Vien Huong Restaurant

At this location, the fried garlic is served separately—a detail I truly appreciate. I also really enjoy their thin egg noodles, which strike a perfect balance between chewy and tender without becoming overly soft. However, the dish tends to be quite oily, so if you prefer lighter meals, this might not be ideal for you. My usual order is the Number 1 without kidney, with the soup served on the side. I also always add fish cake as an appetizer. The total cost for two regular dishes plus one appetizer comes to $53.75. What I love about this restaurant is how it evokes the authentic flavors of Thailand’s street food, especially the dry yellow egg noodles. While it doesn’t include traditional Thai-style char siu or wontons, the taste remains quite close to home. This well-established Chinese restaurant impresses me with its surprisingly clean restrooms, likely due to my morning visits. Parking can be difficult, as only metered street parking is available. The branch tends to be busy, so clear communication with staff is important. Although there may be a short wait, the service is attentive and friendly.

Always a must stop for anyone visiting the East Bay. This hole in the wall is where you get the best Trieu Chow noodles. They even make their own chili satay sauce that is spicy and flavorful. If you have to try any Chinese noodles in Chinatown, come here and you will not be disappointed. They have something for everyone. This is for the authentic taste buds. Best bowl of noodles in Chinatown hands downs but it’s a tiny location and parking is horrible. Bring cash. Follow me @Only1Christinelu (IG & TikTok) 1.5M on Google

Cash only restaurant that is worth the hurdle! Lunch time is cery busy and the staff hustles and bustles to get you in asap. Food is authentic as it gets. I went with their popular dish - #21 Chow Jew Ho Fun which is also know as Hu Tieu. Pork Broth is clear, savory and rich. Liver is tender and not too irony. Will come back to try other dishes here.

How does this place not have more reviews?! It’s been a staple in Oakland since the late 80’s. It’s canto Viet fusion. A hearty bowl to warm your soul. Cash only. Came on a Sunday lunch time and it was insanely busy. Great hole in the wall spot to cure your hangover or soup craving.

Great hole In the wall Vietnamese restaurant. I’ve been going for years with my best friend who introduced me to it! The best soup on the menu is #21 hands down

*2/25/2024 I ordered the mixed noodles with both ho fun and rice noodles. The broth is light and clear, and it comes with lots of toppings like chili, sriracha, hoisin, vinegar, and Vien Huong's special chili sauce. There's a mix of meats in the dish—shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork pieces, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork—all served with your favorite type of rice noodles. The homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños give it a spicy kick, making the flavors really pop. 1/25/2024 No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun is a dish featuring shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork, all harmoniously paired with your preferred rice noodles. The addition of homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños provides a spicy burst, delivering that extra kick! The flavorful combination keeps me coming back for more. Venturing into something new this time, I got the fried fish cake. It proved to be incredibly tasty, although the only drawback is its slightly higher price for relatively smaller portions. But, it's definitely worth a try! *Tip: Cash only. 12/27/2023 Vien Huong's No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun is a monthly ritual with my friend! Their exceptional chicken broth, light and clear, is unmatched. After trying other places, I keep coming back for its distinct flavor. What makes Vien Huong special is the thoughtful addition of kidney, setting them apart. The dish includes shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork—all perfectly paired with your preferred rice noodles. Vien Huong adds a spicy burst with homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños, providing that extra kick! A flavorful experience that keeps me hooked! *Tip: Cash only. 11/27/2023 No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun takes center stage on their menu. This time, I tried their mixed noodles with ho fun and rice noodle. The chicken broth is a light and clear base for their impressive array of condiments such as chili, sriracha, hoisin, vinegar, and Vien Huong's house-made chili sauce. The dish features a generous medley of meats—shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork—all served with your preferred type of rice noodles. The homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños add a spicy burst and extra kick, creating a delightful flavor combination. We also tried their Sauteed Kidney with Ginger Onion, which I really enjoyed and highly recommend if you are not apprehensive about eating pork kidney. The kidney is well-seasoned and flavorful, with a crunchy but not mushy texture. The onions complement the kidney really well, even when paired with the Chow Jew Ho Fun. *Tip: Cash only. 10/23/2023 Vien Huong Restaurant is a hidden treasure. I revisited this place, and it's just as amazing as ever. Their No.21 Chow Jew Ho Fun takes center stage on their menu. The chicken broth is light and clear, giving you the perfect canvas to season to your liking with an impressive array of condiments. They offer chili, sriracha, hoisin, vinegar, and, of course, Vien Huong's house-made chili sauce. This dish is a generous medley of meats, including shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork, all served with your preferred type of rice noodles. Their homemade chili oil adds a spicy burst of flavor, and the pickled jalapeños give your meal an extra kick, creating a delightful flavor combination. *Tip: This restaurant is cash-only, so be sure to come prepared. The prices are incredibly reasonable. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable it is. Not to mention, the service is lightning fast; I can finish my meal in about 15 minutes and be on my way. Parking can be a bit challenging, but it's a minor inconvenience for the fantastic food.

I’ve been eating here since the mid 90s! It was good, quick & affordable! That’s no longer true! Like 90% of the restaurants in the entire Bay Area after the Pandemic! It’s gone from affordable to $18 for a bowl of noodles! $18 was 6 months ago, might be over $20 now! They were raising their prices every two weeks because I would pick up take on my way to work every Sunday! The taste & flavors are similar to pre pandemic but you can tell they are try to skimp on their ingredients. Everything is smaller or less now. The popular & favorites are their House noodles, fried fish cakes and stir fry kidneys! Skinny or flat egg noodles or flat rice noodles. It used to be packed from 7am-7pm and half would be locals! They’ve finally priced out all the locals! Now It’s all young people here! I used to deviate from my route going home or to work to make a stop here. Between the prices, parking, and how dangerous it is to be in Oakland! It’s no longer worth it nor the food is so good I have to come anymore! They also have another location in the Asian Mall with Ranch 99 in Albany but this place can never match the flavors of the original location in Oakland! These pictures are from March of 2020

12.2024 update: Revisited the restaurant in a recent Monday for satay egg noodles. The place got updated a bit with new tables and photos on the wall. Was surprised to see a queue on Monday. There is much less crushed peanuts in the satay noodles now. With everything going up, I guess the restaurant needs ways to control the cost. Unless you're a regular here, you may not notice the difference because it was probably too generous with the peanuts ingredient. Other than that, the noodles tasted as good as I remember. 2019: This is an Overseas Chinese restaurant. You are more likely find their foods in Southeast Asia than in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Mainland China. Their stirred fry pork kidney is superb, so are their pan fried fish cake. All their noodle soups are excellent. I particularly like their beef sate noodle soup. And you can get superb Vietnamese coffee here too. The owner and many staff are from Vietnam.

I don't normally prefer to get rice noodles but i wanted to try what they were known for so I got the Chow Jew Ho Fun and was not disappointed! The broth was light but super flavorful and comforting. The noodles were tender and not super oily and delicious with a spoonful of soup. I loved how there's many different things in the soup - shrimp, balls, kidneys, pork, etc and the hot sauce was so good with it! I luckily found cash in my purse as it's still cash only.

Neighborhood spot always filled during weekday lunch hour. Partner and I came in on a Wednesday at noon and secured the last open table. We were served hot tea before placing our orders. Service was quick and no-business type. I ordered the #21 and dry, with the soup on the side. Order was essentially a combo with all the possible meat toppings they had. The table had all the condiments necessary to adjust to anyone's liking. Soup was good - light yet flavorful. A solidified local spot. The kind that you want to gate keep since it's already so busy and to stay true to what they serve. Great representation of Oakland's Chinatown culture.

Fast service. Plenty of lighting. Food was great. Parking is a challenge in the area.

On a weekday afternoon, this place was filled for lunch! My friend and I were able to get the last seats in this restaurant, but there were several people waiting outside while we were eating. Most waiters at here were speaking either Chinese, Vietnamese, or English, and so it was nice to be able to order in any of these languages. I ordered their assorted fried rice while my friend ordered the beef chow mein. The assorted fried rice didn't have ingredients that I am used to when I see the words "assorted fried rice," but it had fresh ingredients including chicken, pork, tofu, and shrimp. My friend and I were both able to finish our dishes in one sitting, and we were served hot tea with our dishes. While the dishes were slightly more pricey than I expected, I enjoyed my late lunch and am interested in trying their other dishes on a colder day.

When I think of hidden gems of Oakland, I first think of Vien Huong. Their soups have been a staple of my high school meals whenever I was in town and it's been a while (a few years honestly) since I've last been here. #21 has always been my favorite along with their fish cakes. There are plenty of seating inside the restaurant and the service is pretty quick as they want you in and out because of the demand of their food. If you come here during lunch hours it gets pretty packed. Parking is kind of tough. Cash only.

Always a must stop for anyone visiting the East Bay. This hole in the wall is where you get the best Trieu Chow noodles. They even make their own chili satay sauce that is spicy and flavorful. If you have to try any Chinese noodles in Chinatown, come here and you will not be disappointed. They have something for everyone. This is for the authentic taste buds. Best bowl of noodles in Chinatown hands downs but it's a tiny location and parking is horrible. Bring cash.

We ordered their popular noodle soup #21, Chow Jew Ho Fun, and it did not disappoint. The broth was clear and flavorful with plenty of protein. We also tried it with their chili sauce and vinegar-chili pepper available on the tables, and it added that extra oomph. Just be careful because they are definitely packed with heat! It is cash only, so come prepared and come before noon to avoid a line out the door!

Cash only restaurant that is worth the hurdle! Lunch time is cery busy and the staff hustles and bustles to get you in asap. Food is authentic as it gets. I went with their popular dish - #21 Chow Jew Ho Fun which is also know as Hu Tieu. Pork Broth is clear, savory and rich. Liver is tender and not too irony. Will come back to try other dishes here.

The restaurant opens up early. There was a crowd of people waiting outside the door. We weren't sure if there was a sign up list, until we found a man with a notepad to put our names down. Mainly communal seating, but we got our own table. Cash only. Fried fish cakes are popular, but we went with the sautéed kidney with ginger onion. It was a pricy dish at $24. I enjoyed it though. For my soup, I got the Chow Jew Rice Noodle. The menu doesn't have a description, but I saw photos of it on Yelp. The bowl contained ground pork, sliced chicken, fish balls, pork ball, shrimp, and kidney with flat rice noodles. There was also some bean sprouts and green onions. It hit the spot. I finished all the soup but had enough noodles/ meat leftover for dinner. My bf got the Preserved Orange Skin Duck Noodle, which had a good amount of duck. Overall, a great place for a bowl of noodles!

I've been coming here since I was a kid and haven't been back in a while. I am happy to say that everything still taste the same. On a random Wednesday morning, even raining, I had to wait a few minutes for a table for 2. That's good food right there. They're famous for their chew chow style noodles, you can get it with soup or dry (soup on the side). I like it better dry. It's very flavorful. Their fried fish cake is also a good thing to get. I normally get some Vietnamese iced coffee with my meal, it's hard to say no. Their prices have changed a lot and keep in mind, they're only open until 3PM and cash only. Parking is ROUGH, so for these reasons is why they only get 4 stars from me. I would come here more if they were open for dinner.

Free hot tea. Okay noodles, not salted well so this isn't as great eating dry. Great toppings! Fish balls, ground learn pork, legit! Best part of the meal. Hot sauce: meh, doesn't have enough shallots. You can get free fried garlic but they really need shallots to up the flavor. Not sure if I'll be back, places in Monterey Park just tastes better. Lady at the register shorted me a dollar. So I gave them less than a dollar tip at the table. People at the restaurant at really friendly to non Asians but give meh service if you are Asian. Not sure how I feel about that being so blatant.

Vien Huong's reputation was already well-established in Oakland Chinatown well before my generation was even an idea and my family has legitimately been eating here for decades. This joint specializes in traditional Teochew-Vietnamese noodles in a true hole-in-the-wall, street food-esque environment, so don't be offended if the service places efficiency over detail. They open at 7:30AM and stop seating/run out of food around 3:15PM every day of the week except for Thursday, so if you get hungry around closing make sure to call in and order for pick up beforehand. Lines can get long but move fast - prepare to share a table with a stranger if you're a smaller party. My default order is the 12, the Chow Jew Noodle, with thin noodles and soup on the side (so I can sip or hydrate my noodles if I'm feeling like it that day). The ingredients are simple and the flavors highlight the natural taste of the proteins with optional spicy dipping sauces. Typically, it comes with sliced and ground pork, shrimp, kidneys, fish balls, and beef balls, but on our most recent visit they ran out of both kidneys and sliced pork and just replaced them with chicken without telling us. This understandably irked my dad, who started muttering under his breath about how they weren't worth the price anymore and how we were never coming back, but in the way you talk about an ex you can't stop going back to. We'll be back soon.

I have been coming to VH ever since I was a kid, and still go there without my family today. VH is a hidden gem, if you know you know! Many Oakland natives come here to get their soup fix. It's perfect hangover food too! They also have other options if you're not a big soup person. I often get the seafood chow fun to go, but if I'm dining in I get the chow jew ho fun. Everyone who says prices are unfairly high just don't understand what Oakland Chinatown (and the rest of the bay) is going through -- inflation and wage disparities. VH and a lot of businesses in Chinatown have had to deal with crime, robberies, and more -- but their quality still remains the same. I have witnessed the menu prices increase as expenses increase -- but the food is just bomb dot com. Another note: their chili oil sauce just hits different for some reason!

Delicious! Service hit or miss, but delicious! Seating is tight so be prepared lol haha

Been going here since the 1980's and this place is our go to soup place. Everyone knows VH and I need not add anymore kudos. Drop by and try our favorite Number 12 with egg thin noodle soup in and a side of crispy garlic. Sit anywhere with anyone if you come during peak. I come early and sit on the same spot by the door lol. Add a little hoisin and house made chill paste to the side of garlic as a dipping dish while consuming the broth and you will be hooked. Finish off with ice coffee to go and that garlic taste will disappear. This is my weekly spot.

If you're from Oakland, you're likely familiar with Vien Huong, a beloved local gem. My family has cherished this restaurant since I was a little girl, and in my opinion, it's one of the best places for noodle soup in the Bay Area. While people may have different views on the atmosphere and service, I genuinely believe their noodle soups are truly satisfying. There's usually a line out the door, especially on busy weekends, but it's worth the wait. Today, I opted for takeout. My go-to order is #12, which features thick egg noodles topped with fried garlic. This dish comes with a variety of meats that change daily, though I usually skip the kidneys. If you're a fan of spice and sauces, this place is definitely for you. They offer chili oil, pickled jalapeños, spicy vinegar, and hoisin sauce--ingredients I love adding to my noodle soup to create a burst of flavor. After mixing the sauces to my liking, I finish it off with extra spicy vinegar and fried garlic for the perfect bite. Also, just a heads up this place is cash only so come prepared!

Fast service! This place is as forward as it gets. You walk in, you sit, you order and the food comes out quickly & piping hot. The noodles man the noodles! Portion and price is good.

Went on a Monday around 1pm and place was filled but the line out the door wasn't too long (got seated around 15-20 minutes). The service is average, we did immediately get asked if we wanted water or tea but no one handed us menus for several minutes and when we tried to flag someone to take our order (or at least notify them that they were ready), we were not acknowledged for another few. After that though, service was fine and they gave our food in a timely manner and later came back to check if we wanted refills on our drink. I usually order my ho fun noodles with soup but this time, I was convinced to try them dry / soup on the side. While the food was still flavorful, I still prefer with soup. The broth was comforting and the noodles were not super oily, which I appreciated. The sliced meat and the meatball were my favorite parts of the dish as they were super soft and tender compared to other restaurants I've dined at. I did overestimate how much I could eat (because I was hungry) and ordered a large bowl, which I had to take to go since I only ate around half before getting full.

I came on a Sunday 12:30. Even though the 49er game is on, there was a little wait. The restaurant is busy but efficient. Patrons are coming and going fast. There were about 5 people ahead of us but we got seated within 10 minutes. This is a hole in the wall ambiance but I'm totally OK with that. Staff here speaks perfect English. If rated just for the dry/soup noodles here I probably give it a solid 4 stars, but my friend doesn't eat seafood so he got the duck rice plate and it just didn't do it for him. I watched him eat his lunch in despair and he probably should've ordered their noodles. He could've easily asked for no seafood as I later discovered there weren't much. My trie chau noodles were ordered dry. This is how I like it because they separate the soup. It came with lots of meat that look like pork and what looks like kidneys. Their kidneys were real tender and juicy in a tasty way. I recall only seeing like 1 shrimp and fish balls for their seafood. I usually add jalapeños and these places typically have a sweet soy flavored sauce that you can squirt. The jalapeños here aren't pickled well. The sweet flavored soy sauce I was expecting was a bottle of hoisin sauce. Hoisin is a thick condiment whereas a more liquid sweetened soy can spread the flavors better. The last thing that I feel like it's missing is the pork bone that comes with the soup. The trie chau places I go to in San Jose serve them. I find them integral to a trie chau meal. Did I mistake this establishment for serving trie chau when maybe it's a different dish? They spell it differently but the pronunciation is similar. You be the judge.

What a yummy spot in oakland chinatown! All these flavors definitely reminded me of home, with a perfect blend of chinese flavors. The Ho Fun soup we got was so yummy and such a good steal on the price. It was the perfect breakfast, not too heavy or light and it just made me feel like I was at my aunties house. I know they're known for their soup but we also got the fried chicken and rice but it exceeded our expectations. Such a "simple" dish but the salt-egginess and perfectly season friend chicken was almost perfect. It really felt like I was at my aunts house, except this place is so popular so it was a bit crowded! Also be ready to bring cash as well :)

I come here from time to time. The price per dish has increased again. And the taste worsen from last year. Just not as tasteful as before.

Bombbbb Number 21 soup on the side! Best dry noodle ever -great fast service here! I love it. Super small and cozy! Yet there early or late bestthe lunch rush

I really enjoyed my meal. Didn't mind the ambiance, I was told it's usually busy and it was, I went during lunchtime. Hours are from 7:30 - 3 pm, wish it was open for dinner as I would go there more if it was.

Consistently reliable comfort food in a sketchy background...just the way I like it :). The service is quick and efficient, so even if the wait looks long outside we're always seated within 15-20 minutes. Cash only.

My family and I having been eating here for many years. Our favorite is the Chow Jew Ho Fun Soup but today I decided to get it with wonton noodle instead. I enjoy both noodles equally. The pickled jalapeno, hot sauce and hoisin sauce are my favorites to pair with the noodle soup! I normally get take out but this time I dined-in with my friend and I have to say the food is so much better dining in! Highly recommend coming here if you're looking to eat comforting noodle soup. You can also get the soup on the side if you like. And don't forget to bring cash because they only accept cash!

This place was a high school go to! For a while it was inconsistent but lately the food tastes just as amazing as it did back then! Of course you know we had to order the OG order: #21 soup on the side! They're quick and def not stingy with their sauces like a lot of places now! The place can get busy and lots of moving bodies, but overall, yummm!

Food is still so darn delicious after 30+ years. Service is classic family restaurant. Staff have worked there for as long as I remember and everyone is always nice and courteous. Always leave a generous tip to support this Oakland gem. eating here is nostalgic and brings back happy childhood memories. Thank you so much

This place has been around forever and is a must-try in the area. Everything is super fresh and delicious. One of the more popular menu items is the Chow Jew Ho Fun/Rice Noodle. I recommend you try it! It's a bit of a "hole in the wall" place, but the staff are friendly the food is good.

I use to come here all the time when I was younger but now not so much now since I rarely frequent Chinatown due to the crimes. Food quality is similar to back in the day but pricing is a lot higher now. Ambiance is loud but it is a lot cleaner now than what it used to be. I didn't have to wait too long to get a table for my husband and I. I ordered the assorted chow fun while my husband ordered the chew jeow ho fun -soup. Still the best chew jeow ho fun in the bay. Also- cash only. Two bowls of noodles was $32

I don't get why this place is so popular... this place always so busy and been around for awhile... the food itself tasted kind of plain. I don't know if people just like it due to nostalgia or maybe there is some special confident combination they use to enjoy it... but I'll pass next time.

My friend and I went here and we were satisfied we ordered #21 and #22 the difference is just the noodles. But same broth.. very flavorful and hit the spot. Our wait was 10 mins max. It was good fast service just gotta consider that this place is in China town so hence theres no parking , we walked. cash only so take cash with you. It's packed inside and I share tables with other people. Would go back again

Finally got to try this place. We came early before 10am. No wait at all. No frills kinda place, metal tables with basket on the side with chopsticks and spoons and condiments. We ordered the beef stew ho fun and the Chiu chow ho fun and a side of fried fish cake. Noodles soups came out pretty fast. The chiu chow ho fun I had it with the broth. The broth was clear wasn't super aromatic but it was good for a cold morning. The beef stew ho fun was ok as well per the partner. Overall, the place was ok for a quick meal. Just glad that I didn't have a wait this time.

This place is definitely a hole in the wall traditional style noodle restaurant that you may see in Asia. I came in on a Saturday and it was busy with a few people in line at noon. Luckily as a single individual I got seated right away, although I shared a table with 3 other strangers. I ordered the number 12 Chow Jew noodles but with noodles on the side, as recommended by a friend. This was definitely a great tip because the chili oil and sauces that you add don't get diluted by the soup, and the dish tastes better with dry noodles. The service was fast. I was served the dish in 5 mins. Great place to eat at overall but be prepared to wait if you come with a group. Also they are cash only.

VH is just nostalgic to me. I have memories of being a kid and going on a grocery run with my mom, and then stopping by for lunch... it still hits. Service is quick and food is wonderful. I prefer my soup on the side 75% of the time, but sometimes I'll have it as is. Please note that it is cash only.

Been eating at VH for 15+ years now so it's a pretty nostalgic staple for me. Quality of the noodle soups have been consistent however service has gone downhill tremendously. They're a lot slower and have messed up my final tab multiple times. $8 bowls of noods then vs $15.50 a bowl now. I get the Chow Jew Ho Fun which I believe is #21. I used to come once a week, now I come maybe once a month if that. The restaurant is usually always packed and busy with a small line out the door. Something to keep in mind-- it's said that the owners keep all the collected tips. Employees receive $0. So reconsider the next time you're tipping here.

The soup was flavorful, without needing any additional condiments. Good amounts of vegetables and meats mixed in with the noodles. Definitely well balanced and filling. Great service and your choice of water or tea. I was greeted right when my friend and I walked in. Lively ambiance at 1 PM lunch hour

I've been going here since I was a kid. This is an institution in the Bay Area Chinese community. Delicious but no frills Asian soul food. Cash only and you may need to sit with strangers. My go to: Chow Jew noodles (flat rice noodle or egg noodle), fried fish cake appetizer, and an ice coffee with condensed milk. They have these very tasty green pickled peppers and red chili sauce - be cautious because it is SPICY!

This place is one of my favorite places for this type of noodle and soup. The price is not bad and the food is really flavorful! I also got the chow fun and it was way too over priced costing me 18 or 20 bucks and the portions were not that great. Parking can be a pain but I was lucky to find parking on a Saturday a block away. I recommend trying this place if u like ho fun!!

Great noodle place in Oakland! There's typically a long wait time so I would suggest coming early especially if you're a bigger group. There are a good amount of seating and the service is very quick. I really love the broth of their soup, def a gem of Oakland that you should try!

Was looking for a South Bay version of New Tung Kee and read this spot was solid. Wanted to love it, but broth was bland, prices were way too high (over $40 for two bowls of soup with no add ons?), and while customer service was decent for this type of restaurant, nothing stood out. Also you have to hunt for street parking and pay a meter. Not the restaurants fault, but just adds to the overall experience not being worth it for not that great soup.

Been coming here for 20+ years, first time disappointed that they used these mini Fishballs in the pho. I hope it's temporary, just wasn't feeling it. Other than that, everything was good as usual.

Had the #21. I asked for liver and kidneys and they didn't give me that. Broth had not much flavor. Located on Franklin near 7th St. Pretty popular place as at 11:45am, was fully occupied. Have lots of pepper condiments that are good. Not bad but broth needs more bone broth to taste optimal. Pretty expensive here two. Two bowls of watered down soup and noodle? $35.

Haven't been here in ages but decided to stop here for lunch. Little bit of a wait but not bad especially if you are willing to share a table. The guy comes to the front to call people in and that's also when you step up to give him your name and the number of people for your table. Hot tea or water, they take your order quickly. Make sure to bring cash! Cash only place. While they have rice dishes, they are known for their noodles.

Went in on a Saturday afternoon. The place was packed as usual and there was a bit of a line formed outside. We got on the waiting list and waited about 15 minutes to be seated. Sat down, ordered and waiting another 25 minutes for the food to be served. I had not gone here in quite a while but the Pho was as delicious as I remember it. I ordered the beef meat balls pho. I don't recall if this place typically would bring out sprouts, basil leaves and jalapeños but on this day we were not served those. We did get hot tea brought to us but no one came around to refill our glasses. Not a fancy place, very casual. Overall good experience. Food was served hot and was very tasteful. Expect to possibly share a table with strangers as the restaurant fills up every seat.

VH is a local gem in Oakland Chinatown, they are constantly a full house serving up some the best noodle soups in the bay. My go-to order is the Cambodian Ho Fun with soup on the side. You can call this the ultimate comfort food, rice noodles topped with an assortment of proteins and the steaming hot pork and seafood broth that brings it all together. Each table has a variety of dressings and condiments you can add to dress up your bowl. Around noon, be prepared to lobby around the entrance and wait for a table, but the staff does a great job at cleaning fast as soon as a table is vacant. The staff here is awesome, they're super friendly and will get your orders and beverages ready within minutes. Don't forget that they are CASH ONLY, there is a Chase ATM at the corner across the street. Prices have increased quite significantly due to inflation and supply costs, and portions seem to be smaller as well. Parking is a bit of a challenge, you can find metered street parking or the lot off 8th St.

So good. I come here everytime I'm in the area. My mom is obsessed with this place. They've raised the prices but the portions are still huge so def worth it. The noodle soups come with lots of toppings. It is cash only so be prepared. They function with controlled chaos that's common in OG Asian restaurants. They have one guy who's in charge of the waitlist and he keeps the paper with him. It may seem like he forgot about you but he didn't. He's just planning how to get your table ready. The beef stew ho fun has a tomato base that's a little on the sweet side. I love it but my mom prefers the authentic Cho chew ho fun.

I ordered the mixed noodles with both ho fun and rice noodles. The broth is light and clear, and it comes with lots of toppings like chili, sriracha, hoisin, vinegar, and Vien Huong's special chili sauce. There's a mix of meats in the dish--shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork pieces, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork--all served with your favorite type of rice noodles. The homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños give it a spicy kick, making the flavors really pop.

CASH ONLY. This has not changed. Hit the ATM before you come. If you come over the weekend arrive closer to 11am to beat the rush because there is a line out the door by noon. A bowl of regular chow jew noodles is $15.75 now. Damn inflation. I'm still a loyal patron because this is still the best bowl of chow jew noodles in town. I'm writing this post to let everyone know that prices vary from the menu. Mixing 2 types of noodles in your chow jew wonton noodle can turn a $16.75 bowl of noodles into a $21+ bowl. This was something we inquired about yesterday as we examined the different prices for 3 bowls of regular chow jew noodles.

Been coming here for 2 decades, always good, always a long wait unless you come in the last 45 minutes before closing. Cash only. If you don't want to wait order to go.