Mộng Thu Cafe

"This tiny Vietnamese spot in the Tenderloin is a hot spot for a quick breakfast or lunch—the cash-only spot closes at 4pm, so you’ll have to swing by during daylight hours for your bún riêu (which rings in at exactly $15, but can easily feed two). But the best value lies in the $6 bánh mì. They’re made on plump rolls that soak up the mayo and pâté without getting the least bit soggy, and will easily power you through your inevitable midday slump." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong

"This spot has held it down in the Tenderloin since 1993, and has lasted for good reason. It’s known for noodle soups, which are satisfying, substantial, and reasonably priced. There’s also a great roster of banh mi and an impressive dessert menu of rice puddings." - Paolo Bicchieri

"The noodle soups at this Tenderloin Vietnamese cafe are so big that you might fall in. While swimming in some tomato-heavy bún riêu isn’t logical, slurping it down at this cheery, teal-colored spot in five minutes flat is. Yes, get the soups, but also the bánh mì stuffed with fall-apart pork meatballs and specials like the bánh uot chay: perfectly bouncy rice noodle rolls topped with plant-based pork and a heap of crispy shallots. Their hearty portions will fill you up for $15 or less. Note that it’s cash-only." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez

"This cute and cozy cafe in the Tenderloin is home to some of the city’s finest and most soul-satisfying Vietnamese noodle soups: funky, fermented-fish-spiked bun mam, say, or the umami bomb of a bowl of bun rieu with its juicy meatballs and crab-infused broth. The restaurant is selling both noodle dishes and banh mi for takeout during the shelter in place, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day except Monday. Call ahead to order." - Luke Tsai

"This cute and cozy cafe in the Tenderloin is home to some of the city’s finest and most soul-satisfying Vietnamese noodle soups: funky, fermented-fish-spiked bun mam, say, or the umami bomb of a bowl of bun rieu, with its juicy meatballs and crab-infused broth. The restaurant is selling both noodle dishes and banh mi for takeout during the shelter in place, from 7 a.m. to the 4 p.m. every day except Monday. Call ahead to order." - Luke Tsai