Nong Lá Vietnamese Cafe

Vietnamese restaurant · Sawtelle

Nong Lá Vietnamese Cafe

Vietnamese restaurant · Sawtelle

2055 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Highlights

Family-run shop known for pho, banh mi & other Vietnamese fare plus beer & wine in hip, modern digs.

2055 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Get directions

nonglacafe.com

@nonglacafe

$$ · Menu

@infatuation

"On a chilly 72-degree day in LA, few things beat a bowl of pho at Nong La. With locations in Sawtelle and La Brea, this modern Vietnamese cafe has built a large following around its fast service and solid Vietnamese comfort foods, like crackly chai gio filled with minced pork and shrimp. The sesame steak banh mi and pork noodle salad are other must-orders for when you come back by yourself tomorrow." - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore

The 19 Best Restaurants On West LA's Sawtelle Boulevard

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@infatuation

"One of our favorite Vietnamese spots in the city, Nong La has two locations (Sawtelle and La Brea), but their Sawtelle space stands out for being our top spot for pho west of the 405. The meat here is high-quality, and their broth is light and lemongrass-y. The pho tai bo vien (rare steak and beef balls) is our go-to, but If you want to kick the spice level up a notch, we recommend the bun bo hue: a spicy lemongrass soup with pork patty and beef shank. They also have a solid beer and wine list and a separate bar area, if you feel like posting up for a solo pho mission. " - nikko duren, brant cox, garrett snyder, sylvio martins

The 12 Best Pho Restaurants In Los Angeles

View Postcard for Nong Lá Vietnamese Cafe

@infatuation

"A dependable Vietnamese option in LA proper, Nong La has two locations (Sawtelle and La Brea), but their Sawtelle space stands out for being our top spot for pho west of the 405. The meat here is high-quality, and their broth is light and lemongrass-y. The pho tai bo vien (rare steak and beef balls) is our go-to, but If you want to kick the spice level up a notch, we recommend the bun bo hue: a spicy lemongrass soup with pork patty and beef shank. The grilled pork banh mi packed with pickles and herbs is a must-order, too. They also have a solid beer and wine list and a separate bar area, if you feel like posting up for a solo soup mission." - Jess Basser Sanders

Nong Lá Cafe Review - Sawtelle Japantown - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

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@infatuation

"If starting the Year of the Rabbit with a sweet treat sounds like a good idea, Nong La is serving caramel flan at their La Brea and Sawtelle locations from January 16th-22nd. The classic recipe is based on a Vietnamese tradition, with the flan's round shape representing unity and togetherness. " - kat hong

13 LA Restaurants Offering Lunar New Years Specials

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Johnny Moira

Google

We have been here twice and have enjoyed the vegetarian pho which has always had a light yet very flavorful broth with reasonable portions of tofu and mushrooms. Almost all options for vegetarians involve the contents of the pho minus the broth packed into a sandwich/rice paper/salad so there aren’t many varied options for vegetarians in terms of flavor. However we would just come back again for the light, flavorful and comforting pho!

Tiaga Nidhan

Google

Bahn Mi is decent, Pho is below mid. Customer service skills lacking majorly. Employees here seem to be unhappy and enjoy projecting that onto customers. They should be retrained and learn how to speak to people with decorum and respect rather than the horrible negative attitude some of them present. Behaviorally impaired friendly environment. Pretty lousy to pay money to be treated rudely and poorly and then recieve mid-grade food. Makes sense, it's always the places that aren't very good food-wise that abuse you. It's cool if you hate your life, just don't make that your paying customers problem who have done nothing wrong.

Mark Itskowitch

Google

Worst Pho I have ever had! Like water in a bowl! I’ve been to Vietnam twice and eaten Pho all over LA…and it’s all about the broth! We shared the chicken Pho and the recommended Lemon grass chicken salad…. Both had NO flavor at all! And Pho is supposed to come with Mint leaves, they served it with basil? Even adding a chicken bouillon could have helped! How do you have a Pho restaurant and not know how to make Pho?? The women with a bike cart in Vietnam with a full chicken in a pot, had much better pho for 60 cents! All you have to do is cook the bones, chicken and a few spices! I added in siracha, hoisin sauce, lime, and the side sauce to dip the chicken… we still couldn’t eat it. And the chicken tastes like it was cooked in boiled water. Zero flavor! And instead of rice noodles they had this thicker noodle. Try making it correctly before trying to be creative. Not much chicken in either dish and even the lemongrass chicken had no flavor. Only thing edible was the Vietnamese eggs rolls. All we had was the soup, lemongrass chicken noodle salad and egg rolls and it cost $70!! Get a new chef or add a chicken bouillon or something! You should be embarrassed. Sucks to go out to eat, spend so much money and not even able to finish the food because it has no flavor! They also never took our two dishes .. or asked if everything was okay. Which you should notice when TWO bowls are not eaten!

Natalie

Google

Food was so delicious and comforting. Fresh, hot, plentiful and beautifully displayed on the plate.😁 Bright sunny day , Sat outside. Our first server was phenomenal, her shift ended and the second server also a woman however she needed a minute to warm up. All in all a great afternoon. We will return

Eva Komarkova

Google

Not bad food, just too same kind of veggie (daikon and carrot) and mushrooms in every meal and not really a variety of vegan options, but the service is nice and the soup was good, minimalistic and simple, good in it's meaning. They use canola oil, which is not healthy. The tofu they use is tasty. I think can be better but still good.

Cynthia

Google

it was a quick lunch- we got the bun with grilled pork and steak bunmi, everything came out quick and delicious! the bun was so refreshing for the summer. the place is super small tho!

Taka H

Google

Parking can be challenging on Sawtelle Street since during the nights it gets pretty packed. Not to mention the crowds outside sushi stop and Tsujita artisan noodles where it lies between Smooth service from start to finish from the entire staff. No issues at all….they were all very positive and friendly. Outside for some reason didn’t have heaters inside there’s limited seating, including the bar area. Got the veggie spring rolls, which are actually really good with the tofu and oyster mushrooms inside definitely something different compared to your common shrimp rolls. Pho bo vien with rare, filet mignon and beef balls. Were good just the sizing of it all was extremely small including the amount noodles. Pho chay with organic mushrooms and carrots was good and I felt it had way more ingredients and hearty compared to the beef pho Overall everything tasted amazing but the price per bowl felt a little bit too expensive for my taste.

Christopher Nguyen

Google

Overall, the food was not bad. The hype from the ratings def hyped me up for it. The chief’s special had a different twist to it. 4/5 I wish it had more noodles and meat. I’ll come back and try a rice dish next time!

Kevin N.

Yelp

We were in search for a Vietnamese place near UCLA. It's a small Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of a Japanese area of Sawtelle. The Pho was meh. To be expected in a non Vietnamese environment. It has your basic tripe, rare steaks, and brisket. The broth was ok. The grill pork noodle was actually pretty. The pork meat was fairly lean with a slight char for the smoke smell and flavor. It was a good simple seasoning. The bowl has a lot of fresh chopped vegetables and herbs. They give a lot meat for the bowl. The fish sauce was simple and to the point. Two negative comments. Fist, the meat is a bit dry and would benefit more from a more fatty cut. Second, the noodles they used we the thick bigger style found in Bun Bo Hue. It would've been better if used the smaller vermicelli noodles. The Vietnamese milk coffee, simple and pre mixed. You can't request for less sweet or more sweet. No complaint as it is simple and serve the purpose. If any place can make this wrong, shouldn't even open a Vietnamese restaurant. It's a small place with plenty of interior and exterior seats. Don't expect large parties. Service was good and fast. I don't recommend the Pho but do recommend the Bun Thit Nuong, grill pork noodle.

Mallory C.

Yelp

I had long heard about how great Nong La is and when I finally went, it didn't disappoint! I went while my family visited (they were craving Pho) and boy did they get good Pho! Parking is on the street around Sawtelle and can be challenging depending on the time of day and week. We sat down at the bar at first--it was so busy--but eventually, we moved to a table once one opened up and the place quieted down from the lunch rush. I got the vermicelli beef bowl, which I loved, and my parents got various pho soups, which they approved of as well! I also ordered an excellent Thai iced tea. Definitely lived up to the hype!

Mimi R.

Yelp

I was craving banh mi and decided to get one here. I ordered the grilled pork banh mi and a small side of beef broth. Banh mi was insanely delish and hit the spot! The pork was flavorful and cooked to perfection. The pickled radish and carrots paired with the cilantro and jalapeño perfectly balanced the rich pork with freshness. The baguette was crispy and the kind that kinda hurts the roof of your mouth but in a good way. The beef broth warmed my soul. I asked for the pho sides to go with it so I added bean sprouts, basil and jalapeño with a touch of lime to the broth. Broth is so one dimensional so adding the sides gives it some depth and extra texture which I enjoy. I found metered street parking really close to the restaurant on a weekend so I felt lucky. I ordered to go but they have some tables inside and outside if you prefer to dine in. Service was quick and friendly.

Joellen C.

Yelp

Not authentic Viet food. More like an American style version of pho since the pho noodles were a bit too thick and the soup was more of a seasoned soup as opposed to a well stewed pho broth that's been simmering for hours. Pho - not great but not entirely awful. Noodles were non authentic pho but rather thicker rice noodles. Beef was unseasoned and came out thick and "boiled" in texture. Broth was okay but did not hit the savory pho broth. I might order this again but wouldn't rush back to this shop. Bahn mi - I'll never order this again. Bun was so hard and dry it didn't hit the spot. The lemon grass chicken was also dry and crumbly. No bueno. Shrimp Summer roll - hit the spot. Tasted authentic thankfully. Vermicelli bowls and shaken rice pork bowls were good but not immensely great. Of all the dishes these were the best & if I had to return I'd choose these

Melinda C.

Yelp

Worst pho my friend and I ever had. Definitely an example of why people say only go to OC for good pho and vietnamese food.

Yuri J.

Yelp

One of the best pho spots in West LA! Per recs, I got chef's special and it was LOADED with tender ribs and tendon. They gave us a free bun thit - which they made accidentally and it was SO delicious too! Definitely recommend ordering the egg rolls as an appetizer. Patio seating is nice alongside the street of Sawtelle. Service was great and checked in on us frequently.

Samantha S.

Yelp

The best Pho in town + best service! also really love how intimate it is. Thank you for a great time

Federico L.

Yelp

My go-to spot for pho in LA. Always great food and service. Their broth is super clean, light, and tasty. My favorites are their pho tai, crispy egg rolls, and all their banh mis are amazing. I haven't tried their wines or alcoholic drinks, but their Vietnamese coffees are bomb. All the staff is super friendly, especially the bartender with the stylish hair. There's parking around the back or street parking (tough as expected on Sawtelle)

Tim H.

Yelp

Parking can be challenging on Sawtelle Street since during the nights it gets pretty packed. Not to mention the crowds outside sushi stop and Tsujita artisan noodles where it lies between Smooth service from start to finish from the entire staff. No issues at all....they were all very positive and friendly. Outside for some reason didn't have heaters inside there's limited seating, including the bar area. Got the veggie spring rolls, which are actually really good with the tofu and oyster mushrooms inside definitely something different compared to your common shrimp rolls. Pho bo vien with rare, filet mignon and beef balls. Were good just the sizing of it all was extremely small including the amount noodles. Pho chay with organic mushrooms and carrots was good and I felt it had way more ingredients and hearty compared to the beef pho Overall everything tasted amazing but the price per bowl felt a little bit too expensive for my taste.

Katie V.

Yelp

Super small quaint, vibrant pho spot here in Sawtelle was all the vibez my husband and I needed on a rainy day! Service was fast and friendly. The food was 10/10 highly recommend!

Rachel C.

Yelp

Pretty good actually! We had the spicy lemongrass soup. It was reallly spicy! Spaghetti noodles were alright, wished it was thin noodles but other than that not bad! We also had the chicken cabbage salad. Warning it had ALOT of onions but dressing was tasty. I would go back!

Bonnie C.

Yelp

The interior is a little small, but I went for lunch on Friday and there was no wait! There's also a small lot right behind it, so I would recommend checking there for parking before trying to find street parking. Crispy Egg Rolls - 5/5! Highly recommend this item. Crispy on the outside and filled with pork, shrimp, and veggies. It's paired with lettuce, picked radish/carrots, and fish sauce to make wraps if you want but I just ate the egg rolls by itself and they were just as good! Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Salad - 4/5! This dish is light and refreshing, but the chicken was a little dry for me. However, when dipping the chicken in extra fish sauce and pairing it with all the vegetables and vermicelli, it was still really good. Overall, I really enjoyed the food here. Easy parking and no wait during lunch time deserves extra bonus points too!

Justin Y.

Yelp

Can we have a serious conversation please? Please bring back the following items. 1. Pork rolls (Nem Nuong Cuon) 2. Porkchop 3. Patte Sincerely a long time loyal customer. Big ups to my favorite server Roxanna with always the hair in a doo + Bright red lipstick with the smile on her face + friendly demeanor. Give her a raise and a promotion please! Excited for the new spot to open up in Culver city as well!

Shania W.

Yelp

We came in on a chilly Wednesday evening with a craving for noodle soup to warm us up. The restaurant was half full, and we were seated immediately. I ordered the Bun Bo Hue since I don't see it at a lot of places--I thought it was just fine. The broth was flavorful but felt watered down, and it felt pretty greasy. In general, the dish came with way too much soup and barely any noodles or meat. I also thought it was on the pricier side. I tried a few bites of my friend's pho, and I also thought it just tasted a little off. In general, the food was pretty underwhelming. The restaurant itself is well lit and has a nice space but is definitely on the smaller side. There are only a few tables, so I could see it getting hectic during busy times. The staff was super friendly; they were super attentive and kind. However, I'm not sure I would be back--I think there are better Vietnamese places and better food options on Sawtelle in general.

Rose L.

Yelp

As a pho snob, the pho was inedible to me. The flavor was missing completely. The only good thing was that they had the thicker noodles. There seemed to be only one server, honestly, but he was great, really friendly and really attentive. I do like the outside seating, good place to get some air and enjoy the busyness of Sawtelle.

Mai V.

Yelp

Situated in a great spot on the very bustling part of Sawtelle, they're a small restaurant with a lot of foot traffic. There aren't many great Vietnamese options in this area but I would say this place is decent. They have the usual staples of Bun, Com, Banh Mi, and Pho. I ordered the bun thit cha gio (pork and egg roll bun) which was a solid 4 stars. The cafe sua unfortunately was not very good, tasted really bitter. The service was fine and they really try to get people through since it's not a very big restaurant. They also have a small patio out front with extra seating.

Urban I.

Yelp

Had a good experience here, and gave an extra star for the chicken and rice that hit the spot and for having Enegren beer that they also provide a cold glass for. Had also the beef Pho but I can't make a comparison as I never had Pho before, but I did enjoy it. The bowl is enough for 2 I'd say and they provide plenty of noodles. My date and I will try more again soon.

Jodi Y.

Yelp

Very much enjoyed this pho spot in sawtelle. I ordered the beef brisket pho with tendon. It came with lots of meat, but not enough soup. Authentic broth and comes with the fresh bean sprouts. A little pricey but prices in this area are always high. Small indoor and outdoor area. Street parking.

Connor Y.

Yelp

The Nong La Cafe is cool spot right on Sawtelle that serves some decent Pho. The service was really good our waitress was really nice and always present and checking in on us. I only had the Pho Dac Biet its a pork Pho and noodles and broth. The meat was nice tender and juicy the broth definitely helps it a lot. The broth could have a bit more flavor but still good. The noodles were cooked well. Overall it was good dining experience with good food it was a solid. /5

Emeline T.

Yelp

I always order the chicken banh mi when I come here and it has never disappointed! The bread has a perfect crunchy texture without being too hard and the chicken is great! The last time I went I also tried a bit of my mom's chicken pho and was pretty impressed. I've had some less than satisfactory chicken pho at other restaurants before but this broth was very flavorful and the chicken was good (not too tough or dry). The noodles were flat and a little wider than some pho I've had before, which was interesting (no idea what the traditional noodle shape is). We also tried the crispy egg rolls which were very tasty. Overall I have been impressed with everything I have tried here. Service was also great and the food came out super quick!

Mina M.

Yelp

Ordered take out and loved it. I got the pho with rare beef and brisket. The flavor of the broth is really good. I also got the cold noodle salad with chicken and egg roll. It's a good size serving and tastes really fresh. The ban mi sandwich was also good. Could have used a little more sauce but the bread was delicious. Would order again.

Lina T.

Yelp

Nong La's quality has definitely dropped over the last couple of years. I used to frequent this place A LOT. However, I can no longer recommend it. I ordered their grilled pork banh mi and their chicken rice. I was left unsatisfied and disappointed. The chicken looked undercooked and was pretty bland. I can't stomach finishing it (for fear of food poisoning from raw chicken), which is a shame as I spent $16+ on this dish. Not worth it. Their pork banh mi still had good flavor but with the cost of $13, the portion of the meat could have been a bit better. I do love their vegetarian/vegan options still and that is the only reason why I'm still giving 3 stars here. I used to come for the pho ga and that also seemed to have changed as their broth no longer seems to be the same as before (new recipe?). Sad times are had today.

Lulu B.

Yelp

This is for the steak. It was dry, tough and overcooked. Service good. The roll came out quick. Had to wave down the server for the check.

Angela L.

Yelp

I came by on a busy Saturday but was sitted right away. Every other restaurant in sawtelle was busy with 40+ mins wait except this one. The restaurant was very small with outside seating available. I ordered the grilled pork with rice. It's a vietnamese staple! The pickled carrots were good. Sour and delicious. However, the pork was dry and lacking flavor. It was extra to add the egg and I was a lil disappointed it wasn't runny like how it's supposed to be. The fish sauce is ok as well. Nothing special about it. The waiter didn't come to our table as often as I'd like them to. But they refilled our water when asked. The price was very expensive for vietnamese food but normal for sawtelle. I definitely say if you don't want to wait long, this place is ok to eat at.

Hannah Nicole C.

Yelp

Reading the reviews I have no idea why this place isn't getting a higher rating. Granted, the restaurant is pretty small, only fitting about 6 tables and then bar seating. But if you come here during the slower hours you'll be able to be seated right away. I ended up getting the beef pho and it was yummy! We came on a rainy day and it was the perfect lunch to go with the weather. There's street parking (free on Sundays) but otherwise metered parking. The area is pretty clean and nice with an array of other restaurants, bakeries, and food joints. Service was good and pleasant.

Jake A.

Yelp

Two words for you: Chef's Special. Don't even look at the menu. Just get the chef's special. You are welcome. During the rush it can be a bit of a wait and parking is tough in sawtelle, but once you're in you are going to enjoy for SURE. Banh Mi here is good enough but not blow me away good. This place overall is very reliable and comfort food status.

Emily Z.

Yelp

I think the only order that's worth coming here for is the Chef's Special Pho. Everything else is mediocre. That being said, service is always quick, attentive, and friendly. Parking is easy to find, and the prices aren't too bad. I would definitely come again if I'm having a craving!

Emily C.

Yelp

The bun Bo hue was very very good. I would absolutely come back just for that. I think the goi cuon could have had a little less lettuce in it! They didn't need to be so stuffed! The peanut sauce was also a little more on the watery side. The cafe sua is less sweet than usual but I wouldn't say it was bad. It was still good, but I think could be barely tweaked to be great! Service was great and our waitress was so nice. She was very fast and attentive. The restaurant is small and is probably better for small groups (definitely not more than 6). It's not a super aesthetic restaurant but doesn't matter because the food was good!

Emily I.

Yelp

Solid Vietnamese spot on Sawtelle. Never been inside, but have ordered a bunch of takeout. Their pho is the star and drinks (all of them are amazing!) but their banh mi's aren't half bad as well!

Kiki K.

Yelp

My favorite viet food option in the west la area! I've tried a few viet restaurants in the area and they've all been meh.. BUT Nong La is the exception!! I ordered takeout through doordash and when I received and opened by order, it smelled delicious!!!! I ordered the grilled pork vermicelli and the size is good for what you pay for, especially in LA. Delicious flavors, good portion sizes, authentic viet food! Def recommend :)

Jasmine V.

Yelp

I ordered a spring roll, a pho dac biet, and a pho tai bo vien for takeout. Disappointingly, when I got home, I realized the spring rolls were not in the bag and it was too much work to drive all the way back. A waste of $10. The pho didn't even make up for the missing spring rolls. There was hardly any meat and the broth was bland and lacking flavor. Each pho order only comes with 1 small packet of sriracha and hoisin sauce. I like to put some in my broth, but also like to use it on the side to dip the meat in, so I asked for extra because one isn't nearly enough - each extra sauce is 25 cents which is a wild rip off considering how small they are. For service, the workers were nice, but they dropped the ball on forgetting the spring rolls. That combined with the bland $18 pho and the charge of 25 cents per sauce packet is really disappointing.

Edmel R.

Yelp

I always crave Vietnamese food since I'm so familiar with the dishes. I got a vermicelli bowl (the lemongrass and steak) which was $16.50. Food wise, it was really more of a salad as described on their menu rather than vermicelli noodles. It was filling with the veggies. I've had vermicelli bowls before and this does the job. It was flavorful and large. We ordered and got our food within 15 minutes even during a lunch rush. It was busy for lunch when my friend and I went. Parking is crazy during lunch so I recommend getting there just before lunch, taking the bus, or parking within the neighborhoods. Overall, 3 stars for price, food options, taste, and parking. Maybe I've been to too many mom and pop Vietnamese restaurants and something about that does not compare. This place does the job for viet food. Here's a copy of the online menu: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q42aqD-cILLl0lfncYVtfmuJ958ViY-w/view

Mary V.

Yelp

One of my favorite spots in sawtelle! Food, service and location is always the best. Love the Thai iced tea and delicious pork belly! Def a great spot to sit outside and people watch or stop for a light bite before dinner.

Brooke M.

Yelp

It was a windy day and the mood when the sun and wind were full on was a good bowl of soup! I have no complaints as the food was super fresh including the basil and sprouts. Service was great as we sat outside enjoying our Pho!

Caitlin L.

Yelp

I have tried the beef pho, pork banh mi and pork bún from here. Beef pho was takeout and it was really bad. The broth had no flavor and resembled chicken broth more than beef. The pork bún was pretty yummy but there was an insane amount of lettuce. Like half of the bowl was lettuce. I would order like half the amount of lettuce next time. The banh mi was delicious, supper buttery and flavorful but kind of overpriced. The service can also be really slow. The first time my bf and I came here we stood around for almost 10 minutes before someone sat us down.

Kathy Z.

Yelp

Pretty solid Viet restaurant in the heart of West LA. This place is my go-to after a long flight or when I'm craving something warm and soupy. I usually get the Tai Bo Vien or Dac Biet pho based on my mood and the Ga Nuong noodle salad is perfect on a hot summer day since it's super light and refreshing. The Cha Gio here is crispy and delicious too, especially with the fish sauce. The portions feel like it's gone down a bit since COVID, and I used to be able to get two meals out of a portion. The price is definitely higher than what you'd get in the SGV or Westminster, but you can't beat the taste if you're based here in West LA. I've only ordered Postmates from here before so can't say much about service, but walking by here there's usually not that big of a line.

Carolyn A.

Yelp

The Tai Pho was delicious and well priced. The server was friendly and recommended the egg rolls. Usually I say no but I was starving and was happy I ordered them because they were generous with the portions and had a nice side salad with mint and pickled vegetables. I would go back here. There's some outdoor seating which I usually go for, plus the street is lively.

Robert K.

Yelp

I always wish Pho places open earlier on the weekends since pho is amazing for an early lunch (especially after a night of drinking). This place is in the heart of sawtelle and is there for a reason. This is one of the best pho places on the westside. This is a small and casual place which has a QR code for a digital menu to download. I ordered the pho tai bo vien (beef ball and rare steak) which is ~$17. There is only one size which is definitely enough per person. Comes with bean sprouts, basil, limes and jalapenos on the side. They also have chili sauce and hoisin sauce you can mix with the broth or have on the side with a sauce plate. I came here with a friend Saturday when they opened. Nong La doesn't have a lot of tables but the service and food make up for it. Finally the Tai Bo Vien dish comes and it smells amazing. Before adding any chili sauce or hoisin sauce please try the broth without the sauces. They put in the time to make the broth amazing and it is. If you like it spicy then yes add the chili sauce. The beef balls and the rare steak are delicious and the broth is always soothing. Such an amazing place for sawtelle. Only thing I'd change for the place is the price point ($17 is pretty pricey for pho in my opinion) and open earlier on the weekends (~10:30am) since it is something I crave in the morning (especially on the colder days. Can't wait until next time. Thank you nong la for being on the westside.

Siri K.

Yelp

Delicious Pho!! Exactly what I needed while I was fighting the flu. Ordered take out and nuked it in the microwave for 3 mins- wala!

Chloe R.

Yelp

Unbelievable, one of the employees(?) acted like we were a nuisance to even enter the restaurant and every request we made was met with condescension and attitude. On top of that, as a Vietnamese restaurant they had NO MORE broth for pho that we waited 30 minutes for at 8 PM on a Friday night? The "broken rice" was just mushy Jasmine rice given barely enough sauce. Very limited indoor seating, don't even bother with parties larger than 4.

Hayley C.

Yelp

Went here because I was craving a banh mi and it was the closest stop available. Reviews looked decent so I gave it a try. It's sit-down service where you're waited on, I didn't know that going in and if I did I wouldn't have eaten there (just wasn't in the mood for sit-down service) but it's whatevs LOL Got the vegetarian banh mi which came with tofu and oyster mushrooms (which I've never seen before in a banh mi)! It was good, overpriced for the size ($15 including tax) but still good. The oyster mushrooms were a cool and yummy touch to the banh mi tbh. All in all I'd probably give this place a 7/10 (-:

Takea L.

Yelp

I always get the best service and take out here. Bahn mi is my favorite. Bread is just right for take out. Flavours are perfect.

Chris. C.

Yelp

I recently tried the chef's specialty dish at this spot, and let me tell you, it's seriously delicious! What stood out was the generous portion they serve for the price; it's a good deal, no doubt. The flavor may seem simple, but trust me, it hits the spot in the best way possible. I won't sugarcoat it--no need for fancy words--it's just downright satisfying. One great thing about this place? You won't find yourself stuck in a long line, unlike at the Tujita next door. It's a definite plus, especially when you're craving a quick, delightful meal without the hassle of waiting. I'm already planning my return visit to try another dish from their menu. The experience was so enjoyable that I'm eager to explore more of what they have to offer. If you're around the area, this place is worth considering for a satisfying and hassle-free dining experience.

Jason L.

Yelp

updating my review as it's been close to 10 years. This place has improved a lot. The service is good as it always was but now I believe their food quality has improved the pho tastes better tho the noodles still taste too startchy for my liking. I prefer really fresh ones you find in SGV or Westminster. Yes I know this is the westside. Thanks. Broth quality also tastes better but still I would prefer it hotter. It's a great spot when you want a tasty bowl of pho. Glad to see this business do so well and expanding across LA.

Kayla G.

Yelp

I feel like this place should be higher rated than it is! this is a great option when you're in the mood for noodles but you want something a little less rich than the many ramen options available in sawtelle. I order the pho tai here, and while I can't say I'm quite as much of an expert when it comes to judging pho (I consider myself more an expert when it comes to judging ramen), I think this is delicious! the broth is flavorful but not heavy, and the tender filet mignon is soooo tasty. when you start to get a little bored of the taste halfway through you can add some spicy chili sauce to the bowl to change things up. you certainly get a very good amount of food for the price so personally I wouldn't complain about the price. I thought my bowl had quite a generous portion of meat. I also appreciate the friendly service and the fact that you don't usually have to wait long for a table like you do with the other popular places in sawtelle. I really only have good things to say about this place, so I definitely recommend if you're in the mood for pho!

Zehra P.

Yelp

Cute spot I frequently go to when craving viet food. The chefs special pho is full of flavor and has a good amount of meat. The steak banh mi is another go to that is really great. I also tried the steak noodle salad for the first time and it did not disappoint. Great option when you want something more refreshing. The staff are really nice and overall this place is a great take on modern vietnamese food.

Jay N.

Yelp

I thought I was a pho expert, but then I found Nong La on Sawtelle! They literally have the best broth, the best tasting noodles, the best tasting fillet that I've ever had. As soon as you walk in the smell of the broth greets you and you know you're going to have an amazing meal. The staff is always very friendly and informative, you can tell that they love working there as well, which I always find is a good sign of a business 10 out of 10!

Sam S.

Yelp

Nong La is just an ok place if you want viet food, the food isn't that flavorful and not as authentic as I had hoped it would be. We had the pho dac biet and the com thit Nuong and both had their goods and bads. The pho broth was solid, but the meat was over cooked, hard and super fatty. The beef meatball was just ok but definitely over cooked. Noodles were ok, and toppings like the basil were solid. The thit nuong was a lot worse, the meat was dry and the sauce was flavorless. All the food was definitely edible, but I can't say it was good.

Jasmin H.

Yelp

I ordered via Postmates when I was feeling under the weather and in desperate need of some pho. Although I'm always hesitant with east asian food spots in WLA, I was desperate and I'd always walked by this place in Sawtelle and thought enough people ate here that it couldn't be that bad (right?) - unfortunately, I was really disappointed. I ordered a filet + beef ball pho noodle soup with no onions, and the paper container that all the veggies came in 1) didn't have any bean sprouts and 2) they wrote 'NO ONIONS' right on the outside top of the container and I open it to find that right there on top a pile of white onion.. lol. I know sometimes mistakes happen and it was probably another person who prepped vs packed the order, but still. The soup broth itself was not great and lacked depth of flavor, it tasted like they added some sort of powder bouillon to rush the process vs. pure bone broth that was actually simmered. I could be wrong but the flavor was lacking. I also got a Pork Banh Mi, which was priced pretty steeply at $14 imo. The meat flavor was good but definitely on the fattier side if you don't mind that. I thought it lacked a portion of the pickled daikon and couldn't find much of the mayo so it was a little dry. Overall, not bad but not great. Definitely would skip this and opt for another pho spot.

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Johnny Moira

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Tiaga Nidhan

Google

Mark Itskowitch

Google

Natalie

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Eva Komarkova

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Cynthia

Google

it was a quick lunch- we got the bun with grilled pork and steak bunmi, everything came out quick and delicious! the bun was so refreshing for the summer. the place is super small tho!

Taka H

Google

Christopher Nguyen

Google

Kevin N.

Yelp

Mallory C.

Yelp

Mimi R.

Yelp

Joellen C.

Yelp

Melinda C.

Yelp

Worst pho my friend and I ever had. Definitely an example of why people say only go to OC for good pho and vietnamese food.

Yuri J.

Yelp

Samantha S.

Yelp

The best Pho in town + best service! also really love how intimate it is. Thank you for a great time

Federico L.

Yelp

Tim H.

Yelp

Parking can be challenging on Sawtelle Street since during the nights it gets pretty packed. Not to mention the crowds outside sushi stop and Tsujita artisan noodles where it lies between Smooth service from start to finish from the entire staff. No issues at all....they were all very positive and friendly. Outside for some reason didn't have heaters inside there's limited seating, including the bar area. Got the veggie spring rolls, which are actually really good with the tofu and oyster mushrooms inside definitely something different compared to your common shrimp rolls. Pho bo vien with rare, filet mignon and beef balls. Were good just the sizing of it all was extremely small including the amount noodles. Pho chay with organic mushrooms and carrots was good and I felt it had way more ingredients and hearty compared to the beef pho Overall everything tasted amazing but the price per bowl felt a little bit too expensive for my taste.

Katie V.

Yelp

Super small quaint, vibrant pho spot here in Sawtelle was all the vibez my husband and I needed on a rainy day! Service was fast and friendly. The food was 10/10 highly recommend!

Rachel C.

Yelp

Bonnie C.

Yelp

Justin Y.

Yelp

Shania W.

Yelp

Rose L.

Yelp

Mai V.

Yelp

Urban I.

Yelp

Jodi Y.

Yelp

Connor Y.

Yelp

Emeline T.

Yelp

Mina M.

Yelp

Lina T.

Yelp

Lulu B.

Yelp

This is for the steak. It was dry, tough and overcooked. Service good. The roll came out quick. Had to wave down the server for the check.

Angela L.

Yelp

Hannah Nicole C.

Yelp

Jake A.

Yelp

Emily Z.

Yelp

Emily C.

Yelp

Emily I.

Yelp

Solid Vietnamese spot on Sawtelle. Never been inside, but have ordered a bunch of takeout. Their pho is the star and drinks (all of them are amazing!) but their banh mi's aren't half bad as well!

Kiki K.

Yelp

Jasmine V.

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Edmel R.

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Mary V.

Yelp

Brooke M.

Yelp

Caitlin L.

Yelp

Kathy Z.

Yelp

Carolyn A.

Yelp

Robert K.

Yelp

Siri K.

Yelp

Delicious Pho!! Exactly what I needed while I was fighting the flu. Ordered take out and nuked it in the microwave for 3 mins- wala!

Chloe R.

Yelp

Hayley C.

Yelp

Takea L.

Yelp

I always get the best service and take out here. Bahn mi is my favorite. Bread is just right for take out. Flavours are perfect.

Chris. C.

Yelp

Jason L.

Yelp

Kayla G.

Yelp

Zehra P.

Yelp

Jay N.

Yelp

Sam S.

Yelp

Jasmin H.

Yelp

Nong Lá Vietnamese Cafe

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