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Le Petit Saigon
Category: Restaurants Vietnamese Vietnamese [Edit]
2783 Hastings St EVancouver, BC V5K 1Z8
Neighbourhood: Hastings-Sunrise
(604) 251-6340
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 11 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 10 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for Le Petit Saigon
Review Highlights
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"This place had the best Lemongrass chicken I've ever had in..." In 4 reviews -
"The spring roll was nice and crispy and hot." In 4 reviews -
"...after a hike and the rare beef soup and spring rolls were..." In 3 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Yelp R.
Greater Vancouver Regional District, BC
5/10/2012
Delicious!! Plus very affordable, clean, comfortable, quiet, and child-friendly. Homemade broths, easily accommodate wheat-free requests and other preferences. Lovely staff.
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Review from Stephan M.
Vancouver, BC
2/23/2012 4 Check-ins Here
My favorite Pho place.
The broth is great, the quality of the meat is good, the sides are plentiful and the service is great.
I would highly recommend Le Petit Saigon! -
Review from Siri W.
12/28/2011
Tuesday night, miserable and dark, pissing rain all day - I had been in the hellish purgatory that is post-Christmas travel since 11 in the morning and was in a mood that matched the weather. I was absolutely frigid, drenched and in dire need of some piping hot pho to help thaw me out. Pre-Giants game at the PC my friend and I decided to try this place as we walked up Hastings and I'm ever so glad that we did.
Service was super-quick and efficient and the place was busy. My friend ordered the Vermicelli and I was planning on ordering the "Special Beef" pho. Luckily my server double checked that I was okay with tripe (which I am really really not) before placing my order and instead steered me over to the "Rare Beef" pho.
Food came super quick and was deeeelish. I ordered a small, which seemed pretty damn big to me (the large appeared to be some kind of turreen-sized monstrosity that looked about three times the size of my stomach capacity).
Pho was delish and super savoury. I was expecting a little more on the topping side, but I guess I just need to bone up on my pho ordering skills since I am clearly not savvy. However what I did get was delish and i got no complaints. Would definitely hit this place up again!
Also. Pocky with your bill! And a thirteen dollar dinner for two really can't be beat :) -
Review from Sally S.
Vancouver, BC
4/30/2012
We live in the Renfrew area and this is THE place we go to for Vietnamese food for when the craving hits and we're too lazy to drive to our other fav place (Lemon Grass on Kingsway or Richmond).
The restaurant is clean and service is fast and friendly. The food is verrrrry good. I only wish they offer seafood pho, but their seafood noodle soup is a good alternative for when I want something soupy.
If anyone from the restaurant is reading this: pleeeeeeease make seafood pho, and sweet and sour prawn soup available. I would be an extremely happy regular if you do :) -
Review from Alex D.
Vancouver, BC
2/4/2012
The ONLY place I go to for pho. They have grilled chicken and grilled pork pho that adds a delicious smokiness to the broth. I've taken many of my friends here and they also agree that this place serves the best pho in Vancouver. Highly recommended. Service is typical of any mom-and-pop run Asian restaurant, but it's quick and friendly and they get the job done.
Altho it IS a trek to get to since I live downtown, my bf and I go out of our way to get the best pho at Le Petit Saigon. -
Review from Hilda H.
Vancouver, BC
8/4/2011
The pho place that my out-of-town friends just adore, but I love it too for once! It's a small, friendly restaurant with delicious food. I'm used to eating things that have less oil and aren't packed with salt, so the pho they make here is perfect for me. They have really speedy service and a nice TV in the back to keep you busy during your short wait time (it's on the sports channel every time I'm there).
I always leave full and happy :) Some advice though: if you really want to try the Vietnamese drip coffee, make sure to order it early and that you have enough time to drink it! -
Review from Keltie J.
Lower Lonsdale, Vancouver, BC
2/13/2012
Good food!
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Review from George H.
1/3/2012
Pretty good pho. It's not the best place I've been but it's definitely not the worst as well. The bowls are a little smaller then other places but the broth is tasty and heart warming. The rolls are pretty standard compared to other places.
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Review from Edward L.
This is seriously one of the best pho places in town.
Parking is pretty decent, thanks to a tiny lot in the back with some 8 spaces.
Several things stick out compared to your average pho joint:
- spring rolls can be ordered in a huge random plate. Most other places only have 2-3 rolls, which are cut into maybe 3rds. This one is cut into several thinner slices. This is exactly the way you get them in Vietnam, and tasted exactly like what I remembered when I was there. Actually this place has arguably the best spring roll in town. Special mention here.
- for bean sprouts, you get both a raw plate and a cooked plate.
- the soup doesn't taste like crap or water mixed with msg, but actually like.. beef broth! Whoda thunk?
Service is rather lacking (slow), but this place is Vietnamese after all. The staff are friendly when they do show up.
This place is worth the drive out. Highly recommended. -
Review from Ramon V.
4/5/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I'll admit. I don't "love" Pho. There, I said it. I don't hate it, I just don't find that it always hits the spot in flavour or meal satisfaction. There's definitely a place for it in my eating world - cheap, filling, and usually worth every penny on a rainy day. However, I rarely find myself suggesting Pho or going out of my way to visit a Pho restaurant. Perhaps it's the many mediocre establishments that are to blame, or the cheapness of the ingredients or preparation that I'm used to.
On a recent drive back into Vancouver, I had three others in tow, and we were looking to a very fast meal at around 9pm at night. If I remember correctly, Le Petit Saigon jumped out onto Hastings Street and waved shyly at us as we drove by. One circle around the block, and we were seated with large menus that had nearly too many options to choose from. The typical decor was clean and not too stark. The grilled pork chops, chicken, Pho and other items were all so good, that for the first time that I can remember, I was craving Pho for the days to follow. -
Review from Jordan H.
Updated - 10/25/2011
NOPE. They really pooped their pants yesterday. I ordered pho with rare beef, brisket, and tendon, which each had its host of problems. The beef was dry, the brisket was tough, and the tendon was like leather. Also the noodles were stuck in hard ball in the bottom of the bowl. When I finally got them separated, they were slimy and mealy. The broth wasn't very good either, it was too sweet and didn't really taste like beef broth. At one point in the meal I considered getting up, paying, and going to Bao Chau. I didn't, and I regret it.
3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/26/2010
I went again, as I had no cash so I couldn't go to Bao Chau. It was better this time. Let's pick… Read more »
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Review from Benson H.
Vancouver, BC
12/16/2011
When Petit Saigon first opened 5 years ago (has it been that long?), I really wondered how successful it could be given the saturation of Vietnamese Pho restaurants in the area, especially with a very popular well established one only up the block! But as soon as I took a look at their menu - instantly it was different than all the other Vietnamese restaurants I've been to.
Including having most of what other Vietnamese restaurants, they have another whole two pages of dishes I've never tried. It's nice to have new options even though Pho is such a great comfort meal. Even something as simple as salad rolls, they have at least 2 kinds.
The restaurant has changed management a couple times and the quality and service can range. One time I walked out after more than 5 minutes of no service or tea even. I know they were busy but after a long day and being quite hungry, I wasn't going to be overly patient.
That's why I'll give it 3 stars because it's definitely where I'll go if my other favourite place is closed and this restaurant is open till at least 9pm everyday. But on a "good" day, I'll be happy to bump it to at least 3-1/2 stars. -
Review from Barry M.
4/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's good to see when a restaurant you haven't been to before seem to have a lot of regulars that come to eat.
I had some spicy pho to try and sweat out a cold that was brewing. It didn't help, but it sure was tasty. -
Review from Francois P.
Vancouver, BC
3/20/2011
The quest for the best pho in town continues...
This time, we decided to try this place on Hastings because of all the great reviews and were not disappointed. I had the rare beef noodle pho (as usual) and my partner the beef vermicelli with spring rolls.
The pho is really flavorful with lots of noodles and beef with super fresh basil and bean sprouts on the side. What a treat! As far ad pho goes, this is the best I've had in Vancouver so far!
The vermicelli dish was also outstanding. The beef was tender and tasty and lots of cut up spring rolls. Yum!
I think we will come back here. It's worth the drive out of downtown for this little gem in Hastings-Sunrise. -
Review from Zee K.
Vancouver, BC
4/19/2011
Big, clean restaurant with quick, efficient service. Good avocado shake, and lemongrass chicken.
I tried my friend's pho, and the broth seemed a bit bland, but they provide a good variety of add-ins - lots of bean sprouts and basil, as well as sliced jalapenos and lemons (not sure if this is a regional thing?). We also had spring rolls, which were good,and my friend wolfed down his salad rolls, so I'm guessing they were good too. -
Review from Adelina W.
Richmond, BC
2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
There's something different about this place. The soup base has a wonderful flavour - very different from other pho places. It seemed richer and with more herbs mixed in.
My bowl of noodles was perfect. Warming me up on the frigged cold day and filling me up. There was good meat to noodle ratio. They were very generous with the amount of meat that was in the bowl.
To start we ordered their spring roll and their salad rolls. They brought each of us individual dipping sauces without us even asking for them. The spring roll was nice and crispy and hot! It was fried fresh. The salad roll was yum as well, especially with their peanut sauce (which didn't have too strong a peanut flavour).
Service was fast and friendly. If I'm ever in the area again and craving a bowl of noodle soup, I'll definitely be back. -
Review from N C.
Burnaby, BC
The PHO here is pretty good and the 3 bean pudding is as well. I found the broth pretty good but a little bit too salty (not by too much, but noticeable enough that after I drank tea I felt better.) The tables are clean and the wait staff attentive.
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Review from Luisa D.
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here after a hike and the rare beef soup and spring rolls were all delicious. The food came quickly too. $10 each with tax and tip.
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Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
12/5/2009
Being just down the block from (probably) my favourite Vietnamese restaurant, Bao Chau, Petit Saigon has fierce competition (as I frequently walk by here on my way to Bao Chau). As I mentioned in my Bao Chau review, it's a neighbourhood institution and there's few places that can beat it when it comes to a inexpensive bowl of pho (with heavy broth) and their famous spring rolls.
Where Bao Chau is a place to grab a quick lunch, Petit Saigon is a bit more 'dining out' - not to say this is fine dining, but the restaurant has a completely different atmosphere (booth seating!) from the busy, popular Bao Chau.
For the food, as others have mentioned - it's a clear, light broth. While still good and flavorful, I prefer pho at Bao Chau's heavy broth which complements the massive amounts of Rooster Sauce I dump into my pho. When I come here (usually at the suggestion from a friend that *loves* Petit Saigon) - I usually go with their awesome combo plates - as their skewers and rice dishes are better than their rival down the street (gasp!).
The prices are the same if not a wee bit more than Bao Chau - but the rice/combo dishes are supreme and the restaurant is more comfortable and quiet.
As I said, it really comes down to if your preference - pho vs. rice dish, heavy vs. light broth, busy vs. quiet - but you really can't go wrong with coming this block of Hastings if you're looking for some of the best Vietnamese food in Vancouver.Listed in: East Van Eateries, Nam-couver
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Review from Laura P.
2/25/2010
Close to the Pacific Coliseum (short track speed skating and figure skating venue) and delicious. My only complaint was that the lettuce for my wrap was more on the yellow side than green, however, hubby pointed out the the lettuce was flawless. No blemishes or water-logged spots. Hubby's pho was outstanding- full of complex flavor and the noodles were cooked al dente. Nothing is worse than a watery pho with mushy noodles. Thankfully Le Petit Saigon didn't serve us that. My combo was large enough to feed 2- minced shrimp with sugar cane, shrimp summer rolls (they call them salad rolls), minced pork, kick-ass spring roll sliced into 4, and noodles, marinated carrots, bean sprouts. The usual suspects, except all crisp.
If we had walked b y Bao Chau first, we certainly would have eaten there, but this was super close to the venue and the yelp reviews sealed the deal. Even if I weren't in this end of town, the quality of the food merits a visit despite all the numerous pho places in Vancouver. If nothing else, they've set a new gold standard for pho in my book. -
Review from Gersham M.
Vancouver, BC
12/31/2009
I've recently taken to Pho in a big way and this place certainly does scratch the itch. I just love how you can spice Pho just right to your personal preference, for me it's when I feel the burn inside the ears.
Unpretentious and honest you'll get great food and capable service here. The steak in the Pho was tender and perfectly cooked, the noodles just right. I'm definitely heading back to try more of the menu. -
Review from L K.
Burnaby, BC
8/2/2011
Okay pho. There's not much difference between the small and large sized bowls. I actually couldn't tell the difference really. The noodles are always clumped together in the bowl and you have to take some time to break them up in the broth, and the broth is very star anise heavy. That being said it's still good. But if you have the time just walk the 1/2 block up the street to Bao Chau.
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Review from Simon R.
BC
11/27/2008 1 photo
As a bustling metropolitan city located on the West coast, Vancouver is home to many different Asian ethnicities and their unique style of food. And at the top of it all is Vietnamese food, with soups and dishes that are slowly becoming the very favorite of everyone in town, with the unquestionable exception of vegetarians. Le Petit Saigon is an excellent example, one of the very best places to order pho on a rainy day, and grilled lemongrass chicken anytime of day or night.
Cheap, friendly and comfortable, I highly recommend the coffee and condensed milk, and the number 54 large. It's the combination bowl of grilled beef, bbq pork, and spring roll on vermicelli, all for less than $7. The store has great hours too, open till 9:30 every night (but closed after 3pm on Tuesdays).
Having frequented Petit Saigon with friends more than any other restaurant, it has become the new comfort food, surpassing even Grandma's cucumber sandwiches on white bread without crusts. -
Review from Simon K.
So many "pho" restaurants to choose from, especially around the vicinity of the Renfrew-Hastings area, and yet this is another one that sticks out in the crowded Vietnamese cuisine. I remember coming here when they first opened, as my mother was the one who dragged me out to eat one night, and I was impressed by the food. The one thing that they have variety on is platters of meat. If your out with a group and want something of variety, come here, and order acouple platters to share with your crew, your stomachs will be satisfied for sure.
If you decide to just order a bowl of 'pho' they have all the regular's that your accoustomed to. The soup is a little sweeter than other places, you might not be used to this after your first spoonful, but after eating acouple bites you will enjoy it. You will also enjoy the fact that this place is real clean, and not your 'hole-in-the-wall' joint's around the city. The tables are nicely laid out, with good space to the next table so you never feel congested.
They are not cash only, as they take all the plastic you have. There is pretty good parking around the area, and also a couple parking stalls in the back (I was able to park here during the PNE to eat!).
There is one more thing that I must add that I found really interesting, when I went to pay for the bill at the main bar/till, that really surprised me, I saw print outs of reviews of their own restaurant, not of newspaper articles, but from this faithful site. Yes, Yelp reviews, that's a first for me, obviously this place looks at what, we, the normal consumer have to say! -
Review from samuel a.
Vancouver, BC
As I've mentioned in previous posts, I am on a strange and hell-bent kick on Vietnamese rice dishes right now. Actually, one rice dish to be specific - and that is Lemongrass chicken with grilled pork chop on rice - with a fried egg on top.
This is the same freakish meal that I have at every Vietnamese restaurant I go to nowadays. The reason being - I don't know.
But it's been a great experience.
I was just killing time before a get together tonight at the Starbucks on the corner, and decided with a friend to eat Vietnamese (I always seem to make the eating place choices - which is always a good thing ;). So we took literally 20 steps up Hastings.
It's actually a clean place with a big flatscreen on the wall so if there was hockey it'd be a great place to hang out and nosh on good food.
This place had the best Lemongrass chicken I've ever had in Vancouver. Great flavor, great grilling, nice portion. The pork chop was good. And it's the first V place I've been to where they've cared about presentation. It actually came plated on a cool plate - and overall it was a great portion. Neither my friend or I were hungry but I ate all of my dish.
Great job, quick service. I'll be back.
And oh, my friend had Pho and he thought it was solid! -
Review from Robert L.
Surrey, BC
10/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Food: 4.5 stars. The soup base of pho and BBQ pork/chicken are better than the good viet places.
Service: 4.5 stars. Saw my boy and automatically asked us for hi-chair/booster. Also brought plastic bowl with kid's scissor and spoon.
Ambience: 3 stars. What do I expect - typical viet deco & music. Tidy though - include the washroom.
Overall: 4 stars. Willing to visit again. -
Review from Rajan S.
Vancouver, BC
1/3/2010
I'm a big fan of Pho. And I have visited many different establishments over the years. I'm beginning to think Le Petit Saigon is climbing to the top of my list of the best Pho in the Vancouver lower mainland. Great tasting light broth, fresh ingredients, nice variety, and all served in an unusually clean and friendly environment. Even has a plasma screen tuned in onto the sports channel! I usually go for the No. 15 Beef Special. They are known for their sugar cane wrapped shrimp rolls. Not really to my liking but that's okay. I'm there for the piping hot Vietnamese noodle soup.
Listed in: Top 5 Pho Restaurants in…
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Review from Maddy S.
Vancouver, BC
1/29/2011 2 photos
1. Good pho (and lemongrass chicken, beef skewers, spring rolls....)
2. Very clean and neat, including the washrooms
3. Attention to presentation
4. Unlike most Asian restaurants, the staff are actually FRIENDLY. Take that Bao Chau whose food I never tried because the staff ignored me for a full 10 minutes at the door (and I've never returned).
I live close by this strip of Hastings and have gone to: Thai Hang, Le Do, Pho 888, Le Petit Saigon and Bao Chau (though see #4). In terms of food, cleanliness and service, Le Petit Saigon and the now gone Pho 888 were my favourites. Definitely 5 stars for me, my boyfriend and I go here almost every week! -
Review from Emily S.
Vancouver, BC
10/16/2009
Definitely one of the better Vietnamese restaurants I've been to in Vancouver. I welcome the barrage of recommendations if anyone wants to challenge me on what's better than this place.
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Review from Desmond L.
Burnaby, BC
2/6/2009
Still good. The broth is light enough that you don't need to take a shower after and staff are attentive. My favourite in the PNE area and I've lived here for 9 years.
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Review from Killian M.
Vancouver, BC
11/28/2009
This restaurant serves the best pho I've had in Vancouver. The broth is rich but light, and not salty at all. The noodles are cooked to perfection, and the meat is so tender, it melts in the mouth. The spring rolls are nice and thick, covered in crispy batter, just the way vietnamese rolls should be. One word sums up the food here: delicious!
The servers are so friendly, it's a treat coming here! I only wish it was in downtown rather than out in Hastings. But not being in downtown keeps the prices low, as this is probably the best value for money for great pho anywhere in Vancouver. If you have a craving for pho, this eatery is a must! -
Review from Steve N.
Vancouver, BC
2/3/2010
Fresh, tasty, filling and reasonably priced. Highly recommended! I really enjoyed this place. It was clean and the staff was friendly. I can't wait to go again for a healthy and delicious meal.
