Best Vietnamese In The Twin Cities

Not many places in the country can boast a collection of Vietnamese restaurants like that of the Twin Cities. Minnesotans have both awesome hole-in-the-walls and excellent bistros. Listed below are the Twin Cities' top Vietnamese restaurants, which can satisfy cravings for bahn mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich), pho (noodle soup) or spring rolls.

And if you've never had Vietnamese food, I'd highly recommend stopping by one of the littler shops for lunch on a whim. Vietnamese food, when compared to other Asian cuisines, is lighter and built of a sundry framework of flavors -- mixing mint and jalapeno, for instance -- to create dishes that are delicious and often healthy.The list is in no particular order.

Jasmine Deli and Jasmine 26

2532 Nicollet Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 870-3800
Directory | Website

I was introduced to Vietnamese food at Jasmine Deli. It's run by the uber-friendly Truong family and is an excellent place to drop in with a friend to grab a mock duck bahn mi, a noodle salad and a Vietnamese iced coffee (drip-brewed dark roast coffee mixed with sweetened condensed milk). It's both affordable and satisfying.

Jasmine 26 is Jasmine Deli's up-scale sister shop with a liquor license. Run by the same family, 26 whips up spiked bubble teas at the bar and a more refined version of Vietnamese than that found at the Deli.

Quang Restaurant

2719 Nicollet Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 870-4739
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Known for its huge, steaming bowls of pho, this family run Eat Street shop offers a tasty oasis for those fed up of winter.

Saigon

704 University Ave. W.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 225-8751
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Winner of CityPages' 2010 Best Vietnamese , Saigon has amazing bahn mi for $3.50 a sandwich. You can't afford to miss it.

Pho 79

2529 Nicollet Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
(612) 871-4602
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Another Eat Street shop, Pho 79 is authentic and affordable. It has a weekday lunch buffet and offers its famous pho Monday through Sunday.

Ngon Vietnamese Bistro

799 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 222-3301
Directory | Website

Ngon (pronounced "Nong") is visually outstanding when compared with other Vietnamese restaurants in the Twin Cities. It specializes in fusion cuisine, mixing Vietnamese style and inventiveness with local ingredients. They serve craft beers and organic wines. Note Ngon down under Date Night Ideas.