broth was very nicely flavored and there was plenty beef and tripe. I'd definitely come back again for this. One thing I want to note was that the soup made me incredibly thirsty after my meal so it may or may not have had a lot of sodium/MSG.
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Caitlyn M.

Yelp
Perfect spot if you've been craving Vietnamese food! It's a casual and affordable restaurant with so many Viet dishes. We got the chicken pho and the garlic noodles with the beef. Both were delicious and came with a good amount of meat! Would definitely come back.
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Lisa L.

Yelp
No wait on a Monday around 1pm for a party of 4 Food is overall tasty and good value - Garlic noodles with 5 spice chicken: giant chicken leg quarter and big portion of garlic noodles. Garlic noodles are a bit greasy but garlicky. This combo is a solid choice, especially if you want more protein - Bun bo hue: rich beef flavor, good cuts of meat, adequate spice level, noodles cooked to standard
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zandra h.

Yelp
Take out never tasted better. Pho is amazing! And their lemonade is perfect, I've yet to eat inside but as far as pick up orders go the service is always good.
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edlyn l.

Yelp
We came here after arriving at SFO. It is minutes from SFO. It was pretty busy for Monday night. It was easy to find parking but it was a weekend I am sure it's crowded. We were seated right away. They took our order right away. We were surprised that our phos and vermecilli dish came out pretty fast. But they forgot our fresh shrimp Rolls. They were big portions for the price. There are plenty of tables inside. We will be back!
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Jessica G.

Yelp
Ben Tre is my dad's current go-to for pho while in the area. When he picked up my sister and me from SFO on rainy Sunday late morning, he brought us here for lunch. Parking can be a struggle here during busy times. There's lots of it, but there's also a lot of people around during this time. We circled around for a bit and didn't have luck on the street or in the nearby lot, but luckily someone was leaving right as we drove by the front. The parking area right up front is tight, but if my dad's truck could find a space, it'll be no problem for others with smaller cars. Sure enough, on a rainy morning, there were lots of people who were craving a hot soup and the place was packed. We added our name to the list and actually didn't have to wait too long for a table to be ready. They are efficient! Service was quick as they made their rounds taking orders and bringing out the food really soon after. The dining room was hustling and bustling (so probably not the best place to go if you're looking for a quiet meal). The tables are also close together so sometimes you may be eating very close to your neighbors. There are so many options on the menu that I wanted to try but this time I just went with the Wonton Noodle Soup with Chicken ($17). So good, filling, and comforting especially after a long flight. I'll definitely be trying the garlic noodles and five spice chicken next time!
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Fred K.

Yelp
We lost Ben Tre in San Mateo. One in Millbrae is close, food is very good and good value. For our "take out orders," they are always ready and well organized. There are many selections and combinations. The only issue may be the parking. There is a public parking near by as well as "20 min" parking one block away!
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Yen H.

Yelp
I don't understand the hype. This place, food wise, is just okay, at best. I do like the service though. Fast, friendly, and efficient. This location is a bit dark and stuffy. Let's focus on the food...I stopped by today and tried their bun rieu...What a terrible mistake. I was starving but couldn't even finish the bowl because: 1. The soup and crab paste had a strange taste 2. The soup lacked the tomato base (you can see how it's just yellow instead of red in my picture) 3. Too salty 4. The vermicelli were too thin and overcooked 5. Too oily 6. The overall dish just tasted bizarre and had some random flavors that tasted nothing like bun rieu I flew back from a long work trip in Boston so I was craving for some comfort food but this definitely did NOT hit the spot. Bun rieu is my favorite Vietnamese noodle soup so I know my bun rieu! If I ever come back again, I would just order their caramelized catfish in claypot + the sour soup. It's not great but decent...It's hard to find Vietnamese family style dishes at restaurants so it's a plus that they offer it. Even their pho is just a-okay but I'd rather take that over their bun rieu any day!
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Jodi H.

Yelp
CRYING, it's the five spice chicken (marinated for 48hrs and grilled) garlic noodles for me. Dreaming of it, and drooling. We finally made it to Ben Tre after having it on our list for so long. Ben Tre is a staple along the Peninsula, lots of families were there and locals all know it. We stopped by for late lunch after playing along the beachside, and were happy to know that they were still open around 2pm ish. LOTS of seating, and they were dog-friendly and kid-friendly. We found parking in their hella tight-spaced lot shared with other shops along El Camino Real, and were quickly seated. The menu was DIVINE and we got our food so quick. Shoutout to the efficient, fast, and funny Vietnamese and Latinx staff running the joint. Restroom is clean, and they take card/cash. We HAD to get their five spice chicken garlic noodles (the star of the show), that initial crunch of the chicken was mm so out of this world. I loved my beef tendon pho, noodles so QQ and lost of pho toppings provided (yay for mint, basil AND cilantro) they didn't skimp. Our table also raved about the vermicelli and the Bun Bo Hue. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and filled out bellies and hearts--we also walked away with leftovers. Ben Tre is the perf spot if you're looking for tasty, well-portioned, and authentic Vietnamese food served with excellence and speed. Ben Tre, I love you keep doing you.
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Ton H.

Yelp
Great portion and hot sour soup was great! First time in SF and wanted some tasty Vietnamese food
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Leo Y.

Yelp
So, the other day, I was stuck in one of those typical traffic nightmares and decided to duck into this little place for some pho to wait it out. It had a real family vibe to it, kinda like stepping into a local hangout where everyone knows each other. I ended up ordering the rare steak pho because, well, I was craving something simple and meaty. But, here's the thing - it was just rare steak and noodles. That's it. I immediately wished I'd gone for the pho with all the fixings instead. The broth, which let's be honest, is usually the make-or-break part of pho, was just okay. It didn't really have that rich, hearty flavor that makes you go "wow." The service, though, was a whole different story. It was quick, which I appreciated. There was this waiter zooming around, always polite but with a funny way of saying "May I" every time he squeezed past customers. He was pretty efficient and definitely knew his way around the hustle of the place. Even with that speedy service, I can't see myself going back. The broth just didn't do it for me, and for a pho lover, that's a big deal. It's all about that broth, and I was left wanting more.
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Alan L.

Yelp
Really enjoyed the pho at this place! Am a bit surprised at the lower than expected ratings, but the pho we got was good and very filling! Would recommend to try!
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Fred T.

Yelp
We are HUGE fans of Vietnamese cuisine. Our love affair began with 50 cent Bahn Mi's from sketchy vendors around San Jose State University in the late 80's and carried us to everything from wayward vendors in the middle of nowhere, such stalwarts as Vung Tau, Slanted Door, and Le Colonial. We know our way around There were a few issues with the food and in the end we rounded the 3.5 up to 4 because of the great service we received. The Food: Beef Carpaccio: This is why we came. I love carpaccio and the thought of it with Vietnamese flavors was irresistible. The beef was sliced just right. The peanuts which added needed crunch, the lime juice and onions all complimented the beef. The problem was the garlic. It was rock hard and having to fight through it really ruined what would have been a perfect app Shaking Beef: I opted for the garlic noodles. This dish was okay. The beef was a bit of a mixed bag with a few gristly pieces. The flavor was spot on and the vegetables were cooked but still were crunchy. The garlic nooded als were properly cooked, but they seemed to be 'Garlic lite" and it was hard to taste what garlic was present. Vietnamese Coffee: The coffee plus condensed milk is such a match made in heaven. So good. It is possible we simply had an off service from the kitchen. The issues we encountered will not prevent us from going back in the future.
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ronadette c.

Yelp
I ordered 2 shaking beef , 1 with a side of garlic noodles and 1 with side of white rice. Also ordered 2 orders of shrimp rolls to go. Got home excited to eat the shaking beef since I've tried it at the San Mateo and San Bruno locations and they were delicious. Thai one on the other hand had small portion on the meat and it was bland. No flavor at all. Even with the little salt pack that they put. ! It was very disappointing I didn't even bother taking a pic . $80 went down the drain :(
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Issa A.

Yelp
THE GOOD: - Delicious pho! - meat is not fatty like other places - Chicken pho is probably my favorite of all pho places - good quality ingredients and tastes fresh! - nice ambience - big portions for pho NOT SO GOOD: - The prices. $20 + tip for a bowl of pho is kinda wild. Pho used to be the quick cheap hearty meal. I know things have gotten more $$ in the past few years. But inflation has stopped a while ago, and prices at this restaurant continue to rise. Maybe make two sizes for the pho? They do give you a lot, a small version would be nice. - They tend to "forget" to put garnishes almost *every* time i order takeout. It's usually the same items they forget--the basil and the sriracha. (I'm guessing because those items are the most costly) I've been holding off on this review for a while because I do love getting food from this place. But these prices have gotten wild. Even in New York City pho didn't cost this much. Hope things can improve.
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Maria R.

Yelp
Came here for lunch and had the number #21 from the menu. Loved it i had big piece for chicken too big had to pack it to go because with was too much for me. Fast service seating fast broth was excellent probably one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area. Home style feel to it.
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Alex P.

Yelp
Let's talk for a minute about neighborhoods surrounding airports. To put it mildly, they are typically less than desirable places to live and seldom have many spots to eat, except perhaps a Marriott restaurant or a Popeyes to drench down the sorrows with some fat. San Francisco is profoundly different. Ben Tre, located a short drive from the terminals, is absolutely phenomenal. Bun Rieu, their most popular soup that combines meat in all forms is absolutely phenomenal. Big portion that's loaded up with flavors of Asia and screaming, well, happiness. The folks working here are an efficient, no fuss bunch. You'll get everything needed, just don't expect extra niceties. All is to the point, the service and the food, and it's phenomenal.
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Linda L.

Yelp
Came here on a weekday after work to celebrate a coworker's birthday and it wasn't too busy, so we got seated right away. I ordered a bun rieu and it was delicious! Nothing out of this world, but definitely satisfied my craving. Plenty of protein and fresh toppings. Service was also quick and attentive.
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Melissa C.

Yelp
was looking forward to trying Ben Tre after many years of hearing about it ! parking was hard to find for a saturday night , we did circle about 4-5 times before finding a spot in the neighborhood. i ordered the rice plate w/ pork and shrimp. my friend ordered garlic noodles with beef. the portions were big, in my opinion, so you really get the bang for the buck! i thought the pork was sort of on the dry side of things though. i would come again to try their pho!
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Carina L.

Yelp
Got seated quickly on Sat afternoon. The Pho Ga Quay Chao seemed different and came out within 5 min. Nothing too memorable or spectacular, actually. It was a common grilled 5 spiced chicken that was neither great or bad, paired with a beef broth with pho noodles. The broth was pretty good. They give you a lot of noodles which I didnt finish. I also took the rest of the chicken home.
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Pearl R.

Yelp
I really enjoyed this place! At first, I was very skeptical since it wasn't as popular as other places that I heard about, but I was wrong. This place is so amazing in terms of flavoring and the portion size. The price was also very reasonable and it is not as busy as other places on the weekdays. Definitely recommend this place if you come by Millbrae or around the Bay Area!
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Pam K.

Yelp
The service here deserves 5 stars. They were so friendly and quick. The ingredients are fresh and the food is good. I wish the bun bo hue had a little more depth to it but I still enjoyed it. I can tell this place gets super busy with customers and take-out orders but the staff works so efficiently that my experience was still great.
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Michelle C.

Yelp
#29 Bun Rieu (Tomato Crab & Pork Vermicelli Soup) is the one! It definitely hit the spot for me on a cold winter night in the bay. I could only finish half, but took the rest to go. Maybe it was bc we also ordered shrimp spring rolls. Anyways, a few hours later I was hungry again so I heated up the rest. It reheats well, btw! It was so good, I literally finished every drop of broth too LOL. Customer service here was very mixed. The man taking our order seemed really short and impatient. When I handed him the menu after we ordered, he literally SNATCHED the menu out of my hand and slammed it right back down on the table next to us. I thought to myself, am I over-exaggerating?? But after my fiancé added something to his order, he handed him back the menu and the same thing happened again. So strange.. He ordered pho, which he enjoyed. The saving grace for me was the warm and friendly lady who was so sweet after clearing our plates and telling us thank you on our way out. Thank you! Our total for Shrimp Spring Rolls, Bun Rieu, & Pho came out to about $60 including tip. A bit pricey but tasty forsure.
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Bally L.

Yelp
A staple Vietnamese restaurant in the Bay Area. I've been coming here with my family since I was younger and it always hits the spot. There's a variety of Vietnamese dishes to choose from and the portions are relatively large. Parking in the area is a little difficult at times and it's especially busy during the weekends. It's street or meter parking. We ordered the: *pho with rare steak *bun cha gio thit nuong *rice plate with grilled pork chop, egg roll, and chicken wings Service is quick and the food comes out fast. I would come here for some solid Vietnamese food.
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Joey L.

Yelp
Service was no frills, but food was amazing. Stopped by on Sunday afternoon around 1230 and we managed to snag a table for 4 immediately. Shortly after there was a short wait. Almost every table had pho. There was a good mix of clientele of all races and ages. The menu was so extensive and I can't wait to come back and try all the other tasty things.
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Kim Ann T.

Yelp
I'm saying it. It needs to be said. Ben Tre is probably the best Vietnamese food you can find north of San Jose. There's nowhere else in SF or on the Peninsula that can satisfy my Viet food craving except for this! Very solid food at both locations, though the SSF location is probably a little better if I had to really compare. Bun bo hue - this had a rich and savory broth with a hint of sweetness that I love. They don't skimp on the meat either. I would have preferred this to be a tad bit saltier (I have a salty palette) but I think most folks would enjoy this. They did not provide fish sauce or fermented shrimp paste on the side to taste. They also do not have chili oil to add. I like to enjoy my bun bo hue unbearably spicy, but even without the added spice I still liked it! The noodles were plentiful and very springy. Overall, very solid dish that I would order again. Pho dac biet - this dish was so warm and cozy, and I'd say it's the best pho you can find up north. Not as deep of a flavor as you can find in San Jose, but definitely satisfies the pho craving. There was tons of meat which is nice because pho is spendy these days!
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Jasmin C.

Yelp
My go-to pho place for lunch when I'm in the area. Quick service, flavorful broth, and large portion sizes. Everything is fresh and fragrant. Every time I go (during lunch hours between 12-2pm), there has been no wait time. Parking can be a bit hard to find, but usually there are a couple spots in front of the restaurant and around the corners of the block.
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Nicole G.

Yelp
I have been here multiple times and always enjoy it. The soups and meat plates are great. We travel from sf just to go here for dinner!
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Lilian Z.

Yelp
OOOOH MY that post-workout BBH craving was real! We had just finished up over at BinTang and I was craving something soupy and flavorful, and my friends were starving also so we decided to come back to one of our favorites; Ben Tre! They specialize in a lot of very homestyle type of Vietnamese food; something you can't find in SF. The resto itself is on the smaller side, but we came late about an hour before closing so there were empty tables everywhere. I'm sure it'd get noisy when it's full since the tables are pretty close together but on a Thursday night before closing, it was fine. We sat down, ordered, and our food came short after. Here's what we ordered: -BBH (4/5): This is one of my go-to's anywhere I go as long as it's offered. I've definitely had better with more ingredients inside like more pork trotter or with more meat in general. On top of that, the pork blood tasted different to me. I'm not sure if the flavor of the broth didn't go on there or if it wasn't cooked enough but it was very hard and tasted like nothing. There were 2-3 pieces though so that was nice. I would've liked a lot more of the pork trotter as it was bits and pieces, and this bowl was priced pretty steep. I was able to finish the entire bowl and I wasn't as full as I had hoped so portion was definitely smaller here. -5 spice chicken and garlic noodles (4/5): Someone else got this and he said the dish as a whole could use more flavor. But nothing a little sriracha couldn't fix. He doused his chicken and noodles in sriracha and I honestly felt it made it a lot better. This dish was also on the greasier side so I personally would've opted for a noodle soup over this. Though I will say the portions for this was HUUUGE! It almost looked like half a chicken on the noodles! Again, they enjoyed it, but I feel their soups are a lot better and worth to try. -other orders: beef vermicelli and a beef combo plate with rice: Can't speak for these since I didn't try but they both also looked very good! Portions on the vermicelli was a lot smaller and came in a much smaller bowl than my pho or the rice/ garlic noodle plates.
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Kenneth T.

Yelp
Had #21: baked five spice chicken and a separate bowl of pho noodles. The baked five spice chicken was amazing - crispy on the outside, tender + flavorful + juicy on the inside. This was the only redeeming part of the meal. The pho noodles was essentially tasteless. Even the soup didn't taste right for pho noodles soup. At best watered down broth. Service was fast - food ordered and was served within five minutes. Which is surprising and the only possibility is that everything seems like ready to go. Not complaining as it's good for fast service. Went a little after lunch time so it wasn't too loud and there was ample seating available.
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Keith A.

Yelp
Probably the best Vietnamese food outside of what I've had in Vietnam. I love visiting Hanoi and Saigon, and judge places very hard based on my foodie adventure there. This place is the authentic food, besides the Americanized spring rolls. What I mean by that is that you only chose one type of meat in the rolls, versus having it all in one. That would have to do with the pallet here, and price of meats. The broth in the noodle soup was amazing. The sides of sauces were the best , most strongest aroma and taste ever. I loved that because I can't replicate that taste at home or even if I bought it at the store. The 5 spice chicken I love putting in the soup along with the big bowl of veggies. Those noodles were crazy good, probably made in house.All super fresh, nothing soggy . Love that the broth finishes the cooking. Super fast and friendly service. Never feels rushed even when the place is full. You can come here alone and still enjoy your meal 100 percent. The Thai tea was crazy good. So so perfectly sweet and savory. I even took one to go. For all 3 plates , plus 2 teas was under 80 bucks. Can't come so often but it's a nice treat after a hard weeks work. (Everything on the table) Can't wait to come back here.
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James M.

Yelp
Located in the heart of Millbrae, Ben Tre offers more than the typical Vietnamese pho restaurant that you can find scattered throughout the Bay Area. In addition to the usual pho, rice plates, etc. they also have an extensive menu, packed with what I can only assume are traditional Vietnamese dishes. Not being a pho-lover myself, I decided to try out the Ca Kho To, or caramelized catfish claypot. It was a bit of a misnomer as they actually served it in a small metal pot even though the picture on the menu showed a claypot, but I assume that wouldn't have a huge impact on the end product of the dish. The flavor and texture were decent, though it was quite sweet so be prepared for that. The most challenging part was the huge number of tiny bones in the fish. I probably spent more time picking tiny shards of bone out of my mouth than I did actually getting to eat and enjoy the meal. My wife, who I would consider something of a pho-aficionado, gave her bowl of pho a middling review. It got the job done, but it certainly wasn't anything to write home about. A few other members of our party went with one of their house specialties, Shaking Beef with Garlic Noodles, and while they seemed to enjoy it I honestly wasn't too impressed with the few bites I tried. Vietnamese beef dishes have the potential to wow, and sadly this didn't meet that mark. Beyond the food, one big plus for Ben Tre was the ample seating, so it shouldn't be hard to find a table here if you want to check it out yourself. All in all, though the food we had was just alright, their large menu and interesting dishes might lure me back for another round sometime in the future.
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Analyst C.

Yelp
Ambiance is casual. Service is fast. The food we ordered was delicious and the price was reasonable for the amount of food you get. Loved the papaya salad with shrimps.
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Cindy N.

Yelp
Great Vietnamese spot if you're ever in the south San Francisco San Bruno area! They're known for their chicken so I opted for their chicken and rice dish and it was delicious!

Heather G.

Yelp
The food was so good. Large potions. Great flavors & super fast. Great service too. Only thing that would have made it better is one more water refill.
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Jiamei L.

Yelp
The South SF location is much better! We wanted to try the second location of Ben Tre in Millbrae, but unfortunately it was disappointing. The bun rieu was very salty and had an unnecessary amount of the seasoning in the broth. There were few pieces of meatballs and other ingredients compared to the location in SSF. It felt very skimpy on the ingredients. The spring rolls were very delicious, so I recommend ordering that. The meat was well seasoned and grilled well. Overall, I recommend going to the South San Francisco location. I had a very different experience here.
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Ben L.

Yelp
Service is quite brisk and welcoming. The garlic noodles weren't as garlic flavored as I thought. All the meat items re very good. The platters have a variety of meats. I would recommend trying a rice plate next time.
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James H.

Yelp
Unfortunately, this location falls short compared to the South SF location. The pho broth tasted a bit off here compared to the other place. Definitely had a weird off taste. Large restaurant with plenty of seating. The spring rolls def weren't fresh. The service was ok, about what you expect from a Asian restaurant. They were busy but it was winding down. Street parking