Dong Nai

This food taste so good and decently priced. The only problem is that they don’t give you much. We got the drunken beef and got maybe 8 small pieces of beef. They also give you less than a cup of rice for each meal and charge $2 for extra rice (even though it’s not even a cup full). They don’t let you make substitutes for fried rice so you have to get white rice. We got the curry chicken which was really good and the combination pad Thai was just okay. I really like the food but it’s just not much and each time I’ve placed an order they always take a very long time.

I can’t believe we hadn’t been here until recently. And then when we went once, we came back later in the week. It’s an easy meal when you’re looking for a quick lunch/dinner. The vegan pho is packed with veggies and vegan meat, it’s a hefty bowl and the broth was delicious. I was so impressed with the salt and pepper tofu, it’s fire. Soooo crispy, crunchy, soft inside, and perfectly salty. Recommend the eggplant with chili garlic, sweet and savory, comes with bamboo shoots too. Buddhas delight was a good balance but I wouldn’t order it again when I know their other dishes are much better. Around $15-20 a dish.

Please visit this place and visit often! We were visiting from out of town and always love finding great Pho/Bao. This place did not disappoint. We made sure to order as much as we could and share it family style. 10/10 recommend the Short Rib Pho and the Pork Belly Bao Buns.

I love this place!! Every time we come here the food and staff are amazing. The food is perfect and never disappoints (-: we’ve been slowly trying everything on the menu so far everything is our favorite.

Started with the brisket bao and tofu spring roll, both were tasty but the tofu was a little bland. Also had the beef trio pho and pork belly vermicelli bowl and both really great! Good flavor, everything was really fresh and no shortage of toppings and sauces. Our server was friendly and the atmosphere is nice - will happily come here again!

It was good but not amazing.... Maybe it was just the dishes I ordered which were garlic and scallops and then also we ordered the special dong nai beef ribs in pho. I thought the garlic scallops was a little bit too sour tasting. The beef ribs were good but since it's pho it's not super flavorful. Maybe I just like Thai better....

Eating the shrimp lo mein rn and it taste and smells amazing absolutely recommend this dish. The spring rolls are also really good and the unsweetened tea is perfect 😊 Van is the coolest 🤝

Got solid pho and pork spring rolls for pick up. I ordered the brisket pho while my friend got the chicken pho. Even after a 30 min drive back to the house, the broth was still nice and hot. The bowl of noodles, meat, and onions were nicely prepared for the hot broth to be poured over. Fresh bean sprouts, basil leaves, jalapeño slices, and lime wedges were packaged separately. I wished they had thrown in hot sauce and oyster sauce. That was the only thing missing.

It was good but not amazing.... Maybe it was just the dishes I ordered which were garlic and scallops and then also we ordered the special dong nai beef ribs in pho. I thought the garlic scallops was a little bit too sour tasting. The beef ribs were good but since it's pho it's not super flavorful. Maybe I just like Thai better....

I used to work in south Austin. I have been driving past Dong Nai restaurant literally for 20 years. It is located in the Target parking lot (Ben White & South Lamar.) I kept saying to myself, "Wonder if they are any good...hmmm? I should try them for lunch one day." Well, I have my answer. Absolutely YES!!! GO! EAT! The menu consists of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. A couple friends and I met up for a late afternoon lunch to catch up. Service was prompt and attentive the entire time. I ordered a Pork Belly Banh Mi, a Soft-shell Crab Bao and a green Thai Tea. I was happy to see they offered Sticky Rice and Mango for dessert (unfortunately I was too full to taste it) . The Banh Mi was huge and delicious. The crab bao was soft outside and crunchy goodness inside. One friend ordered from lunch menu. She enjoyed the Chinese lunch...soup, entree and side dish. My other friend ordered the Pork Vermicelli. The portion was massive and she gave a yummy two thumbs up. I definitely will be back to try their other dishes. Next time I'm gonna order the Duck Phô. The atmosphere is pretty sedate. Nothing fancy. They concentrate all energy on serving great homemade food.

Dong Nai has held a special place in my heart for 5 years. They've been there for me through every hangover and every heartbreak. I'm not sure if the management has changed but it's so disappointing now. The quality of food, the amount of time it takes to put out an order is almost infuriating after knowing how great it used to be. I'm so sad. I hope they're able to make a comeback

Have gotten the pho and eggrolls - would rank them in the middle. I've been here once to try it out and two more times because I was in the area running errands... Service is always great.

After reading on a Reddit thread that Dong Nai has the best pho, I had to try it and it did not disappoint. I walked in around 11:15am on a Friday to pick up a group order for my office; the place was clean and the people were friendly. Everyone in the office LOVED the pho! I will definitely be ordering from here again!

I've come to this place several times since they were remodeled a couple of years ago and it never disappoints. The pho broth is really flavorful and comes with quality meats and veggies. The bahn mis are tasty and are easily two meals for myself. This time, I decided to try something different. I got the Spicy Noodle Soup which was amaaaazing. The broth is more salty and fatty as opposed to the herbal, clear pho broth. It also comes with a big beef rib which was a surprise. It is a perfect rainy day dish that I look forward to having again in the future.

Overall score 4.5 out of 5 This is a really good Vietnamese restaurant. Location is good The staff is amazing Priced really well I had the stuffed crab bun and bought me which both were really flavorful My buddy had the pho which he said was amazing.

Adding a star to this updated review. The place has been renovated and have gotten a menu refresher as well, Dong nai offers northern Vietnamese styled pho. (Donut breadstick) some entrees include it but you can also request it on the side. This isn't on the menu but just an insider scoop! It's $4/stick which is a bit hefty but it's freshly made and worth it cause you can't get it else where in this area. Really excited to have this because my daughter loves these savory, umami sticks of dough. They're good alone or soaking in your pho. The service is on point. Someone is always watching to see if some attention or service is needed. The pho this time was good. The broth is clear and tasty. The herbs are fresh and clean. meat... no complaints. Definitely a costly meal for 1 but forgot having great service and a hard to find item, I'll have to return!

The pho was okay, but the place it's disgusting. Upon using the restroom we saw 3 roaches. One in which had already been squashed. Upon sitting down we also noticed more roaches that crawled from under the booth. They moved so quickly I was not able to get a picture of those. Only the ones in the bathroom. Also the chicken wings were undercooked, and the lemonade is made from store bought lemon juice. Definitely scared to see what the kitchen looks like if they have roaches crawling around.

I've been coming to Dong Nai occasionally for a few years. It wasn't a top 3 Pho spot for me in Austin but a "good" choice if I was around the area for lunch that was convenient given the ample parking in the large target parking lot + quick service that was used to bussing in folks coming in for a quick lunch break. They've redone the interior with a fresh new buildout and the ambiance today is a lot cleaner than the hole-in-the-wall vibes of old. Can't argue with clean new floors, fixtures, tables, and menus while still maintaining that strong immigrant efficiency. I wasn't a frequent diner but I also feel as if they've improved the quality of the food itself since I was last there. Whereas before I would not have pegged them in the "Top" pho list of Austin, their house special - the Dong Nai - which includes a fried soybean roll (which feels more Taiwanese than Vietnamese but delicious is delicious!) is actually insanely good. We often also get the shumai appetizer which is a solid B for Austin and what you end up with is a pretty tasty meal. I still can't imagine coming to Dong Nai for dinner, but I think the way they've stepped up their entire game over the past few years is memorable and I may find myself coming here for lunch much more often.

Clearly labeled vegan options which is great. We had: Salt and pepper tofu Tofu bahn mi Tofu spring roll I think they lost our order since it took like 45 minutes to get food but the food was great. Huge bahn mi when fresh cilantro, tasty tofu and fresh jalapenos on tasty baguette. Salte and pepper tofu is the bomb. Fried tasty deliciousness.

Service was fast they were very helpful the food is just amazing and the price was great. The restaurant is very clean and taken care of enjoy!!

This blew me away! I wanted pho and am not from the area so we let Yelp lead and us and everyone was right! We started with the grilled pork bao and the flavor of the grilled pork was 10/10. I wasn't expecting it to be so tasty! I need to go back to have a grilled pork dish! Then I got the shrimp pho and added veggies. The shrimp were giant and they were not stingy with them and they took off the tails. Immaculate. And veggies, oooh eeee if you like some fresh veg this one is for you! They gave me carrot, broccoli, bok choy, spinach, green peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, red onions, green onions. And they were all fresh. Best pho I have had in awhile and the portion was gigantic. This is an eat it and repeat it. I will be back soon!

4.5 stars Love this super chill place. Great Asian food. The beef pho is delicious. The baos are delicious. Everything we ordered was very good to delicious.

I was nearby. Got the Pho this time. So glad I did. It's awesome! They were busy but service was great.

Stumbled upon this gem of a restaurant while charging my Tesla. I absolutely love Vietnamese food. This restaurant was very authentic! We loved everything we ordered! I had the yellow curry chicken and my husband had the short rib pho, which of course I tried. Our favorite was the egg roll appetizer! They came with all the fixings to roll them in a lettuce leaf, shredded carrots, cucumber slices and fish sauce to dip it in! Absolutely delicious! Chef's kiss! My least favorite item we ordered was the garlic chili edamame. It wasn't very flavorful and was somewhat over steamed/cooked. Restaurant was clean, service was great and prompt. Reasonable pricing as well. Plenty of parking and Tesla charging stations to charge while you eat! Highly recommend!

Seated and handed menus in less than 30 seconds. Son ordered the plum lemonade and I had the Lychee lemonade. Both are delicious and large sizes. Very refreshing. I choose the Tri Pho. Filet, meatballs and flank steak pho. My son got the chicken pho. Huge bowls. Plentiful herbs, sprouts, lines and jalapeños. Added Hoisin. Decided mid way through to add their homemade chili sauce. So glad I did. The flavor is amazing! Just the right amount of kick. Service is impeccable and the servers are very attentive and sweet. Food is beyond delicious with large servings. Ordered a second Lychee lemonade because it was delicious and the homemade chili sauce was enough kick to make me need some refreshment. Between the service, the incredible food, and the great atmosphere in general, you cant go wrong. Strongly recommend giving this place a try.

I'd like to consider myself a Pho enthusiast! Lol, everywhere I go I always look for a Pho restaurant to try. Dong Nai was more than meets the eye. In the heart of Austin this amazing restaurant offered us a taste of authenticity. The food was so good and unique, I loved how they put a twist on a traditional noodle soup that really hit the taste buds. I had the short rib special which was a first for me and it really delivered. It had a very clean broth and the amount per serving was perfect. Another favorite was the grilled pork egg rolls, it was served with an arrangement of veggies which I love because it really freshens up the plate. The service was wonderful and very accommodating, such sweet staff. The restaurant itself was very clean and had lots of seating as well as personal space to make it more enjoyable. I wish there was one in San Antonio.

Biggest banh mi sandwich I've ever had. Bread was soft on the inside while crunchy on the outside. Thit nuong was marinated and delicious. I also had thit nuong spring rolls and those were really good too.

If you've ever wanted to ingest a vat of soup that could go a long way in filling a swimming pool, have I got the thing for you! Dong Nai isn't trendy, new, fancy, or on any maps. It's in a shopping complex off South Lamar better known for having a Target next door. Ambiance is mid-century at best, complete with neon signs in the windows and squeaky vinyl seats. Forge ahead and find the Buddha Pho; a veritable bucket of crisp, fresh vegetables, tender rice noodles, and savory, salty broth, with all the crisp bean sprouts and basil you crave for toppings. The combination is simple and satisfying, healthy and heart warming. No, it's not the best pho I've had, but it absolutely fits the bill. Not every meal has to be an event to satisfy.

I ordered the lunch plate with chicken and mixed vegetables. The chicken came out super salty, and I asked the server if they could remake it because it was not edible. Server proceeded to take my plate and didn't offer me anything else to order. She said they would remake my meal, and never did. Sat there and watched my family eat the whole time... This place needs better customer service! Very disappointed

Tried the Pho dong nai (after having my favorite roasted duck bao bun) and it was delicious!! Big portion, the meat was very good and the broth so good! It came with a lot of the herbs, which is my favorite part- super generous on the portion! Can't wait for another cold day to go back and get it again. Pro-tip: make an online order, go to Target for your shopping and grab your order on the way out! Dong Nai, you never disappoint!

Great service and friendly servers. The food is very authentic and tasty. Huge menu and many vegetarian dishes

tried the steak pho, came with a lot of meat and noodles and veggies but kind of disappointing for someone who has a lot of pho tai. the meat was very gristled/all fat rather than steak pieces or strips, the broth was rich but not a lot like pho i've had, it was more like seasoned chicken broth. and though it was good, the broth is key i have to say.

LEGIT! Excellent huge Bahn Mi's and great fried rice. Worth the price. Great service.

Nice place. Nice people. Nice prices. We were nearby and it's raining and less than 90 degrees outside. Sounds like a good excuse not to cook at home. Got the Pho. It's really good Pho. Recommend. Will return, but probably not until the fall.

Wonderful place! Talk about authentic Vietnamese cuisine! Food was great, pho was tasteful and filling, appetizers were hearty and prices were very affordable. The workers were great, very pleasant, very attentive, and extremely kind. Atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. Not overly crowded for a holiday and everyone was taken care of in a timely fashion. Food was made to order, and brought out quickly. I really enjoyed my time here and so did my friend. We each had a pho. 9/10

The buns were sweet and soft. The broth was actually perfect as is, no need to load it with other sauces and salts. And the meat? 10/10

I'm a fan of the bun bo hue which has a great amount of spice and everything deliciously melds together. Service can be a bit slow, but the location is really convenient for stopping by after picking up things at Target or if waiting for a prescription refill.

So delicious! The wait staff was fast and friendly. The duck bao and pork vermicelli were amazing. Really delicious. The ambiance is nice, not amazing but totally worth it for the great food, people and prices. We often go to Elizabeth street cafe for Vietnamese but this is just as good and half the price. Looking forward to coming back to try more of the menu!

The $15 dinner special was a ton of food! I got the chicken with mixed vegetables. Tons of beautiful veggies. Yum! My server, Nhu, was so good. My first time here. I will definitely be back!!!

Solid little shop in a strip mall. Table was kinda sticky and there was something on my chair so I knocked off a star for that. Otherwise it's a great restaurant. The restrooms were pretty clean. The server was super nice and attentive. The portions are very big! We didn't know that so we ordered the veggie rolls as an appetizer. They come with a big bowl of sweet and sour sauce. It didn't really need the sauce, but it's a nice addition. We both ordered Banh mi. They took a min to come out, but they were freshand hot. Hubs said his, the pork belly, was delicious. I absolutely loved the tofu in mine. We both got a to go box, and I ate my leftovers the next day and it's still really good. This isn't near us, so I won't be coming here often, but if I'm in the area I'd definitely stop in again.

Got the Dong Nai Signature Beef Rib Pho and it was really delicious. Had to wait a little bit to be served but it was chill.

Dong Nai is a great option if you and your friends want Vietnamese but don't all agree on just going to a pho place. They have a good selection of apps and entrees that are all done well since I haven't hit a dud yet. Obviously they do pho and it's pretty good, hitting the spot in a pinch. Every bowl is generously filled with your choice of protein and I appreciate the freshness of the spouts and herbs. Also the Spicy Noodle Soup = Bun Bo Hue. Another pro for me is their variety of meat and seafood options for everything. Want chicken or soft shell crab in a spring roll, banh mi or bao? No problem. It helps jazz up those usual items.

Excellent pho, good broth, and the meat was tasty. I love going to different pho places to try. It's very close to where I live and is even better due to the convenience. I got the Dong Nai soup and it comes with a full youtiao (breadstick) and a tea egg which is innovative and cool.

* Review for vegan dishes * We had a vegan pho (Pho Buddha) and a lunch special Szechuan with tofu. The Pho had a lot of different kinds of vegetables, which I enjoyed, but the soup was sweet and that wasn't to my taste. The Szechuan plate was an ordinary Chinese dish, not excellent or bad, but a quarter of rice was hard. It must have been an old rice. The other dishes must be good. There were Vietnamese customers.

Dong Nai is amazing! I really appreciate the selection in the menu. The Dong Nai Pho is very tasty. I've never had pho served with a fried Asian bread stick before. Let it soak and then dip it into the house chili oil. The ube drinks were really creamy and not too sweet. They were unique and beautiful.

This place is awesome. I had a grilled pork lemongrass sandwich and it was a foot-long! and very tasty. It was season well I highly recommend it . the girl working The front was very kind and makes a great cup of iced coffee.

I am SO SAD that the food quality has gone down these past couple years. This was our go-to Pho spot since 2013, but since the renovation they absolutely changed their filet steak quality and broth recipe. I am sick so I said let's give it one more shot, I try to sip the broth and I get a mouthful of OIL. Oil all around my bowl, giant circles on the top of the broth, just absolutely inedible. The steak used to be giant long pieces that tasted amazing, but now it's just tasteless mush. I'm so sad as this was our special place when my husband and I first moved here but we can't seem to find our love for it anymore.

We hadn't been to this place in years and didn't know they had remodeled. It looks great inside although they play acoustic pop covers that could lull you to sleep. We got vermicelli bowls, husband got pork and I got tofu. The pork was well seasoned and they gave a generous portion. Tofu was fried but not crispy, it seemed to have really sogged out in the sauce and tasted of fry oil. Veggie egg rolls were good. Overall we'll be back to try some more.

10000% yes. I think we came here every weekend when we first discovered it. The salt and pepper tofu is the best I've ever had

True authentic Vietnamese comfort food. Got the Signature Vermicelli dish and it was made well. Deep flavors and huge portion. Excited to eat more of it for left overs. The homemade sauce was perfect for my dish. Staff is friendly and attentive. Would come back!

Great food! Great prices! Great Service! Great variety, lots of interesting Vietnamese cuisine!

Best I've had in austin. The dong nai pho was amazing and the bao buns were delicious as well as the thai tea!

This place has GREAT food! Awesome spot if you're vegan too! Everything is fresh and delicious! Definitely coming back!

They have a very strict no substitution policy. Our family of 5 came in on a Sunday for some delicious pho. We saw they have egg noodles on the menu and requested that the rice noodles (tend to get mushy) be swapped out for egg. Not ever a problem at any other pho spots and we get pho a lot! We're willing to pay extra. The server informed us that the kitchen would not change the noodles. I understand preserving a dishes' integrity but pho is deliciously basic. We opted to take the $75 we would have spent on pho elsewhere. Btw... No substitutions was not stated on the menu.

The pork belly was a bit gummy but the thai tea was sweet, the servings plentiful, and the service very attentive. Lots of other cuisines on the menu besides Vietnamese if you're more into other dishes.

This might be the best hidden gem of a resteraunt in town!!! I love the Saigon short ribs, the corn, the Tom kha, everything here is top notch

Great Pho, great service and great location to be fair. Although the restaurant was a bit dirty, having to use your hands constantly to scare the flies away was a lot. But other than that the food was amazing.