Bodega SF

Dined here for lunch with my colleagues recently since I’ve been wanting to try this place and it was great! Our reservation was at 11:30a and by then, they had a couple of customers. Since it was earlier in the day, service was slower, but that’s to be expected as they start their day. We decided to order two appetizers: banh cuon & grilled lemongrass wings. My colleagues ordered the dry noodles, pho and I had the lemongrass pork chops and sub garlic noodles for rice (which was the move). We were all happy with our orders & would definitely return!

I visited on 12/29 and was assisted by Victoria immediately. She was enthusiastic, friendly and engaged. The restaurant was packed and there was a long line. I placed a takeout and because I already had a list of what I was going to order, the whole process was seamless and efficient. If you planning for dine in, reservation is highly recommended. I ordered lemongrass porchop, shanking beef and faux luc lac. All with good portions and delicious, the temperature was excellent as well as the presentation… highly recommended,

I had a truly disappointing experience at this restaurant—horrible is the only word that fits. I can see why it gets 4- and 5-star reviews; those must come from folks who haven’t tried authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Our first dish, the bánh cuốn, arrived cold, and the tapioca wrapper lacked the soft, delicate texture it should have. Next, the nem cua was oddly inconsistent—piping hot inside but disappointingly soft on the outside, far from the crispy perfection expected. As for the individual entrees: My bun cha was utterly average, missing that signature smoky, tangy essence that defines the dish. My son ordered the Bodega pho, which he found passable thanks to the generous proteins, but it came without any of the essential condiments or fresh vegetables that make pho complete. My friend’s pho Hanoi was the low point—the worst bowl he’s ever encountered. For $24, it had scarcely any stir-fried beef; he had to fish around just to gather what little there was onto a plate. When he showed it to the hostess, she coldly confirmed, “Yup, that’s it.” The shaking beef and bo ne were similarly mediocre, falling well short of Vietnamese standards. These might satisfy a craving for non-Vietnamese diners or those with limited options, but they’re simply not up to par. Service was sluggish throughout, and with our 2 p.m. reservation, we were rushed as the kitchen closed at 3 p.m. To make the most of my Chase Reserve credit before year-end, I even ordered two bun cha to go. Needless to say, I won’t be returning—what a letdown!

Really solid Vietnamese food! I totally understand the mixed reviews from locals who are used to mom and pop Vietnamese restaurants but actually the lunch prices are pretty comparable (~$20-$30 per dish, $16 appetizers). The flavors are really consistent, with good pho broth, really tasty lemon grass pork chop, and solid banh cuon. Everything is nicely portioned and fresh. The pho did lack meat and didn’t come with the complementary veggies on the side like you would find in most Vietnamese pho places. But the fried doughnut was crispy and soaked up the broth well. The fact that it’s always booked out says something about its quality! But if you’re looking for comfort Vietnamese pho, there are many other places in the city that fare better.

Being a fan of the old Bodega restaurant when it was in the Tenderloin years ago, I have tried and given this restaurant three opportunities in the last two years to make it right, it's time for the honest review. The food is mediocre at best. They served southern Vietnamese style pho without any bean sprouts, basil, lime, or hoisin sauce. The spring rolls came out with kinda bland peanut sauce, and hot sauce was only available upon request. The pho broth was watered down. The Vietnamese chicken was salad was decent. The two guys next to me at the bar barely ate their pho and the Vietnamese sandwich that they ordered, which now I can completely understand why. The worst part was the service. The bartender/waiter at the bar is Kyle A (his name on my check). He was unpleasant, indifferent and unhelpful. I had a box of leftover food. I politely told him that I rode a bicycle and needed a bag with a handle to hang on my bike. He flat out said "we don't have bags with a handle." I then asked him if he could go check in the kitchen. He then stared me down for a few seconds and never went to the kitchen to check. Within 5 minutes, other staff brought out other customers' to go food in paper bags with handle. I called Kyle out on that. He then turned the story around and said "I thought we were out of bags with a handle." and then he went on to tell me that I was rude. Needless to say, I won't be back to this restaurant again.

Bodega SF is hands down one of the best Vietnamese restaurants I’ve experienced in the Bay Area. The moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels vibrant yet relaxed — warm lighting, modern décor, and an energy that strikes the perfect balance between upscale and comfortable. It’s the kind of place where every detail feels intentional, from the presentation to the music selection. The food absolutely exceeded expectations. The Bún Chả Hà Nội was the standout — beautifully grilled pork with that perfect smoky char, paired with fresh herbs and vermicelli noodles that brought all the flavors together. It was so good I ended up ordering another portion to go! Every dish felt thoughtfully executed, from the oysters topped with roe to the beef carpaccio — each bite layered with balance and depth. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the pacing of the meal made it easy to enjoy every dish at its best. You can tell the kitchen puts a lot of pride into both authenticity and presentation. Bodega SF nails what an elevated Vietnamese dining experience should be: familiar comfort food elevated with precision and creativity. This is easily a place I’ll keep coming back to — and one I’d recommend to anyone who appreciates exceptional food and atmosphere done right. Additionally, there’s close by parking on mason its $25.

Solid upscale Vietnamese food in the middle of SF's Tenderloin. The Bun Cha was our favorite dish. The pork was cooked and spiced perfectly. Wrap it in some lettuce and the flavors will melt in your mouth. The beef tenderloin was pretty solid though I've had better. The Chilean sea bass was just average. It was well prepared, but it lacked any kind of real distinctivness. Service was solid and the ambiance was comforable, though it felt just a tad basic given the loftier prices on the menu.

The tasting menu was amazing and I genuinely loved every dish. We got so full that we couldn’t even finish the pho. I usually eat a lot and I still couldn’t get through the last few bites of the final course. The drink was great, and all the appetizers and small bites were really well done.