Mien Trung Restaurant

This place is the real thing! All with pasted menu on the walls, grandpa waiter and cash-only ATM located up front. Huge portions, good flavors. Highly recommend.

Absolute hidden gem among the myriad of other Viet restaurants in the city. Known for their Bún Bò Huế, this place has been around for decades now and still one of the best. The food is still quite affordable around $13 a bowl these days. They are also cash only. They provide nice catering sizes as well for many of their dishes which has been a great way to bring some good food for potlucks. Although you will have to bring your own pot for the soup based dishes. The atmosphere is very reminiscent of visiting your old grandma's house. They're always blasting loud Vietnamese music and playing clips of Viet food being prepared on the TV really bringing a nostalgic atmosphere to older times in Vietnam.

love the fresh food, whenevwer I enjoyed in here, bún bò Huế remains a testament to Vietnam’s rich culinary heritage, offering a satisfying and memorable meal for both locals and visitors alike.

I wanted to try this place since it was actually referred to by my doctor when I told her I have been searching for a Place in San Diego that has bun Bo hue after having this at a children’s birthday party when my son was in first grade. Their family made it from scratch, and it was one of the best things I had ever tasted. Although the mother of the child told me, I would never find something like it here in San Diego because it’s made with love. My husband surprised me today when I was at work and went and got me the soup🥰 and it was absolutely delicious. Highly recommended !!!

Really love this restaurant... they have all the authentic Hue food here! I love the bun bo hue n the clam with Vietnamese cracker thing... everything tastes exactly how they supposed to... they will be seeing me more often now when I'm in town lol

The food here is incredible! Easily some of the most authentic Vietnamese cuisine you’ll find in town. Unlike the usual phở spots scattered around San Diego, this place introduced me to a whole new side of Vietnamese flavors. Just a heads-up: bring cash! With so many unfamiliar options, it took us a while to decide what to order, but we ended up with two amazing dishes: 🌟#18: Cháo Lòng (Porridge with Pork Tongue & Heart) A rich, flavorful porridge with a thicker consistency, paired with unique cuts of pork offal. Definitely worth trying if you’re feeling adventurous! 🌟#21: Bánh Bột Lọc Lá (Corn Starch Cake with Shrimp & Pork in Banana Leaf) This dish reminded me of a mix between har gao and char siu—delicate yet packed with flavor. Highly recommend checking this place out if you’re ready to explore beyond the usual phở!

This small restaurant offers unique dishes from the central Vietnam region. The owner and family are very friendly. You can ask them about the food etc. Overall, we enjoyed the food and the casual atmosphere. We would highly recommend people to give it a try.

Come back with friend for Bun bo Hue, Hen xuc banh trang and Fried chicken! We were so full! Food is good!

Small restaurant but have a lot of food options on the menu. We are here for their Bun Bo Hue. We ordered egg rolls, Bun Beo (steamed rice cakes), and Bun Bo Hue. Food came out fairly quick. Bun Bo Hue was very flavorful with a bit of spicy kick. It came with pork blood, slices of beef shank, Cha Lua, and a side plate of toppings. Egg rolls had the right amount of veggies and meat portion in it. Came out piping hot and served with a bed of lettuce and dipping sauce. Steamed Rice cake is different from other places but it tasted good. Overall, all the food was good, the price was decent, and service was excellent. Would come back and try other things if we are in the area.

This is by far one of the most authentic Vietnamese meals I've had here in Southern California and it was absolutely delicious! I had the Bun Bo Hue and judging by the broth you know it was boiled for hours to get such full flavor. It had pork blood, pig knuckle and absolutely hit the spot. You could really taste the lemon grass in the soup. We also tried the duck rice porridge and it was equally amazing. The fried rice my kids ordered was enjoyable as well and I was pleased to taste "lap Chong" (that Chinese sausage) in the fried rice. The service itself was a little lacking as we found our water cups empty a lot but overall there wasn't any rudeness and it didn't detract from our overall experience. Definitely would consider this place a gem in the rough! It's tucked next to a sushi restaurant and a bit of hole in the wall but those places often have the best foods! Highly recommended!

You've got to check out this place. Their bun Bo Hue is out of this world, seriously takes you on a flavor journey to Vietnam. The service is crazy fast. I also grabbed some Vietnamese coffee with boba, and let me tell you, it was like a shot of energy straight to the system. Oh, and heads up, it's cash only, so make sure you've got some bills on hand. The ambiance feels like you're just hanging out at a friend's place. You've gotta try it if you're into legit Vietnamese food!

One of the best BBH I've ever had in San Diego. I've had my fair share of BBH in San Jose and the spices in the broth hit all the right taste buds.

Probably the most authentic Vietnamese restaurant I've been to thus far in San Diego!! Doesn't get any more authentic than it being located in a hole in a wall, cash only, and tv blasting Vietnamese soap operas!! The establishment is a clean mom and pop shop. My boyfriend and I stopped by because I was craving soup. We ordered bun cha ca (surprised that there's not more reviews on this dish here), bun bo hue, and banh bot luc la. Bun Bo hue (4.5/5): for San Diego, it's pretty dang good!! I'm from OC so I'm spoiled w the plethora of bun Bo hue places there but this place even offers the pork blood!! Not much places in SD offers it in this dish so I was very happy to see it in my bowl! The only thing is that it's very very lemongrass(y). Bun cha ca (5/5): ahh the famous Obama dish. I'm surprised that I have yet to try this dish my entire life but oh my god, it was so refreshing and flavorful! Not heavy at all!! My boyfriend loved this dish as it has the fish meatloaf which is his favorite! Banh bot luc la (3.5/5): your standard appetizer! I was kind of meh about the dipping sauce. I'll definitely be back! And remember to bring CASH!!

Delicious food and great service! This is the first time I'm eating inside the store but I've bought the party size pot of soup before. I had a great experience dining in. I'm not sure if he was the owner but he was so kind and attentive. We don't speak Vietnamese so we thought there would be some difficulty ordering based on the other reviews that they don't speak English. However, we were fine with pointing at the menu and trying with broken English, Chinese and Vietnamese. He made the experience fun and we were all impressed with his attitude. The restaurant itself is easy to miss. It doesn't have big flashy signs and the space doesn't look like a restaurant would belong there. However the food makes up for it 100%. There was a steady flow of customers even on a Tuesday morning. We ordered a variety of soups and appetizers and none of it disappointed. I think the only dish we would skip next time is the #23 banh beo as we've had better. But other than that I recommend #2 and #4/5 wholeheartedly. I can't wait to come back! And I will continue to order for parties with them!

bun bo hue (4.8/5): very good! i love how strong the lemongrass taste is. i personally enjoy the BBH here more than the one at hoai hue, but wish they had the same thicker shrimp paste!!! banh beo is better at hoai hue though. staff is all very kind, friendly, and fast. very small restaurant and it gets really crowded on the weekends. cash only & ATM is inside if needed. would try the salt & pepper chicken wings next time!

Stumbled upon this mom n pop restaurant as I was on the hunt for the best bun rieu in SD. Broth was very umami and flavorful. Loved that it came with a generous amount of meat, tofu and blood cubes. Egg rolls were pretty good but needed more salt. The food was good, service was fast. This is a cash only restaurant. They have an atm inside. Felt very homey. They also take catering orders. I'd like to come back and try their bun bo hue.

Mien Trung has the best BBH in San Diego! Their banh nam and banh bot loc are also some of the best. However their bun rieu and banh beo are just alright and lack flavor, not something I'll get from Mien Trung a second time. I don't speak Vietnamese so communication was sometimes difficult. Pointing at the menu solves the problem. Cash only, so bring cash!

Best bun bo hue in san diego! the beef in the soup is extremely tender and flavorful. one thing is that it's a family owned mom and pop shop so i wouldn't expect ambiance or amazing service. but that's okay because it feels like you're eating at a friends or family's house. no sriracha but there is chili oil. but i say it's pretty good without the extra flavors

Mien Trung restaurant has to be the spot to get the best bun bo hue in San Diego! It's definitely the best I've had and I personally like it more than other places in San Jose/Orange County, which I think says a lot! The soup is so clear and has an amazing lemon grass taste. I'm a huge fan of clear but flavorful broth, so this is definitely a win for me. The pork blood is also made very well here-to the point where I have to order an extra bowl of just pork blood every time I'm here. The place is pretty small and can get stuffy on hot days, but it honestly reminded me a lot of the small OG mom & pop shops that give me homey feel My friend and I are regulars here, so the worker always recognizes us and asks us how we are whenever we're here! Definitely a place you need to visit if you're a fan of bun bo hue :)

CASH ONLY!!! Such a small family owned restaurant, that's when you know it's good. I came here alone and during lunch time so I got sat at a table that wasn't really a table... so I didn't have all the utensils/ napkins given to me. Which is fine but it felt awkward interrupting the table next to me and taking from their table stash lol. The bun bo hue was really good, but I personally don't like how overpowering the lemongrass (i think) flavor is. The broth was still flavorful overall and the spice had a good amount of kick. The thai tea was also tasty, as it was creamy and not overly sweet. The bun bo hue was a pretty large portion, in my opinion, as I had to take the rest of my dish togo. I was definitely come again if I was in the area and hope to get an actual table! xD

Delicious Cash-Only Mom & Pop Viet Spot!! I'll be honest and say that both the Bun Bo Hue & Bun Rieu here are delicious, BUT I've also never had it before I came to this spot haha. The food is always the perfect portion so that I don't have leftovers. The Bun Rieu Oc is my favorite! I love the tomato & crab flavor of the soup base and it comes with blood, tofu chunks, crab meatballs, & lots of veggies. Service is the same as any good classic vietnamese spot - no frills, quick & to the point. It is a smaller shop but never too packed (at least during the times I went)! Parking lot is small as well but there's a few plazas nearby that you could park in and walk over to this restaurant!

Authentic, cash only, great bun bo hue. Really nice workers. Everything was good here.

Soup broth was so good and was super flavorful. Service was good and ambiance was nice, food felt super authentic.

There's only 2 restaurants in SD where I'll order Bun Bo Hue from-- Mien Trung and Hoai Hue. Their broth has a hint of spice and strong lemongrass flavor. *CASH ONLY* but they do have an ATM machine inside.

My family has been ordering from here for years and always get the egg rolls (cha gio) and bun bo hue. One of the best BBH in SD (very spicy tho!) and my personal favorite cha gio. Kinda a hole in the wall but don't miss out!

If you frequent Mesa College often you probably have passed by Mien Trung at some point. There was a Sushi Diner right next door to Mien Trung, my favorite sushi spot in all of San Diego, that I frequented a lot. However, it shut down recently and is now a upscale sushi bar called Ichifuji. From all my years of going to Sushi DIner I have never stepped foot in Mien Trung but I decided to finally give it a try. It's a tiny family owned business mainly know for the famous Vietnamese noodle dish called "Bun Bo Hue". They also serve a variety of common home cooked Vietnamese meals. I opted to get Bun Rieu because I actually prefer it over Bun Bo Hue. It was decent but not my favorite. The crab they use is a bit different and the broth was more oily than I was used to. I think the Bun Rieu at Hoai Hue in El Cajon Blvd is the best in San Diego. Overall, the pricing was reasonable, service and food was good so I can't complain. The reason I can't give them a perfect 5 stars is because of the cash only thing. I know it's common in Asian restaurants but it's a bit inconvenient for the customers. Especially since people don't really carry cash anymore after COVID. However, I wouldn't let that stop me from going here. I can't wait to try their other dishes in the future!

Vibe: Feels like a "hole-in-the-wall vietnamese place and saw many Vietnamese customers which is a good sign. Service: Our server took our order quickly and came out quickly. He even suggested an appetizer but we had too much ordered already otherwise we would have tried it! Food: I ordered the Bun Bo hue and it was very good! I do wish it was a bit more savory flavored but good nonetheless. It's worth trying. My wife got the vermicelli with bbq pork and egg roll and it was also good but I wish the pork was a bit more tender.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a CASH ONLY restaurant!! The best bún bò Huế in San Diego in my opinion. The beef slices are amazingly tender, and everything goes well with the sate sauce provided at the tables. The service is what you would expect from a mom-and-pop Asian restaurant. No frills, just taking your order, and serving you the food. If you are Vietnamese, you'll recognize the bolero music playing in the background. The restaurant played Christmas-themed music which was a nice touch that reminded me of home.

Their Bun Bo Hue tastes great at first until you get an MSG attack after finishing the bowl. MSG is totally fine with me but not in abundance where I'm getting a fat headache after. I had high hopes for this place but will never return :( the search for the best BBH in SD continues.

Mien Trung, our local Vietnamese gem, embodies the essence of an authentic noodle shop. Tucked away as a mom-and-pop hole in the wall, its unassuming exterior belies the culinary treasures within, earning it a well-deserved spot in countless social media posts. My journey with Mien Trung began in childhood, and with each return, it's a nostalgic embrace of flavors and a comforting sense of home. The star of the show here is undoubtedly the Bun Bo Hue--a Vietnamese beef soup extravaganza. Picture vermicelli noodles, sliced beef, tendon, pork knuckle, pork blood, all harmonizing in a spicy, salty, lemongrass-infused broth that's a burst of umami. While the menu boasts various Vietnamese delights, the Bun Bo Hue is the must-try masterpiece, a testament to the culinary authenticity of this establishment. Not a fan of pig knuckles, pork blood, or tendon? No worries--just customize your order, and they'll gladly tailor it to your liking. A friendly tip for newcomers: this place is a cash-only haven. Skip the credit card fees by bringing cash or withdrawing from the nearby ATM. I recently brought the Mien Trung experience to a friend's party, where a big pot was filled to the brim with Bun Bo Hue. For $50, we had a hearty, homely feast, complete with noodles and veggies included. As long as Mien Trung remains open, it will undoubtedly be a tradition passed down. A heartfelt recommendation--whether you're revisiting the flavors of your childhood or introducing the next generation, Mien Trung is an authentic Vietnamese journey worth savoring.

Amazing! Fantastic flavors, huge diversity of offerings, homemade style, huge portions, great service, super casual and easy to relax with a big group of friends. We ordered: 1. Bun bo hue- the famous dish that they are known for- oddly not my favorite- I wasnt a fan of the spaghetti-style noodles but I did enjoy the gelatinous pork hocks! The blood got eaten before I got to taste, and the broth was refreshing with strong lemongrass flavor that went well with the bean sprouts and herbs. 2. Duck soup- I forget the name but this was tastier and full of delicious duck! 3. Banh beo- steamed flat rice cakes topped with pork and shrimp crumbles- so chewy delicious dipped in sweet and tangy nuoc mam, and topped with compressed pork slices- like 'pate' but more solid and chewy. 4. Bang bot loc la- steamed rice rolls stuffed with pork and shrimp wrapped in banana leaves- oh my- must dip these in chili oil for a bite of heaven- so good! 5. Fried rice- quite possibly the best I have had at any restaurant in San Diego- not some thing I normally order, but the group chose it, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. There was plenty of lap cheong for excellent flavor! 6. Clams with a giant rice cracker: my favorite dish of the evening- I think I ate half the dish myself - scooped it up with super crispy bits of rice cracker. The onions, herbs, and seasoning mixed with the delicate baby clams were addicting. 7. Fried chicken wings- these came out last, so I missed taking a pic. The coating was so light but still crispy. Very well balanced, and also super addicting with the addition of the chili oil condiment! 100% will return! The service was fantastic and the 5 of us feasted like kings (and for less than the cost of a bowl of ramen at UTC-which is what I had for lunch.) I don't know why there aren't lines out the door, but thank goodness we didn't have to wait at all. Parking is easy with lots on both sides unlike the pricier end of Convoy. I can't believe I used to drive by every day not knowing this gem was here.

very delicious, i had it one month ago and it blasted my mouth with flavor. especially the viet coffee, i never went back to starbucks lol

This place reminds me so much of my hometown back in the Bay Area! I love supporting mom and pop shops and the workers were so nice. It has the stereotypical look of it, old school tables and chairs, menus made with word art, a table with ready to eat goods to be sold and it's CASH ONLY! Don't fret because there is an ATM machine if needed. My friend and I ordered the coveted BBH size S and shared an order of Banh lot la. It's definitely is on the lighter side of the flavor profile but still has all the yums. If you order the L, you get cha (pork loaf) in your bowl. It hits the spot when you get that hankering! On the table, you need to add in their chili oil, shrimp paste and fish sauce to your bowl. The banh Loc la is on the chewier side and the dipping sauce is on the sweeter side. Just add some fish sauce and you're good. Parking is a bit hard but I honestly park in the lot by K sandwiches.

Small, cozy place. Didn't use the bathroom so I cannot comment on it. Very friendly and quick service. Food hit the spot. Reasonable prices for San Diego. Giving four stars because it's Cash Only, which is inconvenient these days, and for some people will be a surprise problem since many do not carry much if any cash anymore. In fact, I rarely have more than a few dollars on me and in this restaurant it was a fluke that I had enough cash in my wallet to pay the bill.

On the weekends it gets super busy. I love the clam with rice and the bun bo hue here. Service is always quick. If you see people bringing giant pots, it's because they sell their bun bo hue and bun rieu by the pot. I have ordered it before for a family event and it still has a lot of flavors. I had to buy my own noodles and veggies but still worth it for the cost. I recommend this as a go to viet spot.

BBH! Haven't been back in many many years, probably 7 years now. I started to crave some Bun Bo Hue (BBH) and I know Mien Trung has a really good one. Their BBH is salty and flavorful. They still have the pork hock, beef shank, and blood cakes and veggies. I didn't see any pork loaf this time. I love that they have the shrimp paste just sitting for your pleasure. Even though this is really good, gotta say there's a ton of MSG in the soup. More than usual for VN soups. I usually get this numbing on my neck, ears and chest and my throat starts to close in a bit, but was it worth it?! YES! It's not deadly just uncomfortable. It goes away after drinking massive amounts of water and about 45 minutes. Lol. Just sensitive to it since childhood. Most people don't react to it. Cash only still.

I loved eating at Mien Trung! The food tasted just like it does in Central Vietnam. I had Mi Quang, banh bot loc, and banh nam, and they were all delicious. The staff were really nice too. I think anyone who likes Vietnamese food should go there.

First time having Bun Rieu, and do not recall seeing it in Central Vietnam in my travels. Bun Rieu is a tomato broth base topped with minced freshwater crab, here I think it might be canned or artificial. The color of the soup makes one think it is really spicy but it isn't. The vermicelli noodles are silky smooth. Very delectable! Also order the Banh Beo which was a small rice cake with shrimp & mung bean with a side of sweet fish sauce (nouc cham). Very delicious! Glad they are open for breakfast and sad they are closed on Monday's as I tried to go a 2nd time to find out they weren't open. For sure will be back!

Don't be deceived by the run down exterior. This place has the most delicious bun bo hue: wonderfully spiced and nuanced with lemongrass, not overly oily so I could still stop the broth, packed with slices of braised beef shank, tendon, pork blood, and pork knuckles. My partner who only eats bun bo hue at Vietnamese restaurants and has tried the best places in Portland, the Bay Area, Albuquerque, and Durham says this place is the best he has had so far. According to him, the broth is a winner. I would agree: I drank all of it. Food is cheap and served quickly. The place seems popular among locals and is cash only, but they have an ATM machine in the restaurant.

Mien Trung is known for their Bun Bo Hue (BBH) and Vietnamese style Salt Pepper Wings. Their BBH is authentic. I always come here for their BBH or their chicken wings. Or occasionally my family orders BBH and wings to-go for party. If you ordered BBH to-go for a lot of people to eat, bring your own pot for the soup. Also, FYI they accept CASH only. They have ATM as well. The staff is very nice and friendly. Good services. Highly recommend!!

This is a Vietnamese restaurants that specializes in Bún Bò Huê, the "other" soup that is not Pho. Miên Trung in Linda Vista has it as their signature dish. As opposed to Pho, it's a lot more earthy and beefy to me. Lemongrass hints, somewhat a gamey flavor plus eating that knuckle meat make it a very different experience. Don't forget about the iron boost in the coagulated cube of blood. It's been cold lately, so eating soups has been good to the soul. Try this place when you're not in the mood for ramen or pho.

Overall Rating: 5/5 The most authentic Bun Bo Hue in SD. I could seriously eat this everyday. They got it down to the spice, broth, noodles, and meats! Also, yes it's better than pho. There are other great Vietnamese dishes you can get here as well. Side note: I usually go to Hoai Hue because it is closer to me and does have different options for the meat you want!

Got the hen xuc Banh Trang and it was delicious! Good portion size as well. The mi quang was not that great though. The broth was not very flavorful or complex as I would've liked. Shrimps were large and cooked nicely though. And the prices here a reasonable. Service was very quick and friendly! And I love the viet music playing in the background!

A good bowl of Bun Bo Hue is hard to find in San Diego. Good thing there's this place - they know the Hue to make it! PARKING - Parking is pretty tricky. They share the same small parking lot as Sushi Diner. You may have to find some street parking and walk on over. LOCATION: Pretty small hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Not much in terms of decor; but you don't come here for decor - you come here for amazingly delicious no-nonsense food from the Hue region of Vietnam! I would avoid bringing a larger group of people here. They also have this option for you to bring a pot and they'll fill it up with their Bun Bo Hue. Also -this place is cash only, so be prepared for that. SERVICE: The service here was nice, fast, and efficient. Workers were all really nice and friendly. FOOD/DRINK: BUN BO HUE: Their signature dish! They give pretty large slices of meat, including a chewy pork hock. We opted out on the pork blood. The broth had aromatic lemongrass and was intensely bold, flavorful, and rich. The noodles had perfect chew and texture. Definitely must get here. COM THIT NUONG TRUNG CHIEN (Steamed Rice with Grilled Pork and Fried Egg): Tasty rice dish - the pork was grilled perfectly and had savory and sweet notes. The egg was delicious and the yolk was runny and delicious. Veggies were fresh and added nice balance. BANH NAM (Rice Flour Dumplings) a special Hue region dish - this makes for a delicious appetizer. The rice flour is gelatinous in texture and adds nice chew. You can also smell some aroma from the banana leaf that it was wrapped in. Pouring fish sauce on it adds nice umami-ness and flavor. Highly recommended. CONCLUSION: Bun Bo Hue is one of the more complex soups in Vietnamese cuisine - and this place nails it. With San Diego lacking great Viet food - this place is an exception and one I'd recommend to anyone in town.

If you want legit bun bo hue; this is it. This is the reason you come here. They definitely have other amazing food, (don't miss the wings, or the banh beo) but really, you're here for bun Bo hue. Just look at what everyone else is eating. You'll see. Super friendly staff, I always feel welcomed and taken care of. Just be aware it's cash only, although they do have an ATM inside. One of my comfort spots in SD.

Small unassuming spot that transports you to Vietnam with the decor and the fact that they don't use AC. The parking lot is even smaller and people just create their own spots, which makes it very difficult to navigate in or out. The BBH and bun rieu were both very good and some of the most authentic I've had. The egg rolls were okay - they come out very hot, so be careful biting into them. My mom tried the bun mang vit and the duck was super dry, as were the bamboo shoots. Overall, I think I would come back if I craved BBH but maybe if the weather was cooler.

I was craving Bun Bo Hue over the weekend because of how San Diego's weather has been lately and I haven't been here for a long time. It's a hole in the wall with very limited parking. We only come here for the bun Bo hue and the shrimp wrapped in banana leaf. I ordered Large portion so I can take it to go for dinner. The shrimp bananas leaf was a bit dry this time, they are usually moist and tasty. We still ate it because we were hungry and didn't want to waste food lol. They also sale bun Bo hue by the pots! They offer noodles along with it when you order it to go. Friendly waiter, I really liked his service. When I went in the past, they were low key rude and rushed everyone. Heads up the Restaurant only accept cash!

Best bun Bo Hue I've had so far, whenever I'm craving it I'm always ordering it to go! Cash Only! The owners are friendly and welcoming.

Newly discovered for us from LA this hole in the wall but locals been coming with their own stock pots for BBH take out. that just said everything needed to know if wondering authentic taste or not.

A hole in a wall kind of place. Cash only and Vietnamese ran. The bun bo hue is the best I've had in San Diego. Definitely worth a try

Recommended by a friend for their bun bo hue. Decided to give this place a try as it closes later than my usual BBH spot. Very welcoming and friendly upon entering. Ordered the BBH and banh beo. I do prefer the Bun Bo Hue and Banh Beo over at Hoai Hue more. The BBH here was saltier and lacked flavor as compared to the one over at Hoai hue. I believe the owner was the one who served us. He was very sweet and checked in to see if we liked the food. Cash only and there's an ATM machine in the restaurant.

Hole in the wall kind of place. Cash only. Whatever fee is listed on the menu, that's the price of the dish (no taxes added). Ordered: - Hen Xuc Banh Trang ($12)-- minced clams with spices. I added enchovy sauce and chili. Enjoyed it. However, my husband felt differently about the dish. I ordered to go for him. His feedback, "The clams taste as though they have freezer burn. They have that after taste." - Bun Bo Hue ($12)-- very flavorful. Full of complex spices. Lemongrass was especially one of the spices that brought out the aroma and taste of the dish.

Someone asked me to try this place for their BBH. It was an explosion of flavor. At first, it was a little spicy but just enough to get you craving the next bite. It made me remember the BBH my mom made. It was so good, it kinda made me tear up a little. Probably top 3 in San Diego. The store was this little hole-in-the-wall, but the scent of lemon grass led me right through the door. I knew for a split second that I was home. I need to try it again.

This is not a typical Vietnamese restaurant with pho, but it specializes more in Central Vietnamese dishes. I came here to try their bun bo hue, which is a spicy beef soup with thick noodles and stuff like pork hock and blood cake. I came here on a weekday dinner to pick up some food to go. What we got: - Bun Thit Nuong Cha gio (1/5): I was really excited to get this, but unfortunately it was not good. The thit nuong was dry and burnt. It tasted very chewy like jerky and did not have the lemon grass flavor that thit nuong normally has. The egg roll was pretty decent, but nothing special. - Bun Bo Hue (3/5): I like bun bo hue a lot and since my friend said this is what Mien Trung is known for, I decided to get a bowl. The place is cash only, but they have an ATM inside so that you can get money from it. The portions are fair for the price, and I think I would come back and try it again because maybe I went in on an off day or didn't order the right things. The staff here is super nice!

The best place for bun bo hue in the whole world. Yes I have been to Hue, Vietnam. I've also had popular places in OC, LA and San Jose. I also love their clam with rice paper. I don't really like the bun rieu. Banh bot loc is really good too

***CASH ONLY*** My family and I have been coming here for, what seems like, over 20 years? They've been around for a looooong time and their bun bo hue is still my favorite in SD! My go-to dishes are the bun bo hue, banh bot loc, bun rieu, or their clams with sesame cracker. Bun bo hue is a beefy, savory, slightly spicy soup with thick vermicelli noodles and topped with slices of beef, tendon, pork hock, pork blood cubes (my favorite part of bbh), and cilantro and white onions. Normally a side of sliced cabbage/herbs and bean sprouts and a lemon/lime wedge is provided. I prefer to place the veg in my soup spoon and then top it with noodles and meat and stuff that in my mouth instead of adding the veg directly to the soup bowl. I also always have a side of their fermented fish/shrimp paste and add some of their sate (chili oil) to dip my meats into. They keep these on the table but be careful not to spill any on your clothes! Or else you may smell for a while (or so Mom says lol) So wonderful though! I love the fermented flavor cutting through the meaty soup. Banh bot loc is a steamed tapioca dumpling filled with pork and shrimp. Sometimes the shrimp isnt peeled, but crunching through the shell adds some texture. I don't mind it. They provide a sauce on the side and I think it's fish sauce with chopped chilis. But again, the sauce cuts through and adds a nice heat to the dish. I love eating this on the side with a bowl of bbh!! Bun rieu is a tomato-y, pork and crabby soup with the same noodles in the bbh. They add pieces of pineapple for some sweetness, and shrimp balls. It's sweeter than bbh but still savory. I ate this a lot as a kid :-) The clams and sesame cracker is somewhat spicy! I think they use canned baby clams (I could definitely be wrong, but this is what my mom uses and they look similar) but they're stir fried with some chilis and tossed with herbs and a side of a crunchy sesame cracker is provided. They also sell xoi on the weekends, which is a red sticky rice that has a side of peanuts/sugar/salt/sesame seeds that you top the rice with and it is so yummy! The rice is chewy, and the dry seasonings add a slight salty-sweet-nutty flavor. This is $5 and I normally buy it whenever I see them have it. I speak to everyone in Vietnamese but I have heard/seen non-Vietnamese speakers come and enjoy their food as well! The restaurant space is small and they're usually playing a video of somewhere in Vietnam where food is cooking lol it feels homey to me? This place is pretty authentic. I brought my boyfriend here years ago and he wasn't feeling it but after a while, he's come around to it. I love this restaurant though. Will always come back for some bomb-ass bun bo hue.

Hubby and I stopped in for some bun bo hue the morning after a night out. We LOVE places like this. Don't expect any frills, just good food. It's a tiny and tight restaurant but it was apparently very popular, judging by the folks who were bringing in their own pots for soup (they tell you to bring your pot!). The men waiting on you can be brusque but their aloofness quickly turned into "How much food are they ordering?!" lol. But the food came like clockwork and pretty soon our table was covered with delicious goodies. On the lineup were: - Bo bun hue (small for me, large for hubby) - super yummy but wished the pigs feet was more tender - Banh Bot Loc - LOVE - Bahn Beo - LOVE - these come already out of the little saucers, thereby making consumption faster. Yum! - Chicken Wings - Last minute addition. The flavor was good but I would say they were probably overfried so they ended up being rather hard and a bit dry. This hit the spot and would definitely be a re-visit if we were ever in the area again.

Located right next to sushi diner and parking is limited. Came here just for the bon bo hue from all the good reviews. It's pretty limited menu, but I knew what I wanted. For a place being known for bon bo hue I was pretty disappointed. There was an overwhelm taste of mint and probably from the lemon grass. The cha lu wasn't cut thin, I got the but end and the middle was cold. Overall the contents inside was good, the meat was tender. After I was done with the meal my mouth felt numb. Anyways I would say 3.5-4. It is a hole in a wall, and cash only. Wouldn't be good for tourist. I probably wouldn't come back.