"Sure, we're really in Lotus Pond's BBQ pork soup for the shrimp and pork dumplings submerged inside, which are some of the best in town. The filling is generously seasoned, and when the wrapper edges get plump with schmaltzy broth, it's a beautiful thing. But wontons aside, this thing is still an exemplary (and massive) bowl of broth, chewy egg noodles, and tender hunks of delicious meat." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley
"Lotus Pond has brought quality Vietnamese food to the under-the-radar Haller Lake neighborhood. Bo la lot (charbroiled beef wrapped in betel leaves) are an ideal starter, especially when dipped in the accompanying pineapple-anchovy sauce. The menu includes a wide variety of noodle soups, such as the hard-to-find Hai Phong-style crab red noodle soup with wide red rice noodles, and the woven vermicelli plates come with intricate bundles of thin noodles alongside an array of protein options, like lemongrass beef and shrimp cakes." - Jay Friedman
"To some, a great bánh mì is all about the bread. For others, it's mayo-to-pâté ratio. Lotus Pond, however, should be the go-to sandwich for meat lovers. This Vietnamese spot on Aurora has great bánh mì with fillings that include pork belly and grilled chicken—but the spam and fried egg is the standout. Featuring crepe-like layers of egg folded with chunks of spam, each bite pops with salt. Chunky cucumber, crinkle-cut carrot sticks, and a tangy mayo tie it all together." - aimee rizzo, carlo mantuano, gabe guarente
"There’s something to satisfy everyone's various cravings on this Haller Lake spot's 15-section menu, which makes Lotus Pond akin to a diner full of Vietnamese classics instead of pancakes and grilled cheese. The spam bánh mì is a comforting sandwich, while orange-tinted lemongrass grilled chicken over jasmine rice has the power to improve a garbage fire of a day. Want wontons in hot broth, escargot-studded sausage, or cured pork belly shoved in a split bao with pickled vegetables? They’re all going to be great. And much like a diner, you could also just all pile in a booth to snack on fries with gravy alongside a round of Cokes. Only here, the gravy is phở-spiced, and is so rich and tasty that we would gladly slurp it like soup." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente
"Lotus Pond brings new energy and quality Vietnamese food to North Seattle. The menu features a pho section that goes on and on — there’s pho with beef short ribs and tripe, duck pho, seafood pho, and an unusual spicy mala pho with rare steak. There’s also vegetarian pho and a version for kids. If you’re looking for a second noodle soup to order, the Hai Phong crab red noodle soup with wide red rice noodles is a unique one to try." - Jay Friedman