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Name: Xinh Xinh
Address: 7 Beach St, Boston, MA, 02111
Telephone: (617) 422-0501
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.80

Xinh Xinh

7 Beach St, Boston, MA, 02111

(617) 422-0501
Store is closed

Xinh Xinh Menu

Appetizers

Cha Gio Fried Spring Rolls

Goi Cuon Tom & Heo Fresh Spring Rolls With Shrimp & Pork

Goi Cuon Bo Nuong Hoac Heo Nuong Fresh Spring Rolls With Grilled Beef Or Pork

Bi Cuon Shredded Pork Skin Spring Rolls

Chim Cut Roti Roasted Quail
Beef Noodle Soup - Pho

Pho Xe Lua Special Train Noodle Soup Rare Beef Flank Tendos & Tripes

Pho Dac Biet Special Noodle Soup Rare Beef Flank Tendon & Tripes

Pho Tai Rare Beef Noodle Soup

Pho Tai Gan Rare Beef & Tendons Noodle Soup

Pho Tai Sach Rare Beef & Tripes Noodle Soup
Noodle Soup Specialties

Bun Rieu Minced Pork Shrimp & Crab Paste Vermicelli Soup

Bun Mang Vit House Special Duck & Bamboo Shoot Vermicelli Soup

Bun Bo Hue Hue's Beef & Pork Trotter Noodle Soup

Bun Cari Ga Curry Chicken Vermicelli Soup

Bun Tau Ga Chicken Glass Noodle Soup
Vermicelli - Bun

Bun Chao Tom Grilled Shrimp Paste With Vermicelli

Bun Heo Nuong Grilled Pork With Vermicelli

Bun Ga Nuong Grilled Chicken With Vermicelli

Bun Bo Nuong Grilled Beef With Vermicelli

Bun Tom Nuong Heo Nuong Cha Gio Grilled Shrimp Pork & Fried Spring Roll With Vermicelli
Rice Plates - Com Dia & Com Chien

Cum Suon Grilled Pork Chop With Steam Rice

Com Suon Bi Grilled Pork Chop & Shredded Pork Skin With Steam Rice

Com Suon Bi Cha Grilled Pork Chop Shredded Pork Skin & Pork Loaf With Steam Rice

Com Suon Bi Cha Trung Op La Grilled Pork Chop Shredded Pork Pork Loaf & Fried Egg With Steam Rice

Com Bo Nuong Grilled Beef With Steam Rice

Healthy Meal suggestions for Xinh Xinh

Appetizers

Cha Gio Fried Spring Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goi Cuon Tom & Heo Fresh Spring Rolls With Shrimp & Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Goi Cuon Bo Nuong Hoac Heo Nuong Fresh Spring Rolls With Grilled Beef Or Pork [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bi Cuon Shredded Pork Skin Spring Rolls [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chim Cut Roti Roasted Quail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beef Noodle Soup - Pho

Pho Xe Lua Special Train Noodle Soup Rare Beef Flank Tendos & Tripes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pho Dac Biet Special Noodle Soup Rare Beef Flank Tendon & Tripes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pho Tai Rare Beef Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pho Tai Gan Rare Beef & Tendons Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pho Tai Sach Rare Beef & Tripes Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Noodle Soup Specialties

Bun Rieu Minced Pork Shrimp & Crab Paste Vermicelli Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Mang Vit House Special Duck & Bamboo Shoot Vermicelli Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Bo Hue Hue's Beef & Pork Trotter Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Cari Ga Curry Chicken Vermicelli Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Tau Ga Chicken Glass Noodle Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vermicelli - Bun

Bun Chao Tom Grilled Shrimp Paste With Vermicelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Heo Nuong Grilled Pork With Vermicelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Ga Nuong Grilled Chicken With Vermicelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Bo Nuong Grilled Beef With Vermicelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bun Tom Nuong Heo Nuong Cha Gio Grilled Shrimp Pork & Fried Spring Roll With Vermicelli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Rice Plates - Com Dia & Com Chien

Cum Suon Grilled Pork Chop With Steam Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Suon Bi Grilled Pork Chop & Shredded Pork Skin With Steam Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Suon Bi Cha Grilled Pork Chop Shredded Pork Skin & Pork Loaf With Steam Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Suon Bi Cha Trung Op La Grilled Pork Chop Shredded Pork Pork Loaf & Fried Egg With Steam Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Com Bo Nuong Grilled Beef With Steam Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Boston Common Coffee Co. ( 97 Salem St )

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Visit below restaurant in Boston for healthy meals suggestion.

Einstein Bros Bagels ( 725 Commonwealth Ave )

Write An Anonymous Review

Jessica H.

Love it. When my coworkers and I talk about where we are going to have our Chinatown lunch outing this month - I always recommend Xinh Xinh! How could you not? By far one of the most responsible restaurants in Chinatown to respect vegetarian wishes. When you order the Vegetarian Pho (one of the very few places that actually has veggie pho) they immediately ask you if you want Veggie Broth or Beef broth. You don't even have to tell them you are vegetarian! I love how on-top of it they are. Also another bonus for vegetarians and even non-veggies alike is the lemongrass tofu. Soooo yum! If I could get this every week I would! I recommend getting it with the whole spring roll set up - so you can make your own spring rolls, you'll have enough food for leftovers believe me! I've also gotten the tofu hot pot - again delicious but it's mostly tofu, so if you're craving protein it's the way to go. Otherwise I would prefer less tofu and instead more veggies. My friend recently got the lemongrass tofu vermicelli and she said it was one of the best meals she has ever had in Chinatown. And she's not even vegetarian. I have to admit their drinks are risky. I've ordered a few drinks just to try them - once the hot lemon something, which tasted like salt water. So be careful! If you want an authentic Vietnamese drink try it out, but you might not be as open-minded once it's served! There veggie spring rolls aren't anything special though, so I would skip that and go straight to the meal. They can't do many bubble teas vegan because the mixes are already premade but the mango and pineapple one can be made with coconut milk, and are very yummy! The only complaint is that it gets really crowded during lunch time. The tables are pretty squashed together to seat everyone - if you come with a large group you might not get seated for awhile. Twice I have bumped my head hard because the tables are in weird positions like in corners with sharp edges. Otherwise it's still worth the squeeze just to get that hot veggie pho during winter!
(4)
NN R.

I go here for the Bun Rieu because it is the ONLY Vietnamese restaurant that serves this fine dish. They also don't use MSG and the quality of pho is a little better than most restaurants around Boston. However, it doesn't get a 5 star rating because the appetizers aren't that great. Spring rolls are shabby. Also, even though it says they close at 10pm, sometimes they close earlier if there are no more customers in the store, which has disappointed me many times when I get out of work and rush over there before closing time to find them closed anyway. :(
(4)
Michael X.

The food is pretty good, and the prices were reasonable (though not necessarily "cheap" relative to Chinatown prices), I'll give it that. But, overall I was disappointed. I ordered the "Pork, shrimp, and crab paste" noodle soup. It came out with just ONE lonely shrimp in the whole bowl, so that was sad. And there was some pork, but it was just a small amount and ground up really fine. The real surprise, though, was that the main ingredient in the dish was something not mentioned in the menu description at all--tofu! I don't like tofu, so for it to be one of the primary components of the noodle soup (and not mentioned in the name of the dish) was a bummer. Then when I pointed this out to the staff, and making sure that they did indeed bring out my "Pork, shrimp, and crab paste" noodle soup, they said "If you don't want to eat the tofu, just don't eat it. Take it out." No mention at all of taking it back , remaking it without tofu, or offering an alternate dish. I don't think I'll be going back to this place, especially if I can't tell from the menu what I'm going to be eating!
(2)
George N.

I have been here a number of times since November 2013 and felt obligated to leave a review for some closure of past feelings. I would give this moreover a 2.5 stars than a 2. The first time when I came to this restaurant, I came with a friend and I was a little bit skeptical at first given the size and location. But I thought to myself that it's good to try new things and I'm glad I did. However, there were times where I wanted to question or protest something but I didn't because I did not want to cause a scene of some sort. I remembered my first meal here and I thought to myself that the broth was really good....a little too good. So good to a point where I was literally drinking the broth using my spoon (and I don't normally do that and it was rare for me to do so that I had to take a second look at myself and what I was doing) after finishing the noodles. It wasn't until I left the restaurant that I joked to my friend that they probably put MSG in their broth. She smiled and kinda agreed. It left me wondering... Soon after my first meal, I came back with different friends on different occasions (sometimes to introduce the place, other times with the same friends). I've had a couple of unhappy small incidents since then. One time I wanted to put my backpack on a chair and the waiter told me that I couldn't do so. I said that I didn't want to put my bag on the dirty floor. He looked down and said "sorry." It didn't look like he meant it and seemed like it was his own rule to the restaurant. He needed the chair for another customer but the restaurant was not even full at the time (probably at 65% capacity on a weekday). Afterwards, I thought to myself I should have told him/suggested to him to get a chair from the other tables in the restaurants. But it seemed that he was mostly lazy and wanted the chair closest to me instead of carrying it from the far end of the restaurant...only less than ten feet away. I was pretty pissed that I had to put my backpack on the restaurant floor that looked dirty and rarely mopped. Another small incident that would be good to note is that I think only two people per table can pay with a card. And there is obviously a minimum. Be sure to tell the waiter to split the check if possible before ordering and know what the minimum is. They are pretty picky on that. At some point, I could have sworn that they don't even follow their own rules. (Ie. if, say, minimum is $8 for card, bill was $12 and they said they can't accept cards because its not high enough) I forget what our total bill came to during that visit which is why I guess they could only take two cards and not from all three of us. Also they don't take American Express. It wasn't until my last visit here that I brought two more new friends to the restaurant. They said they both enjoyed their meals and the experience went without much incident. As we went to a desert place afterwards, both of my friends, who are healthy and not allergic to anything, said that they both felt a dry throat, slight tingling sensation and/or a possible slight headache. I had to agree with the dry throat and slight tingle as I felt it too. We drank water as a small remedy. The final test would be to bring my parents in to try out the restaurant food to see what they would think as they are more sensitive to certain ingredients in the pho broth. I would value their opinion more in these cases. Other than that, they do have terrific broth but terrible service. (Waiters disappearing, not attentive, etc) Although, I guess a lot of pho restaurants I have been to have decent to terrible service to which you just unfortunately get used to.
(2)
Mark T.

Food was not very good. Also, will not let you split the bill on two credit cards.
(1)
ash e.

This is my favorite bargain restaurant in all of the downtown neighborhoods-- not just Chinatown. Really good vegetarian Lemongrass-Tofu vermicelli. All sort of tasty pho. Full service, polite but no frills. And it is one of the few remaining spots where you can be absolutely pop-your-buttons full on under $12. Clean but not fancy-- I love to take friends and family here, but it's not business lunchy (unless you want to impress someone with your frugality). You have to get out into the neighborhoods before you find other bargains like this. Note: I'm marking this "Good for Groups" because they can feed a big table quickly after being seated, and they do have some large tables. However, this is a small restaurant, so a large group showing up during a busy time may need to wait.
(4)
Cindy K.

This is THE place to get pho in Boston. Definitely one of those hole in the wall jewels that you find. Out of all the Pho restaurants in the area, this is the only one that not only serves you great food BUT are also friendly! I pretty much bring my all my Viet newbie friends and then they fall in love with Vietnamese food and won't go anywhere else. Obviously the pho is delicious but I love the steamed vermicelli wraps with lemongrass chicken. It's a bit more of a process because you essentially have to make your own wraps, but its so worth it. Lunch time rush can get pretty crowded so if you are going for lunch make sure you get there early or after the rush. But they are pretty quick with their service so tables clear out fast.
(5)
Hilary B.

Love the pho, I always get the tai when I go. I've also had the fresh and friend rolls.
(5)
Jim W.

This is one of our favorite places in Chinatown. The kids love to eat here and try new things. I'm down with any restaurant that gets my kids in the mood to try new foods! The service has always been very friendly and in a genuine way, not just a show. Wonderfully flavorful broths and the freshest, crispiest, tastiest veggies really set them apart as well. Not many tables so if they are busy you might want to have a plan B - takeout.
(4)
Nelly N.

Service was bad. Food was just ok. Wish we went next door. The soup base was just too sweet. It tasted more like cinnamon then pho. The rolls we premade and sitting around way too long. The skin was hard and crunchy, not soft and chewy. Our server was cleaning his mini van that was parked in front of the resturants every chance he got. He would bring out our rolls and then run out to windex his car, then come back in to bring out pho. Cinnamon and windex yum!
(2)
Cassandra M.

I've been to Xinh Xinh twice and both times the food was outstanding. I can safely say, they have the best beef lo mein I've tried in the city. The biggest drawback about this place is that they won't split a check on to multiple credit cards and they might seat you with other parties at large tables if it's packed in there.
(4)
Calvin F.

Like everyplace around here, it looks like just another hole-in-the-wall Asian joint. I went with some other folks on a weeknight and it was fairly empty. Right away, the staff were surprisingly polite and attentive. All the prices were good. And when the food came out, the portions were reasonable-to-generous. But man-oh-man, the taste. First, the vegetarian spring rolls with peanut sauce were fantastic. There was actual mint in the roll. Then I ordered the chef's special pho with rare beef (item #25 when I was there) and it was deeee-licious. It was definitely hot enough to warrant their top spiciness rating, but not hot-for-the-sake-of-hot like some other places. Their house hot sauce (not the obligatory Sriracha) was also smoky and delicious; good enough to put on any dish if you like spicy. Anyway, all the spices and oils and whatever else they put in there made a delicious blend that left me feeling full but not weighed down. Would definitely eat again.
(5)
Bryce G.

Really great food! amazing prices for the huge portions. Highly Recommend Xinh Xinh
(4)
Marina W.

Yum. My brother and I came here after a failed attempt at another restaurant in East Boston (the wait time was out of this world for a Monday night.) I had read good reviews of this place, so I wanted to try it. I usually go to another Vietnamese place in the area and had, in fact, walked by this store front many times without a second thought. Never again. It's so cheap for a lot of food, good service, a quiet atmosphere, and tasty, tasty food. There is also a HUGE variety, which is both overwhelming and exciting. I think my brother and I left with a shared appetizing, 2 non-water (and non-alcoholic) drinks, and an entree each for $24. SERIOUSLY. I'm into Xinh Xinh. I will go here again and be happy about it.
(5)
Rouzhna N.

Huge portions, fresh ingredients, and a good spot for lunch. Nothing too memorable though.
(4)
Julie R.

Delicious and inexpensive! I had been wanting to try this place for a long time. I think its my new Chinatown fave now. The roasted quail appetizer was scrumptious. Juicy, crispy skin with tender meat. I liked how you can even eat the salad of peppers and onions underneath, drenched in a delicious sauce. I was planning to get the pho but was hungrier then usual so I got the lemongrass chicken with vermicelli noodles. This was outstanding. The best I've had. It provided a generous dinner then a filling lunch the next day. The sauce of coconut milk had a spicy kick to it. I would get this again in a flash. My boyfriend had the pork chop rice plate. The pork was grilled and flavorful with a generous amount of rice on the side. I recommend upgrading to the stir fried rice for $1.50 more. It is still light but has veggies in it. The bubble smoothies on the side were yummy. The mango and pineapple versions were sweet enough that if felt like dessert. Service was prompt. The place fills up fast on a weekend night but they turned tables quickly. A satisfying memorable dinner for 2 for $35! Go!
(4)
Rafael C.

One of many pho restaurants in Boston Chinatown and definitely one of the smaller ones. Xinh Xinh seemed like a popular lunch destination for the people who work in nearby office buildings and the students/staff at Tufts University Dental School which is only a couple of blocks away from the restaurant as it was full of people during the lunch hour when I was there today. As usual I ordered the fried spring rolls and the pho. The spring rolls, although in texture slightly on the firm side, were very tasty. It came with the pickled veggies with a tiny portion of fish sauce, which at times was difficult to soak a big chunk of the spring roll as I like to have it. I ordered the regular size pho which was already very generous in size with lots of beef as they use the bowl which seemed a bit deeper than the usual pho bowl. The broth was a bit on the heavy side. It had a bit too much oil from beef parts floating on the surface. One of the heaviest pho broth I have tasted. I can see this pho being a great meal in a snowy winter day. Although the cleanliness of the restroom was reasonable at best, you may have to be a contortionist to use it comfortably. Extremely tiny restroom. Solid 4 star feel-good, taste-good pho restaurant.
(4)
Charmie S.

The food was great. I really enjoyed the grilled chicken and vermicelli. What I didn't enjoy was the overly intrusive behavior of the owners/management. First, just because you are the owner, you do not need to sit in the face of patrons, trying to direct their every move. It started with the umbrellas. I get that it's raining, and you don't want a flood in your business, but there is a way to express this to first-time customers, who don't know your rules, without looking completely classless, overbearing, and quite frankly rude. Please look it up. Second, I'm kind of over the "Check" rules that a lot of these small businesses have. Welcome to 2013, where people dine in large groups sometimes (and by large I mean FOUR!), and all have their own debit cards. Pardon us for patronizing your establishment. When we tried to make sense of the check between all of us, in swoops management again trying to dictate to us. Finally, my friend was just super assertive, and said gentleman backed off. Can't say that I'll "dine in" again with these guys. Might just be grab and go, even if that.
(3)
Katie B.

This was so, so delicious. I almost felt a little unfaithful to my favorite Vietnamese place at home because I enjoyed it so much ... I had the #58: lemongrass tofu bun. I would have preferred that the tofu not been fried, but that was my only complaint. (And it's not much of one. Fried tofu is delicious; I just worry about my arteries while eating it.) The boyfriend had #54: grilled beef and a spring roll. I tasted some of his beef, and it was really tasty. If we lived in Boston, we would definitely be eating here all the time!
(4)
Sammy B.

OMG, why do they have items that I have never even seen on any NYC menu?!?!?! Why am I so lucky to have discovered this place?!?!?! We got the bun rieu, hu tieu nam vang, and the bun mang vit. Bun rieu could have used more flavoring. The hu tieu nam vang was really good, though. This place is kinda small, but I'd gladly come here again =D
(4)
mzamar x.

I have to update my old review saying this place is the bomb, because it used to be, but I think there is new management. The super cute and friendly brother sister team that seemed to work there all the time are now gone, and the food is just not what it was 6 months ago. Prices are up. Last time I went the waitress motioned for me to sit at the window, when I pulled out the chair I found a whole shrimp on the floor beneath. I said "There's a shrimp under my chair" the waitress looked at me blankly. "Do you want to sit over there instead?" I did. THEN SHE DIDN'T CLEAN UP THE SHRIMP. I sat there for 10 minutes waiting for my beau to show up and for 10 minutes the shrimp just sat there. Then she sat another guy at the table who did not notice a shrimp under his feet. I left. My heart is broken. This was my place. Not anymore.
(2)
Catherine T.

Been here a couple of times now, and I would say that the food was okay. The bun bo hue didn't taste too authentic (like it had some curry in it?), the pho was good (though not extraordinary), but my favorite, the bun thit nuong, was good so I am happy about that. They need to put out more veggies on the side, but overall the price isn't bad. The wait staff are also extremely nice and friendly. Bilingual and very chatty. The order came out quickly as well. :)
(4)
RM S.

My favorite pho place around town. Good broth and the best most tender tendons around. If you are into that type of texture. I stop by here whenever I'm near the Chinatown area.
(5)
Jeannie H.

The place lay smack between the two places i normally visit (Pho Ha and Pho Pasteur) and I regret having overlooked it for such a long time. Boston has a very decent offering of Vietnamese food and this is one of the best places without having to make the inconvenient trip to Dorchester. Like most Asian eateries, you don't come here for the atmosphere or decor. However, the service is much more friendly and pleasant than your run-of-the-mill Vietnamese restaurant. The menu is extensive and includes many items that are normally only available on the shadow menu for the special ones in-the-know. Their pho is lovely with a broth that is much more flavourful than the typical fare. I think they actually boil bones unlike many places that now resort to a boullion base. I would definitely recommend this place as your Vietnamese food destination.
(4)
Justin H.

Not only does this place have a cool name that's fun to pronounce (or mispronounce), but it also has delicious food! To start, this has the best bubble tea I've had in Boston. They cook the tapioca pearls just right (a little bite to them but not too much and nice and ultimately chewy) and they can customize your bubble tea to however you like it. I like mung bean with coconut water, no milk or sugar with boba. Man, that is a taste that is embedded in my DNA. They also have tasty Vietnamese dishes. I ate a rice noodle dish with tofu and veggies that was both sweet and spicy and very tasty. My girlfriend ordered a noodlesoup dish, the specifics are escaping me besides the fact that she loved it. She is half Vietnamese and comes down hard when food is not up to par and she left a fan. The staff here is also very friendly and accommodating. I tip them well. I like, so will you.
(5)
Nic W.

Delicious food and generous portions at a very good price. If you're in Boston and looking for some good Vietnamese food, look no further.
(5)
Dawn H.

Admittedly, i've only had 3 things here. 2 of these dishes haunt me at night...Daaaaawwwwn...you should totally get us for luuuuunch tomorrow! Dooon't bother bringing your luuuunch...sleep a little laaaaate and get uuuusssssss. For real. This happens. It is a delicious haunting rather than a terrifying one. The appetizer Wonton Soup is the best i've ever had. I'm a sucker for a good dumpling/bun/gyoza/wonton...i can't resist the good ones. You could say my life is what happens in between finding perfect versions of the aforementioned stuffed starches. This soup, despite being an appetizer, has a lovely broth with slices of chicken, sizzled garlic, cilantro and i think a bit of lemongrass. The wontons are fairly plentiful, and the filling is wondrous. It really is good...but i really only get it so i don't feel like a giant pig and order two servings of the spring rolls. Now let's get down to the really important bit - the Grilled Beef Fresh Springrolls. Oh. My. Gods. The grilled beef is effing amazing. I'm really picky about meat - i am morally opposed to grisly, flavorless beef and pork. I already feel bad about eating them - so they might as well be mind-shatteringly delicious when i do. So the beef is marinated in some gorgeous sauce, lovingly grilled, and the rolls themselves are like lovely backup singers, amplifying the magic. The fish sauce that comes with it is very nice - but becomes downright drinkable/bathe-able with the addition of a healthy glurg of chili sauce. The other thing i got i don't really count - i believe it was a Rare Beef Super Spicy Pho or something or another...but i was trying to be a bit adventurous that day and get something new for once. This pho was ok. Heck, it might have been amazing, but it wasn't my beloved. I went into it expecting not to love it, but i really did like it more than i thought i would. So that's something right there. Sometimes it is hard to strike up a good balance between fiery hot and still tasty, and they managed it - but it was a little bit greasy. So my complaint isn 't exactly a complaint. It just wasn't my magic Spring Roll level of lovin'. Can't fault them for that. The staff is always super nice, and have my order ready to rock when i get there. And no, the place isn't fancy in any way, but there are some homey touches that warm the old heart cockles.
(5)
Carl W.

Very small place in China town with Pho Pasteur and Dumpling Cafe next door and across the street respectively. People were friendly and I got a table easily at the start of dinner time. Sampled the spring roll and green papaya salad. I have to say that the spring roll (pork / shrimp) was a bit of a letdown. Had hardly any vegetable in there and very, very thin slivers of shrimp and pork--so thin that you could only taste it faintly. By and large, 90% of it was rice vermicelli and rice wrapper. Served with the standard dipping sauce/fish sauce. The green papaya salad was good but nothing too memorable. Here again, the shrimp was sliced in half (maybe thirds) so that there were probably only 3 whole shrimp to the whole dish. Based on this meal, I would give the place a 3 star rating but the red bean and coconut smoothie was top notch and put a smile on my face as I took my time slurping it down.
(4)
Yalgin O.

I really love this place. I end up coming to this spot over and over as I walk around Chinatown. It surely is not a classy place, but the most important thing: food is really good. I personally prefer Vietnamese to Chinese food due to it's use of broth and fresh vegetables rather than the thick heavy sauce to cover the meat or tofu. I would say that go for the traditional dishes, noodles are also good. People usually order pho! The servers are very friendly and kind they can help you if you have trouble selecting. A special note: I wonder what does other yelpers think about their Vietnamese coffee? I think it's not bad..
(5)
Allisoto P.

Not as good as it used to be...
(3)
R S.

amazing pho! very tasty and spicy enough
(5)
Danielle H.

Had to go to the nearby DMV today. Upon taking my ticket and realizing it would be a 1.5 hr wait, I wandered into Chinatown hoping for a quick lunch. I saw Xinh Xinh wedged in between Pho Hoa and Pho Pasteur, both of which I had tried before and been unimpressed by, so I decided to give it Xinh xinh a try. Being Vietnamese and having grown up on amazing homecooked meals, I rarely order pho at a restaurant because I have yet to find a bowl that surpasses my mom's! For some reason, I had a craving today and decided on the Pho Tai Bo Vien (pho with beef slices and beef meatballs...more people should try this variation!). As soon as the waitress put it down, I knew it was going to be good. I could smell the steaming beef broth and couldn't wait to take my first slurp. And although my mom's pho is still better, this bowl came pretty darn close! The pho noodles were the really thin ones, which are my favorite. There was plenty of broth so that when you put all the bean sprouts and basil leaves in, your bowl doesn't look overcrowded. I finished every last drop of it! The setting is your typical Vietnamese restaurant - not fancy and a little noisy, but that's what I expected. It was pretty filled, as I guess it's a popular place for a quick lunch for people that work in the area. It was kind of cool to see construction workers, people in suits, tourists, etc, enjoying lunch all in one place. And you can't beat the quick service. I ordered my lunch, and 3 minutes later (I counted), my meal was there! I was in and out in 20 min. I'll definitely come back with friends to try some of the other dishes, but I can definitely say the pho is as close to authentic Vietnamese as you can get!
(5)
Jessica P.

I'll be honest - I've only ever gotten the pho here, but it's so incredible I have yet to wander far from what I know!! The service is incredible - it's fast, they're attentive - and the food is consistently delicious. A friend of mine has raved about their spring rolls as well, so I think I'll try those the next time I go in! If you're looking for delicious food for next to nothing - go to Xinh Xinh.
(5)
Hang T.

Being Zagat rated & having the title of best in boston, I definitely expected a lot better. I'm Vietnamese and I was rather disappointed in the food we got. The noodle soups could have had a better broth and what made me more disappointed was how they skimped on the meat and piled on the noodles; not good. I was surprised to find out this restaurant was so highly rated after I experienced it but perhaps Vietnamese cuisine is limited here in Boston.
(2)
H. G.

I can't believe the good reviews this place is getting when it's wedged in between two far superior Vietnamese restaurants (Pho Hoa and Pho Pasteur). The pho soup is only ok. It lacks the punchy flavor that pho soup should have. And I also tried the chicken and rice dish, which had zero sauce and zero thought behind it. The one at Pho Hoa is fantastic; but this was no good. On the bright side, it's cheap (like every place in Chinatown), and the service is excellent. I really liked our waitress. The only reason I'd go back is to tip her again.
(2)
Nicole L.

Before we left this depressing rainy weekend in Boston, we decided to try out another place for lunch on the way to the airport. The concierge gave us a list of places to go and one of them was Xinh Xinh. We were told the food is good there. We took the cab to Chinatown on Beach Street. Along the way, I saw all these hotpot restaurants I know I have to come back here next time. The small restaurant looked like a hole-in-the-wall place, not the cleanest, really basic restaurant like most ones in Chinatown. When we walked in, they wanted us to leave the umbrella by the door in a bucket along with others, needless to say, the brand new automatic umbrella was taken by someone else on their way out. We ordered the summer roll with shrimp and pork - it was very light and refreshing. We also tried the grilled pork platter - which came with a huge plate of caramelized pork, patties of vermicelli, vegetables, mints, basils, scallions anf peanuts, a plate of dry rice paper and a pot of hot water for dipping the wrapper. The wraps were absolutely delicious along with the hoisin and siracha sauce. I really enjoyed having this dish. We also tried the curry chicken noodles which I thought would be served with thick rice noodles but instead it was vermicelli noodles. The chicken thigh was slow simmered in the broth it was tender and fell of the bone. My friend had the roast duck with egg noodles and shitake mushroom. It was very delicious also with a nice broth. After we were done, I ordered the black tea with milk bubble tea. Their bubble tea was also really good - not too sweet, fresh black tea flavor and tender taipoica balls. We both slurpped it all up while waiting for the waitress to call us a cab for the airport. The food was really quite good - it was another good find.
(4)
Kevin C.

This was a kind of hole in the wall place that characterizes Chinatowns everywhere. I enjoyed their spicy beef sate pho, but it did make their standard pho look like a baby back bitch. Great place for inoffensive pho, and that's okay with me.
(3)
KoreanSoup S.

3.75 stars. This is the place I usually go to for pho in the city... I like it.
(4)
Yuhe C.

Xinh Xinh was my first time trying Pho and I must say, ever since then I have been looking for this amazing Vietnamese dish in every place I go. We ordered Pho take out from here and it traveled quite well. The broth was still hot enough to cook the beef by the time we got back to our hotel (a 15 minute walk)! Although what's really great about Xinh Xinh's Pho is the large amounts of vegetables on the side. Everything was well balanced, hearty and delicious. Plus, we couldn't even finish 2 orders between 3 starving people.
(4)
Julie N.

Xinh Xinh cured sore throat Addictive broth with curry I have dreams of soup
(5)
Courtney T.

Decided to give this a try based on good Yelp reviews. Walked in around 8pm on a Wednesday night, the place was about 3/4 full (which is a good sign). I was surprised at the no-frills ambiance, but it really didn't matter because the food was that good. We started with spring rolls, which were nothing extraordinary but good. Served with a nice sweet/sour dipping sauce. My bf got the beef vermicelli wraps, which were delicious. The beef was marinated and sooo tasty, topped with chopped peanuts, also on the platter were the vermicelli, fresh mint, lettuce, tomatoes. You dip the rice paper wraps in a bowl of hot water and make your own little wraps. There are also bottles of Sriracha on the tables, which go great with everything in my opinion. I had the fried whole fish in a sweet sour sauce. I asked for it extra spicy and it came out perfect. I can't even tell you how good this was, the skin was so crispy and delicious and the fish (I think it might have been red snapper?) was so flaky and perfectly cooked. The sauce was equally amazing, I wish they could bottle that stuff and sell it. It was served with a medley of vegetables including diced baby corn, peppers, topped with fresh Thai basil. Service was efficient and friendly. I will def return next time I'm in town.
(4)
Ian N.

Getting very spoiled lately on Asian food and I've quickly become a huge fan of Vietnamese. Spent an evening walking through Boston with the ladyfriend and she suggested we try this. I would have eaten a small child at that point, so I was game for whatever. Good, fast, cheap, tasty food. Spring rolls were amazing, so was my vermicelli whateveritwasthatiate. I've been terrible remembering menu items, but this was outstanding and I left full. It was small and a bit cramped, but that added to the charm. There were larger, nicer looking Vietnamese places around the corner, but I trusted the woman. She didn't let me down. The fact that little hole in the wall places like this still exist in Boston and haven't been taken over by some chef that wants you to see how he reinvented the gastropub by fusing it with french cuisine, well, it makes me pretty damn happy. When I think of the Boston of my youth I think of more hole-in-the-wall places and less foofy, uppity, pomp and circumstance nonsense. Xinh Xinh was exactly what I needed. - Uncle Juggsy likes his Boston eateries cramped and dirty, just the way our forefathers intended.
(5)
Melissa P.

Friends don't let friends wander around Chinatown without telling them about Xinh Xinh. The food is tasty, the service is fast, the portions are huge, and the prices are cheap. But only really good friends will give you these two extra tips: 1)There's a good chance you'll be sharing a table with other people, cruise style! 2)Every inch of your skin, every layer of your clothing, and every strand of your hair will smell like food for the rest of the day.
(4)
Shannon P.

Quick, tasty take-out Pho for lunch! Heaps of herbs and balanced broth made this a good detour for some lunch on the go. Mi Ga and the standard Pho (and dumplings from the dumpling house around the corner).. made for a great picnic in the car near the park.
(3)
Varun D.

A friend and I went to this place based on yelp reviews and it sure was a treat! Let me say as a disclaimer that Im not a huge connoisseur of Vietnamese cuisine. The few times that Ive had Vietnamese cuisine in the past my experience was quite bland. However, Xinh Xinh has definitely turned me into a fan. To begin with the staff were friendly yet non-intrusive which was a major plus in my view. The service was great and efficient, food was piping hot and plentiful in quantity. Taste was quite franky amazing! More than a bang for your buck in my opinion. My friend got one of the variants of the spicy beef pho and I had the Tofu with lemongrass and vermicelli which came with peanut sauce that was to die for! Great experience all in all, will be going back for sure on my next trip to Boston!
(5)
Min T.

The weekly yelp enewsletter goes out on Wednesdays. I've been scanning them for weeks, trying to familiarize myself with Boston eats. The day before I came in, I noticed Xinh Xinh had been listed as a good soup place. And coincidentally enough, I spotted it just down the street from our hotel. It was fate. I didn't order pho. The gay boyfriend also didn't order pho. I ordered the minced pork noodles with shrimp. The gay boyfriend has the curry chicken soup noodles. My noodles had a lot of ground pork but just one smallish shrimp until I got to almost the bottom of the bowl. I kept thinking I had gotten the wrong bowl of noodles. I felt kind of sad about that. I did love the tangy broth though. The gay boyfriend's noodles came with one chicken thigh. He doesn't eat meat on the bone so I ended up eating it. I have to note the beansprouts and basil were really fresh and gorgeous looking. Worthy of pictures but I didn't take any pictures of this shop this night because I spent more time listening to the guy at a nearby table expounding the virtues of all the ethnic places around town. He got the pho with extra noodles. Maybe we should have gotten pho. Overall, I liked my food but 4-5 stars? Nah, not for this noodles lovin' gal.
(3)
Margaret Ann B.

One of my regular Chinatown places. I love the tofu hotpot and the chow foon. I've never even had pho here. It's quick and very businesslike. The prices are great, it's a popular place but never overcrowded.
(4)
aaron t.

This is one of those hole in the wall places that just serves up simple quick food thats rather tasty for a great price. Order on the menu, order off they menu, they will make whatever you really want if they can. Get food to go, or to eat in with the 10 or so tables inside this little place. It's not that crowded that often and a great stop before catching a movie nearby the boston commons. come here, spend 10-15$, 30 minutes you'll be out, but sit down as long as you want as it is a very relaxed space, no rush, no rules, just simple and a place to eat a nice hot dish or bowl of hot noodles. great for 2-5 people. they can make tables for larger, but most tables are setup for 2-5.
(3)
Heather G.

tofu veggie pho is delicious - i used to get it every time. HOWEVER, I recently did a hot-and-sour tour of the three places on this block (Xinh Xinh, Pho Pasteur, and Pho Ha), and this was my absolute favorite bowl of tofu hot and sour soup. Also, if you are eating-in, the presentation is great, with the soup in a raised dish with a warming element and tea light candle beneath it. Very cute. Though smaller than the other two places I mentioned (and less well-deorated), the hot and sour soup is definitely the best. The staf is also extremely friendly and don't make me feel as rushed as the larger vietnamese places tend to when it gets busy. For a bowl of pho, i'd go somwhere else, but for hot and sour soup and the best waitstaff in chinatown, I come here.
(4)
Marc C.

Great pho.* * (I often get poked fun at because of some lengthy reviews and this one could be done in two words, since that is all you need to know about this place.)
(5)
Kayla B.

I grabbed some pho with friends today at lunch. I had the vegetable and tofu pho with vegetable broth. It was good, but not the best I've ever had. For $6.50 it was a good deal, though. I don't think I'd ever seek out Xinh Xinh again but if I got brought here I wouldn't complain.
(3)
David Y.

For my first trip into Chinatown, I had to stop into Xinh Xinh. It's a very novice friendly Vietnamese restaurant. Vietnamese happens to be one of my favorite cuisines and Xinh Xinh didn't impress me but it was a decent meal at a decent price. I'm not one for fancy decor and you shouldn't be either if you stop by. I'm being harsh, it's very clean just a bit bare. There's couldn't have been more than a dozen tables so I'd imagine this place gets packed quick. I got the meatball pho ($6.50). The broth was fine and the noodles were good. I liked that they kept the sprouts and basil separate. I think most places add too much basil in their pho. Their meatballs were pretty horrible. I hated them. They just had way too much fat. I had to spit them out and ended up a pretty large pile of pieces of fat. I was even more dismayed by the fat pieces I couldn't spit out. This was the only time I'd ever seen so much fat on meat. It was pretty nasty in fact and if I didn't hate wasting food so much I definitely wouldn't eaten them (I seriously don't waste food, even single grains of rice). My gf had a tofu and vegetable pho (not in beef broth) at $6.50. That veggie broth was surprising good and the amount of veggie was impressive. She was pretty damn amazed by how good it was. We also split a durian boba tea ($4). Different taste and no smell. It was good stuff and they were pretty generous with their tapioca. The real standout is the service. They're pretty damn friendly there and I'm sure they've got plenty of fans. Our food was out very quick and we got everything we wanted. I'd really like to try more of their menu and see how they do.
(4)
Chris B.

Decent pho -- though the "rare beef" came included in the soup, so it was pretty medium-to-medium-well by the time I got it. That said, nice and cozy Chinatown jaunt for a casual and quick pho lunch.
(4)
Brian B.

Quick, check. Cheap, check. Good, check. And even a friendly staff: Wow, that's an unexpected bonus! I ordered a curry with chicken and veggies and it was perfect fuel for a day of quickly knocking off all the tourist sites in Boston. It's steps from the Common so easy access. Their papaya salad was good too, and my one regret was not ordering the fried spring rolls, which looked ridiculously good. Slanted Door (SF) quality at Chinatown prices.
(5)
Mike I.

I was looking for a pre-Colonial Theater dinner with my family, and turned to Yelp to find a highly rated place in Chinatown. We had a range of tastes from the adventurous to the completely non-adventurous. We got a table for 5 right away (there are a couple big tables, and a bunch of small 2-4 person tables), and immediately had a pot of hot tea. We started with 2 orders of the fresh spring rolls. These were fantastic! Incredibly fresh ingredients, fantastic taste, well rolled, and served with a delicious peanut sauce. I could have eaten two or three of these. For entrees, the non-adventurous types ordered two noodle dishes, pad thai and a wider noodle stir fry dish. I tried both, they were definitely tasty, with hefty amounts of veggies and meat along with the noodles. The other three of us had soups, one with chicken, one with beef, and my seafood. The seafood was definitely lacking, didn't really taste like much and didn't add too much flavor to the broth. I still enjoyed the meal, but it didn't wow me. The other soups impressed their eaters, and everyone was satisfied. The total bill for the 5 of us came to $47, so the price is definitely right. I'm definitely adding Xinh Xinh to my list of solid places in Chinatown, it's a great cheap, quick and tasty pre-movie or pre-theater option.
(4)
Howe L.

I tend to go here the most for pho in Chinatown. There's quite a selection of pho/noodles, and it's good quality stuff. Of course, aside from the food itself, don't expect too much more than your typical Chitown restaurant.
(4)
Era F.

+ delicious vietnamese food + they also serve some Thai dishes that may be on special (if you happen to be with someone bent on pad thai) + reasonably priced - no bar/alcohol. Not a big deal for most, but there are some who can't fathom a dinner without a
(4)
Tarah H.

It's official. Pho at Xinh Xinh will cure you, no matter what is ailing you or what month. Bone-chilling Monday mornings in March spent waiting for the BPD, or at least a meter maid to avoid ticketing, to show up after a break in melt (literally) away once that first bit of steam wafting up hits your face. The hot, sticky, thick hours spent cleaning and moving are quickly relieved in the first bite of fresh roll and forgotten with the first of pho. Wonderfully aromatic and fantastic depth of flavor are what made this place quickly become one of my favorite spots in Chinatown. The quick, friendly staff is what keeps it there. The pho is here is a big bowl of magic, nothing short.
(5)
Tina A.

Before we moved to Asia 6 years ago,Xinh2 was our fave Vietnamese resto. Bright space, delicious and clean tasting sop base, efficient and friendly service,clean and non greasy tabletops! Went back last week while we were on holiday in Boston and its exactly the same! I wish I'd ordered their other noodle dishes, but was craving our usual orders and didn't have enough space to order much more. We ordered tripe, meat and tendon pho, the pork chop and everything rice, as well as the bun vermicelli. Everything was delicious. How I wish I could bing xinh2 home!
(5)
Greg Y.

Man, the food here's cheap, and yet I somehow managed to rack up quite a bill. After tip (18% since I went with 5 other people), tax, and a little rounding up, my wallet is now $30 lighter.... but it was worth it. Appetizer: Went with the roasted quail as per Yelp's suggestion. Yes, it's pricey (~$8), but dear lord it's delicious. Super juicy and tender, not to mention extra flavorful. They give you a small finger bowl to wash off your hands which was really nice (not to mention necessary). Drink: Avocado shake w/ bubbles. Now, avocados are not normally my thing, but I just had to try it. Fantastic (not too sweet) and the boba had great consistency and texture. Entree: Pho Satay. Loved how the bowl was loaded with goodies that I normally don't see in pho (cucumbers + tomatoes). Beef was great, just be careful not to leave it in the soup too long or it might overcook. The spices gave the broth that extra kick that made the whole experience that much better (and hotter!). By the way, call me a wimp, but that avocado shake provided some easy relief from the heat. Staff's great, and it helps being in a smaller place. The waitress keeps a close eye on you without being intrusive. Just a side note: my friend ordered "spring rolls" for an appetizer, thinking he'd get a nice helping of deep fried goodness. Instead, he got an order that seemed like a summer roll to me. He even asked the waitress if it was a spring roll, and she said yes! It was tasty regardless, so no complaints.
(4)
Jason L.

Came here to warmup after some outdoors shopping. Good place for fast warm bowl of noodles. Inexpensive and busy. Big portions! Broth is so-so. They give lots of toppings for the pho! Food (6.5/10) Service (4/5) Value (5/5)
(3)
Daniel L.

Portion sizes: BIG Cost: low Bang for your buck: awesome! How you will leave Xinh Xinh: full This place doesn't mess around! This is a no-frills Vietnamese pho palace that warms you up on a cold winter night. They're quick with the beef noodle soups, so the wait is never long after sitting down. When it's busy, you may have to share a table with other patrons, but that's all part of the fun!
(4)
Roni E.

Oooohhhh Pho! $15 including tax and tip for 1 bowl of Pho with rare eyeround and brisket and 2 egg-sodas. FABULOUS!!! My only gripe is that the egg-sodas were a bit watered down, not enough egg to condensed milk to seltzer/club soda ratio. But no complaints here about the Pho!!! And it seems that there is more seating here than the Pasteur and it just seems more "comfortable". You know where all the tables are pretty much stacked on top of each other, dining with people you don't know and practically sitting in their laps... but that's a typical Chinese-dining-out experience, so I'm used to it. But here... at Xinh Xinh there was none of that and that I like!
(4)
Kris M.

Good things come to those who Yelp! Having read the many positive reviews of Xinh Xinh, and finding myself in Chinatown with about 45 minutes before my chinese lesson, I figured I had time to sit and enjoy a nice bowl of pho on a cold summer day. Reading the reviews gave me a good idea of what to order - their pho beef satae, one of their spicier items, and a mango shake to help balance the heat. Would have gotten spring rolls, but dinner prices are a bit more than lunch prices. The pho was pretty amazing, definitely a broth full of flavor and with enough kick to loosen my sinuses and make me start sweating within two spoonfulls - and that's without sriracha, btw. Sadly, my tongue was not quite as cast-iron as I had thought, and a few more spoonfulls later I realized I had to compromise. Two 'round-the-bowl squirts of hoisin later and the broth still had a great kick, but now had a nice sweetened taste to balance it. The noodles and meat and random other veggies in the pho were delicious, and the mango shake was thick and refreshing. A special nod has to go to the service I received, which honestly went above and beyond what I've had at any other pho restaurant. As soon as I walked in the door, the waitress grabbed a menu and directed me to a table. When I finished leafing through the menu, I looked up and she came right over to take my order. The food came out not 5 minutes later. Had to ask for a napkin, but she apologized for not brining one over earlier and brought it right away. When I was done, she whisked the bowl away and brought me the check. As I needed to be out of there relatively quickly, this was amazing, unexpected, and impressive.
(5)
Cecilia H.

Xinh Xinh definitely has better service than most of the restaurants in Chinatown and the food is just as good! The prices were great and the space was clean. I plan on going back some time soon. Thanks Xinh Xinh!!
(4)
Rebecca S.

Chief among the many appeals of Vietnamese food are its fresh, clean flavors. This requires fresh ingredients of sufficiently high quality, attentively prepared. Xinh Xinh comes through on all fronts. The service is warm and efficient and the food is excellent. We got steamed vermicelli wraps (lemongrass tofu, and beef) and ate our fill, washed down with delicious sodas made with fresh lime juice. So satisfying, without overwhelming. This is a great place to go after seeing a movie at the Boston Common Loews.
(4)
Hubert H.

I don't know why I don't have a review for this establishment yet. The prices are fair, the pho is really delicious, and the portions are healthy. This hole-in-the-wall does some of the best broth in Boston. I have only had the pho noodle soups, so I don't really know much about the other types of dishes. It so happens that I also get a head full of sweat eating this soup on a hot summer day. But it is a pleasurable experience of sweat, followed by the requisite wiping of the brow (and a full belly) that signals, yeah, I've done it, downed another nice bowl of pho!!!
(5)
Rachel G.

This was my first experience with pho, so maybe I'm a bit starry-eyed, but the food here was tasty and staggeringly inexpensive. I went on the recommendation of a pho/Chinatown veteran with him and a fellow first-time pho eater, and we were all impressed with the experience. We started with the summer rolls--good, but nothing I haven't had before at other Thai/Vietnamese places. Once our pho came, however, I stopped talking for the rest of the meal and devoted myself to the task at hand. I ordered the chicken pho, which had lots of flavorful chicken, noodles, and a few random veggies; one of my dining partners ordered a spicy brisket pho which came out swimming in a beautiful orangey broth. I think I'll go that route on my next visit, as his was incredibly well-seasoned and full of tender beef. Thanks too to the waitress, who made sure beforehand that he was OK with the heat. Our bill came to, for 3 bowls of pho and the rolls, about $30 total with tip. Not bad at all. Call me crazy, but brisket? Delicious, warm, hefty-portioned chicken soup? Something about this place gave me serious flashbacks to Passover at my grandmother's place. And that's a compliment I save for the rarest (ha!) of occasions.
(4)
Don W.

My wife and I went to Xinh Xinh on Sunday night with a guy I went to high school with. It was amazing. Normally I would have gone for the Pho but this time I wanted to try something different. After looking at a menu (which was almost as big as the one at the Cheesecake Factory), the grilled shrimp were calling me. I got the vermicelli wrap with grilled shrimp. I had no idea how to make them but that's the thing about Xinh Xinh, the server was friendly and helpful. As nice as the servers are at Pho Hoa, our guy at Xinh Xinh was way better. And that was just the start. The food was delicious. My friend had the spicy fish hot pot (I think) and he loved it. Flavors, textures, it was all there. Good food and good service are what you get at Xinh Xinh, but there's one more thing. It's cheap. The three of us left there completely full, I had a bubble tea, and with a good tip, it came to $45. We're going back. Was anything wrong? No. It's not a big restaurant and I'm sure there are times when every seat is taken, but not when we were there. Portions were filling but there was nothing left to take home. None of this was a problem. I even parked in the lot across the street, I snagged the first space, and it was $10. Was this perfect? It was a five star experience, and then when I thought it couldn't get any better, yelper Sara S. walked past, saw us, and stopped in with her friend Stephanie to say hi. I can't give Xinh Xinh points for that one, but they were at 5 stars anyway. Yeah, I really liked the place. A lot. I want to go back for the Pho. I want the duck noodle soup. I want one of the hot pots. This may require another weekend in Boston.
(5)
Trip B.

I walked to Chinatown the other day to meet a friend and knew this was where I wanted to eat. The storefront is unassuming and casual and once you walk in your greeted with a friendly staff and what i think is the owner or the smiling father of the other waiters. While the Pho look downright a-ma-zing, the 90 degree heat made me decide I did not want to sweat through my meal. I got curry so I ended up sweating through my meal. My friend and I shared some shrimp and pork spring rolls that, as always when fresh, prove great. Then, we ordered a spicy squid and vegetables and a curried pork with veggies. It was a great place for a quick meal. I could get lost, in a good way of course, on Beach and the neighboring streets. Eat here it's good for your mojo.
(4)
Jazmine S.

Xinh Xin, where to start? This is one of my favorite places to eat in Chinatown. Although the place is small, I've never had to wait long and I've been coming here for a while - with 6 other people or just two. Their service is fast, too, so it's great if you've walked around Boston and you're way beyond hungry. The place is tiny and the dÃ©cor reminds me of a "carinderia" in the Philippines because it's very cozy- but we're here for the food, so whatever. I'd usually order pho: rare steak or rare beef & tendons soup. For $6.50 a bowl, this is cheap and I couldn't even finish the whole thing. Portions are very generous. Another one of my favorites is Banh Hoi Ga Nuong, grilled lemongrass chicken steamed vermicelli wrap. I feel hungry already. Top this off with some avocado shake. Xinh Xinh is also convenient to the T, we'd usually walk to South Station or the Chinatown stop.
(5)
Ryan L.

I used to come to this place when it was one of the earliest viet joints in chinatown and it was called Nam Vang. It was great back then and it's still the best damn viet food outside of dorchester. The pho is spot on, the broth is tasty and not too oily, the meat portions are enough (although not as heaping as Pho So 1 in Dorchester). Prices are reasonable as the days of $5 pho are long gone (the pho dac biet runs around $6.95). It doesn't have the decor of pho pasteur but really who cares as long as the food tastes great? If the city of Boston would stop removing metered parking spaces out of Chinatown, I'd definitely come here more often.
(4)
Rebecca F.

I have been recently reminded of how much I love this place. I first went there with a large group probably a few months after they first opened, and had an amazing meal, consisting most memorably of a whole fish garnished with mangoes, and roast squab. It was so delicious and a really fun atmosphere, but it was always in my mind as the Vietnamese place that did really special food. I continued to go to Pho Hoa for pho. But then this week I finally stumbled in there for lunch, and realized they make quite a bowl of pho as well. Not nearly as big of a seating area as Pho Hoa or Pho Pasteur, so you might wait longer, but I think I'll be adding this to my lunch rotation.
(4)
An L.

Excellent Vietnamese food, quite authentic and very flavorful! Bun Rieu here is fantastic, hits the spot. Shrimp on sugar cane is also yummy. Would come here any day.
(5)
Lena N.

The Vietnamese food in Boston is nowhere near as good or as cheap as in California. But whenever my friend and I feel homesick for California, we go to this place to get our fix for Vietnamese food. That's mainly because a trip into Dorchester or to Lowell is too out of the way. It's a small place with limited seating so there's usually a line during lunch time. I've had the pho several times and it's decently good. Their herbs are impressively fresh everytime I've been there, which is always a good sign for a Vietnamese restaurant. I'd stick to the pho here because everytime I've ventured off to have other stuff like the vermicelli or bun bo hue, it was a express trip to disappointment town.
(4)
JEANNE Z.

I love hole in the walls (check!) I love eating tons of food for real cheap (check!) I love eating authentic foods that taste good (Um... This place be ah-ight). I'll be the first to admit I'm hella spoiled living in So Cal where I can eat Mexican food for breakfast, Thai for lunch, and Brazilian for dinner all in the same day within 2 miles of each other. On TOP of that, I live next door to Westminster, CA in Little Saigon in all its Vietnamese glory. So my standards for authentic foods are a bit higher than the typical Bostonian I guess. Having said that... the pho was good, I suppose. However, I guess I'm just not used to the east coast style of spring rolls. I noticed that New York and Boston both put lettuce leaves in the spring rolls. Huh? NOT a fan. It's all about dem greens and da DIPPING sauce! It just wasn't up to par for me here. But having to take into consideration that it's in CHINATOWN, and not LITTLE SAIGON, I think it's a decent place to get what you pay for. I tried the House Special (spicy) noodle soup and if you add a gank of the "rooster sauce" as I like to call it, it's good enough to make your nose run. A decent place to stop by on a cold snowy night when the pho bug hits you right in the gut.
(3)
Alex S.

Second time around, this place continued to please. We were sat very quickly for a Friday night even as the place was full of people. Despite some whining from my friends regarding the lack of libations available, a mung bean smoothy, some fresh spring rolls with shrimp, and some more fresh beef spring rolls proved to be just as intoxicating as the booze. They food is really an experience and you can mix and match most of the dishes and drinks here and they will likely complement each other well. On a side note, if you have never had mung bean shake, don't let thoughts of boston baked beans fill your head. These are different. Mung beans are delicious and will challenge what you think a bean should taste like. Take a step on the wild side and order it. I had the Hu Tieu Mi Thap Cam which came with two noodles pork and seafood. The combination seemed a little weird to me in the soupy dish but it was intriguing. It was exactly that, intriguing and cooked well but I probably not something I would order again. Overall, great experience and food.
(4)
Mark M.

Awesome place. A mix of yuppies and locals. I have been many times since stumbling (literally) into this place. I have now eaten here sober. Goodness reconfirmed. Wrap vermicelli. Shrimp. Bun Tom nuong Aka #95 Bubble tea. Com ga xao xa ot, Aka chicken spicy lemongrass Aka # 72.
(5)
Lorin R.

I really like this place. The food is stellar and it's cheap and fast. But man, the server I've had a couple of times was really uptight. I wanted to tell him to chill out! When I first stated going here it was always full, but lately there's always plenty of room and I'm wondering if it's because of the servers attitude. It's definitely strictly business here.
(4)
Kenny C.

This place gets Pho better than Vietnam does. Pho in Vietnam is authentic and all, but this place takes the SPIRIT of Pho and really runs a train on it, making some of the best stuff I've had anywhere. I don't have to write anything more about the beef Pho than what's already been written in other reviews. Great. What's amazing is the Chicken Pho - I've eaten at Xinh Xinh a few times but ignored it until recently. The chicken broth is usually bland at other places, and it usually tastes canned. Here, though, it's unreal - garlicky and complex, not too greasy, and just a little silky. They also give you exactly the right amount of meat, enough to make sure each spoonful of liquid crack in the bowl has a tender piece of chicken.
(5)
Jeff G.

I love going to Boston to get pho! It's as good as it gets!
(5)
Chris W.

The hot and sour soup is out of this world. The flavor is so good that when I am eating it I literally cannot think about anything else. It is unbelievably good. The only downside is that I find it hard to believe that I will ever be able to try anything else off the menu there. Everything else that I have had from there (before the hot and sour soup discovery) is also good. The wait staff is great.
(5)
Vanessa F.

Best pho in Chinatown. Or anywhere else around here for that matter. I usually get the beef and tendon but their house special spicy pho (I forget the name exactly, it comes in red broth) has a special place in my heart. Yes, I did just admit I love pho. Though it may be difficult when you have the option of pho, try any of their other dishes. Just awesome.
(5)
Aditi R.

3.5 stars This place is a comparatively small restaurant considering it's neighbors, Pho Pasteur & Penang. But it's appeal lies in the fact that it is small and much more friendlier than the other two. Not to mention that the vast cheap AND delicious menu they serve! Cold day outside and I wanted a bowl of Pho. I had the chicken curry Pho (I'm indian and cannot find myself escaping from curry even when it's not indian food...go figure) and my friend had the chicken curry with rice. The wait staff was incredibly nice and served us tea and water and waited patiently for our order as we tried to navigate the about 200 menu items that they serve. We started with the spring rolls which were absolutely delicious. The chicken curry pho was good, though I have to say I was slightly disappointed with the huge chicken piece that was in the pho. It was incredibly difficult to try and break up the chicken while eating the soup and I would have much rather had it in pieces. I found myself eating around the chicken piece; but the broth was incredible and I did enjoy it for the most part. My friend liked his dish as well as it as a good curry rendition. The best part about the entire meal was that it ended up being less than $25 including tip! Can't find this kind of deal around chinatown. I really liked this place and will be coming back to try more of their dishes. Though I will say that I liked the chicken curry Pho better at Pho Pasteur.
(3)
Jen H.

I was a virgin until Thursday... a Pho Virgin who had been wanting to pop that cherry for so long, I would have gone anywhere, with anyone, a gang for a Pho-bang, I didn't care.... I wanted it... I needed it... (Oh baby, oh baby)... I longed to be a Pho Hoe. Well, lucky for me my desire for Pho did not have to wait any longer, my time had finally arrived! I got Pho-banged by the Thursday Cock Sauce Pho-Hoes at Xinh Xinh... and mmmmmmm was it good. My virgin eyes glanced at the menu, and decided to go simple... Pho, Chicken, Broad Noodle... GIMMIE GIMMIE! When the waitress put it in front of me, I immediately grabbed some chopsticks and spoon and dove right in. It was good, but it needed something. Ahh, yes... a good 'ol squirt of some Cock Sauce.... that's what it needed! My Pho was immediately bumped up a notch (Leave it to the CS to do the trick). Now, being a newly de-virginized Pho Hoe, I can't compare this experience to anywhere else... or the taste to anything "authentic" or not. All I can say was... I liked it, and I want more. ('Aint that just like a virgin?) I will have to Pho Hoe myself around to be able to compare and tell you who's the best... but I'll tell ya this... regardless of anything else... you never forget your first... especially when your first was with about ten Thursday Cock Sauce Pho Hoes!!
(4)
Francisca W.

(review dated 12/07): their pho (soup noodle) is too choppy (little pieces) and may be overcooked (too soft), not made as perfectly as pho pasteur. either they don't know how to cook it or the noodle is of inferior quality. but food in general is acceptable, especially when you don't want to wait at the other places. the boss is very welcoming and attentive. one time he came to check on us and asked for our opinions. he actively sought our input and expressed gratitude for our patronage as well as telling him what we think. the kind of attention (by the owner, anyway) is something you will never get at pho pasteur, only two stores away. the curry chicken (you can ask for beef) on rice is my fav in this place, altho sometimes i'd go back to my grilled pork chop on (dry) vermicelli (it comes w/a vinegar sauce). btw, the place is not big and if you have groups larger than 4, good luck getting seated. i mean, the people there do try to accommodate, but sometimes there just aren't enough room to wiggle around. :)
(3)
Zach Y.

Portions: huge Prices: good Food and service: acceptable. I can't say anything very strongly about it one way or the other- which is sort of why I ended up with 3 stars. A lot of the reviews say it's great, so maybe we just got the wrong foods? I just wasn't particularly impressed.
(3)
Emily B.

I love this place. It is a small restaurant but very good. It is usually always consistently full. I have had their fresh rolls, bun, avocado bubble tea and pho and everything has been very good. The prices are good and the service is friendly and fast. This place would be hard to go with a group of more than 4 people just because of the size of the place. I will continue to bring my friends and recommend it to everyone!
(5)
Mcslimj B.

My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in town: delicious, fresh, cheap and friendly. The path to Chinatown is well-trodden by chowhounds seeking Asian authenticity at popular prices. But it can be maddening to watch Asian ex-pats enjoy delicacies that clearly aren't listed on your English-language menu, which at Chinese places is often limited to Americanized junk like General Gau's chicken. I can obviate this issue by pointing to some neighbor's tempting-looking dish, but if I love it, how do I reorder it next time? Thus it's a relief to sit down at Xinh Xinh, a Vietnamese/Chinese place with an English-language menu that doesn't dumb down the bill of fare. Vietnamese standbys include pho tai nam (noodle soup with ribeye and flank, $6-$7.25) with a superior broth, and light but satisfying bun (rice vermicelli plates, $6.50-$9) you can make less healthy with toppings such as grilled beef and fried spring rolls. It's fun to get ban hoi ($9), roll-your-own fresh spring rolls, to see if you can rival your college-era cigarette-rolling technique. It takes practice to dip dried rice-paper wrappers in hot water just long enough not to oversoften them, then roll up your fresh herbs, angel-hair rice noodles, cucumber, chopped peanuts, and protein fillings (grilled shrimp paste, beef, pork, shrimp, meatballs, or tofu) so the result doesn't look like a pregnant guppy. But even your malformed ones will be delicious. Xinh Xinh also offers some rarely seen Vietnamese standout dishes, such as banh mi bo kho (not to be confused with banh mi, the Vietnamese sub sandwich), listed in English as the French-bread dip plate ($6.50), a gorgeous beef stew variant with chunks of fatty flank, fresh cilantro, and a pair of warm dinner rolls for soaking up the broth. (The chicken version, with a more pronounced yellow-curry flavor, is also wonderful.) Kho to, Vietnamese hot pots, are actually caramelized catfish, salmon, shrimp, or pork ($10) in a cast-iron vessel, mostly unadorned but for the sweet, slightly fiery sauce -- not in the steamboat presentation the name might suggest. Chinese-leaning dishes include mi vit tiim, roast duck noodle ($7.50), egg/wheat noodles and choy in a clear broth with a very crisply barbecued quarter duck. The outstanding roster of cold drinks features iced coffee with condensed milk ($2.50) and superb fresh-fruit shakes ($3), including jackfruit and mango. With patient servers, a spare and bright little room, and no condescending to sorry monolingual Americans, Xinh Xinh delivers my favorite Vietnamese-restaurant experience in town.
(5)
Steph D.

I'm pretty sure the people that work at Xinh Xinh think I am a slut. Every person I meet I bring here... I've brought every date or friend I have ever had to this place to introduce them to it. Maybe 12 different guys in the last couple years. The serving sizes are amazing. The Pho tastes like Pho but everything else is superior to other restaurants. VITAL INFORMATION... if you LOVE spicy food and the wait/resses at some restaurants don't believe you when you say "No, really... I LIKE it REALLY spicy" at Xinh Xinh they believe you. The Spicy Beef Noodles are my favorite ever.
(4)
Ezra B.

Oh no, what the Pho?! Place is pretty damn good! Get the curry chicken Pho. Tasty and very different. Lots of veggies in their vegetable Pho so I was jamming on that action. Threw in a little chicken and it was quite the pleasing meal. I just can never quite get how to eat the stuff without being a total slop-fest. Fast, efficient service, nothing special, but the food is!
(4)
L F.

I think I found my new favorite Vietnamese place! I'm by no means an expert on Vietnamese food, and my go-to place is usually the 88 in Brighton cause it's close to my place... lame, now that I've had Xinh Xinh! I tried the lemongrass tofu with vermicelli, and the lemongrass tofu wrap platter -- sorry, I was on a lemongrass roll! My friends enjoyed their pho and chicken cabbage salads... I also liked: extremely reasonable prices :) We shall come back; in fact, meet us there this Friday at around 1pm!
(5)
Eric F.

Yet another quality lunch spot in Boston Chinatown. I tried the Grilled Chicken Vermicelli (Bun Ga Nuong) and it was very good - nicely marinated meat, fresh veggies, and warm vermicelli. As others have noted, the service here is exceptional and made for a very pleasant experience. Regarding the venue's smaller-than-average size, my party of four didn't have to wait at all when we went for lunch around noon yesterday, so perhaps some days are busier than others.
(3)
Julie T.

This is my second favorite place in Chinatown to eat besides Dong Khanh. Friendly & fast service. Decent priced food. And bubble tea! I order the same thing almost every time I come here. Spicy Pork Hot Pot with rice! Deeeeeeeelicious. The only downside is that it gets pretty crowded around lunch time and you might have to sit at a table with people you don't know... Awkward... haha.
(4)
Cobra K.

I've had better.
(3)
Jeffrey B.

Best VN food I have had in Boston. Drove up from NYC to enjoy the fresh vermicelli wraps. These are the ones where you get to dunk the rice paper in boiling water until they soften, then you make yourself an asian burrito... I must have been the oldest guy in the place - felt like a jam packed meeting of the Young Democrats Club. Doesn't change my opinion of the food, though!
(4)
Caro M.

Came here for a quick Vietnamese fix and left impressed. Their menu selection is quite varietal, and they even offer vegetarian options which is a rarity among most Vietnamese restaurants that I've been to in California. Brought some random dude out here with me to introduce him to the glory and splendor that is Vietnamese cuisine. We started off with the spring rolls which are pretty much hard to mess up since the peanut sauce usually masks any unseasoned load within the rice wrap. They were simple rolls. Tasty enough. I got the lemon grass tofu atop rice noodles and salad. I opted for peanut sauce instead of fish sauce since the whole process of fermenting the fish for that sauce kinda disgusts me. For Mr. Random dude, he got a bowl of Pho? with rare beef and beef balls. He didn't like the beef balls very much as the texture is pretty weird. Not only because they're balls, but eh- I don't know. I never really liked beef balls myself before I became a vegetarian. The broth was flavored just right, not too bland and not too salty. When I pour hoisin sauce in my Pho, I usually squirt a shitload... but since he was a Pho virgin, I told him to take it easy. ;) The best part of my dining experience was watching the left handed Mr. Random dude attempt to use chopsticks with his right hand. Surprisingly he did a great job and kept at it, one noodle at a time. I felt like taking those chopsticks away from him and feeding him like a big baby. Haha. Anyway, I'd definitely go to Xinh Xinh again if I were in the Chinatown vicinity. Cheap and easy, like a ho.
(4)
Michael P.

#16: Steamy hot extra large bowl of pho, buried in a generous amount of all cuts of beef, topped with my own humongo pile of bean sprouts and layers of basil leaves for $7.50. DEFINITELY hit the spot. It's soooo goood! Thank ya yelp for putting this place on the map. I'm too used to walking down Washington St. and not noticing any other pho shop besides Pho Pasteur. Xinh Xinh has won me over. Xinh Xinh, meet my wallet.
(5)
Doreen X.

I probably should've ran after surveying the room: homogenous suburbanites. Generally, that bodes poorly for authentic Asian food, and it was exactly the case at Xinh Xinh. Nothing particularly jumped out from the items that we ordered. Specifically, Xinh Xinh's pho was quite disappointing in its sad, greasy small-for-pho bowl. Spring rolls were exactly "A-OK". As to ambiance, I'm not expecting much since it's cheap, but the shake machine in the back of dining room overwhelms conversation when it is used. Food processing belongs in the kitchen for a reason, Xinh Xinh. Once upon a time, this may have been a good place to seek pho. However, all these positive reviews may have allowed slippage. For now, the search continues for good pho . . .
(3)
Cecilia L.

This perpetually crowded Chinatown spot has awesome pho, awesome grilled meat and rice dishes, and quick, friendly service. What more could you want for a long lunch hour or convenient, affordable dinner?
(4)
Paul L.

In hopes to further expand my palete, I've let the Lady start picking more food destinations, as she's a much more adventurous eater than I. Last night prior to a concert she guided me to Xinh Xinh and it was pretty good. I got the tofu hot pot, which was in fact so hot, that the sauce was still bubbling at the bottom, making the tofu appear to dance in the bowl. It did take little time for it to be hot enough to eat, but thankfully we had the veggie spring rolls to hold us over until then. The lady got the lemongrass tofu and it was tasty - and it even had some vegetables other than onions and scallions in it. They staff is very veggie friendly, asking about if certain sauces were okay and making sure needs were met. The price was right, the service was very quick and friendly. I'm not used to that kind of food or spice, but I'd think about going back after some time off. Side note: has anyone had the Durian smoothie? I've only ever seen this fruit on Farmville, so I asked the hostess and she compared it to a pungent, rotten egg like taste. She went on to say it was good thing to try if you want to play a joke on someone.
(3)
Garrett B.

My best friends brought me here before the symphony and I can easily say that it was one of my most memorable nights since moving to Boston. Xinh Xinh is a little hole in the wall which I probably would have just walked past if it hadn't been for the great reviews on Yelp. The food was delicious, authentic, and relatively cheap. I ordered a vermicelli noodle dish which I thoroughly enjoyed. The spring rolls were AMAZING as was the peanut sauce which accompanied them. I found the service to be very attentive and kind. I almost felt like I was dining in someone's home due to the great care the staff put into their service. While Xinh Xinh may lack atmosphere, it makes up for it in quality and value. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Jay S.

I have been visiting Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown for almost 10 years. They come and go. Right now (2009) this is my favorite. Most of them have horrendous service. This one is different. They are friendly and helpful and actually speak English clearly. They even offer you a fork instead of giving you a puzzled look. My favorite is the seafood noodle soup. It is very good and one of the best I have had. I also like spring rolls, and theirs is very good. This is my second visit to them and not my last.
(4)
Leighann F.

Xinh Xinh succeeds admirably in the Lunch Triumvirate: Cheap Fast Delicious The food is cheap and you get a lot...if you're not full after a giant bowl of their noodles and a bubble shake, there is no hope for you! The lunch service is fast and the staff is really, really nice. We've come here twice in the afternoon (and called ahead with a warning, er, reservation for our lunch group) and the staff is nothing but nice and accommodating. The food is delicious. Though I'll admit on my first visit I found hair in my soup, the staff quickly exchanged it for a new soup and I then proceeded to love every last noodle. Best Pho in town? All signs point to yes, but I need to do more research for making such a bold claim.
(4)
David S.

This is probably the smallest Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown, but don't be fooled... the menu is huge. I used to eat here for lunch every once in a while, and had the usual... either a chicken salad, a seafood noodle soup, or a vermicelli bowl. It's always been good, and dependably good, but not superlative. They also have meaty rice porridge, and interesting specials. The last time I went, however, I ordered the large hot and sour soup, since I've ordered that at other places and it's a good thing to linger over during a rainy lunch. OMFG... I did NOT expect what came out... a huge sizzling silvery soup turreen with blue flames shooting out of the top, filled with an amazingly tasty pineapple-tomato-shrimp-sprout mix floating in broth so delicious it can't be legal. Due to bad planning, my lunch compatriot had also ordered a large bowl of duck noodle soup, which was good, but really... it couldn't compare. The hot and sour soup is AWESOME there. I forecast having a craving for this dish at least once a month, mostly likely on an overcast rainy day. So plan accordingly, and save me a spot!
(5)
G J J.

Phenomenal food, great prices, good service and nice people. I ordered the hot pot and boy was it really hot and tasty. Surprisingly great flavor for a place that looks like it would not be that extraordinary. Appetizer spring rolls were marvelous. I would highly recommend this place to all.
(5)
Janssen M.

Good size vegetarian menu, had the lemon grass tofu it was so good I take back all the bad things I've ever said about tofu. Our waiter warned me that the dish was spicy it wasn't terribly spicy (tongue of steel here), but it was a very nice sweet heat.
(5)
Sara S.

Alright. I've been here two times in the past 24 hours so I think I'm pretty qualified to write a review for Xinh Xinh. This place is the kind of place that I would never go to if it were not for Yelp, because to be honest, Pho didn't sound all that great, nor did Xinh Xinh as a restaurant. However, I will now say I am a big pho fan (just in time for the winter!). I really love that a.) you can pick your type of broth b.) very generous with fresh veggies and c.) white meat chicken (I am very particular about white meat chicken breast). I don't know what could be more satisfying than a huge bowl filled with veggies and tofu/chicken on a cold winter night. Yesterday, I got the "Pho Dau Hu Va Rau Cai", better known as Tofu and Vegetable Noodle Soup. I was served a heaping plate of vermicelli noodles with mushrooms, celery, peppers, and other vegetables, with pan fried tofu in a mild chicken broth. Today, I got the "Bun Dau Hu Xa O't", Lemongrass Tofu with Vermicelli. This was SO good. If you prefer more noodles and less broth, this is for you! It was served with peanut sauce, and let me tell you- this was the best peanut sauce I've ever had. We started with the "Goi Cuon Tom" (Fresh Spring Rolls- awesome!) and the "Chao Tom" Grilled Shrimp Paste on Sugar Cane. Sounds weird and particularly gross, but it was basically a "slab" of shrimp served on top of a sugar cane. Didn't see the actual purpose of the sugar cane, nor did it add any flavor to the dish, but whatever. It was tasty. Xinh Xinh is great, but not five stars because the service tonight wasn't as attentive and we were seated right in front of the door that kept opening and closing with cold air blowing in. Don't like that. Clean but no frills atmosphere. Very reasonably priced!
(4)
Erica S.

I haven't reviewed Xinh Xinh yet? FAIL! Well I'll just jump right in and say-- it's f%#king delicious! And SO cheap! I'm loving the veggie tofu noodle soup (listed on the beef soup menu, but available with veggie broth, fyi), for only $6.50. Such a steal! Or try any of the rice plates... I particularly love the lemongrass tofu. Yes, an actual vegetarian friendly pho spot in Chinatown! No fine print, no surprise chunks of meat. Vegetarians, come one, come all! It's pretty much impossible to spend more than $10 to fill your belly and put a smile on your face at Xinh Xinh. And that, my friends, is why I am here at least once a week! ;-)
(5)
Theresa J.

Everything I have ever eaten here was delicious and I have eaten here a lot. This is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant on Earth. They have really good duck noodle soup. Their fried spring rolls and shakes are just AWESOME. The servers are nice and friendly. I would give them more stars if I could.
(5)
Spencer N.

Pho has been hard to come by since I moved to Boston. However, has been the best pho ive had since ive been here. Its small and seems like it gets forgotten because it is between Pho Hoa and Pho Pasteur. While it is slightly sad, its better for me because it means more tables and fast pho =) The broth is great. I love everything about pho, but im ALL about a good broth. Because it is such a small place, the service and staff are really really nice. Great shakes too! Their take out is good too. By the time i got home, the broth was still boiling hot! Sooo nice.
(4)
EricaLynn J.

Me: Mom! Guess what? Mom (sighing): What? I'm in the middle of about four or five things right now and really can't talk. Can you call back later? Me: But it's really important! Mom: ... Me: I'm getting married. Mom: You *what*? Me: I'm getting MARRIED. [sound of telephone hitting the floor] [sound of scrambling to pick it up] Mom: Repeat that again? Just so I am sure I got it right? Me: I'm getting married! I am totally getting married!!! Mom: WOW! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you, this is amazing news. Wow, ok. Let me just go into the other room here... I gotta sit down. Now... I didn't even know you were dating someone! Me: I'm not. Mom: Well, of course you're not, now you're a fiancee, so it's well past the 'dating' phase. But we talk all the time so I thought for sure I'd know if you got serious with somone enough to marry them.... oh, no, are you pregnant? WHO DID THIS? Me: NO. Mom: NO WHAT? Me: I'm not pregnant, Mom. Mom: So who is this guy? Me: There's no guy. Mom: There's no guy? I know you live in Massachusetts now, but I didn't realize you... Me: I'm not a lesbian. Mom: What's that show? Where Demi Moore's young husband comes and tricks you? What is that show? It's on the tip of my tongue. Me: You're not being Punk'd. Mom: So who are you marrying? Me: Xinh Xinh. Mom: Ding Ding? Me: Xinh Xinh. It's Vietnamese. Mom: That's two words? Me: Yes. Xinh Xinh. It's absolutely fabulous and I'm going to marry it. Mom: It? Me: Uh huh. I have tried so many Vietnamese places, and I finally found the perfect one, it tops them all. There are so many Pho choices, all of them prepared really well. The pho ga - chicken with noodles - so good, my mouth is watering just thinking about it now. And you can get yellow noodles, broad noodles, and even add egg to any Pho dish.., spring rolls, any combination, any meat and fish you want, tons of stuff for vegetarians, and they are glad to adhere to special requests or substitutions.The service is quick and efficient and it's really just a hidden gem. Mom: You're talking about food? Me: Not just food. It's an experience. It's such a little place and it's so not showy, so you almost miss it, but once you go, once you *know*, you can't turn back. It's the best Vietnamese around. Mom: You're talking about food. Me: An experience, Mom. Mom: Next time you have one of these, um, experiences, do me a favor. Me: What's that? Mom: Don't make me think you're going to give me grandchildren. Me: Fine. Mom: And when can you take me to this Xinh Xinh place? It sounds delectable. Me: When can you get here? Mom: Leaving now. Me: Thought you had a lot to do? Mom: Thought you were getting married. Me: I'll get us a table.
(5)
Emily M.

I loved this place. The staff is friendly and attentive, the food is amazing, the atmosphere is comfortable. Definitely one of the most relaxing places I have eaten at. The sauces that come with the appetizers were amazing, we kept them for dipping with our meals. The portions are big but the bill wasn't. We left reluctantly yet satisfied. Can't wait to go back for some more meat on a stick.
(5)
Alicia B.

Xinh Xinh = YUM YUM Talk about incredible service and incredible pho. My date and I ordered the pho gai with egg. Totally delicious. The broth was the perfect thing for a chilly Boston night. Their milk tea with pearls was tasty, too. Some may think this place is expensive, but when you can grab a hearty dinner in Boston for under $20, I say you're lucky. The cost has been marked up a little, but that's the way it goes. I don't mind supporting a local business! Plus, the food is delicious. It's worth every cent.
(4)
Daniel M.

I went over my lunch time by an hour thanks to this place. Due to slow service? No Pho king way. It was due to the amazing food that was so good it's not Pho knee. So we said Pho kit* and stayed to savor every last bite enjoying several 'Pho cue, I'm eating' moments. The soup was light, flavorful and chock full of crisp, beautiful veggies. With the addition of the sauces and Thai basil this was so fantastic that I'm getting a bit drool-y thinking about it now. All for $6. I'm cheap, so what? Pho cough. The staff was friendly and welcoming and I liked the homey feel of the restaurant. I can see how they would become overwhelmed easily but we were lucky enough to score a table right away and hog it for quite some time with no issues. In the end our total for two with an appetizer and a bubble tea ended up less than $20. Hell Pho king yes! I can't wait to go back, though I may get take away so as to avoid getting fired. *stolen from Melly B.
(5)
Patrick S.

Really solid pho. I get it to go whenever I'm in town for business and its just awesome. The staff is really polite, food is solid. Highly recommended.
(5)
Michelle L.

I was inspired by the positive reviews to try my very first bowl of pho here last night. It was right before a final, and I was on a tight schedule, so I was hoping service would be fast-- something that seems to be rare in Boston, though I don't mind if I don't have anywhere I *have* to be. It was a freezing cold night; just walking from the Chinatown station was enough to numb my face. I was ready for my steaming bowl of pho as soon as I walked in the door. Lucky me, service was immediate, and continued to be attentive to the point where I have to suspect the waitstaff of reading my mind. They served me in exactly the amount of time I had to spare before heading to class. It was glorious timing. And the pho was what I'd hoped. I opted for the brisket, and enjoyed it, though I added a little spice myself for that extra-tasty kick. It was warm and an enormous amount of food for the money-- the heartiest bowl of soup I think I've ever had. It was perfect for a winter's night, and I know I'll be back.
(4)
Stephanie T.

We were walking through Chinatown, wondering where we should eat, and people literally stopped us and pointed Xinh Xinh out to us from the sidewalk. It was great food, very clean flavors, quick & friendly service, and cheap! Highly recommended.
(4)
Aleks K.

Hands down, best Vietnamese place in Boston. Having moved to San Francisco over a year ago, one would think that I would have found an equally good if not better Vietnamese place for pork or beef bun, but no, that place is still Xinh Xinh for me. Luckily, I travel back Boston regularly, so I get to visit Xinh Xinh for my bun fix.
(5)
Kathleen A.

3.5 stars I think their pho broth tastes better compared to Pho Pasteur, but the meat tasted chewy and old. I tend to crave a bowl of pho when I have had a bad day, but having it here left me unsatisfied. But, the waitstaff here is very hospitable and friendly, which somewhat makes me feel bad for giving a barely average review of the food.
(3)
Sean M.

I eat lunch here almost weekly. I drag all my friends here. It would be dishonest not give them star 5. Recently I've been trying to eat less meat, great vegetarian choices here.
(5)
Alex S.

Sweet sassy molassy, the reviews weren't fooling. The food at Xinh Xinh simply does not disappoint--and fortunately, nor does the service. Each time I've been here, I have been welcomed at the door with a genuine smile, and my dietary questions were answered thoroughly and truthfully. The staff is incredibly accommodating and helpful; and the food is just out of this world. Their vegetarian pho ($6.50), topped with a healthy amount of roasted garlic and cilantro, is just delicious. It's listed under the beef menu, but they will happily substitute the broth for vegetable bouillon. (On my first visit, the waiter even asked me, without my mentioning it first, if I was vegan. That's pretty rare.) Xinh Xinh is very generous with the quantity of vermicelli noodles, and they pack the bowl full of a variety of tasty veggies. Their spicy lemongrass tofu and curry rice places ($11 each, including rice) are also outstanding, and just a little complex. It's a lot more than you'd expect from a hole in the wall in Chinatown. Xinh Xinh totally lives up to the hype. Check it out, but for the love of science, don't go at noon. It's jam packed. Take a late lunch. Besides, the food is so good, you'll want to be hungry so you can stuff it all down.
(4)
Xtine B.

Don't order the appetizers or you'll never be able to finish your pho! I ate here the other day while visiting. Not bad at all. Someone else reviewed it and mentioned that they have real vegetarian pho, something that's pretty difficult to come by outside of my kitchen. I tried, I liked it, I'd come back for more.
(4)
Amanda L.

My current obsession: Pho So call me selfish when I basically decided on my own that me and a good friend of mine were going to have dinner at Xinh Xinh. I don't care. This place is definitely a hole in the wall place. In my experience though, these places are usually where you find the best food. Xinh Xinh is no exception. I went straight for the pineapple shake, and it did not disappoint. While $3.00 does seem a lot, especially with the prices on some of the other items, it is so worth it. I got the Vermicelli Bun with chicken and holy crap I did not stop eating it until the bowl was EMPTY. I neglected to dump the sauce into my bowl (I didn't know it was mine to dump) but it was still delicious nonetheless. And at $6.95 for a gigantic bowl satiates the fat kid in me and makes my wallet happy at the same time. My dinner companion slurped down his concoction and it was nice that they gave him the option of beef, chicken, or veggie broth (he's a vegetarian). They also give you a choice of hot tea or iced tea, which I liked. So basically, need to go to this place more often (lunch date anyone?). It's edged out Pho Pasteur by a hair, only because I like the taste better, and I believe they are cheaper. They don't have the different bowl sizes like Pasteur does, but I'm always content with a small bowl, so it doesn't bother me too much.
(4)
Aileen Q.

Can't say enough good about this place. GREAT pho soup and excellent service. Pho is my go-to when I have a cold. It's like a magic bullet. Who needs the doctor's office when I can self-medicate with yummy pho ga soup? The ONLY downside is that they don't deliver.
(4)
Tom E.

...remove that asterisk and let it be known that the Pho of Xinh Xinh is the best in Chinatown and the cheapest full-to-you-burst belly lunch in the Downtown area. The best Pho in Boston? Sorry, but I've still got to go with Pho Hoa in Dorch (like Corn Flakes - it's the original, and still the best!). What can really pull Xinh Xinh up to star quality is the smiles you get from the staff, the depth of the menu and the fantastic shakes. This is no secret - come here for a Sunday lunch and you may have to wait for a table, but make sure you do wait as Boston's Chinatown has nothing better when it comes to aromatic cuisine depth-charged with herbs and fresh vegetables. So a five star plus a four star update hits my ideal verdict of a 4.5 star for Xinh Xinh and it's Scrabble-porn name. Pho Hoa in Dorchester is still the king but Xinh Xinh is the local usurper.
(4)
patrick w.

After eating here many times I am still a very strong fan of this restaurant. One warning though for my vegan/vegetarian brethren: All the "vegetarian" items on the menu include fish sauce. If you want a vegetarian meal you really have to say NO FISHIES for me. They are are certainly willing to do this, but for some reason just don't understand that fish are not part of the vegetarian/vegan diet.
(4)
Ben K.

Phee Phiii Phooo Phum. YUM. Pho, eggrolls, spring rolls, and ban xeo are the best. Every time I've veered away from these, I've been a little disappointed. Way better than other pho places in the city, and much more traditional.
(4)
Jon H.

You know what? I went back and ordered the special pho bowl, and it was a great portion for a buck more. So do that instead.
(4)
Soham B.

One of my all-time favorites. Now. I have to begin by saying that i don't have much exposure to vietnamese food so i can't provide a objectified opinion based on knowledge of what's standard or default. That given-- everything i've eaten here is plain delicious, and that not only stimulates my mind, but it makes my gutty works all happy inside. I suppose, like a good movie, this establishment resonated with me for a few days afterwards, the food's sensuous pleasures where crystallizing in my head and i began to really consider what i would have next. I went back, and it was just as good. Let me follow these sortof hyperbolic statements by saying that it isn't perfection. But a big bowl of steaming pho in an icebox New England winter is incredibly satisfying. A tiny roast quail, almost batlike in its presentation is a savory and crunchy (ate the bones and all) addition to the meal which harkens to a time and place when the biggest baddest game wasn't always available. The durian milkshake tastes like onion-infused garbage to some and delightfully sweet cheese-like funky to others. I am in the latter category. And the tiny, nearly hole-in-the-wall ambiance is right up my alley. The service is friendly and attentive, and the crowds can be quite interesting sometimes. I went here once and saw a round-table of either successful high-school teachers or middle-aged actors and was so caught in their surreal sitcom-like rapture that i nearly forgot to eat my meal. Xinh Xinh. Stop by sometime. It's good.
(5)
Dave C.

Best spring rolls. Best fried rice. Best.
(4)
Tom D.

I usually stick to Pho Pasteur when eating in Chinatown, Boston, because I never know what to order at other restaurants, and risk disappointment by venturing out. But, a friend told me to give Xinh Xinh a try, so I did. I ordered the beef vermicelli to compare their food to Pho Pasteur. Xinh Xinh's vermicelli was just as good, and $1 cheaper! That day I decided never to go to Pho Pasteur again. I was going to be that all-knowing Chinatown insider who tells people that Pho Pasteur is overhyped, and that there's a cheaper, less crowded, equally delicious Vietnamese restaurant on the same block. Unfortunately, I went back a week later and they had tacked an extra dollar onto the vermicelli, along with most other selections on the menu. Shucks. This place is still really good, though, and may have a more eclectic selection of food than Pho Pasteur. I'll probably still go there sometimes, even though I'm not saving a buck anymore.
(4)
Jared S.

Thank you once again, Yelp. In a sea of dumpy (and some not-so-dumpy) restaurants in Chinatown, you came through in the clutch. Partied a bit too hard the night before. Suffered through work all day. Luckily didn't get fired. Made it back to my hotel and passed out for a few hours. Woke up still hungover and dehydrated. Thought about some greasy chinese food. Came across this on yelp. Figured pho would be just as good at curing the hangover. It was. $11. Seafood noodle soup (ok, not technically pho, but I live in the desert now and must order seafood whenever I'm out of town) and a red bean shake with balls. Tremendous. A splash of the world's most popular hot sauce for some added kick. Even the bean sprouts were huge and crunchy. The staff was amazingly friendly. Can't ask for much more than that.
(5)
Doris K.

Be prepared for a hole in the wall joint that makes pretty decent pho and other Vietnamese dishes. I have tried the pho satay, pho tai (pho with sliced beef), mi bo kho (spicy beef noodle soup), and the BBQ pork chop with rice. All have been fine. When compared to Houston pho places, Xinh Xinh would just be mediocre but in Boston it's a sure hit. The staff is actually friendly here, and they often check to see if you need anything else. Shocker! Restrooms: Down the back hallway and to the right, the bathrooms just smell like a septic tank although they look to be decent.
(4)
Blanche F.

My dad was with me and said his Pho was ok. I had the fried rice, which is usually a safe dish to get in most places. It was cold and grainy. Maybe they have better dishes that are better.
(3)
Zhi L.

Decent food but not as good as what I expected from a 4 star place. Portion of pho was somewhat small and rice dishes were not that great. Would go to other options in Chinatown
(3)
Lauren B.

I am a vegetarian/pescatarian who only makes concessions for chicken broth in really good Vietnamese noodle soup. I decided to give Xinh Xinh a try and definitely felt that it was worth putting all of my ethical (not eating meat helps save the world) and rational (I don't really like animals) beliefs aside. My enormous bowl of shrimp/veggie pho was tasty and fresh. I complimented it with a decadent avacado shake with condensed milk (not cream- that's too heavy) that was divine. I would advise coming hungry and expect there to be long pauses in conversation that are replaced by slurping noises... slllllllllllllrrrrrrrrp....
(5)
Cary C.

Extra Large Pho to-go? Just say no. umm.... Fo' Sho? I've been here a few times and I really want to to love this place. The noodle soups are pretty good, but not great. The first time I went here I've got the Pho Xe Lua (extra large beef pho with everything, tendon, tripe, etc.) I took it back to the office and then realized I had no idea how I was going to eat it (The container the broth was in was 7/8ths full.) I'll spare you the details of this disaster, but let's just say coffee cups were not a good idea and that my desk now smells of oxtail broth. By the way, lesson learned and I don't dock Xinh Xinh any points for this. But the Pho itself was fairly unremarkable. I've had a few other noodle soups like the Bun Rieu - fish paste with shrimp and crabmeat noodle soup. It was pretty good except for the fact that it was very oily and had 1 shrimp. I mean I guess that legally qualifies as "with shrimp" but it's a little stingy. Speaking of stingy, Xinh Xinh is also slightly pricier than their competitors and they up charge 50 cents to get your order to-go. I definitely understand why, however none of their competitors do that. The reason this place is probably rated so high is because the staff here is much friendlier than all the other Pho establishments. That is nice, but I don't put much weight on service in Asian restaurants. You want extra stars for service here? Forget it Jake, It's Chinatown
(3)
Mr B.

Don't go for environment, fresh ingredients and dive atmosphere, and surely the overwhelming number of reviews speaks for itself in terms of the merit of a stop in. It's likely a wonderful place to get something to go and if this same quality of food were put on your plate in a more ambiance stated location it would be three times the price! Good value for the money and without this many positive reviews I simply don't know how anyone would even think to walk through the doors...
(4)
Linda L.

lunch with a friend while in Boston for the day. vermicelli bowls + bubble tea for both of us--savory + frothy, respectively. clientele looked mostly like young professionals from this area getting lunch. quick service, slightly cleaner than their NYC chinatown counterparts!
(4)
lach l.

Fast service, delicious vietnamese food late at night. Tiny seating area may make it hard to find seating during prime time.
(4)
Aretha B.

Deelish Pho. The broth was great, the noodles were fresh and not overcooked, the beef was tasty (though not even close to rare). 5.50 for what I would metaphorically refer to as a boner in a bowl. The service was very helpful. The taro with pearl shake? I was let down. Tasted too... thick, and the pearls were hard. I will come back to try more stuff on the menu, everything they brought out looked delicious.
(4)
Lanoi P.

I was also a loyal patron of Pho Hoa and Pho Pastuer... they knew my face and I'm sure had a nice flow chart of the different boys I dragged in every Sunday morning for a nice huge bowl of pho (best way to rid a hangover!!!!) at this point, its hard to mess up pho. All you really need to see is the usual lucky cat and rando asian momentos to know the food will be authentic, made fresh by the "uncle" in the family. anyways, Xinh Xinh now has my loyalty for unwavering and wonderful service. and awesome BBQ beef spring rolls. also the satay pho is beyond yummy!
(5)
Sarah L.

I lived in Nam for 6 months, and just love VN'se food so will seek it out in any city. I found this place by walking around, searching for the least pretentious-looking Vietnamese place in Chinatown. Now it's the only place I'll go for a pho bo or bun bo fix. The food here is about as authentic as VN'se food can get in America. If you're vegetarian, get the bun with tofu and ask for peanut sauce instead of fish sauce. Deeeelicious. Shakes are good too, as well as the DIY spring rolls. And cheap! Lam, the owner, is super friendly and will talk your ear off about sports if you let him. Once, he even walked with me to show me where I could buy Tiger beer (now that's customer service!) If you're lucky, his baby son will be there too. I love this place since the whole family is always hanging around!
(5)
Nikolette C.

I LOVE the Vermicelli! It is the best vermicelli I have ever tasted. My friend said the Pho is really good too. The service is good and they are really fast! I have had better bubble tea though. But I do love their fresh spring rolls. So So Good!! I will definitely be coming here again and love the low prices. This is my new favorite chinatown spot!!
(5)
Ginger C.

I love pho. And I love tiny noodle shops. I stopped by Xinh Xinh this weekend to satisfy a pho craving and left satisfied if not amazed. I had fresh spring rolls for an appetizer which was good. I didn't feel like the vermicelli was overwhelming like some other Vietnamese restaurants I've been to. The dipping sauce (was it supposed to be peanut?) was bland. I skipped it for gobs of chili sauce. I had the pho with beef tendon and brisket. I was underwhelmed. It just seemed to be missing something and the beef cuts were overdone and inedible. It wasn't the worst pho I've had but it was far from the best. I'll have to keep looking for a noodle shop to call my own in Boston. The fresh lime soda and fresh lychee soda almost make it worth returning. They were amazing.
(3)
Louis P.

How the heck this place get a good review???? Their food is not that great, especially considering it's located in Chinatown? I can easily get better asian food in Peabody at a local pho place... I got their rolls and curry and I was very disappointed.... Service was also pretty bad as well, which I'm not suprised... Save yourself a trip and go elsewhere...
(1)
Charles T.

Standard quality Pho compared to the other spots around town. Decent service as well.
(3)
Lisa C.

This place is great! We were looking for a place to grab dinner the other night and decided that this was the one for us. Even though we don't live nearby, we decided it would probably be worth it to hop a train and head down there (based on friends' recommendations and yelp reviews). Needless to say, we were not disappointed. We started with fresh rolls that were both tasty and very fresh. I ordered pho and my boyfriend got some kind of a spicy sauteed chicken. The pho was HUGE and absolutely delicious. The broth was so flavorful, i was very happy. the chicken dish was good too- not super special but definitely solid. Great meal for very cheap, and very quick, too.
(4)
Michaela L.

After three visits in less than a week I declared this our new cafeteria. Star #1 goes to the friendly friendly people who work here. Seeing genuine smiles after walking through 24 mile an hour winds in below freezing temperatures made the ordeal of getting here seem okay. Once we ordered takeout because it was so late but they let us sit and eat inside anyway, unpacked the bag and didn't seem bothered in the least. These are happy people. Star #2 goes to the Rare Beef Noodle Soup which is muuuuuuuuch better than its counterpart at Pho Pasteur or Le's, though I can't really say it helped me get over my latest cold any faster. The House Special Spicy Sate Beef soup is pretty great too. Stars #3 and 4 go to this fabulous thing not on the takeout menu, which is basically do-it-yourself salad rolls. You can choose which meat (or tofu), and it comes with the rice paper you dip in hot water to soften, then use to wrap up your protein, fresh basil and mint leaves, lettuce, carrot shreds, and soft rice noodes. I've tried both the lemongrass chicken and lemongrass tofu and my mouth is watering just thinking about it again. Star #5 goes for the prices. Dinner for two including appetizer (but no dessert, see below) hasn't run us more than $25, including tip. What this place is NOT: --Good for romantic date: too much light, intermittent sound of blender making bubble tea and shakes --Good for dessert: probably unless you're Vietnamese and have a thing for a multi-layered confection that I believe involves bean paste. Definitely not my thing.
(5)
Ladyjane S.

I've only ever been here for pho and while the broth is decent, it is not very flavorful and the meat was very tough. It wasn't my best pho experience but it wasn't the worst either. The pho noodles were delicious and the service is great.
(3)
Cleopatra P.

Pho Pasteur was my initiation into the delicious word of pho, but it was its next door neighbor, Xinh Xinh, that won my heart. I usually get the beef and tendon noodle soup (random cow parts never tasted so good!), which, regardless of what size you order, will likely come in a bowl the size of your head. The portions are ample, the fare hearty, and the broth is especially flavorful and delicious. The ambiance here tends more toward a large family dining room than a restaurant--there are only a few tables and it's not uncommon to see the owners and their family chowing down along with the patrons. The service is also extremely friendly and attentive. Living at the end of the Red line, I don't get to grab a meal here as much as I'd like, but Xinh Xinh is a cheap, fast, and high-quality dining spot in Chinatown that strikes just the right note between a hole in the wall and a cozy family joint.
(4)
Blair H.

Stopped by for a couple of bowls of Pho after hearing the good reviews. The service was very nice, prompt, and curteous. The Pho was just average. The problem with Pho around here is that a good bowl (in the states) has to cost around $12, but no one will pay that much. The top ingredients are water, MSG, and salt...instead of water and beef. The noodles and the meat were actually pretty good. The tendon was soft and flavorful, while the tripe was tripey and stomachy. Also had a couple of spring rolls that were unremarkable. On the plus side, the place was clean, warm, and cheap. But my search for Pho continues.
(3)
Daniel C.

I was in town for business and decided to stop by before catching my train home. Since my train was departing at 12:15pm, I stopped by at 11am for lunch. A bit early, but I hadn't eaten breakfast. I was the first customer. I started with the usual summer rolls with shrimp and pork. They were freshly prepared and the ingredients were very good quality. However, the peanut sauce wasn't to my liking. I realize that peanut sauces will vary from brand to brand. The one that Xinh Xinh uses was less sweet and had a smoky flavor that I didn't like. But the rolls themselves were very good. I then ate my standard bun with grilled pork. Again, very fresh ingredients. But I didn't like the grilled pork. A few too many pieces were grilled to char. And not enough flavor to the pork. Overall, I'll say I was disappointed given the fairly high reviews that I read. Perhaps the pho is really good. But given the high humidity the day that I dropped by, I didn't want to have pho. Would I try this place again? Maybe, though only if I couldn't find something else.
(2)
Jenny Y.

A friend and I only had a few more hours until we had to hit the airport for home, so we made this our last lunch place, and boy, am I glad we did. We were running on very little sleep, but there's nothing like fresh pho and Vietnamese coffee to kick you in the ass. If you're a light to medium eater, you might be able to share a bowl with someone. It was my friend's first Viet lunch, and I couldn't help but sneak sips from his coconut water drink. Unlike many of the Vietnamese places in Michigan, this place actually has a lot of fun drinks to wash down your meal with. Don't be shy about asking your server about the menu - we even got a free Vietnamese language class out of it (we apparently suck at saying coconut water in anything but English).
(5)
Emily B.

I dream about Pho from Xinh Xinh. It really is that delightful. This place is pretty sparse on the inside, but the service is great, the Pho arrives about 5 minutes after you order it and besides, who needs things to look at when you could be slurping down a giant bowl of Pho. YUM!
(5)
Dominique W.

I love this place! Chicken curry pho is to DIE for! Spring rolls are light and tasty! The service could be better, but they are all super nice and speak english which is a god-send for this Bostonian. The restaurant is super clean and is def what I'd call a hole in the wall kind of place (the good kind). I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Katie D.

Close to 200 reviews! It's not like Xinh Xinh needs my two cents, but actually yeah it does. See, I grew up with Vietnamese home cooking and I took it for granted as you can't find any authentic home cooking in mid-Michigan. So naturally, upon arriving in Boston, I wanted to check out East Coast Vietnamese cuisine. Sure glad that I found Xinh Xinh. Didn't opt for pho since it was so hot out. I had the vermicelli with bbq beef and egg rolls. The portion was huge and most importantly, it was delicious. Definitely felt like I was home again. The service was great. I only had water but my glass was never empty. And they also boxed up my leftovers.
(4)
Nicole E.

Holy deliciousness! I have quickly become a huge fan of Pho since giving my Pho virginity up sometime around 6 months ago. My first experience was a gentle lover that whet my appetite. I have since decided to play the field and experience other Phos. That's when I met Xinh Xinh (courtesy of the Pho Hos). The food is fun and fast. I like trying something new each time I visit. Noodles, soups, I've even given those black pearls another shot! Let's just say my first less than awesome experience at Tea Luxe had turned me off completely. These guys obviously know what they are doing. I'll have them put the balls in my beverages- shakes, lychee w/ice, etc. I love the taste! One afternoon I brought a friend who had never experienced the wonder of Pho before. She's sold. I promise that there is something you will enjoy here! The service has always been prompt and friendly. The inexpensive heaping mounds of veggies, noodles, and (sometimes) meat or seafood can easily be 2 or 3 meals. I honestly can't think of a single complaint further than the food tends to be saltier, but that's the nature of the cuisine. So what are you waiting for? GO! Go now! I'll see you there.
(4)
Justin G.

Xinh Xinh has been a staple of my diet for about a year now since I bought a place in the Leather District. It all started one day when a friend and I were walking down Beach Street looking for something new to try. We stumbled upon Xinh Xinh and were quickly greeted outside by one of the gentlemen that works there... I think he is part of the family that owns it. He was very nice and insisted that we come inside and try it out... little did we know that we were about to embark on one of the best tasting meals that either of us had ever had. The food at Xinh Xinh is prepared fresh, from scratch while you wait and the ingredients are always top-notch in my opinion. Most of the food cooks quick so there is minimal wait. Some of my favorites here at the Goi Cuon, Pho Tai and the Com Ga Sa Ot. They also make a kick-ass curry sauce. I highly recommend Xinh Xinh to anyone that loves fresh Vietnamese food accompanied by great service.
(5)
Erdan L.

Tried many pho places. Nothing special about this Pho. Don't understand why so many people mentioned the pho
(1)
Tricia N.

I had a big craving for canh chua & ca kho to so I barely even looked at the menu. The food was great, it hit the spot. I felt like a little bit of a traitor by going to a different Vietnamese restaurant than my usual in Quincy. This is a great place, but a little more expensive than all the other Vietnamese restaurants....so 3 stars
(3)
Amy C.

This is probably my favorite pho place in chinatown. it's a cozy little place with cramped tables, but it never failed to seat me promptly. the quails are to die for, nice and crispy! the pho has just the right amount of meat. service is fast, as soon as you put the menu down, someone would come to the table and take your order, food is out in a jippy.
(4)
Nicholas A.

This place isn't the sexiest place from the street, but smells heavenly once inside. The pho looks amazing, as do the several other items I saw being served. I only had occasion to snack, but was pleasantly surprised by the item I did get; the green jello, coconut milk, red bean drink. Sounds crazy, I know, but it is SO good!
(4)
Melissa C.

I waffled between 4 and 5, generally in that situation I go with the higher number. The menu is huge, I mean, there are tons of items on it, not only that it is sizable. I noticed that they add 50 cents to get your soup to go... but that wasn't really an issue for me, I was just curious about why, just soups, 50 cents. I tried their new fried vegi spring roll and a noodle soup. The guy who took my order asked if I was Chinese, I said Korean-American and then he offered me a fork... seriously? I've never been offered a fork in place of chopsticks. Eating with chopsticks is a matter of honor! A fork?!?! I'm not sure if it's like this in other countries, but if you can't use chopsticks in Korea... you might as well be an animal. Just using chopsticks poorly or holding them close to the bottom is considered to be...I'm not sure what the right word is... one would appear unrefined. It was a hard insult to swallow, but I tried to assume that he didn't mean anything awful by it. Later, I found out that one of the Asian girls who works there can't use chopsticks... maybe that's why he offered me a fork... I don't know. One of the things I liked about this place is that hot tea is the standard beverage. You are not shivering on a cold winter day with ice water there. I didn't get a refill, but I was eating soup, so I didn't really need it, and I didn't really finish it until the end of my meal. I was there at that 3pm slump between lunch and dinner, so everyone was sort of relaxing. It was nice. Everyone was very friendly, and super attentive. My food came out very promptly. They have a list of shakes which include all sorts of interesting flavors including the following: soursop, taro, avocado, longon, lychee and mung bean and coco. There are more common flavors too, I just wanted to mention the less day-to-day ones. These sounded like the perfect way to cool off the tummy after eating a hot soup, so I tried red bean and coco with bubbles. MMMMM! It's so delicious! It might be my new addiction. Weird thing I noticed: You are requested not to flush your toilet paper in the bathroom... I just went in to wash my hands, and the sign making that request just sort of stood out to me as odd. Anyway, when I left I was thanked, wished a good afternoon and invited back again. The people were so friendly, the restaurant was clean, the food was fresh, the shake SO delicious, I will definitely be back.
(5)
Sophie M.

We had dinner here the other night and it was pretty goddamn amazing - easily some of the best pho I've had since coming to Boston.All the food we ordered at Xinh Xinh's was fragrant and flavourful; the price/quality/quantity ratio is favourable and the service is very friendly (something that should not be underrated in cheap eateries).
(5)
Julie H.

Oh. my. goodness. This place is WONDERFUL. I just got take-out, and had to stop half-way through my meal so I could go on yelp to leave a glowing review. I ordered #25 (house special spicy sate rare beef pho), and as soon as I opened the take-out container, the savory, spicy aroma sent me DROOLING. It is the most flavorful pho I have ever had. Normally, I douse my pho with sriracha, lime, and hoisin, but for the first time ever, I was compelled to enjoy the delicious complexity of the broth free of add-ins. While I look forward to trying other menu items, I think it will be a struggle for me to not always order the house special pho right away!
(5)
Cathy W.

Really liked this place - friendly, shiny and bright, lots of things on the menu. Attracted by the Pho, which I've had before, but next time I'll skip it and pick other main courses. The Pho with beef balls was comforting and filling, but bland. The beef balls were a bit Chef Boyardee-ish. If someone came here specifically for Pho, they'd overlook soooo many other delicious things, many detailed on Yelp. For instance, on the last page of the menu, the fruit shakes! We had pineapple, mango, and strawberry - all with bubbles. Combined with hot soup on a dreary day, the fruit optimistically cheered us up while the soup was familiar and comfortable. We had the spring rolls to start and loved the peanut sauce that came with them. The people who run Xinh Xinh are sooooo nice and welcoming that you want them to do well. From a marketing point of view, I'd encourage them to reorganize their menu so the Pho with Beef doesn't dominate the main course page. They should put some of their specialties up front, and include some of the fruit shakes on the first page, pho show!
(4)
Tyler C.

super tasty pho and other vietnamese noodles and rice dishes. meets the tastiness requirement and then some. Broth (IMho the key to good pho) done solidly well. Of note - while the Pho is certainly done well, the strength is in the specialty noodle soups. also a plus: awesome skydiving picture of co-owner Tina Duong blasting through the air. as it says: life is short. play hard.
(5)
Janice T.

Not bad, not bad. I do love me some beef Pho, and their versions are okay, but just a tad bit too fatty for me (my favorite Pho is with rare beef and fatty brisket, so needless to say I appreciate fat for flavor, but here it was too much). What I can say is that their regular bubble tea is really, really tasty. And the service was on point.
(4)
J T.

The food here is GREAT! I really enjoy their vegetarian sour soup! Delicious! (If you do not eat seafood, make sure you mention that you don't want fish sauce in your soup.) The service is ok. I'm giving this place 4 out of 5 stars because the food is so good I can overlook the ok service.
(4)
Emily T.

We went there on a whim while in Chinatown. The decor is nothing special and the atmosphere isn't any better, but the food was pretty tasty. Our waiter was really nice and took the time to remind me of what I could and couldn't order once he realized I was a vegetarian. I don't know if I would go out of my way to go there again, but if I would certainly go if I happened to be nearby.
(4)
S T.

The ambience leaves little to be desired, but the pho is excellent. So much better than Pho Pasteur! Come here if you want a giant bowl of noodles and soup. YUM! The portions are good and prices reasonable. The crispy egg rolls are also excellent. I would just avoid the fruit shakes...not so good.
(4)
Zuzzi E.

Not a bad joint to get a cheap bite before a night out in Boston. I'd suggest the pho or hot pot... the regular noodle dishes are nothing to write home about.
(3)
Andi P.

If you're gluten-free: when I asked the waiter about my options, I was told that the Pho Ga is g-free, as is the veggie version. (Both without the sauces.) I would imagine one could do variations on fresh spring rolls that could also be g-free.
(4)
Shirley Y.

one of the better vietnamese restaurants in the area -- their bun bo hue is as good as pho pasteur's next door [the only good one in the area]. cuts of meat is as good, smaller pieces but more in quantity. their menu is quite extensive, including some chinese food as well. service is friendlier and better though as they greet you and seat you down where you would like to sit, instead of just pointing at one specific seat even as it gets busy during their lunch hour. the space, with their neon signs advertising their tiny presence on beach street, is no frills, with acoustical tile ceiling but they do add character with their decorations. here, you do get your bang for the buck -- two other chinese sitting at the table next to me ordered way more food than they bargained for [their crispy vietnamese crepe looks huge, fresh spring rolls, a bowl of pho for each and a pork rib rice plate!].
(4)
Keith T.

Curry chicken with rice was very good, though it could use more rice. They seated us immediately and brought out water very quickly. I'd like to try the pho and something a little spicier next time.
(4)
Damien Y.

I adore this place! I've been eating Pho for over a decade and this place has my favorite beef broth. More importantly the staff is much friendlier than the other Pho place around the corner. When I moved back to Boston in September I started eating here, and I still haven't moved past #16 with extra beef balls.
(5)
Jay H.

The best Vietnamese in the greater Boston Area no contest.
(5)
N. H.

We came in 30 minutes before closing so it was a quick meal consisting of 3 dishes: shrimp sausage wrapped in sugar cane (chao tom), vermicelli squares with grilled beef (banh hoi thit nuong), and shaking beef (bo luc lac). The first two dishes were good, very authentic and flavorful, but unfortunately the shaking beef just was not up to par. Maybe it was due to our late arrival right before the kitchen closed, but the beef cubes in the shaking beef were extremely tough to swallow. It wasn't that the meat was tough, it's like they grilled the cubes the day before to cook them and then tried to reconstitute it the next day for our meal. The outer regions of the meat were hard and dried out and it was very hard to get the dish down, especially with the extremely salty marinade. Overall I enjoyed two of the three dishes and appreciate that they seated us so close to closing time, but I'd have to give this place 3.5 stars overall due to the very disappointing shaking beef. I'll give them another try at an hour further away from closing time.
(3)
Emily F.

So glad yelp directed us here! Started off with a bowl of the curry chicken soup....I couldn't eat it fast enough! If you like curry (or even if you don't) I highly recommend this! The flavor was perfection! My fiancÃ© had the beef pho and all he could say to describe it was "great flavor, delicious, very filling." Luckily the waitress told us not to each get our own entree after that due to the large size of the soup. We took her advice and ordered the chicken stir fry with broc, mushrooms, and carrots and it did not disappoint! Unfortunately we aren't from the area, if we were from here we would be regulars for sure!
(5)
I Before E.

I visited here on a busy Saturday afternoon at lunch time. When I saw all of the activity I knew this must be the place. I haven't had Pho since my last trip to Saigon, so I was long overdue. I'm using Pho 24 as my standard for comparison. It's a well know chain in Vietnam that the locals patronize. (Some would say it's the McDonalds of Vietnam). It's reliably good, but not over the top great, so I thought this would be a fair comparison. I think there are two keys to good pho - the broth and the noodles. The thinly sliced meat is just that, so how bad can it be? It's the broth and the noodles that matter. The broth at Xinh Xinh was very good; savory and well seasoned and every bit as good as Pho 24. The noodles, however, weren't great. They were too thick, cooked too much and clumped together. Not at all what I would expect. Still, I'm going to give Xinh Xinh 3 stars. The service is good. They try hard and it's very difficult to get good authentic Vietnamese food in Boston anyway. This is about as good as it gets. I will go back soon and try Xinh Xinh again, maybe when it's less crowded. I might give the hot pot a try. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
(3)
Jenny F.

Way better then Pho Pasteur. The service is much friendlier here and it seems like a family run pho joint. You do not feel rushed while eating here. The portions are ample too! I had a grilled pork, vermicelli, and eggroll dish along with a lime soda. The eggrolls were crispy and tasty. Not fishy at all. One thing I can't stand is fishy tasting eggrolls. I plan on coming back soon to try a big bowl of their pho!
(4)
k w.

Quick, delicious, *cheap* lunches are to be had here -- any of the vermicelli bowls in particular are highly superior to a boring deli sandwich. But what gets the five stars for me is the AVOCADO SMOOTHIE. With bubbles (giant chewy black tapioca pearls). I love avocado smoothies and this is hands down my favorite. I often sneak to Xinh Xinh to treat myself to one. These smoothies are quality -- you can see them chuck a whole avocado into the blender while they make it. Cold, creamy, sweet...creamy... Try one. At Xinh Xinh. You'll be bringing your friends back to convert them.
(5)
Calli C.

Solid in every way - the dishes are well-rounded in flavor and ingredients, with massive portions. Peter F and I were too lazy to cook one night and decided pho would be the optimal choice. Seated right away, we ordered some fresh rolls, beef tripe pho, and chicken hot and sour soup. Everything was quick and fresh and HOTTT. Okay, maybe not the best choice for a sweltering day in Boston, but my stomach was oh-so happy even if my sweat glands were not.
(4)
Esther Z.

The best part about this place is the broth. It's really delicious and elevates the pho eating experience to a whole new level. Since it's smaller it's not as good of a place for a crowd but I definitely prefer this pho to any other in Chinatown. So good!
(5)
Harvey T.

Passing through boston, i was craving pho. Good (and good looking) service. I got the #25 pho sate and added tripe and tendon. Delicious. I came in because I saw 4 stars on yelp. I think they deserve one more star.
(5)
Neil B.

This place is awesome. The food is excellent, the prices are cheap, and the staff are very friendly. If anyone cares about decor then go somewhere else, because 1) the decor isn't great and 2) if you care about that then you're an idiot. If I could I would work my way through the entire menu, but I find myself going back and ordering the Pho or Bun Bo Hue. The first time I ordered the Bun Bo Hue the waitress friendly reminded me that it had a pig's trotter in it and asked whether that was what I wanted. I said "yes, bring me that trotter, and make it a big one". I actually didn't say that, but I appreciated her concern for my whiteness. The only minor complaint I've ever had about Xinh Xinh is that they once gave me change of a 20 in the largest notes possible which meant an automatic large tip for them. Not a big concern because I tip them very well there anyway, but a bit cheeky. I need to go there...now!
(5)
Stephen Y.

Pas mal.... found everything slightly bland including the stock for the pho and the green papaya salad. Just missing some herbs and spice me think... But on the other hand, the food is completely inoffensive... Super friendly staff and helpful service but plan to be back for more..
(3)
Ellen C.

I've been here twice. The service is fast and friendly, and the food is tasty. I wouldn't mark it as anything particularly out of the ordinary, but on the whole I thought it was great. I've had the lemongrass tofu, which was wonderful. They definitely got the full lemon-grass flavor which I find to be lacking a lot of places. The tofu had great texture too. The other thing I had was the wraps, the kind where you put the rice paper in the water and make them yourself, which I always find amusing, though probably for the more-coordinated amongst us (mine never look very good). Both dishes were great. I'm sure I'll be back in the future, it's nice and quick and good for before a concert.
(3)
Jasmine C.

My friend recommended this place over Pho Pasteur since I am a noodle freak and I guess I was kind of disappointed. It is another hole in the wall, no frills place, which I DO NOT mind and to me, it's all about how the soup tasted. The bowl came overflowing with noodles (maybe they are just generous) but there was so much that there were so little space for soup-- which is what i really like! The soup didn't thrill me too, it was tasty, but there was just something to it that I didnt like. I have been eating home-made PHO from days in college and this could be just a different recipe for the soup that didnt resonate well with me. Back to Pho Pasteur for me until i find another good noodle place.
(2)
Eli F.

This is the best pho in Boston. Unfortunately, it can be a little bit inconsistant (last time I went, the noodles were perfect but the time before they stuck together a little too much), but even at its worst, the broth is still the best in town.
(5)
Zizzles A.

Really, why would you get pho anywhere else? Xinh Xinh's all-things-beef pho, huo che tou in chinese, or xue la I believe in vietnamese is as good as it is anywhere. The broth is tasty but not overly pungent with beefyness, the meats are perfect. The brisket chunks are incredibly tender, and the tripe is not too chewy. It goes above and beyond the almost carbon copy pho restaurant menu's. Roasted quail and a bunch of cool special noodle soups, of which I can vouche for the curry chicken, make the menu pretty special already, but it's also got a great specials board. The curry chicken is the same vermicelli as regular pho, with almost a quarter of a chicken, bone in, taro, potatoes all in a curry broth. Some cilantro, fresh and burnt scallions round off the seasonings. The meat is really tender and definitely beats out the lame shredded white meat only stuff at pasteur or le's. The only problem is that they don't cut the chicken at all, and it's difficult to eat a quarter of a chicken with chopsticks. The curry broth is great, and the taro is a really nice touch. The potatoes were a little odd. They were either really overcooked, or had been ripped to shreds by ice shards in a freezer somewhere, but it was only a slight textural issue. There's pretty much no reason to go anywhere else for rice plates or pho when the regulars are as good if not better than they are anywhere else, and on top of that there's so much unique stuff to try.
(4)
Diane H.

I'm a fan in some..parts. This is probably the 2nd time i've been here, i discovered this place thru yelp, THOUGH i walk by this place ALL THE TIME. It's been probably a year or so since my last visit.. It's a small place..but always packed. Lots of non-asians Lol. So idk how authentic it is haha. but um, i got the large pho, the reg one with all the meat, i think its #17 or something, and it's okay...the broth isn't as flavorful as pho pastuer's which may be due to msg amount?! i'm not sure..the spring rolls are good...$5 for 4..but they are so small, which they could be bigger, but usually its like $4 for 2 big ones, so whatever. I got thai iced tea...way tooo sweet and $4?! WOW. that's like almost double the price from DK, where it's like 2.50-3$ and it tastes good there. My mom liked the pho soup..she says it's very.... "clear, simple" but i prefer flavorful ones. I think i'll try something else...oh she likes the noodle because its really soft and different than other pho places...but they need more AC cause it's one heck of a hot day! And service is not bad..but please please please don't come to take my order after i have sat down for ONE minute. I will return though. :)
(4)
Catherine Y.

best pho in boston. just wish they had bahn mi sandwiches. then it would be perfect. (their avocado shakes are heavenly!)
(4)
Erin L.

I was really disappointed with their food. I ordered a vermicelli dish and thought it was lacking something. The peanut sauce didn't taste like any peanut sauce I've ever had...and believe me, i know peanut sauce. I think you're better off trying a different place. Which place? I'll get back to you on that one...
(2)
Dolores H.

The decor isn't much, but the food is great. Some of my favorite dishes include satay beef pho, rare beef pho, shrimp on sugar cane, sweet and sour chicken soup, shrimp hot pot, and beef vermicelli. Their Vietnamese coffee and pineapple shakes are also very good.
(4)
Riem K.

I can't believe I never reviewed Xinh Xinh. Erica and I are regulars here. I'm serious. Go in there on a Saturday or Sunday and you will see us there sitting in the corner. We literally come here EVERY week. It's just that good. And I'm not talking about just the food either, I'm talking about everything. Yeah decor is minimal, but who cares if you get good, fast service! I have to say I like the Pho at Pho Pasteur better, but you know what, I like the people and every other thing on the menu here better. They're vermicelli is off the hook, especially when you have a pain like me who wants to sub the fried spring rolls for the fresh ones, peanut sauce instead of the fish sauce. And of course, no crush peanuts on either. Yes, I know. But you know what? they always remember that I hate peanuts and that Erica hates vegetables and for that 5 stars and I'll be a regular! A few favorites, try their hot and sour catfish soup. It's served in a fire pot and the small is def. enough for two. When I'm feeling down, I get that and it's just like mom's home cooking! Who doesn't want comfort food after a long work week? Also, the fish in the clay pot with the sweet gravy is another winner. And for apps, I definitely recommend the roasted quail, the sauce is unbelievable and the spring rolls are packed with everything and not just fillers like some places.
(5)
Ben F.

I really like this place and always go here when I'm in the neighborhood. It's cheaper good. The vegetarian Bunh is fantastic. My only complaint is that they close early, and sometimes you feel pushed out when they're trying to close, even if it's half an hour before closing time. But in general I recommend the place.
(4)
Kristina M.

Definitely my favorite Vietnamese in Boston so far (will become a regular here)! The kind of place that doesn't put a lot of effort into the deco but rather into the delicious, fresh and authentic food and the super-friendly service - just like it should be! The pure thought of their food makes me smile (even though they could have more vegetarian options). The service is really super-nice and they are happy to deal with any special requests you might have and patiently answer all your questions. Try the wraps (you have to roll them yourself - lots of fun, especially when you're sharing)! They have great drinks, too. And the prices are very reasonable. Do I need to say more? Warning: if you're vegetarian/vegan make sure to tell them that you don't want any fish-sauce (for some reason even the vegetarian options do usually have fish-sauce added).
(4)
Ken M.

Favorite Vietnamese in Boston. The large hot and sour soup (chicken) is great to share for two. The fresh rolls are great too!
(5)
Tak H.

Great pho, great people, can't ask for more on a butt-cold, snowy day in Boston. You gotta get the yummy-liicous Tina's Fried Rice Look out for the first pho eating challenge in Boston! - its coming soon
(5)
stacey l.

My greatest obsession with c-town is Xihn Xihn, and it takes incredible will power to not go here day after day. The service and fast and on spot. The food is consistant and tasty as heck. I tend to get the same thing each time I go here, but on the occasion that I want to try something different, I rarely am disappointed. Aside fromt he lemongrass vermicelli, the papaya salad is delish!
(5)
Dennis L.

Lately, I have been eating a good measure of pho, mostly due to the weather being a bit brisk and needing something to compensate. I decided to try this place after avoiding it from what I hear from my sources, contrary to the large number reviews on Yelp. My reservations I fear were founded. Xinh Xinh seems caught in the middle without a specialty, at least in terms of the pho I had. The pricing was higher than Dong Khanh while not being better in quality, and definitely lower quality than its competitors within a block. The first telling sign was when I received the plate of Thai basil, lime, and bean sprouts. The bean sprouts did not have the bitter end-roots removed/cut and it looks like they threw bean sprouts on a plate, ran it under water, and then presented it (the bottom of the plate was a complete puddle of water). The green residuals you'd find in a bag of bean sprouts that should be sorted away was there in its full glory. The bean sprouts should be washed, drained, cut, then put on the plate. I ordered a regular-sized bowl and the quantity of contents (cuts) seemed much less than any of the competitors. It was however, filled to the brim with broth... which can be a bad thing because there was not really room to put down any of the fixings. The noodles I had, I suspect was kept out in the strainer too long, because it stuck together like a brick. When I tried to part it, I got splashed by the overfilled bowl. At least I wasn't wearing a tie today... On the bright side, they put a plate beneath the bowl so my lap wasn't also a mess, but that could have been avoided in the first place. They need larger bowls or less broth. The broth seemed to lack flavor, there not being enough aromatics within. Some of the cilantro was thrown in unchopped, a full uncut piece in my bowl. There was two pieces of each cut, but none that seemed particularly well-done. The brisket was very... gummy at the edges, a bit overcooked. The eye rounds and flank were buried, so it was shriveled by the time I got to it. The tripe and tendon were in minute pieces, like a part of the broth more than a cut. The service was the bright spot. They were quick, checked in, and got me the bill quickly when gestured for. I gave them the tip they deserved. It is also very telling when the fortune cookie I got after the meal read, "Discontent is the first necessity of progress." I hope they will improve their food, or they will be stuck in the middle like K-Mart. I'll give them another crack sometime, but not any time soon.
(2)
Hieu N.

i dont know what happened. its just ...idk....like a break up without notification. the staff is still friendly and amazing, even remembering my cast and stuff from september, but in our last two visits, my brother and i have realized this place has turned into another shack in the wall. We absolutely loved it. now its not like we hate it, we just dont like it anymore. the soup in our bun bo hue and pho, the two main staple dishes for us here and theyve just lost their touch. the soups have been altered in such ways that make them lose that little perk each sip had. idk, my brother and i just realized its not what it used to be. raw beef (tai) used to overwhelm our plate, now we are left asking, " didnt we order more?" idk. im really sad about it though. pleaaaase let my next visit be better, maybe the economy has brought this place into a rough patch..... gawwddd
(2)
Erik S.

Meh, it's OK but I'd probably try another place before I came back here. The fried spring rolls were really good and the shrimp hot pot was tasty, but there wasn't much to it. It wasn't great but it wasn't bad. It was a little on the expensive side of things, but the service was good.
(3)
Tiffany Z.

Inexpensive, delicious pho prepared with fresh ingredients. There's nothing fancy in terms of the decor, but the food was very good. I wouldn't hesitate to come again :) As one of my friends says, it's the perfect dish to warm you up on a rainy day!
(4)
Lindsey B.

Cheap, fast, fresh, delicious. Not much I can add that people haven't already said...this place is great.
(5)
Emily A.

Delicious!! And really great prices too. The noodle dishes have a very great flavor with a mix of good veggies. The hot pot is also very excellent!! Really a must try restaurant.
(5)
Kit Y.

I actually like this place a lot. They were able to accomodate a table for ten quickly and were so nice about helping us with whatever we needed. The food is good too, I loved my lemongrass tofu WAY better than Pho Pasteur and the fresh rolls were generous and really fresh. The place is small though which is why I thought they were so helpful. The restaurant itself is kind of dirty too and eay to miss when looking for Vietnamese in this area since there are a million near by. But if you're in the mood for something different if you're a Pho Pasteur regular or they are too busy then I would say that this is the next best thing.
(4)
Beth E.

This is one of those places that I probably never would have gone to on my own, but those are the places I end up in when I lunch with the boys from work. I thought it was alright after my first trip over, when I took recommendations from them rather than taking the time to read the menu on my own (the menu is pretty substantial). We went in the other day and sat and ate, and since we had some time, I read through a lot more of the menu and got something that totally caught my eye. Spicy lemongrass chicken. Yum. I saw a few other items on the menu that sounded good, so I'll definitely be back to try some more...
(4)
Andrew F.

I'm only rating the pho here, because I am a "pho-natic" and I eat pho wherever I go...always. Bottom line: the pho at Xinh Xinh in Boston's Chinatown is very good. I tried two varieties (my two favorites, that is), the pho ga (chicken pho) and the pho tai (beef pho). Their pho ga broth was simple, clear, and very tastey, but a far cry from Le's (the best pho ga out there). It was lacking the subtle sweetness that is likely derived from integrating a small amount of rock sugar in the base (yes, I shamelessly interrogate "the help"). The beef broth was excellent and spot on traditional. You intuitively know this when your nose detects just a hint of clove when they place the bowl in front of you. The quality of the meat in both dishes was very good. There were no ligaments or excess fat as you might find in some places. I was, however, dissapointed that they messed up the easiest thing...the rice noodles! I definitely had a "come on, man!" moment as I discovered the noodles in the beef batch were not completely blanched/rinsed. When this step is missed (or rushed as was probably the case here) there there remains a residual sticky starchness on the noodle that is never texturally pleasant and actually steals away the flavor of the broth. All in all, however, a pleasant pho experience. I would go back, for sure. Check it out!
(4)
Alan C.

after a long night of partying, you try waking up but it's only to a head-pounding hangover. you think to yourself WHY...why did we have to finish that bottle of tequila...pssst, i'll let you in on a little-known secret... the cure to a hangover is PHO. yes, PHO cures hangovers. more specifically, pho made from xinh xinh. this place is the bomb...i recommend this place simply because it is simple and good. yup, good old fashioned vietnamese home cooking right here. xinh xinh is surrounded by other pho establishments but in my opinion, this place is just better. trust me. plus, the service here is always friendly. truth be told, i ONLY eat the XL beef noodle soup with all the fixings. i mean, i'm not that boring... i have tried other things on the menu such as the the vermicelli and the pork chop meat dish. all else is average. BUT the pho, on the other hand, is outta this world! the broth has a hearty, authentic taste to it. the beef used is definitely higher quality and the ratio to pho noodles to bowl size to correct amount of broth is on par. if i happen to be in the c-town area and i'm craving some viet, this is my #1 go-to-spot.
(5)
Nikki L.

I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have ever eaten here. My favorite is the rare beef noodle soup, which I think is the best I have ever had. Now I've never been to Vietnam, but I have had pho in many other places including L.A., San Diego, Hong Kong and Boston, and I have yet to find a bowl of pho that is as tasty and delicious as Xing Xinh's (although the pho I had in HK was pretty close). I think their broth has such a depth of flavor that I don't see at a lot of places. The noodles, rice plates, fried rice, vermicelli bows and spring rolls are also super delicious. I had the Bo Xao Rau Cai (beef stir fried with mixed vegetables) once and it was the most tender, flavorful beef stir fry I have ever had. I have never had a bad experience here and the wait staff is always very friendly and attentive! The only down side is it's a pretty small place so it can get crowded, but their food it so good, I would sit on the floor and eat. I recommend this place to anyone who likes pho. They offer multiples kinds of soup/broth including vegetable (a favorite of my college roommate who is a vegetarian) and you leave feeling full for around $7/person.
(5)
Sara Yang L.

for the pho there , i love it but only when the soup is hot hot
(5)
Cecilia Z.

This is what I would call an small and joyful local joint with authentic food. Pho Pasteur and the place at Harvard Square are good but not this good. Let me elaborate. If you pay attention to what you are eating, you know that pho is not hard to make. It doesn't involve grilling pork chops and making the best sauce to go with it; it doesn't concern which cut of beef would give you the most flavor and perfect amount of juiciness; It doesn't even require stir fry or steam vegetables! The quality of the noodles, the aroma and temperature of the beef stock, and the quality and quantity of the beef are what makes pho pho. So in Vietnamese restaurant in America, pho is the single most standard dish. I'm not saying that it's not good, but I don't want to rate a Vietnamese restaurant by Pho (unless it's really bad), because the process of making it is standard and the rating doesn't give the restaurant enough credit. What I rate Vietnamese eateries on are the small appetizers and other dishes I order. Most of these consist of what people only go for Pho at these restaurants would puzzle about, or not even give a taste. In this specific case, Xinh Xinh wins the five stars with the fried quail on its appetizer menu. I spent the first 15 years of my life in southern China. After I moved to the states, I realized that I can't find a lot of the food I used to eat almost every other day in China: duck feet, pig lungs, young pigeon, just to name a few. Or, if I really want to eat them, I need to pay big check at a fancy schmancy restaurant with exotic menu. Well, quail is definitely on the list. Actually it's high on the list since you can rarely find them even in fobby Chinese restaurants in Flushing NY. Before Xinh Xinh, the only time I found quail was at a French restaurant. Since it was roasted, it did not taste the same as the quail I had growing up. Vietnamese cuisine shares a lot of things with southern Chinese cuisine. Fried quail is definitely one of them. They were sold as snack food by street vendors on bbq sticks and I often walked back home nibbling on one after classes in elementary school. That was a long time ago. At Xinh Xinh I found similar taste (Xinh Xinh's is better) and it was a blessing. The quails were fried well, the skins are crisp on first bite but juicy as you chew down. As a small bird, quail does not a lot of meat but every piece was flavored and absolutely worth working through the bones for. Two problems I often encountered with street-vendor-sold quails were that they might be too dry/too fried up, or too salty. Xinh Xinh's was definitely not burnt. As for the saltiness, it had a little more than what I would call perfect, but the quails came lying on raw cabbage leaves, which were slightly flavored by the juice and sauce. So I just nibbled on the cabbages and it was DELICIOUS. Even my friend who normally makes fun of the way I work through bones when I eat any bird couldn't resist to try and ended up eating more than I did! I mean, he still made fun of me and I kinda had to pick out some of the delicious meat for him but Now that is the power of GOOD FOOD! I didn't order Pho, so I don't have anything to tell you about that, but the congee or rice porridge I ordered to go with the quail was also fantastic. I love small restaurants that offer what big ones (like pho pasteur and whatever the place is called in Harvard Square Garage) do not. And when they taste good, I definitely give five stars =)
(5)
Jennie D.

The pineapple smoothie was awesome! Had their beef pho which was very good. Service was quick & efficient.
(4)
Ben L.

There have been rumors swirling. Whispers amongst the Boston Pho community. They have been saying that there are changes, challenges to the established Pho shops. Things may no longer be as they were for by one end of Beach street now resides a place that has the chops to make a difference, to bring about change. I didn't know what to think. Could it be true? Had a new paradigm for Vietnamese soup really sent ripples this strong through out fair city? I had to confirm whether these rumblings were to be believed. Hold them to my standards and see if they could shine. So I went, I sat and I ate pho. I was presented with a decent showing. Staff that could handle orders properly even with a couple menu changes and added items, tasty soup broth and one of the better taro shakes that I have had. I did find that their the meat in the Pho Tai was cut a bit on the thick side and their boba was too squishy. It was just enough to put me off a bit and though we were able to be seated properly their kitchen struggled to handle a large number of orders all at once. There really is a reason why the rumors are flying as to some this could be called the best Pho location in Chinatown. I would still take it with a grain of salt but I know that I will be back.
(4)
Ely W.

Best Vietnamese in the Greater Boston area. Better than Pho Pasteur, better than Le'e, much better than the rest (although the Mung bean shake is better at Le'e). One tip: stick to the Vietnamese food, we've tried some of the Chinese food on the menu and it's not nearly as good.
(5)
Julie T.

Of all of the Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown, I enjoy Xinh Xinh the best. The food is cheap, the people are nice, the food is AUTHENTIC (I come here when I don't wanna go home to my mom's and have her ask me about my love/school/work/general social life). Like said, the food is very authentic. I feel like these days, it's hard to find authenticity when plenty of restaurants are merging with other cultures. Everyone's trying to create fusions and are trying to bring new ideas into their food that sometimes, it's so hard to find some simple, good, mama's-home-cooking kind of meals. If you're looking for good Vietnamese, this is definitely the place to go.
(4)
A B.

I used to go to Pho Pasteur exclusively (for Vietnamese food), but a friend recommended this place. Got take out, and had modest expectations. But when I got home, I discovered that the food was really good. I mean really good. Like other Vietnamese places, prices are fantastically low. The service was really friendly too (unlike Pho Pasteur!). Just need to convince them to deliver!
(4)
Cee N.

Good pho, but I didn't like the fact that the noodles in the broth had the unmistakable lumped shape of noodles that had been sitting (pre cooked) in a quart sized plastic container. However, the broth was clear and tasty and I appreciated that they gave a generous slice of lime (no lemon, please!). The iced Vietnamese coffee was outstanding.
(3)
Angelina C.

Yeah . . . I'm adding a fifth star for their roast duck soup. Out of this world, and only a dollar more.
(5)
Alison H.

I eat pho about once a week, usually from Pho Lemongrass in Coolidge Corner as I am in that area a lot. However, my date and I were due at a bday party downtown on a cold night and wanted something cheap and filling for dinner. This place was great. The pho selection was quite extensive, with many varieties I haven't seen before. I had the pho with spiced duck and shiitake mushrooms. Um.....yummers! The duck was fall of the bone tender. The shiitakes were super meaty, and the broth was fragrant and delicious. However, we also ordered fresh spring rolls as an appetizers and they were rather bland. I liked that we were served tea when we sat down, and I ordered a delicious fresh coconut juice. There were quite a variety of exotic juices and shakes, and I will definitely be returning to explore the menu some more. I can usually polish off a bowl of pho with ease, but I only finished half of my soup on this evening....and I had arrived famished. For less than $8, that's a great deal. The space is small and they don't serve alcohol, but for a casual delicious dinner, this is a great spot and a real deal.
(4)
Jaquelina L.

The Pho is okay at this place. The biggest turn off is, I got very very thirst after I ate there. MSG??!!
(2)
tim c.

I've came here quite a few times now. I've eaten with a couple different people and they've all had good things to say about it. I've had a couple different dishes here: #69, #70, #31, #43, and #46. My favorite has to be the #43 (Beef Stew Noodle). Below is a brief review for each menu item. #69 (grilled pork with steam rice) - Portion is just right if you're not starving but still want a decent sized meal. The pork is tender and better then most pork chops I've had around in Chinatown (I'm looking at your Taiwan Cafe and Dumpling House). #70 (grilled lemongrass chicken with steam rice) - The portion is always very large. It's almost a quarter of a chicken. The chicken is very well seasoned, it's almost an explosion of flavors. If you don't eat it with rice it might even be too overwhelming, but hey, that's why it comes with it. #31 (curry chicken vermicelli soup) - I was bracing myself for something super spicy, but it wasn't. For me, personally, I thought it was fine that it simply had a curry flavor rather than the spiciness of curry. Perhaps for other who are looking for something hot, they might want to ask the chef to make it spicy or go for something else. #46 (yellow noodle with roast duck) - The soup was not bad, a little bit on the light side, but still pretty good. The duck meat was decent, but not a winner in my opinion. I think I may be biased in this regard, but my idea of perfect duck always includes a crispy exterior. The idea that the skin "used to be" crispy is heart-wrenching for me. The waitress said it was a popular dish, but it has got to be my least favorite. #43 (beef stew noodle) - My favorite dish so far in Xinh Xinh. It is reminiscent of a classic Taiwanese beef stew noodle in the color and the texture of the beef, but having a completely different flavor. The soup was dark brown, swirling with the pure essence of beefy goodness. The beef was very tender, while maintaining the integrity of it's structure. I cleaned out every scrap of meat, drop of soup, and probably floating pieces of bone marrow in that bowl. Conclusion I have to say it is the best Vietnamese food I have had to date. Highly recommended. It is super cheap and the portions are usually very large. I'm surprised that it's not packed during lunchtime everyday, probably because it's all the way in back of Chinatown.
(5)
Daniel L.

This place is a GEM! Although I've only gone once, it was such a delightful and delicious experience that I felt the need to write a review immediately. After being greeted by a warm and friendly staff, my friend and I were seated at one of about 5 tables at the cozy Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of Chinatown. We quickly placed appetizer orders: spring rolls and beef satay with peanut sauce. Minutes later, we were happy devouring the two dishes. The spring roll crust was near perfect: light, flaky and not too greasy, and the inside vegetables were just the right amount of substance and flavor. The beef satay was something special; there were two good-sized beef skewers sprinkled with ground peanuts and served with a delectable peanut sauce that was used for not only the appetizer it came with but for the spring rolls and the main dishes as well (yes, it was that good). The beef was soft and mildy chewy, seasoned with a sweet and light teriyaki sauce (yummm). As a lover of pho, I went with the pho beef satay for my meal. As one of the spiciest dishes on the menu (two peppers), my palate was not disappointed. Unlike other pho soups I've triend (such as the beef satay at Pho Lemongrass in one of my previous reviews), this soup was not broth-dominant; instead, it was loaded with tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, beef slices, vermicelli noodles and the homemade house special sauce, which was sweet and spicey. The vermicelli noodles were the best I've ever had; light, slippery and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The broth was spectacular and very spicey. The beef slices were very good, especially when doused with the peanut sauce and the homemade hoisin sauce. Amidst the "oohs", the "ahhs", the "yummms" and the "oh my gods", I managed to tell the owner that it was myfirst time here and also how much I was enjoying the soup. He asked how I knew to order the pho beef satay since it was my first time...I told him it was a lucky guess. So people...trust your luck no more! You now have access to the truth...if you like spicey, order the pho beef satay. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Laurie P.

The thing that I was most impressed by was the portion of the bowl of pho that I ordered- lots of meat for a restaurant. You generally always get more noodles and not enough meat at restaurants. My boyfriend, who is Vietnamese, commented that it was pretty good, but complained that his traditional Vietnamese dish was not suppose to include peppers. I would return for sure.
(4)
Justin C.

Only been once, and though the service was nice, the pho was undersized and not good. The meat was way overcooked, and the broth had little flavor. The Dorchester places - Pho So #1 and Pho Hoa - serve far superior pho.
(2)
Dan S.

I am always happy to eat here. The food is always great and the service is always great! I have had the Pho, Grilled Pork and Beef Bun (vermicelli) and the hot and sour fish soup.
(4)
Ambrose C.

I went to this restaurant a few times for lunch and dinner. Although I do not know much about Vietnamese cuisine, I think it's decent choice for something tasty and something that can really fill up your stomach. For Pho, I ordered the #21 Pho Tai Nam, which is the Rare Beef and Flank Noodle Soup. I thought it was decent overall, the beef flank tasted really well with the Hoisin and Sriracha Sauce mixture I created. I thought they were really generous with the noodles, but I wished they gave a little more beef strips. I thought the Pho here is only slightly better compared to the Pho served in other Vietnamese places in Chinatown. It's still a great choice for a really cold day, especially during the coldest parts of Winter. I also had the #2, Goi Cuon Tom Heo, which are these spring rolls with shrimp and pork inside, and for less than $5, you can have a really tasty and filling snack if you are hungry. The vegetables inside were fresh, and I really liked the peanut sauce they gave me to dip. Shrimp was decent, but the peanut sauce made a tastier difference in the flavor. For rice dishes, I had the #64, the Com Suon, which is this Grilled Pork Chop with rice. I think this is probably the best version of the dish I had in Boston's Chinatown so far. I don't think I had Vietnamese styled pork chop this tasty since eating at a Vietnamese-Chinese restaurant in Los Angeles almost five years ago. They gave me plenty of meat, and it was really tasty, fairly tender and went well with the rice. The salad was pretty good, the vegetables could use some more freshness and the vinaigrette made a huge difference in the flavor. They also provided soup, another great bonus and another reason why Xinh Xinh's version of the dish is better than New Dong Khanh's version. For my third visit, I ordered #54 Bun Bo Nuong Cha Gio, which is the Grilled Beef and Fried Spring Rolls with Vermicelli for dinner. I did not think it was worth the extra $.55 compared to the version without it (#49), because there were only two really tiny spring rolls. The noodles were freshly hot, right out of the stove, but needed some flavor. Fortunately, the vinaigrette they provided made a difference in the flavor. The beef was pretty good and tasty. Vegetables were cold and fresh, also tasty with the spearmint and peanut flavors, and even more tastier with the noodles and the vinaigrette. I was decently full after my dinner and felt that I had plenty of energy in my body to take on the rest of the night. I think the Vermicelli dishes are a great alternative to Pho, especially during the warmer months. Prices are very fair. As for service, I though the Pho, the spring rolls, and the Vermicelli dishes came in pretty quick. If you want tea, they serve the tea in a glass, so you may have to be careful when picking up the glass. Overall, I think this is a decent choice for some decent Vietnamese food in Chinatown. I would definitely come back but I would only order the Pho if it is a really cold day, and I would order the Vermicelli dishes during the warmer months. Keep in mind that this is a somewhat small restaurant, and large parties may have trouble getting a table.
(4)
Hyunu K.

Well read the reviews for this place which brought me here obviously but just wanted some good old Pho'. My lady and I were really impressed with the menu and just the shear fact that they had so much to offer. We ended up not even getting the Catfish hot pot soup which was amazing. I highly recommend this place for some authentic Vietnamese food . Great location in the heart of Chinatown hope that you enjoy place.
(4)
Catherine W.

Nice find in Chinatown. Had beef pho and grilled pork bun - both were delicious. They took credit card. No frills place but defnitely good eats.
(4)
John m.

Xinh Xinh is about as authentic as it gets. They have an excellent selection, and it's really nice that quite a few of the more popular dishes have pictures next to their description in the menu. The pho is excellent, and you walk out of their feeling great. One of the best thing's about Xinh Xinh when compared to other Vietnamese in Chinatown is the awesome service. They aren't working to get you out of there 5 minutes after you've received your food, they actually care about your dining experience. My friend and I were asked by 2 different servers if we wanted to move to another table so that we were away from the door. That was a friendly and nice gesture. Food is great. I will be back.
(4)
Tammy K.

340 reviews? I guess I'll add another just pho fun. The pho is the best in Chinatown, service is pho-riendly enough, and take-out is pho-ast and delicious (though it costs $1 extra).
(4)
Kristina L.

I was craving some pho on a cold, rainy day, and decided to check out Xinh Xinh based on Yelp raves. I ordered the Pho Tai Bo Vien (rare beef and meatballs) and Thai iced tea. Next time I think I'll skip the meatballs and just try the rare beef, because I feel like the meat portions were a tad skimpy. But otherwise, this pho totally hit the spot...I even managed to finish the entire bowl, which I usually can't do! It's true, you can really smell the cloves in this broth, and I love it. My Thai tea was really delicious and not as crazy sweet as I've had at other places. And I still can't believe how cheap Xinh Xinh is! Love the prices. The staff here was extremely friendly and seemed to be in a great mood, at least in comparison to some other Asian restaurants in Boston. After finishing up my food, I actually sat and read my book for almost 2 hours and no one tried kicking me out of the restaurant lol. Now I'm dying to go back and try their beef teriyaki! Hopefully I'll be able to pull myself away from my pho long enough to try the other amazing menu items. The only downside to this place was a few fruit flies. But I can overlook that.
(5)
Julie C.

wow, What happened? revamped the menu and the portions are a tad smaller! For the prices to remain the same, its a big disappointing. This was my go to pho spot. last visit, i ordered the Pho Sate Dac Biet (#25) and was asked if I ever had it. I said no. Due to its spiciness they ask. I asked how spicy it was, and she tells me kimchi spicy. if you ever had my mom's kim chi, then you know the definition of spicy. I decided to accept the challenged and proceeded with my order. Wow, not even the least bit spicy. The pepper flakes did however get caught in my throat which made me cough a few times. but honestly, its not spicy at all. perhaps, this is because I'm Asian and grew up eating spicy foods and being traumatized when my mom fed me one her peppers from her garden. The food here is good however, the portions need to be bigger or at least comparable to its competitor restaurants nearby. Service is whatever. its an Asian restaurant. You can't really expect much.
(3)
Guillermo M.

Excellent place for Pho and vientamese coffee. It you are looking for a cheap authentic experience this is the place.
(4)
David C.

Fantastic pho, but I would say it falls just short of the magical soup Pho Pasteur (a natural comparison, seeing as they're almost next door to one another). The service is much friendlier at Xinh Xinh, however, so if you're looking for an overall nicer dining experience, go here.
(4)
Elizabeth H.

I don't know what happened to this place I used to like it. My beef was so dry and overlooked I think it was cooked days ago. My husband's pork in special sauce had no flavor. I won't be going back
(1)
King Of N.

Awesome Pho !!! After reading all the rave reviews, expectations were high but it did not disappoint. Don't expect anything from the decor as this is a small mom & pop run joint. Food is what you come here for and you will leave very satisfied. Aside from the Pho, we also ordered the crepe which was huge and delicious. Lack of air conditioning on this particular day was the only setback otherwise incredible place for great food.
(4)
Scott G.

Great food, cheap prices sums it up. I like to bring the fam here on weekends after trips to the aquarium, etc. The only down side to eating in Chinatown is the parking, otherwise Xinh Xinh hits all the right notes. Great service, kid friendly (or at least tolerant), fast food prep, really tasty, well made dishes at reasonable prices, and they even make a mean bubble tea. What more could you want?
(4)
Olivia R.

Tasty and cheap Vietnamese and Chinese dishes. I had their duck salad (shredded cabbage/carrots topped with tender duck pieces, crushed nuts, and a light, tangy, and sweet dressing). It came with shrimp flavored chips. Hubby had chicken pho and pork lomein. Pho was okay, and the bites of lomein that I stole were good...fresh veggies, good seasoning. Decor was kinda blah, definitely very casual. Service was fast and friendly. Overall experience was good. We would probably come back if we lived nearby.
(3)
Nancy Z.

Us Asians loveee MSG like no other. Papaya salad? Aint no good without a little MSG sprinkled on top! General Gau's Chicken? Throw some MSG on that thang. Noodles, fake handbags, moo shu, illegal duplications of CDs and DVDs? You got it. Sprinkle some MSG on it. You may notice a difference after you finish your broth at Xinh Xinh compared to other pho restaurants like Pho Pasteur or Pho Hoa... You're not dehydrated from MSG after! So you can imagine that once you discover really good, not over-salted, piping hot, clear and not cloudy broth, that restaurant is definitely going to be a keeper. I hope you make a trip down there to experience the great service that you rarely get at other pho restaurants as well. That has won me over time and time again, on top of their delicious food. Xinh Xinh translates to "Stars" in Chinese. They are definitely the "star" in my eyes :)
(5)
Carolyn V.

DISCLAIMER: I am Vietnamese. The Good: :: it's a local business :: it's located in chinatown The Bad: :: their food is just average at best. i really don't get what all the buzz is about. the soup mang cua was decent, but the spring rolls were absolute garbage (cheap filler old iceburg lettuce, lots of filler vermicelli), the pho broth was way too dark and had no flavor. The Ugly: :: kind of dirty to the point where i get a little nervous about possibly catching some kind fo parasite when being in there Would I go back? No thanks. Mediocre pho is just not what I'm willing to settle for. There are too many good options out there...why settle for "meh"??? This place is OUT.
(2)
Chloe S.

Really yummy pho. I am a pho fan and this is my go to Boston pho place. It's grungy and kind of dirty looking (and oh my god do not look into the kitchen), but the food is always tasty and it's always pretty crowded. Good turnover is always a good sign if you're concerned about cleanliness. You really can't go wrong here. It looks like a dump and you might be tempted to go to the much nicer looking Pho Pasteur next door, but this place is DEFINITELY better.
(5)
Karmen C.

I love their Satay noodle soup because the soup base is always hot and the whole bowl was filled with tons of ingredients. The service is ok. Should improve a little bit.
(4)
Michael M.

ehhhhhhhhhhhh it was OK...it was a cold day, so this should have been perfect. broth was OK. miserable msg headache afterwards...
(3)
Michelle T.

Xinh Xinh and Pho hua next door are the best casual Vietnamese joints in Chinatown. Please save your money and don't go to Pho pasteur. Xinh Xinh always has great, friendly, courteous service and your tea pot/water glass will always be full....HOWEVER, never come here if you plan on staying to chat with a friend for a while. Go to the larger Pho Hua next door because the staff at XX will find a way to "courteously" hurry your party/meal to keep their business coming and going. On to food: The vietnamese fresh spring rolls is fresh but nothin special. A rice paper wrap is filled with rice noodles, veggies and boiled shrimp. It comes with a mediocre peanut sauce. The grilled chicken bun is AMAZING if you are looking for something cool, refreshing, light and a tad fishy (fish sauce is involved). A large bowl is filled with raw bean sprouts, shredded lettuce, and pickled carrots. A freshly boiled and strained serving of rice noodles is plopped on top, and last but not least, an INCREDIBLY grilled tender piece of chicken (thigh) is cooked to perfection so the edges are crispy and placed on top. On the side is a bowl of fish sauce based sauce for dipping. Personally, i LOVE this dish. I've heard the regular beef pho, the spicy seafood pho is also delicious. Overall, SOLID delicious Vietnamese food but DO NOT bring friends or dates here if you wanna sit and chat for a while.
(4)
Tommy Nicholas V.

If you LOVE Viet food - skip all others. HURRY here! Crazy fresh, tasty, hot, cheap. Terrific variety. You will be challenged by so many great items.
(5)
angela n.

Vegetarians: Try the lemongrass tofu vermicelli. Its varied textures and spicy, salty, sour flavors are bold and delightful. I especially liked the generous slices of browned onions, the fresh basil, the crunchy crushed peanuts, and somewhat crispy tofu. Lunch last Friday was crowded, but service was efficient.
(4)
Bianca R.

Love is the word! Great people that love their job serving awsome food and its cheap! Anyone who wants very flavorfull food and at a budget it fits the bill! More for me to tip!!
(5)
Anna C.

I rarely admit it, but I actually grew up in San Jose. For those of you who don't know, there is a large Vietnamese population there. And although I'm not Vietnamese myself, I've had a lot of top notch Vietnamese home cooking (at friends' houses) as well as quality restaurant renditions. With that said, I actually liked the pho at Xinh Xinh. It totally hit the spot on a cold, rainy Boston afternoon. There were a few shortcomings though: totally stingy on the rare steak portions; chopsticks were all sticky; and they got a little upset when I wanted to pay with my credit card. But overall, it's still tasty and I wouldn't mind going back.
(3)
Ali P.

We go here all the time on cold nights where we want to get soup. Even just the regular chicken soup is fantastic. The service is great and the price is right. Order the tea as well. The spring rolls are also really good and ask for some peanut sauce too.
(5)
Ali H.

So yum! I was in Boston for 3 days and didn't want more pub food. Since my hotel was close to Chinatown I searched on Yelp for a good place to eat in the area. Yelp, you haven't let me down. I was lead to Xinh Xinh and had the best meal in Boston. I ordered the lemongrass tofu on noodles. So goooood! So good in fact, that I returned the next night to have the same bowl of noodles. I'd recommend this place in a heartbeat. The service isn't fantasic...the server seemed a bit bored but the cheap prices and good food would keep me coming back...if only I lived in Boston.
(4)
Christopher M.

Xinh Xinh doesn't look like much - twelve small tables and cheap decor crammed into a Chinatown hole in the wall. It looks like exactly what it is - hands down the best Vietnamese restaurant in Boston. Favorites include Mi Vit Tiem (5 spices duck & shiitake mushroom), Hu Tieu Hai San (seafood noodle soup) and the classic Pho Ga. And I can't resist their Taro shake. Tasty, generous servings and super inexpensive, it's the perfect meal for a chilly Boston day or night. Terrific service too! I'm consistently impressed with how friendly and attentive the staff is here. It's no wonder Xinh Xinh is my go to stop for Pho in Boston.
(5)
Heather B.

Six months ago, Xihn Xihn took me in from cold, rainy weather and warmed me up with a steamy bowl of pho. I've been a fan ever since. Its fast, its filling, and its cheap. The fried tofu and vegetable pho is my go-to meal here.
(4)
Lin U.

We were walking around in Chinatown and wanted pho. This place looked pretty decent. Boy...were we wrong!! We ordered Pho, cha gio, and grilled pork with rice. The broth for the pho was not very flavorful, 2 small fatty pieces of pork, and tiny cha gio with iceberg lettuce? We overpaid for crappy food and the service was not great. I would not recommend this place to anyone.
(2)
Hana T.

I just cannot understand the positive ratings for Xinh Xinh. Craving a hearty bowl of pho, these happy Yelp reviews led me to check this place out. Biggest. Disappointment. Ever. The dish I was served was unlike anything I have ever tried, even though I've eaten a huge number of pho variations since birth. It was incredibly oily, and completely flavorless even after I mixed in an indecent amount of hoisin sauce and pepper. This had none of the rich flavors of pho that I love. The selection of vegetables served with the "pho" was scant, at best. I should have known that I wouldn't find real Vietnamese pho in Chinatown. Too bad I had to actually taste this food before figuring that out.
(1)
Cate M.

Sooooo yummy! Do yourself a favor and come hungry. My husband and I both love authentic Asian cuisine, especially Vietnamese food. The soups all looked phenomenal but we ordered the duck soup and a Thai iced tea with tapioca. The broth was so tasty, I want it every single time that I am sick for the rest of my life. Move aside, chicken noodle, you are far too boring! The tea was tasty with lots of bubbles - yum! And my husband gleefully poured their red chili sauce on everything.
(5)
Simon L.

Can't add too much - excellent broth, plenty of shrimp paste and tofu. Yellow noodles in a spicy fish broth. Unusual and excellent.
(4)
Steve Y.

You have about 5 different choices for Vietnamese within eye sight of this place, but I was glad I chose this place. The first thing I noticed was that my glass of water & ice looked really pure. It was really good quality water! That means they use that in their soups. **I've had bad Pho in places where the water tasted like chlorinated pool water and sure enough, I could taste it in their broth.** I got the spicy rare beef noodle soup #28 = $7.50. It was just the right amount of spice. I was surprised by the peanuts in the bottom of the bowl, but I was cool with that. After I finished every drop, I noticed the special board where I saw Avocado drink $4. Dang! Next time, I'm gonna get me one of those because I'll be back here for sure. BTW, does Boston tap water naturally taste that good or was it that this place use filtered water?
(4)
Al R.

Ok, I love this place, really I do. As far as Vietnamese places go, it's one of the best around. I keep it pretty simple here, and for whatever reason, when I hit Chinatown I migrate towards the soups and noodles bowls. That being said, they have the best Vermicelli soup around. #28! Seriously, that shit is liquid gold, I'd fill my bath tub with it and jump in if I could. On top of that, they have arguably the best hot sauce ever (Sriracha) sitting on the table, if you need to kick it up a few notches....everyone needs a little Thai hot sauce in their lives! Pho you! Say what? Their Pho is some serious beef as well. Granted, #28 usually pulls me away, but I've had the Pho a couple times and it's lights out goodness. The service has always been good to me, I've never had any issues and the peeps are always kind and attentive. Of course, I'm awesome, so maybe that's why...yaaaa, that's why. The interior decor is... well... it's Chinatown, what are you expecting? On a side note, the have some of the best peanut sauce on the street....I know this because it comes with the beef teriyaki...which is a great app to start with....and I do shots of the sauce!
(5)
Art M.

Yes, yes, yes. The food, service and prices were just right. Looking for an authentic Asian restaurant? This is the right place!
(5)
Candace L.

Food was okay. Service was awful. Went there with family and ordered pho and grilled pork with rice, both of which tasted average. Pho broth not the absolute tastiest & prices were more on the expensive end. Asked for wooden chopsticks and got a laugh and points at the plastic chopsticks on the table. Also wanted to split pho with my sister and was told that each person MUST order a min of $5 in order to dine-in. Kinda lame if you ask me. Won't be coming back to this place.
(2)
Michelle B.

I have to preface my review by saying that I didn't actually get noodles, so my opinion may not count for much. What I DID get was a plate of fantastically seasoned stir fry beef and Chinese broccoli. I was in heaven. It was everything I wanted it to be - garlicky, tender beef, with crisp veg. Nom. The prices are reasonable and the service is brisk but not unfriendly. I didn't see any cause for some of the more negative reviews I've seen and I was in there at noon on a Friday, which is obviously one of their busier times.
(4)
Cathy S.

God's freaking blessing for Boston's harsh winter (Though not so harsh this year? Is this the sign of 2012?) If you are going for the clear broth, make sure you ask for the one with both beef and tendon. Don't give me that white-people look when you see tendon. Just get it.
(4)
Pete J.

I think I may have found Boston's best Pho! The bowl was absolutely full of meat; the tendons were tender, the tripe was perfectly cooked and the flank was plentiful. The broth was delicious, the noodles generous and the condiments aplenty. Service was pleasant and the price was right - what more could you ask for?
(4)
Chrysanthe P.

Came here with some friends after work one Tuesday specifically for the pho. Being originally from a small town with limited cuisine options, I haven't eaten a whole lot of pho in my day. That said, I thought it was absolutely wonderful. Having only Wagamama and Le's to compare it to, I thought the broth had a nice depth and I really liked that I could add an egg to my veggie & tofu pho. I really don't like the spongey consistency of the tofu used in these types of dishes, so being able to add an alternate source of protein was nice. The price isn't too bad either! I will definitely be going back.
(4)
Marissa P.

The pho here was wonderful! So delicious that I almost finished my entire bowl, which I never do. The broth was seasoned well and all the noodles tasted great. It seemed very fresh. The chicken was good too - not weird at some other places. I sampled a friend's vermicelli noodle dish and it tasted great! Delish! We were all very happy with our dishes. AND the low prices were an added bonus! This spot will be my go-to pho from now on.
(5)
Mike B.

I went here for a first date after the movies and it was truly one of the worse restaurant eating experiences I've ever had..... Gave me the wrong order and ignored my request for a sauce till I pointed it out that they were wrong. And when I paid, they took the check immediately after I put down the money. If I wanted my waitress to do that I rather go eat fast food and at least they can get my order right... Pho Vietnam needs to come back. They were the BEST pho place to eat in Chinatown.
(1)
Ian P.

I usually ask for bun bo hue, or pho with ribeye and meatballs. The staff always provides ample lime, leaves and sprouts. Meat, veggies, noodle and broth proportions are generally good. Xinh xihn aims to feed. Ffeel free to order extra meat and veggies and ask the waiter to go easy on the noodles. Menu descriptions are accurate, and a numeric menu with available options makes it all a breeze. There are roughly 5-10 types of plate each with 5-10 ingredient variations. rices, noodles, soups, some breads, the obvious meats and vegetables, all of good quality, expertly prepared. If overwhelmed by the 100 options on the menu, focus on the menu categories, and then decide more specifically. For apps, the pork shrimp crepe is tasty, so are the rolls depending on your preferences. Rice plates include meat of your choice, rice, optional fried egg, and salad on a sizeable plate with side cup of soup to rinse it down. Fair affordable prices. Pay the bill and save figuring who owes who what when you get to your next destination. Come here to eat, go happy. Dine when xinh xinh is open open and not barely open. The pots are best half full. Food is served hot. Digestion is comforting, may make you drowsy then excited for a healthy tomorrow. This is rare. Xinh xinh, thank you. Note: it is not my best friends' mothers' cooking, hers is better. perhaps she knows more about vegetables, or just likes to spoil. But she hasn't opened a restaurant, nor can I go to her house everyday. then write a review. With that, xinh xinh gets 5 stars!
(5)
Zara W.

This place totally exceeded my expectations. It's the kind of places that could be easily missed. It's not catchy, but don't judge the book by its cover. What a pleasant surprise in the middle of Chinatown! We ordered: The fresh spring rolls with veggies The fresh spring rolls with grilled pork The papaya salad The Pho with rare beef and flank The most spicy of their Pho's (sorry I forgot the name, it's on the middle of the first page of their Pho's). #112 We all tried each other's dishes and we all agreed that everything we ordered was really good and flavorful. The spring rolls were super fresh. The peanut sauce was really nice. The roll with the pork was probably the best I've ever had! The papaya salad was really refreshing and tasty; and the shrimp chips were better than usual. The Pho with rare beef and flank was light, comforting, and somehow filling. The most spicy of their Pho's was my favorite!! It wasn't that spicy (I've had spicier drunken noodles or Indian food) which was pleasant because you could taste all the delicious flavors without having your mouth on fire! I couldn't stop eating it! #112 was really good. What a delicious combo: the meat + the special pepper dip. I'm glad that there are still places where you can order a dish under $8 and be greatly satisfied.
(4)
Arlene S.

While visiting Boston, I took my family here for their first pho experience. The place does not look like much but don't judge it because of that. The food is great! My family loved it and we're happy with the choice for lunch. Pho was great, broth had great flavor and portions were plentiful. Between three of us we could have split two and still have been more than satisfied. We also got the springs rolls that were delish as well. Too bad I don't live in Boston, I would see myself coming here often. I had a great time showing my family how to eat Pho!
(4)
Jack N.

We found Xinh Xinh on Yelp, it was quite near our hotel in the Financial District and a beautiful day to walk. As my lovely wife and I strolled through Chinatown, I was fairly salivating at the thought of some authentic, fresh Vietnamese food, based on the glowing reviews I had just read. We found the place easily enough, were greeted warmly and immediately seated. Service was prompt and friendly, and the food... well the food was excellent. We devoured our plates and paid our bill and left with the thought of having a "special place' for lunch when we come to Boston in the future. All in all, a wonderful experience.
(5)
Ella B.

Out of all the pho places in the city, this is by far my least favorite so far. The service is fine, but the restaurant is a little small and dingy. I'm not a huge person for ambiance when it comes to asian food, but with the two other pho places flanking this place, it seems that they should have something that "wows" - ya know? I thought the soup was a little greasy and the chicken was meh -- it had a lot of tendons etc on it. Adding to it all was like "rock of the ages" flowing through the place, music from the 60's, 70's, and 80's set the mood while we dined -- meh, no. Def a good price, but I personally prefer Pho Pastuer or Pho Hoa, sorry.
(2)
Melanie M.

Went here with high expectations and just felt underwhelmed when I left. I'm not an experienced pho eater, but the pho I had here didn't seem that amazing compared to other placed I've been too. Service was a little slow, but not to the point I really felt bothered. I would probably try another place next time I'm craving pho.
(3)
t e.

wow! i'm in town for work, and was looking for good cheap eats, and pho always does the trick. found this place on yelp so decided to try it. the flavor was good and rich in the pho. the spring rolls very fresh too. can't beat the price either. easy to get a table, but the place was well visited. wait staff was very nice. great portions for the price as well!
(4)
Tristan W.

DO NOT ORDER TAKE-OUT! I repeat. DO NOT ORDER TAKE-OUT! I ordered the pho gan tai for take-out. It was delicious...but not assembled. By not assembled I mean they gave me one soup container of broth, one chinese take-out container of rice noodles, herbs, green onions, and beef, and then a bag filled with bean sprouts, lime, a pepper, more herbs, and two sauces. Considering that I'm in a hotel room...this did not work that well. I managed to combine everything eventually and it actually tasted quite good, but not ideal for take-out. I'm sure it's much better in the actual restaurant. Just don't order take-out unless you happen to have some very large bowls and a kitchen to combine it all in.
(3)
Judy C.

I love this place! Very homey and modest, which is how I like Vietnamese restaurants to be. The ladies there were very nice, and they were fast with the service! The food was great! Authentic Vietnamese cuisine. My friend had the standard rare beef pho, which he said was great! I had the grilled shrimp with rice wrapper, and the shrimps were nicely made and tasty! I got a mango shake with tapioca, and that definitely hit the spot for me! Oh, the food wasn't too expensive either.
(5)
Hilary D.

Can I get a 6th star? Today, I had an unrelenting craving for Pho and Spring Rolls, so I wandered down to Xinh Xinh. I ordered the Rare Beef & Tripe Pho and the Pork & Shrimp Spring Rolls. The place was packed, so I asked them how long it would be and told them I'd come back for it. They estimated 10-15 minutes, so I spent that time walking around and forcing myself not to buy like 16 of those waving cat statues. The people who work here are so friendly and nice! I came back in about 10 minutes, figuring I'd wait if it wasn't ready yet, but it was ready and packed up when I got back, and each employee said thank you as I left. See? Friendly. Good people here. When I got back to my office I opened up the bag - WHOA! That's one order?!? They gave me enough for 3-4 meals...I am not complaining about this, because now I have a few more lunches. TONS of bean sprouts and basil, a large carton containing the noodles, beef, and tripe along with some mint, cilantro, and sliced green and regular onion, and finally a quart container of broth. Some people may have complained that there was not enough beef - there was about twice as much tripe as beef, but this didn't bother me - I like tripe so I was glad to have plenty of it. Delicious broth - very hearty, not too sweet, and packed with flavor. I am eyeing it right now and debating over whether I want a second bowl. The spring rolls were also great, I love that they're packed full of fresh mint. They come with a peanut dipping sauce (like satay). I'd love to come in here sometime for a sit-down meal and try some of the other menu items. I'm very impressed, and I highly recommend Xinh Xinh.
(5)
R S.

Friends don't let friends go to Xinh XInh for Pho, period. Why? -Most important reasons: Small portions, poor overly-salty broth quality, not enough noodles, not enough beef, beef tendon is not tender, more expensive than competitors nearby -Poor service, $15 "minimum" on credit cards, dumpy atmosphere. I have Pho at least twice a month and hadn't gone to Xinh Xinh in a while so decided to give it another shot... I wish I hadn't. Usually when I order an XL Pho at Pho Hoa or Pho Pasteur, it is good for a filling lunch and enough leftovers for another meal later. At Xinh Xinh, there was only some extra broth remaining by the end of my lunch and I was fishing for more noodles and beef to no avail. The broth itself was overly salty and I find it hard to believe others think it is better quality than the other Pho places in Chinatown. On top of all that, they charge a bit more than other places: $9.60 after tax for an XL beef Pho. What a rip off... You are much better off going to Pho Hoa, Pho 2000, or Pho So #1 in Dorchester. If you can't make the trek out there, go to Pho Hoa or Pho Pasteur in Chinatown instead. Avoid Xinh XInh at all costs...
(1)
Yuka Y.

Quaint Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. Good eats at cheap prices for those wanting to stick to a $10 budget. Recommend #49 if you're looking for a vermicelli only dish. ++Bun 3 Mau: vermicelli with grilled pork, shrimp, and fried spring roll Got a little bit of everything with bean sprouts, shredded lettuce, and carrots. After a quick comparison of the menu, New Dong Khanh still reins supreme price wise- only a buck or 2 cheaper compared to Xinh Xinh.
(4)
Irene W.

Although the place looks a bit dingy, the food is great. Portion wise, they are generous. For appetizers my friend and I shared the beef teriyaki. It was perfectly tender and you could taste the smoky charcoal flavor in the meat. My friend had the beef pho and thoroughly enjoyed it; tasted home-cooked. I had the beef vermicelli, also great, but my favorite was the Vietnamese crepe that I had as an appetizer. It was a giant folded pan-fried egg with chicken, beansprouts, and green onion on the inside. The egg was perfectly fried and crispy on the outside, but the inside tasted a little bland. However, with sauce, it was amazing. Definitely would recommend this place for a casual meal.
(4)
Lily C.

A friend of mine told me that Vietnamese food in Boston was good due to the immigrant population. This place because it had a number of good reviews so I came to check it out. Xinh Xinh was not impressive. Bottom line: The Pho here is average, possibly below average compared to the ones back in NYC. If you are from NYC and you are thinking about trying out the Pho here, look somewhere else. In comparison to the other Pho places in Boston? I can't tell you because I did not have enough time to visit the others. Why it was average: I ordered #22: noodles with raw beef + tripe + tendon The soup was not flavorful enough to match the noodles. The noodles were on more on the "al-dente" side and could have used half a minute longer in cooking. Tripe was a little too "crunchy" and the tendons were tough and rubbery, not the soft gelatinous tendons I was expecting. What I did love: One of their appetizers, #6, the Vietnamese crepe was amazing. It was crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. The crepe was packed with flavor despite having blanched mung bean sprouts in the middle. The crepe actually had MORE flavor than the Pho's soup. Service: Typical Chinatown Asian restaurant service. Didn't expect more or less, just utilitarian. You want service? You must get their attention. Go somewhere else if you want to be well-attended. Note: I went on a very lax day, and the waiter was very attentive with refilling our water.
(3)
Mary S.

Great Vietnamese menu. The spring roll vermicelli was light and fresh. Great prices. Too bad the sign said they are closing on May 26 after 9 years.
(4)
Joanna T.

We ordered Pho and it was delicious! Full of meat, the regular size was more than enough. The staff was very friendly and attentive. And the food got here fairly quick.
(5)
Michelle J.

'Tis the season for soup. I'm not really a soup person but I had a wicked cold (look at me saying wicked like a genuine New Englander) and all I wanted was some liquid comfort at 2 in the afternoon. Enter Xinh Xinh. I'm usually hesitant of going to restaurants with waiter service, half because I'm cheap and half because usually those kinds of places don't like seating one at a table, which I suppose would have something to do with tips. Xinh Xinh however has a small space to begin with and a very relaxed atmosphere so I didn't feel self conscious about eating alone. They've got a good menu moderately priced items. It didn't take long for me to decide on some fresh spring rolls and a seafood noodle soup. Service was fairly quick. I didn't wait long for the spring rolls, which were average but the seafood noodle soup really hit the spot. The broth wasn't too salty, and the noodle to soup ratio was perfect. They also didn't skimp on the seafood. There was a generous helping of fish balls, crab meat, shrimp, fish cake and calamari. I haven't tried any of the other menu items yet because I really love this soup but for the price and what I got it was great value and delicious food. It's fairly clean, service was quick and the food is great. These are qualities that not many of the restaurants in Chinatown possess but Xinh Xinh does it well.
(4)
Connie C.

Went there tonight (Friday Night) My BF got the beef pho noodle soup and it was lukewarm that the meat was not even cooking in the soup. The meat was still pink even after 10 minutes...Pho is not good if the soup isn't even hot. I don't know how they got ZAGAT awards on their windows...The vermicelli bowl was super small compare to Pho Pasteur next door. I guess I'll go back to Pho Pasteur next time. It would be worth the wait on a friday night.
(1)
Katie B.

Four stars for the food but three stars for the waitstaff. They demand a $5 minimum even when the whole place is empty, and even when all you want are the $4.50 spring rolls. Found that annoying but at least they were worth sticking around for! Delicious dipping sauce and decently hefty for the price. Tried the avocado smoothie as well to break the minimum -never in my life had I heard of this but it's entirely delicious! Highly recommend both of these items if you head to this place.
(4)
Olivia J.

Best pho in Boston - in my opinion, better than Le's or Pho Pasteur (right next door). Xinh Xinh's broth tastes different, like they actually brewed it rather than using some pre-made powder... it definitely tastes distinct from the pho broth from the two other previously mentioned, where the broth tastes the same/generic. Also their spring rolls are great. Tastes fresh and yummy w their peanut sauce.
(5)
Christin F.

I would agree with some of the other reviews. Service was fair to poor. We had to flag down the waitress for water and extra napkins which they brought over one napkin wtf. Is there a shortage on napkins. Food was bland at best. I had the mixed vermicelli (pork, shrimp). Pork was tough almost uneatable. Noodles were just there and the vegetables were not the freshest. I wouldn't eat here again too many negatives. Also they will only split checks in half. This wasn't a problem for us as we only had one check. But just a heads up if u go with friends kind of a pain in the butt.
(2)
cindy p.

Stopped by with boyfriend when we made a short trip to Boston. We had the pho and a vermicelli bowl with beef and pork. Both were good. Broth for the pho was flavorful. Pretty good sized portions. I would say the pho was better than the vermicelli. Service was good. That's probably why I'm giving a 5 instead of a 4.
(5)
Jenny S.

Vietnamese food that's not bad but not worth going out of your way for either ---#93 (grilled pork steamed vermicelli wraps) i SKIPPED the vermicelli noodles on my plate since they tasted starchy & soggy!! instead i used the rice papers they provided to make spring rolls. IN CASE you don't know, the bowl of warm water is used to dip the rice wraps so they're moist enough to build your own spring rolls w/ the fresh veggies & meat provided! they offer lots of smoothie flavors here that I wouldn't mind trying!! NOTE they only allow the check to be split between 2 credit cards
(3)
Susanna L.

The food here is quite bland, and just misses the mark for a lot of dishes. The pho was nothing special. The broth was not very flavorful and there wasn't much meat in mine at all. The vermicelli had cold meat that didn't taste like it had the right spices, they were mostly covered in black pepper and tasted smokey. I was pretty disappointed because it has high reviews for some reason. Pho Pasteur (right next door) is a much safer bet.
(2)
Angela H.

The pho was ok, not too amazing. The broth was good but was lukewarm when it was served....The quality of beef was not too great either. The beef kind of tasted funny. Not sure it was meant to be that way or it was not too fresh at that time, or was not prepared or properly.
(3)
Mary T.

Xinh Xinh, tsk tsk. I don't understand how this place has 4 stars. This is the worst Vietnamese restaurant I ever had. The prices are expensive and the food is not good. Maybe it is because I am comparing it to how it is in LA/Orange County when pho is cheap and delicious. I am not even Vietnamese, but I can guarantee that I could make a better charboiled pork vermicelli than Xinh Xinh did for me. First of all, the portion was really small. The portion was definitely not enough to fulfill my appetite. Second, the meat was sour! I think that is because of the way they marinated the pork. Normally, it is supposed to taste sweet and salty, with a little bit of spice and herby flavors... not SOUR! I thought the meat was rancid, but that's how they make it I guess. People say the pho is supposed to be good, maybe I should have ordered pho instead of the sour pork vermicelli. I don't think I will give this place another try. There are better Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown!
(2)
John H.

Excellent pho. I've tried pho all around the world at 50+ different places and this place is pretty legit. I would definitely go back.
(4)
Jason Y.

Taste like cafeteria food but half the portion. Still hungry. I had the wonton noodle...never had wonton so small in my life. Beef noodle soup was pretty much all soup. Why r they so stingy
(1)
Ann O.

They have really good pho! Ordered the 21. The broth had the right flavors - not too salty either. One of the better Phos I've tried. It was I believe $8 for a regular bowl. Try it and you won't regret it
(4)
David Z.

Consistently good pho for consistently bad weather. A seldom acknowledged fact of life is that the perception of quality of a bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup is as much dependent on the weather as it is on the skill of the chef. Just as one might crave ice cream in the summer heat, so might one find a bowl of pho at Xinh Xinh irresistibly delicious in the dead of winter. Fortunately for us, the generous weather in Boston offers copious opportunities to indulge in the offerings at Xinh Xinh, none better than a large order of the train, offering copious amounts of tendon and tripe to satisfy any appetite for a rock bottom price. The restaurant is small and offers scant furnishings, but the soup is really flavorful enough that I can easily resist the temptation to smother the broth with large amounts of sriracha and hoisin. And so, if you're frozen to the bone and looking for a quick bite to warm up, then there aren't too many places downtown that can right the ship as quickly, as cheaply, and as satisfyingly as Xinh Xinh.
(4)
Scott P.

Fan of the pho ! Good service and fresh ingredients. The soup is a delicate balance of flavors, add the basil, bean sprouts, a squeeze of lime and a shot of "the rooster" & you'll be back again!!!! Shakes & Thai iced tea as well.
(5)
Matthew L.

We've been coming here for years. Food is decent but twice recently my family of three has been told to wait until a three person table opens up. Meanwhile, plenty of four seat tables are open and the restaurant is not overly busy. It's a policy that cost them three long time regulars.
(1)
Xinting Y.

First time to eat Pho, it's really nice. The basil leaves and lemon give it a fantastic taste. And the service here is welcome and friendly.
(5)
Ayla W.

The pho tasted similar to what I usually get at home in Vancouver and cost a bit more, it wasn't spectacular but it was far from bad. I ordered the rare beef and noodle soup as well as shrimp spring rolls. The spring rolls were tasty and fresh, with lots of herbs in them. The soup was filling, the beef tasty but it was a little too cooked by the time it got to me and the noodles had kind of clumped together rather than being separated. I have to say the service was fantastic - greeted and seated right away, water right away, the food came out quickly and the waiters were very attentive. I'd definitely go back and try their other menu items.
(4)
Kimmers N.

Didn't eat here to compare the food here to other places, but as a Vietnamese, I say that the avocado smoothie here is legit.
(5)
Rob W.

I went to this place with my coworkers. We were visiting Boston for a meeting and heard that Chinatown was a good place for lunch. I though that the food was fair but the dirty decorations and atmosphere turned me off a bit.
(2)
Peter K.

A pretty good Vietnamese restaurant.
(3)
rebecca x.

The yelpers are right, this place is delicious. Best Pho in Boston Proper. You'd have to go to Dorchester's Anh Hong to find some place better.
(4)
Heather C.

The restaurant is small and you may have to wait a few minutes during peak times, but the pho is worth the wait! Today I got the beef pho with flank steak. The broth was much more flavorful that any other Vietnamese restaurant I have been to in Boston. Only one size option is available, but it is more than enough pho for one meal. Also, tea is served by the pot with the choice of jasmine tea or green tea. Service is quick. Note that the restaurant does not split bills when paying with credit card.
(4)
Keo H.

Any time I'm in Chinatown & crave pho - this is thee place! I love my pho (and any other soup) extra flavorful & spicy. This place delivers. Hands down. Coming from someone who daydreams of pho at my 9am meetings. I am a pho-natic! Cute, mom & pop whole in the wall joint. Go...just go check it out. :0)
(4)
Minping W.

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(4)
Victoria T.

In Chinatown, pho is so popular that when I headed to Xinh Xinh, there were two other pho restaurants on each side of it (Pho Hoa and Pho Pasteur). Xinh Xinh is the smallest of the three, but is supposedly a favorite with locals. It's seriously teeny, though. It would be hard to go with a group bigger than six, and you'd be cramped sitting at one of their two round tables. All the tables are packed pretty close together, and the place is so small that employees easily shout to each other from across the restaurant. When I peeked into the ladies's restroom, I found that as small as it was, it doubled as storage for high chairs. Needless to say, it doesn't have a great atmosphere, but we were mainly here for the food. For such a small place, Xinh Xinh has a pretty big menu. They offer pho, bun, com, and even things like banh hoi, mi vit, bun rieu, and bun bo Hue. I had my usual Pho Tai Nam. The good thing about a small restaurant is that the service will be pretty fast. There aren't that many customers, and there's always a server in close proximity. Our food came out fast and was good overall, but nothing special. The broth was tasty, but I knew I'd had better. The rare steak was good, but the brisket was a little fattier than usual, which I didn't appreciate. It was above mediocre, but nothing to write home about. My friend's Com Suon Bi (Rice with grilled pork chop and shredded pork) was just okay, she said. At $7.50 for a small bowl of pho, the prices were fair, but not as cheap as you'd expect Chinatown prices to be. I guess it's just Boston? Obviously, I wasn't impressed, but I was satisfied. While I definitely dig the Chinatown scene, based on Xinh Xinh, I think its pho disappoints. To find some good pho in Boston, I think I'll search outside of Chinatown next time. Rating Breakdown: Taste (10/14): Broth flavor- 4/5 Noodle & meat quality- 4/5 Garnish selection- 1/2 Portion size- 1/2 Restaurant (12/16): Service- 4/5 Cleanliness- 4/5 Atmosphere- 2/4 Speed of arrival- 2/2 Total: 22/30 Read more at phoacrossamerica.com
(3)
Trey H.

Great Pho! This is only the second Vietnamese restaurant that I've tried in Boston, but I'll definitely be back unless I find better.
(4)
Mike H.

When I have a cold it is nice to have Pho. I ordered 27(I think) which is vegetable pho with fried tofu. It had a vegetable broth option which I took. It was very good, vegetables were fresh in soup and so was basil and sprouts. For $2 I was able to upsize to extra large. Decor is kind of lunch counter, so if you're looking for a spot that is quick and good, but not fancy this is a good spot.
(4)
D. M.

I'm not too familiar with Vietnamese food but I really enjoyed my meal. I got the vermicelli with grilled pork. It was yummy. I also very much appreciated the waitress offering me fork because me and chopstick have a love hate relationship.
(4)
Maurizio F.

I have to admit....I've been going through a Pho phase recently...can't get enough. I eat here every other day, and the Pho is always consistent...never a bad meal. What can I say? It's filling, it's plentiful, it's delicious and can't beat the price. I may go grab a bowl right now! You can't go wrong here...my goal is to eventually try every variety of Pho they have....and I'm on my way. ENJOY!
(5)
Victoria P.

Came here and tried the pho. Not my favorite, but not bad.
(3)
Pam C.

I really like this place better than the larger place next door - it's way less crowded, and the staff is so nice and familiar. It's usually the same people working every time I go, so it's nice to see familiar faces serving me. The pho isn't anything awesome - not as good as what I used to get in LA, and not for the same cheap prices either, but pretty good for Boston. The broth is usually a little on the salty side, and I feel like I could use more noodles in my pho. There is definitely a good amount of meat. Definitely diversify outside of pho! They have pretty good spring rolls, and there's this awesome make-your-own BBQ pork rice roll thing on the menu too.
(4)
Sunny W.

I stopped during my way back home. They have large selections on viet dishes. Their ice coffe was really good, a combination of strong coffe taste and sweet. I am not sure if this has the best pho but it was good! definitely check it though!
(3)
Liz B.

Here's an old school SAT analogy-- Pho : Liz B :: Bacon treats : hyperactive puppies. So yes...pho is my weakness, for all of you who seek to systematically destroy me. While the best pho I've had was my first pho, at some place near Stanford in CA, Xinh Xinh's is very very good. The broth was complex and flavorful and satisfying without being too greasy, the slices of meat were perfect, and the noodles were the perfect consistency. I was sad that there were no jalapeno slices provided as a condiment, because I freaking love them with my pho, but nonetheless I can't complain about the contents within the bowl. The place is also cheap, uncrowded, and hassle-free. Yes please.
(4)
A J.

sorry to say, because I was excited to come here.... Bowl of Pho' is overpriced, the broth was too oily (the oil content needs to be separated), and there wasn't enough cilantro, green onion, and onions in the soup. The flank cut was also fatty. Fresh spring rolls are dry and needs more cilantro/basil in it. Peanut sauce is very (american) and bland. oh, and how can i forget...no jalapeno peppers are given with the sprouts, basil, and lime! wha? Also, they charge for hot tea! Every vietnamese place I've been never charges for tea, is this a Boston thing? I was given an attitude when I asked about it, and she said to tell her "where they don't charge for tea, everywhere charges for tea." Really? excuse me...I'm a huuuuuge pho' fan and have eaten it all my life, and been to many places...I've been in areas known for vietnamese population, LA, San Francisco, Seattle....and Xinh Xinh rates low. ....go somewhere else, the Yelp reviews are deceiving. I was disappointed, and really wanted to be happy with the place. Maybe the other dishes are better? But Pho' broth is the main thing! shame shame...
(1)
Lilly L.

Find it on yelp while visiting boston down town. It is very small restaurant. We ordered three bowls of #16 pho train special and one bowl #20. Service is not good, we have 5 people on the table and only got 4 cups of water. They only gave one small bowl of vegetable for 4 pho ordered. I had to ask for 2nd bowl. Forgot Napkins and I had to ask for them. Pho is tasty with a lot if meat.
(3)
Yelp L.

Terrible terrible service. Met a friend here for dinner - I was late, shame on me. I came in and ordered a drink to start. Rude waitress with poor English and a nasty attitude told me there was a "$5.00 minimum" per customer for dining in. Wtf?! Shame on her. Would not recommend this as a sit down, dine-in option. Seems like there are many options in the area, so choose someplace else.
(1)
Chenkai L.

Nice inexpensive local pho joint. Very casual place to go for a quick meal, the pho was tasty as always and quick service.
(4)
Alee G.

Xinh Xinh is my new favorite spot to get Pho. After I experienced less than desirable service at Pho Pasteur, I decided to check them out. This place isn't the "prettiest", but that's not what you go there for so, I'm not sure how much that even matters. My friend and I walked in on a Friday evening and were seated right away. The service was great! The waiters were fast and attentive. We both ordered the Beef Pho. So so good! The broth was especially bursting with flavor. Very satisfying. I couldn't even finish it all. And to top it all off, it was only 7 bucks! It doesn't get much better than that my friends! ;-)
(5)
Damien S.

Value for price, spicy broth, massive amounts of cow parts - it's all here. Staff is unflinchingly friendly, and a big bowl of pho will run you less than $8. Just keep with the tendons, tripe and rare beef. My recent jaunt into the world of red meat freeness kept me from these treasures, and I paid the price with only a semi-decent bowl of tofu and vegetarian soup. Nothing is squeeze of a lime, a squirt of sriracha and a few bean sprouts can't polish up! Plus, background Rihanna playlist making love to my ear holes? Bonus.
(4)
Paul V.

The pho and bun were both delicious. Also the best special fried rice that I have eaten at a Vietnamese restaurant. Best thing, the food was fresh and not oily. The spring rolls were average. The service great and the owner was quite pleasant as we chatted for quite a while...total bill for three was around $40...
(4)
Colleen M.

SO GOOD. Spicy ramen was to die for. I often dream about it.
(5)
Rachie G.

Just spent 6 months in in Singapore and also visited Vietnam. So we were definitely craving some Pho. Got this as a recommendation from a friend. The pho and fresh springs rolls are amazing. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Omar H.

Was in Boston ( from france ) for a 2 day business trip and did not feel like the typical burger and fries place upon a jet lagged stomach. While in theatre district i followed this yelp suggestion and was delighted. Noodle soup was very tasty while spicy and the black bean soya beef delicious. Service friendly at a very good price.
(4)
Helena Q.

Food is pretty boring here, with not much dimension. The spicy pork hot pot tasted mostly like salt and there was no spicy flavor whatsoever. Spring rolls were also pretty bland and the skins were weirdly hard. Not a fan.
(2)
Alex A.

This place offers a wide selection of pho, soup, and solid Vietnamese options. It's tiny, and does close a bit on the early side, but if you manage to squeeze in here on a Saturday afternoon, you will not be le disappoint.
(5)
Dr Rahim F.

This place was ok. Not too bad but nothing to rave about. The chicken chow fun meat didnt taste all that good.. but the service was good and food came out REALLY fast. Theyre not much better than the other chinese and viet food in area.
(3)
Anthony P.

Out of all the places that serve pho in Chinatown, Xinh Xinh is my favorite place to go! Their small, friendly shop is never swarming with people, so I can enjoy my bowl of hot pho in peace. The staff are very chill and friendly, so if you need any little thing, just ask and they'll be happy to help. Although their bowl of pho doesn't come with a lot of meat, their broth tastes amazing! For days that I prefer an overall good bowl of pho, I'll come here. For other days when I'm extra hungry and can eat a whole cow in one sitting (then regret it later), I'll go to Pho Pasteur. But most of the time Xinh Xinh's Pho Xe Lua is satisfying already, although I would like a little bit more meat. So trust me, I'm Vietnamese and I love pho.
(4)
Sejin J.

I don't know how clean the foods/ingredients actually are given the setting of the restaurant, but this place is AMAZING. Worth your money. Prices are so appropriate. Food tastes GREAT. The ingredients actually seem very fresh! I came here for dinner with my sister and as vegetarians, we found many great options!!!
(5)
Timothy T.

Overrated! Man. I had high expectations here, but Yelp is still fairly inconsistent with Asian restaurants. This place is a hole-in-the-wall. I walked by it several times and never noticed it, but my friend was fixin' for Vietnamese and as per Yelp this was #1. The fact that it is a hole-in-the-wall is a good thing and normally has excellent positive predictive value. The menu looked great. Lots of options with really good prices. We made our orders and patiently waited. And waited. The restaurant was fairly empty, and everything took a bit longer than it should have. 10 minutes for bubble tea (or "shake")? Then another 5 minutes for the next one? At least they were nice and all patrons were thanked heartily on their way out. Anyways, the food came out and it seemed to be with grand portions. We ordered seafood fried noodles and some chicken and pork dishes. Presentation was whack, but that ain't what we here for. Unfortunately, the only thing grand was the amount of carbohydrates and vegetables. If I were a vegetarian, I would be quite enthused. Protein was scarce (even after we paid extra for MORE meat), but I will admit that whatever was there was quite delicious. (^_^) Options (^_-) Service (^_-) Taste (-_-) Presentation (T_T) Bang for buck (meat)
(2)
David A.

Quiet, cheap, delicious. Not too many people there on a Monday night, we were seated and served immediately. For drinks, the bubble tea shakes were outstanding, $4.50 each with tapioca balls. Our fresh spring roll w/ pork and shrimp appetizer was on the table within 3 minutes of our order and had a hint of mint that tied together all of the flavors. A few minutes later, I got "the train noodle" pho with beef, tendon and tripe and my friend had some sort of beef vermicelli. Both portions were huge, fresh, and flavorful. Between two men with large appetites, we ran up a $30 bill and were unable to finish our meals. This place rocks.
(5)
Cecelia A.

I got one of the regular pho (#21) dishes as well as an order of fresh spring rolls (summer rolls). The pho broth was flavorful, as we're the ingredients. It was a good size. The only complaint my boyfriend or I had was that there was not that much meat. However, overall it was delicious and satisfying. The spring rolls were also excellent. I love summer rolls, but sometimes they fall apart too easily or don't have enough meat, being over filled with lettuce and noodles. These however, were nicely packed together with plenty of meat. The peanut sauce that accompanied them was also one of the best I've had. The service was a bit slow to start, but once we ordered, the food came quickly and arrived perfectly hot. The location is nothing special, definitely a casual place to eat with friends, not a fancy date location. It was a little bit dirty, but not so much that either my boyfriend or I were put off. Would recommend!
(4)
Rakesh C.

We came here for lunch and it is one of the best asian fusion food we ever had. We tried the stir fried chicken with spicy curry and the curry chicken soup. Both were amazing!
(4)
Anita C.

food is awesome! Decent prices for delicious and a large amount of food. As you see in photos, presentable and yummy looking. Table has hot sauce and condiments you need. Okay customer service.
(5)
LL B.

This is my first time writing on yelp and unfortunately it's a real bad one. My husband and I haven't been to xinh xinh for a long time, we thought we would give it a try tonight since we were craving for hot noodles soup. Both of us love Bun Rieu, but definitely not theirs! $8.95 for a tiny bowl of bun rieu contains one piece of shrimp, two skinny slices meat (about 3cm wide x 2cm long but only 1mm in thickness, I can't tell what kind of meat was that!) and very little rice noodles... the soup tastes like tomato paste mixed with water, it's not broth! The portion and taste are totally not worth for $8.95! This is by far the worst Bun Rieu we had! On a side note, they charged you for tea ($3!) My lukewarm tea cost me $3 when they handed me the bill! Is that on their menu? I don't remember I was being charged for tea in any other Vietnamese restaurant but at XINH XINH! Don't forget to check their online menu first, different pricing! and there's a sign next to the cashier said "additional 50 cents PER ITEM on your take out order," I beg they won't tell you on the phone! Be a smart customer! I feel sorry that I was there! :(
(1)
Christina X.

I ordered the Bun Bo Hue and my husband ordered their Pho. The Bun Bo Hue was tasty but still not as good as Cafe Hoang in Chicago. Their Pho is pretty tasty though. And yes the other reviewers are right, the portions are a lot smaller. In fact, we went to another place after to fill up a little :)
(4)
Alicia C.

Good, solid pho in chinatown.
(3)
Xou V.

Great food but poor service. There was 5 of us total. They only have us 3 cup of water. Asked for 2 more cup of water 5 times and still no water. Table was ignored for 5min before we we're able to order. Food took another 15min, we just got pho. People that came after us had better service. No water refills also. Great place if you want to eat and be ignored.
(2)
P W.

Got their Bun Bo Hue "To Go" today and the portion was not filling. Disappointed because it was tasty and left me wanting more. Hoping perhaps caught them on a "off day" and they were busy today.
(3)
Allison A.

Just a quick walk from the movie theaters near Boston Common. No glitz and glam, just good food. Definitely better flavors that Pho Pasteur next door. The pho ga is tasty, spring rolls are the usual, milk tea with tapioca - yum, and a fun variety of flavored shakes.
(4)
Natalie V.

Absolutely delicious with hefty portions. Try the mango strawberry smoothie!
(4)
Jennie C.

Was in Boston for a business trip and was craving hot soup because Boston turned out to be way chillier than I anticipated. This hit the spot. I only had pho, which was comparable to what I can get in Argyle St. Chicago (Vietnamese town). Cheap & good with friendly service. Can't beat that!
(4)
Hannah R.

My S.O. and I wandered in here last night, intent on eating in Chinatown but not sure what we were in the mood for. He wanted Chinese-style, I wanted anything involving noodles and soup, and we both got what we wanted at Xinh Xinh. The place was full when we got there, but there was a table near the kitchen door we were able to sit at. I had some news to share and was happy not to have a shared table this time, but S.O.'s chair got banged every time the kitchen door opened. He took it in stride and joked about the back massage, but we'll opt for a different table next time. There were also a few fruit flies hanging around--not very appetizing. The food was middling to delicious. We started with some chicken dumplings; they were very yummy but teeny tiny. We split a mung bean and coconut boba, and it was great! S.O. noted that most tapioca pearls in boba have no flavor, but these were sweet and tasty. He got a chicken dish, but I didn't try it. I was far too busy with my 5 Spices Duck and Shitaake Mushrooms Yellow Noodle Soup (#45!). I asked for it spicy and got what I wanted. This soup was everything I was looking for and more. The duck was perfectly cooked, the broth was very flavorful, and shitaake mushrooms are always a plus as long as they aren't too rubbery--these were soft and just right. Our servers were busy, but what I really appreciated about the service was when we placed our order: before he wrote anything down, the server asked me if either of us have shrimp or peanut allergies. We don't, but I really appreciated that this was the first thing he asked. Food allergies are rough! All in all, I will definitely be going back. Can't wait!
(4)
Samantha E.

Delicious!! Veggie pho was amazing! Lots of veggies and delicious broth. Staff was super friendly and even let us come in out of the rain 5 min before they opened. Thanks!
(4)
Nik A.

Had dinner here last week, the food was decent but the service was awful! I can honestly say that I've never been kicked out of a restaurant until now so imagine the shock on my face when my friend and I were asked (no, told) to leave because we had been there "too long". Keep in mind there were only 3 other tables with customers so the restaurant was basically empty and it was the middle of the day, hours before the place was scheduled to close. I'd also like to add that we ordered coffee, a meal, followed by some weird drink. They brought the check after the meal so when we ordered another drink they insisted that we pay cash "secretly wanting us to leave". We didn't get the hint and that was when a lady working there came over and said (no, yelled) they wanted us to leave because we had been there too long (over 2 hours) and they needed to clean the table. I really wish you had told me this before I tipped 30%. I'm never stepping foot in this place again, I've never been treated so rudely!!!
(1)
Minnie G.

I wish I could rate less than 1 star because this place was the worse restaurant I've ever been to. Service was terrible. We came in and were seated but it took a long time for the waiter to come by. When we ordered tofu veg stir fry and shrimp w/veg and fried spring rolls we were told the chef was not in yet (it was noon) so we couldn't have that but we could have shrimp stir fry and he never asked if we wanted something to drink.. I was confused as the restaurant was full but said OK. When we got the spring rolls they tasted like they had gone bad. We cancelled the rest, paid and left. We are an interracial couple and I hope this place is just bad and that racism didn't come into play.
(1)
H T.

I've come to accept that there are only 3 ways you can good Vietnamese in Boston: 1. Have a Vietnamese boyfriend or girlfriend. Hopefully he or she can cook. Or, come over to his or her family on the weekend to eat. They don't skimp out on ingredients like many restaurants do. 2. Go to Dorchester (No, you're not gonna get shot or beaten up. You'll leave with a belly full of yummy food and still have all your teeth.) 3. Take the blue line to Boston Logan and fly to Little Saigon in CA. You'll definitely have good Vietnamese food. Being the highest rated Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown, instead of putting out the best food possible, they are cutting corners. Where are the aromatic herbs, crunchy cucumbers, pickled daikons and carrots? There are about 8-9 herbs that go into making summer rolls or a plate of grilled meat and vermicelli, yet there are only 1-2 here. These little things seem small, but they're essential to making Vietnamese food great. It's all about contrast. Sweet, salty, crunchy, sour, spicy- they all contribute to the dish. How much do cucumbers, carrots, and daikons really cost in Chinatown? Not very much. I'd rather "risk" going to Dorchester than going here again. The meats are fatty too. It's ok if there are a decent amount of meat. But it's another story if there's little meat, and the fat is the filler. The egg roll is small and quite oily. Not very crispy. Like a sad flaccid member. You might say egg rolls are fried, so what do you expect? It has to be oily. NO. Growing up with egg rolls, I can tell when it's crispy and crunchy, and when it's fried badly. Lastly, the fish sauce that comes with the vermicelli plate could be better. Like the herbs, it's such an essential part to a dish because it flavors everything.
(3)
Mercedes T.

First, I want to say that the staff were friendly, polite, and quick. The bun mang viet (vermicelli with bamboo, duck, and spicy nuoc mam) was good! A simple and flavorful dish was delicious. I did not enjoy their bun rieu... it may have been an accident, but they added either cinnamon or five spice to it. For me, that completely changes the flavor and masks the delicious shrimp, pork, and tomato broth for bun rieu. I also had their bun bo hue and it was mediocre. Next time, I'm sticking to the more famous dishes, like pho or my usual bun mang viet.
(3)
K T.

I stopped in for a quick lunch and was delightfully surprised with my lunch. The restaurant dining room itself is clean and spacious --as one would expect for a family style restaurant. The Pho was excellent. The broth was superb, the noodles were not cooked to a pulp but rather were fresh and of the right texture and firmness. The slices of ribeye beef were excellent - minimal fat and flavorful. The garnish of fresh basil was fresh and appreciated. Service was quick -- as expected in a place like this -- and the price was fair and appropriate. I'll be back.
(4)
Alison Y.

The restaurant was easy to find, The staff was very friendly and fast with service, my husbands dish was delicious ( a shrimp curry dish) both dishes were very good.
(4)
David G.

What a treat! We only tried a few vegetarian dishes -- vegetable chow fun, vegetable tofu pho, and vegetarian sting rolls. Everything fresh and very tasty. The waiters are extraordinarily friendly and helpful. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Jimmy L.

I brought my family here after reading the good reviews. The other choice was "Pho Pasteur". The space is your typical Vietnamese decor- like someone's personal dining room. Almost every Pho place I go to around the world, it seems to be this trend. So I can't knock off points for that. I would have to say though, this place doesn't have a foyer, so when the front door opens, you'll feel the hot or cold weather that comes rushing in when someone opens it. The cost and service is typically similar as well, except they have better English pronunciation. The food is ok. Its just slightly better than your average Vietnamese cuisine but doesn't deserve 4 stars. I would give the other pho places a try, however, I wouldn't mind coming back if I had to.
(3)
Ben H.

This place is awesome!! Lots of good dishes with fresh mint and lime. So good! I get the vermicelli noodle dishes every time because they are generous portions and delicious and fresh tasting. My favorite place to eat in Chinatown for sure.
(5)
Molly B.

Sadly I've been a long time patron at this place but no more. I went today for lunch and brought a colleague who was considering catering her next event. We arrived at 11:50 and were rushed to order and eat and then asked to leave by 12:30 because there was another party waiting. The "hostess" suggested we go to a cafe if we wanted to talk more...disappointing. The food isn't anything distinct given the location so we can go somewhere for future events but given our history thought they were worth considering. Not any more.
(1)
Julia N.

Drunk food; quality review null and void. Good when drunk, probably good when sober as well?? Yeah.
(3)
Felicity L.

The wait staff at Xinh Xinh are super sweet and competent, but I think their food is inferior. The strawberry shake tasted really odd and flavorless. I think they either use some chemical ingredient are unripened strawberries. A few sips in and I wanted to throw it away. On another occasion I ordered their vit goi ga/duck salad and the duck was really tough, flavorless and full of dark stringy veins. It also came with 4 huge shrimp crackers that looked odd resting on top and almost looked like they were trying to make the plate look bigger. I've admittedly only been there twice, but both times were so disappointing and not on par with the other Vietnamese restaurants in town.
(2)
Rachel R.

Pho pho pho pho pho. That's all you hear about Xinh Xinh. Well guess what? Pho is no phon when you don't eat beeph. Here's the thing: Xinh Xinh has an extensive menu of a plethora of dishes void of noodles entirely (although they do have a huge noodle section as well). The real star of our meal was the green papaya salad. The sauce was the tangiest, most delicious thing I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. It also came with those Asian rice cake-eque puffs whose name escapes me. Regardless of my forgetfulness, they made for awesome pseudo-taco shells. I pretty much licked the plate clean... not in the metaphorical sense. To be fair, I did try the veggie and tofu pho, which was rather bland (surprise!), but comforting all the same. I'm not hating on their pho because I can't try the "real" deal, but if you don't eat meat, go for something else. It shouldn't be hard, there are probably 500 items on the menu.
(4)
Eric B.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Xinh Xinh yet! I feel like I've lived a significant portion of my life here. Anyway, unlike the young woman below this review, I WAS hungover when I came here. The sort of hungover where you seriously question the merits of this painful life versus a quick and merciful death. Once I crawled out of bed and resisted the urge to drown myself in the shower, I headed out to Xinh Xinh. Weird choice, you might say...Vietnamese to calm your waves of nausea and pounding headache. But it works. Oh it works. As always, I got a huge steaming bowl of beef pho, replete with mounds of thin-sliced flank steak cooking in the broth and sumptuous tendons lurking under the pile of rice noodles. After piling on the requisite Thai basil, bean sprouts and hot sauce, I dug into the Vietnamese ambrosia. So, so good. Complex flavors, just the right amount of spice, not too greasy/oily; it was everything I wanted and needed. Did I mention that this massive bowl of godly goodness ran me a whole $8.08? The service was awesome as usual, I had put in my order within two minutes of sitting down, and maybe three minutes after that my bowl of pho appeared. The waitress made sure I was well-supplied with water (God bless her) and I was good to go. Aside from the pho, the only other dish I can speak to authoritatively is the fresh spring rolls: also awesome. Overall, five stars. Fast and friendly service, awesome food, and hilarious decor/soundtrack. What's not to like?!
(5)
Alex A.

When i first walked in, it seemed kind of dingy, but i liked that old-looking vibe. We ordered the fresh spring rolls to start which were pretty good, and then we ordered the beef pho (flank steak), which smelled and looked pretty good. Now, they don't give you a spoon with the pho, theres a tin box on the table which contains a bunch of spoons which you can take a spoon out of one by one. First spoon was dirty, it had chunks of dried food all over it. I figured it was just bad luck, so i grabbed another spoon but it was the same thing, disgusting dried food. I then started thinking, maybe this tin box of spoons was meant for you to throw away your spoons once you were done, but i grabbed a few more spoons and finally found some clean ones. Even though it doesn't seem like a big deal, it just mentally makes you think everything else is going to be gross about this place and food. When I finally tried the pho, it wasn't bad, not the greatest either. could have been spicier and the broth wasn't as delicious as it smelled. overall, i give this 2 stars due to the fact that it was not very clean and the pho was passable but nothing i'd come back for, i'm surprised this place has 4 stars from yelpers.
(2)
Andrew D.

Don't love pho but have friends or an SO who does? Read on. In my book, pho is just OK. It's not bad but there are other things I prefer. Like the drizzle of food. My personal prejudices aside, if you're going to get pho this place is a fine place to do it. I go for the safe beef-only soup and it's always tasty. The regular size is perfectly adequate for me. Service is a touch friendlier than I expected, and on the bright side, they take cards.
(3)
Tamera R.

Extremely yummy pho and equally wonderful service. If you're in Boston and want authentic food , eat here. No alcohol and very casual..
(4)
Andrew P.

This is the best Pho in Boston. Actually, I am kind of disappointed in myself for sharing. They have great prices, it is right next to some tourist trap so you don't have to worry about all the pho wannabes. This place is amazing, get the spring rolls, and the standard pho is great. Always fast service, and they are always willing to give you good suggestions. Best Pho in Boston. Period.
(5)
Shawn S.

You know what's sad? When you're a normal at a restaurant, love their food, and they do something idiotic enough to piss you off to the extent of not wanting to come back. this place has good food, it may very well be my favorite vietnamese restaurant in Boston. I've been coming here regularly for the last year, and most of the staff recognizes my girlfriend and i when we come in. but tonight, some random ass new person was working and actually had the audacity to come up to me after we ate to ask me if i could modify my tip amount because she felt it wasn't adequate lady, go fuck yourself. you just lost 2 regular customers.
(1)
Risa X.

Whoa. Funny that I literally just wrote a good review for this place. As much as I love their food, I can't look past the fact that I got approached by an employee (who, may I add, in my past year of going here, I've never seen) asking whether or not I was aware that I should be tipping off the full amount (we paid partly in cash, rest in CC)... Really? You don't deserve ANY tip if you need to ASK for it. I tolerate a lot of rotten service in Chinatown but this is just beyond.
(1)
Ngan T.

So I came back today to try this broth everyone raves about...the entire experience was a total miss. I came in after the lunch rush expecting smooth sailing, but the service turned out to be slower and the food sloppy. My noodle soup took way too long and when it did come out, it was room temperature. The broth itself was bland and swimming in fats and oils that should've been skimmed. I also specifically asked for peanut sauce for my grilled beef summer rolls. I got fish sauce instead. My request for the change in sauce when it reached my table was acknowledged but promptly ignored again as the waitress went behind the desk and started joking around with another waitress. My bean dessert took 20 minutes to make as they decided to complete two drink orders that I know came in after mine (they were the only other customers at the time). And when it did finally come out, more than half the glass was a mid of whole and crushed ice. I also had the pleasure of hearing the other two customers send their drinks back bc they were two sweet. Now don't get me wrong, I'd never wish ill on another man's drink but I was starting to worry my tastebuds were off today since so many ppl love this place.
(1)
Shuang C.

Bun Bo Hue is really good, but the Bun Rieu was really bland and the meatball inside was a mushy tasteless mess. The avocado shake cost $1 more than new dong khang, and the bubbles here are hard as heck.
(3)
T T.

I've been back to Xinh Xinh a few times since my last review, and every time the pho has been consistently amazing. Last time I went, we ordered their fried chicken wings, which were some of the most tender, flavorful chicken wings I've had anywhere. We also ordered the catfish Canh Chau, an intriguing sweet and sour soup with pineapple, tamarind, tomato, and celery. I had never had anything like it, and I couldn't stop eating it. I appreciate simple things done exceptionally well, and Xinh Xinh delivers!
(5)
Stephanie M.

Came here the night before the 2013 Boston Marathon (a friend was running, not me). I had a vermicelli bowl. And it was spot on. There were 4 of us in the group and everyone left happily full, including the Boston runner in our group. My husband and I would like to make a second visit whenever we're in Boston again. Since I'm writing this review 4 months after the fact and a lot went on during that time, this review isn't meet the bar of my other reviews.
(3)
Lisa W.

OMG. this place is horrible. First of all, I was visiting from the CAlifornia and I know what good pho tastes like and I'm Vietnamese. We went here cuz of the yelp reviews, and I was excited! It got so many good reviews! I ordered the eggrolls, only to be disappointed becuz it's sooooo small and it sucked, they didnt put the right ingredients in there! Then the pho came out and mine tasted like it was straight up watered down, the broth was not flavorful at all. It was like eating noodles and water. I was soo disappointed! I guess this place is good for the area since there aren't many vietnamese restaurants in the boston area, or good ones. If you are from san jose, california or OC, Califonia and know what real pho tastes like, you will be disappointed!
(1)
Devin F.

This restaurant does not provide Chinese food! It only has Chinese style American food! It is not bad as a restaurant but terrible as a Chinese restaurant!
(1)
Geoff J.

Great food at great prices! Try the menu 'hi-lights' on the whiteboard. Service is friendly and efficient. Authentic Chinese and Vietnamese food with an extensive menu.
(5)
Brian L.

I had to try this place to figure out the pecking order of the pho places in Chinatown. To be honest, I was not super impressed. The broth was not very hearty and seemed a bit watery, and some of the cuts of meat were below average (too fatty or stringy). The service was not particularly good either, even by Asian restaurant standards, but it wasn't completely terrible -- just sort of run-of-the-mill, like the food. To be fair, I haven't tried any of the other dishes, so I remain open to the possibility that those are better than the pho I had. But until then, I will just say that Xinh Xinh is OK, not great, and there are probably better options within walking distance.
(3)
Rachel N.

3.5 -- my green papaya salad was one of the best I've ever had; however, my tofu sweet and sour soup was just a bowl of grease -- totally nasty -- so, I'm undecided. I'd go back for the salad, but venture into other items. The other dishes at the table got rave reviews, so I'm guessing that since I'll be living at Tufts Med 24/7 in appx 2 months, I will return. Entrees are around $12-14 and are pretty well sized, though they charge $2 for rice in addition. No frills, though if you come at the right time (aka, linner -- 4:30p on a Thursday), they're picking through the fresh mint and thai basil for the spring rolls, and the tiny place smells divinnnnne. Service is quick and friendly, but since we were the only table in there, perhaps I'm not the best judge. Oh, lots of decent looking veg options on the menu -- not just pork, seafood, chicken. Yay.
(3)
AJ N.

Their beef pho is better than their neighbors', and their chicken based soups are very, very good. They try hard and you can taste it.
(4)
Bob H.

Me and my imaginary friends went out to Boston for a week. We are from Denver, so we love snow. Boston was great. We went on a Duck Tour, an amphibian vehicle. Now lets talk about the restaurant. Pros: tasty, actually Vietnamese, fresh Cons: not free, bathrooms kinda small We dont like how they don't believe in the FIC principle; Free, Included, and Complementary. Ratings Taste 4/5 Water 5/5 Cleanliness 2/5 Floor Tiles 5/5 Decor 3/5 Chopsticks 3/5 Overall 22/30 It's a good place to stop by and grab something cheap and filling.
(3)
Jonathan H.

Got the curry chicken with steamed rice. Well prepared just a little bland. Nice place a quick affordable stop!
(3)
Michael D.

Maybe I'm spoiled cause I used to live near Vietnam Central aka Little Saigon in California, but sorry yelp, you've let me down this time!! I got the pho tai chin, ( yelp.com/biz_photos/0oYvâ€¦ ) which is composed to both beef brisket and raw steak. The noodles and the meat were fine, but the main part of pho is the BROTH, so if that's not good, it detracts from the entire dish. :( It was WAY too sweet and lacking a lot of flavor. Unfortunately, even after trying pho pasteur and pho hoa, I'm still looking for that bowl of Boston Pho that can compare to the ones back home.
(2)
Sabrina C.

Pros- Fast service Delicious Food Great staff Cons- I can't eat there everyday because salty soups make me swell, but thazjusme Specifics: I love Vietnamese food. I judge Vietnamese restaurants on their non-Pho dishes because Pho only varies slightly from restaurant to restaurant. Their Bun Rieu soup is amazing (think salty, spicy, sour, slightly fishy in a light, mouth-watering broth). It's a struggle to only eat half of the soup and save the rest for later, but I also a struggle to eat the whole thing because it's pretty big. Their Lemongrass Tofu Bun is great too. The tofu pieces are super flavorful. Oh and don't forget to order a Vietnamese iced coffee. To be fair, I subtracted half a star for styrofoam to-go cups, but rounded up.
(5)
Natasha B.

I wrote a review about this place that was not so stellar. Then I went there for takeout and realized the review I wrote was for another place. Sorry! So I've never sat down to eat here but the takeout was fast, the people working there seemed nice, the people eating there seemed undisturbed, and the food was delicious. I loved how they packaged everything. I'm going to try to eat there with a few friends soon and update later :)
(5)
Benjamin G.

OUTSTANDING! I believe this is my second yelp ever, the first being years ago. However, I must break the silence for Xinh Xinh. I stopped by last week to grab lunch to go and was greeted by a gracious host, who helped point me in the right direction with the menu (which is amazing and extensive). I got a Vietnamese shrimp crepe appetizer (like Chinese shrimp with scrambled eggs, but way better) and a soup I might be incorrectly calling duck ramen. Everything was super fresh, prepared perfectly and accompanied with ultra fresh vegetables, herbs and the best fish sauce I have ever tasted (they make their own!). I can't wait to go back for dinner (which I am doing tomorrow night).
(5)
Deborah H.

This review is just for the five spice duck and mushrooms noodle soup ($8.95). That shiz is cray. Especially on a frigid winter night. My friends loved the pho, especially the soup, saying that it was especially tasty and non-mass-produced. I'm not sure if I'll ever try it since I'm so in love with the duck dish but I'll give it a shot one day. Kind of dumpy, unassuming place, a-la typical Chinatown. Pleasant service and cheap (though not as cheap as California, but what are you going to do).
(5)
Alex B.

This place is pretty consistently great. I don't know why they are so cheap with the napkins. I am pretty messy, and require at least 2 napkins to get through the soup/whatever without fucking up my dress clothes. Please accomodate. Otherwise, the only thing bad about this place is the number of clueless white dudes. The food is good, and I always feel fantastic after eating here. Try the vermicelli wraps instead of the soup...
(5)
Al R.

If you want pho, and you are ANYWHERE in boston, this place deserves a trek. It's cheap, fast and SO good. Here is where they get ding'd. Ambiance. But I don't care. You know why? Because A) I actually find their barren walls, tiled floor, and old Christmas decorations (up all year long) part of the charm. You are there for the food. Not to pretend you're in old Saigon. And B) it keeps tourists and window shoppers away which means more delicious pho for me.
(5)
Aez A.

FRIENDS. if you can handle the heat- try their #25.... it's a special pho they serve and it is SUPER SUPER delicious. it has little thicker of a broth, definitely spicier, and it has a slight peanuty touch to it. #25 also adds tomato chunks and cucumber chunks to the pho and the veggies really add quite a bit to the taste. Truuussst me. Try it. You won't ever want anyone else's pho again.
(5)
M. N.

For the given price (very cheap!), this place is definitely the place to go if you are craving Vietnamese food! The ambient and cleanliness aren't that appealing; but the food is delicious! I order the Bun, Vietnamese vermicelli with pork....Mmmm!
(4)
Jason R.

Ah my pho saga continues. This round was won by Xinh Xinh. One of the few places where the staff was amazingly friendly and hospitable I loved it. The only funny thing was my waitress, an elderly women, flat out asked me if I was going to be able to eat everything I ordered because there was alot for one person. I had the Pho Tai although they brought me out one that had tendon in it and when I said something the girl was like oh yeh but the "restaurant mother" over heard and flipped out on her. I admit was pretty funny but I felt alittle bad cause I couldn't tell if they were messing with each other or if the women was going to lose a finger later. The food was astounding the soup fresh the spring rolls perfectly crispy on the outside and fresh on the inside. I just wish they would have brought out bigger lettuce leaves to wrap them in. They barely fit halfway around the roll. Last but not least the pork chop and rice was so good that I had to stop eating my soup just to make sure I finished them. All in all another great pho experience.
(4)
Ada C.

Very typical pho place, nothing particular. The portion (especially the side veggie dish) is smaller than most of the pho places out there.
(3)
Robo T.

Check the scene....X2 is a no-nonsense WYSIWYG casual eatery. It might not look like much at a casual glance but, behold....there is flava within these walls! I have not had the pho yet but the ga xao xa ot (chicken lemongrass) was off the chain! It was really good! Another person in the party had ga xao gung hanh la (chicken w/ ginger, scallion) and they had no problem cleaning the plate. The apps like the fresh rolls and beef teriyaki were average. Staff was cheerful and welcoming. Definitely will be returning.
(4)
Prasad T.

We often come here for dinner before a late night movie at AMC Loews. Our favorite is their fresh spring rolls where you can roll noodle, tofu, vegetables, BASIL into a rice paper and enjoy it with their fish sauce. My wife is a vegetarian so she got the peanut sauce for herself. She also got a Thai ice tea with pearls but did not find it great. I got chicken curry noodle and my wife got rice plate with vegetables ( $8.00). Tasty food, reasonable prices. We felt this place to be a notch above their neighbor 'Pho Pasteur'.
(4)
Holly B.

This is my favorite Vietnamese in Boston, by far! It almost even lives up to the memory of the fabled A Dong restaurant in Des Moines which I frequented in my youth. It's a bare bones/simple environment that suits me just fine. I've always found a table, even when it's busier. The family that runs the place seems just lovely, and I've seen mostly the same faces working here for the seven years I've been coming here. I almost always get a variation of Bun, cool vermicelli bowl with lemongrass-fish sauce, fresh veggies and your protein of choice. Preferably lemongrass chicken. Delish. Sometimes my companion(s) order something else, and we are always delighted. A friend recently got some sort of hot pot which was beautiful to look at. I wish there were more vegetarian options for the times that I'm trying to stick to my local-meat-only diet. (Although when I went to write this review, Yelp told me "Vegetarians love this place!"
(4)
Jeremy K.

Xinh Xinh, in my opinion is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the greater Boston area and is very conveniently located near the Boston common (thus accessible on both the green and the red line) - this modest establishment features a wide variety of Vietnamese inspired dishes which are affordable and served promptly. It is strictly a no frills joint and yet I can't help but return to this place over and over again. It's on a fairly quiet street and camouflages itself well with its surroundings. I've had all kinds of stuff of their menu there, from their delicious pho to regular noodle soups, curries and all kinds of other delicious entrees. I have yet to have either a bad experience or a bad dish there. Personally I really dig their spring rolls. If you are into Vietnamese food, this place is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Helen V.

Bun Goi Du Du Solid portions that will keep you full, but I'm not convinced by these two dishes that I warrant another visit back. Perhaps, it was my fault for coming here and not ordering pho. Sorry, I just don't do pho outside the family domain. Anyhow, service was quick and this place was no frills, inexpensive. Legit Viet. Now, I'll continue venturing to other Viet restaurants in Chinatown. Please let there be more...(still much better than DC's C-town)
(3)
Lynn C.

Their Satay Pho is super duper spicy. Not at all expected!! Sure the menu said it was spicy but I love spicy food and usually restaurants don't make me cry. This place did and I loved every tear and snot...hahahaha Their regular pho is pretty good too, but I definitely go for the satay! This place looks scary on the outside, and no better one the inside. But if you are tired after work and you just want a quick, cheap, and yummy meal, i'd say this definitely makes the list.
(4)
Stefanie T.

Get the duck pho! Or the spicy anything, you will not regret it. DELICIOUS. I recommend this place to everyone I know; the broth is outstanding, by far the best pho I've had in Boston (a city that thus far has been less than steller in it's Vietnamese food performance). Plus I dig the no-frills atmosphere and straightforward service. The lighting of course is disgusting, but any exotic soup enthusiast should know that quality of ambiance and level of pure noodle delight are always inversely related.
(4)
Kawena K.

If I had not eaten at this restaurant during my recent trip, I would have lost all faith and confidence in Boston's Vietnamese food after eating at another restaurant in the vicinity. We were immediately greeted and seated near the window. The waitress was great, we were taking awhile to order but she was patient and kept checking back without being pushy. Finally, we settled on the grilled chicken vermicelli and the banh xeo (Vietnamese crepe). The banh xeo normally comes with pork and shrimp but we ordered it with chicken and it was DELICIOUS. Though I had ordered the vermicelli, I couldn't stop picking off pieces of the crepe and dipping it in the fish sauce. The vermicelli was also great but the chicken to noodles proportion was a little off, I had a lot of chicken left over. Next time I come to Boston, I'm skipping all the other places and coming straight here! Highly recommended!
(4)
M. A.

Prompt, no frills service, and delicious, delicious pho. There's not really anything else to say. Go there. NOW.
(5)
Wendy L.

My favorite pho place in Boston chinatown. The broth taste more flavorful than other Pho restaurants and the meat is more tender. The only thing is the restaurant decor...seems a little bit old. The cleanliness is not top notch but I haven't had any problems eating here so far. You can't expect too much from a restaurant in Chinatown. I love their Crispy Spring Rolls and Pho with eye-round and beef flank cuts. I tried the Satay flavored Pho and it wasn't as good as New Dong Kahn nearby. I'll definitely be back for the classic Pho dishes and maybe try other appetizers. Service has always been fast and friendly. This place tends to get crowded around 12:15 during weekdays for lunch and it's not as big as Pho Pasteur so the tables fill up quickly. I usually got a seat without waiting before noon.
(4)
L L.

I still like their pho ga, but I think the soup used to be more flavorful. Also their porkchop for the rice plate is significantly less than what it used to be while the prices have increased. On the one hand, I get that they need to do what they need to do to keep a business running, but a little disappointing nonetheless.
(3)
Paul M.

Xinh Xinh is phocking good (sorry, had to do it). I've only had it as take out and it's totally worth the relatively long walk to Chinatown and back for my lunch break. They add some minimal additional fee for carry-out but that's probably because they give you a grocery bag of tasty tid-bits to add to your soup. That's not even an exaggeration. You get a few full branches of fresh basil, hot chilies, sriracha, hoisen, fresh cut lime wedges...and that's just the first bag. Then they give you the broth with scallions that's probably about 30 oz and THEN a stuffed Chinese take out box full of your noodles, cilantro, and usually your protein. And it's about $7-9. Wow. This is probably one of those places I'll update to a 5 star some day soon. but I can't do it yet because even though it's AWESOME I still can't get over the fact that the ultra spicy house rare beef (*** in the menu...that's THREE ASTERISKS....that's serious sh*t) was more like slightly spicy beef to me. Maybe I'm weird, I've got a pretty high spice threshold (I once stuck like FOUR Atomic Fireballs in my mouth as a wee lad, yeah, again serious sh*t), but when I'm getting the only thing on the menu labeled with the aforementioned asterisks of doom I want to break a sweat and maybe feel a lil' pain. Anyhoo, solid 4.5 stars.
(4)
Alexandra L.

Xinh Xinh hasn't disappointed me the handful of times I've been there. The noodles are amazing, and the ga xao xa is absolutely to die for. From the minute you walk in, the staff is friendly and accommodating. I'm not the most adventurous eater, but I have no problem just picking from the menu.
(4)
Michael L.

4 stars for the pho, 2 stars for the fried eggrolls. The pho is pretty good here, I ordered a large pho dac biet (combination) after being supremely dissapointed at new saigon sandwich shop. Im glad i stopped by because i left satisfied. The broth was nice and clean, yet flavorful. They give you the appropriate condiments, wish they had chili oil (i know, atypical for pho). but overall, the pho here is pretty solid. The eggrolls were a different story. Small gimpy looking things that looked over-fried, comes with lettuce to wrap and fish sauce. And i believe it was at least $5 dollars for 4 pathetic looking eggrolls. O well, Come here for the pho, not the eggrolls!
(3)
Chris S.

I alternate between here and Pho Pasteur, depending on how busy Xinh Xinh is. Their space seems to be the limiting factor to dining mostly, but if you get here before the dinner rush, there's always spots available. They have super broth here, about a degree of magnitude better than Pho Pasteur's. The only caveat is their grilled pork rice is not as tasty as Pho Pasteur's. You can see that more care is placed in the presentation of the dishes, and even how the complimentary bean sprouts/basil is arranged when they bring it to you at the table. It's seldom tossed on like you see at Pho Pasteur. After repeated visits, I started getting different things to try and explore the extent of Xinh Xinh's culinary quality - they're excellent across the board, but what I found was most memorable was their MI BO KHO. Mi Bo Kho is a Vietnamese-type beef stew, so the soup is not clear but rather yellow-brownish. It has chunks of vegetable in it, and beef chunks cooked to tender awesomeness. It comes with noodles inside, but the beef, and especially the broth, is so tasty. It's hard to describe the actual taste, but it's almost like sweet soy with a strong hint of curry (the curry taste is the kicker). Several times I've felt that the broth was too good to drink in one go and I wanted to bring the leftover broth home and add my own noodles to it. Man, I'm salivating now just thinking about it. YUM!
(4)
Brian C.

Had lunch here with my lady today. Ordered chicken pho, grilled chicken vermicelli and fresh veggie rolls. Chicken pho broth was bland, we didn't even finish it. Rolls were good, but basic. Vermicelli was very good. Service was prompt. All in all an average to below average experience.
(2)
Harri S.

There was eleven of us on a Friday night for dinner and the place was BARREN. Usually I take that as a bad sign. I was there with one person who REALLY didn't want to be there. (I love you M) and who announced in the middle of dinner that "This place is the worst ever. I hate everything here." Aside from the bad fried rice, terrible lo-mein and over-the-top dramatics this place was rather decent and cheap. As it was Vietnamese, I decided to go traditional with a pho tai bo vien (rare steak and beef-ball soup). My friend Dan made the keen observation that I made my soup look more like a tomato-base soup than a broth soup (Thank you Sriracha!!!!), I noticed I was using more napkins than a certain someone else at the table. OY. Bottom line, the place was cheap, the food okay, the service was terrible, and the place was certainly not hopping. May come back on a drunken escapade.
(3)
CeeCee A.

Went to Boston back in August 2010, and after reading the reviews, I just had to come here, since I love pho. We were greeted very warmly, and they showed us to our seat. The decor and ambiance wasn't that great, and had to knock off a star for the casual, not-spectacular atmosphere. I've had good pho in Chicago, fantastic pho in New York. But, their pho here, omg it was perfect for us!! I'm not a fan of an overload of saltiness, and this had the perfect touch of saltiness for me. The beef was really good, very tender. And of course, it's cheap cheap cheap!! I loved it so much that I went here TWICE. The next time I'm in town, I'm coming back!! :-)
(3)
Meena T.

I had 2 good meals here so I keep coming back hoping the food won't disappoint, but I have to say my last trip yesterday is my last one. The place is flithy, I was in the bathroom and saw 2 cockroaches. I went to tell the girl at the counter and she started yelling at me, she raised her voice loudly and told me to shut up. I went back to my seat and fortunately I was with a Vietnamese-speaking friend. My friend listed to them and literal translation, "that girl is lucky I am not going to throw this bowl in her face and cut her eyes out." This isn't the first time they've yelled at customers (mainly the woman at the counter), my Vietnamese-speaking friend says he hears them talking terribly about customers all the time, including inflciting violence on them. I don't see how food should or could get so violent! So, minus the craziness of the place, let's discuss the food...the pho is decent and it doesn't seem like they use MSG which is why I kept coming back. However, the soups have gotten bland and the soup temperature can be a hit or miss. I like my soups warm, the last few bowls have been lukewarm which is not appealing for pho. They also have a handful of other authentic Vietnamese dishes such as carmelized fish (which is super pricey $15), shrimp paste soup, and broken rice, but all are lackluster. The flavor is simply off, perhaps this is because what other yelpers mentioned, the rushed nature of the restaurant. I find that Pho Pasteur is a much better option. Pho Hoa next door is also better if you like beef broth soups (they have this one called Bun Bo Hue that is delicious). I also find that Penang down the street has a few excellent noodle dishes. So, good bye Xinh Xinh and your violent and horrible service with mediocre food.
(1)
Jon L.

Came here with some friends for a weekday lunch - had to get our pho fix. Why this place gets at least 3 stars: -Portions at pho places are generally pretty generous, and this is no exception. -Decent service, though I guess its Chinatown neighbors set a low baseline. Why this place gets no more than 3 stars: -I know it's Chinatown, I know it should be about the food, but the place is still cramped and dingy.
(3)
Richard G.

For a quick lunch in Chinatown, I've not found better. Not dirt cheap, but not expensive. Lightning fast. Onions & fried garlic grace the generous bowl of pho ga. I've been there just about every week in the past month. This is how pho should be. [update] Brought a colleague visiting from China. She ordered something I didn't recognize. Not to worry -- she was suitably impressed.
(4)
Rob L.

We are on the hunt for good tofu recipes (attempt) to cook at home. We really enjoyed their Tofu Hot Pot and also their Tofu stir fry with vegetables. Th veggies were very fresh and the two dishes had distinctly different spices. Service was fast and the place has. Family-friendly feel. Prices are very reasonable. Definitely a good value with tasty healthy food.
(4)
Gina C.

The wind was monsterous, my stomach was rumbling, my boots were clearly a good 1/2 size too big for me, worst of all... it was pie day and I hadn't had my pie yet. So many things were wrong... but my heart was set on trying this mysterious xinh xinh place that my good friend had texted me about earlier. The name confused me as it means star star in chinese... will this be legit? A tedious thirty minute T ride from my home in allston. WAS THIS TRIP GOING TO BE WORTH IT? But once I turned the corner of Washington, I saw the store shine like a beacon. A hole in a wall, nestled on the outskirts of china town, you wouldn't think they would served legit pho right? Wrong. I ordered Tai with beef balls. mmmm.... Flavorful soup... yessss. Flank was well cooked.. although I think I only found like 4 pieces... Still, they were pretty generous on the beef balls. If you ask for more noodles... be prepared to soak'em goood for a few minutes for ultimate flavor infusion. The small sized pho was fairly large (bigger then pho basil I dare say) Ask for steamed bean sprout. Go public health! Good tea... we drunk-em fast. Fast service. for $6.50 it made me very very happy... and tamed down my impending cold I had a photastic time.
(4)
Sarah G.

Yet again, I go somewhere trying to order the spiciest option on their menu, and even Chinatown didn't deliver! But then again, at least their Pho is pretty good, even if its spice isn't quite up to par. Went here with Tepring P. and Deanna D. for a little girls Pho action, and I was feeling adventurous--I wanted spice, and I wanted lots of it! Asian food usually can carry quite a kick if you ask me, they have all of those amazing red peppers and sauces and things, and on a cold night, what could be better than a spicy hot bowl of Pho?? My thoughts exactly!! So I ordered their spiciest beef Pho option and the waitress even told me that it was VERY spicy, and the moment it arrived to my table with all of those red peppers and red tint to the broth from the spice, I was a bit worried that I had met my match with spiciness in Boston....So I asked for a cup of water in preparation and then dug in! And the verdict?? Well it was spicy, but definitely not unbearable by any means. It didn't even cause my nose to sweat even a little bit heh And the beef was really really thin and didn't really have any flavor at all....the rest of the pho however was pretty tasty. The broth was great and the noodles were perfect in the bottom of my bowl, and I found myself quickly jealous of Tepring P for getting her avocado shake. Who would have thought that avocados blended up would make an awesome shake??? Well Xinh Xinh you make your avocado shakes right, next time just bring me a little more spice to my Pho!
(3)
Nashrah R.

In comparison to the other Vietnamese places I've tried, I would say Xinh Xinh tasted more authentic. The lemongrass chicken is the food of my dreams--highly recommended! The pho is good too, but I found it a little too meaty tasting. Also, if you're order the beef ball pho like I did, do not be alarmed by the strange texture of the beef balls and begin to think that they are, in fact, beef "balls." They are just made with mushed up tapioca pearls (as the bemused waiter informed us)!
(4)
Miles S.

This place is awesome! I've been to several pho restaurants in Los Angeles, and this was by far the best pho I've ever enjoyed. Prices are very reasonable and the food is fantastic.
(5)
Mike O.

This is tough one, but I've been on the hunt for the best bowl of Pho in town and between Xinh Xinh, Pho Pasteur, and Pho Ha, I think Xinh Xinh is taking the crown. While their service is OUTSTANDING: friendly, prompt, and helpful; their meals don't always leave me feeling the same way that other places in the area have, but their Pho knocks it out of the park everytime. There's always that ounce of "I just wish it had just a little bit more..." but then I realize that I'm about to explode. Comparatively speaking, their meals are just as, if not a little bit more, affordably priced as the others. If you're looking for something outside of the usual restaurant type place this could be a great casual lunch option, but if you're seeking the best pho you can get, this may be the only option in the Boston area. I've also found their spicy dishes to be less than such and their hot sauce condiments are simply the familiar Sriracha and Sambal.
(4)
Jennifer S.

Xinh Xinh consistantly reminds me of why some of my all time favorite foods and flavors are Vietnamese. Recently tried their vermicelli lettuce wraps instead of the usual grilled beef vermicelli bowl and I think I might actually like it better. Same ingredients, same flavors but the hand made rolls of lettuce, grilled beef, crunchy veggies like cumber and pickled carrot dipped in the sweet sour fish sauce is so delectable and satisfying. I also liked the little square of warm vermicelli noodles they give with it. Goes surprisingly well in the wrap. Still one of the best Vietnamese places in Chinatown.
(5)
Joe T.

We came to Boston and it was cold. Realllly cold. So cold it reminded me to never move any further north. Chinatown was a cool quick tour, but it was too cold to have fun walking around outside. Pho was a perfect solution and this place had good reviews and a lot of them. It was much like many a Vietnamese restaurant, rather unsuspecting and fairly plain. The servers were quick and friendly. We were both realllly hungry so we went with a Vietnamese crepe and spring rolls. The crepe was very good, but the spring rolls were below average. Both the GF and I ordered pho. I am the spice fiend so I ordered a dish with triple spicy beef. She went with a traditional beef pho. I love really spicy food, but all you could taste was heat, there was very little flavor beyond that. The GF's pho was ok, but bordering on the bland side. Ok meal but not a place I'd repeat.
(2)
Cherie C.

Good, cheap Vietnamese food. Service is very friendly. So friendly, in fact, that they served us even though they were about to close. We didn't realize this until we were almost done and noticed they were closing up shop. Their pho warmed me up on a cold winter night and barely made a dent in my wallet.
(4)
Vivian H.

The standard bowl of pho seemed to lack a little bit of flavor, but maybe that's because we also ordered the spicy beef sate pho and the standard paled in comparison. Portions weren't as big as I'm used to (probably a good thing for the ol' diet), enough for the 2 of us to be comfortable finishing 2 bowls of pho and have room for sizable desserts afterwards. They take credit card, which is always nice :)
(3)
Mollie W.

Walking into XInh Xinh was a shock... because this tiny place is sandwiched between the well-known Pho Pasteur, and on the other side the chain-y Pho Hoa, and still STAYS OPEN!! How is this possible? We open the door and .... "Hi! How are you? Two for dinner?" Wait wait, you SPOKE to me, other than to say "You know what you want!?'' Which how you're treated at pasteur... Oh but there was more, a friendly waiter that asked if I had Questions. QUESTIONS. Oh yes, I have questions, like what other meat I should try in my pho along with the regular rib eye, or 'pho tai' meat. Flank he suggests, and boy was it tasty. The pho took a little while but it was fresh unlike the 'other' places where you can tell it was just scooped from some mess out back... It was fantastic! Did I also mention they gave us water!? Several glasses!? Without asking at all! I feel like pho pasteur uses the withholding of water as a torture tactic to move patrons along in search of liquid after a salty meal of soup. Not here, and to Pasteur I say, farewell!
(4)
Burger B.

First, a review of the dishes we had: * Shrimp Paste on Sugar Cane -- I haven't had this dish in ages. The presentation was cute. They cut it up to look like two miniature octopi sitting atop a bed of grilled sugar cane. It was damn tasty. We'd definitely go back for it. * Grilled Beef Spring Rolls (with fish sauce) -- Another slam dunk. These were chewy and leafy in all the right places. We munched greedily on them, glaring at one another when there was only one left, silently daring the others at our table to make a hasty move in the direction of that last, oh-so-tasty hunk 'o spring roll. We smoked through them so quickly! -_- * Bun Bo Hue -- There's no grey area for this dish. Bun Bo Hue is either done up right or not at all. The hubby was disappointed--it was way too light; an Americanized version of what it should have been. Also, it tasted like no chili oil or shrimp paste was used in the base of the broth. No congealed cubes of pig's blood, no pig's feet--though there appeared to be an occasional piece of ankle. * Vermicelli Combo (#51) -- Loved it! It's not a hard dish to mess up, but golly. It was the perfect dish to snuggle up to on a cold, rainy Sunday evening. Eating this combo felt like getting a tangy, chewy, meaty hug. The veggies in my bowl were crispy and fresh. -happy sigh- And now, for some other dining variables that usually make or break an experience: * Service -- Lickety split! Very speedy and courteous. The waiter gets props for humbly accepting our critique of the watered-down Bun Bo Hue entree. * Size -- Eek! It felt like the incredible shrinking restaurant inside. When we arrived, there wasn't room for our party of 4, but they quickly pointed out several tables of diners that were almost done. Another plus, they let us crash at a small table for two in the corner while we waited. * Ambiance -- Very simple, no frills. Clientele was pretty diverse. * Price -- Felt so right for the quantity and quality of food that we got. Would we go back again? Oh, heck yeah!
(4)
Borris C.

This used to be one of my favorite places for Vietnamese food in the world, but no longer. The staff's attitude is unwelcoming and rushed, and the food has gone from terrific to mediocre. I'll be traveling a little further to Fields Corner for my Vietnamese food in the future.
(1)
Sophie P.

Tried some vermicelli, not impressed. Not as good as Le's.
(3)
Deanna D.

I love Pho-Period. So my quest to find the best Pho in Boston brought to Xinh Xinh with the lovely Sarah G. & Tepring P. the first time. Then with Jamie K. for another try. The restaurant is small and clean but lacks decor. The staff is fast, friendly and efficient. I had the Seafood Pho in the spicy broth--the noodles were fresh and perfectly cooked, there was a variety of seafood which was great, and the broth was flavorful but not really spicy. I have to agree with Sarah G. on disappointing lack of spice in the broth. The avocado shake with boba---AMAZING! Totally made up for the lack of spice in my broth. Big thanks to Tepring P for introducing me to the delicious shake! The boba was fresh and tasty too! Bottom line: Fresh, delicious Pho + amazing avocado shake + super cheap price = Very happy Me! Great value and quality food-- I will be back for sure!
(4)
Tanner J.

Great pho and never had a bad experience here the rare beef and tripe is the best. Try the spicy one If your into spicy food but be warned it's hot. Their crab and pork soup is also amazing. The crab is plentiful and has great texture. They don't cheap you out on the seafood, and when a bowl is only ~8$ there's no way you can loose. If you are stuck in Chinatown on Friday or Saturday and every other decent place has a queue out the door try this hidden gem!
(5)
Zach W.

I remember 'nam. It was hot and sweaty, wading through relentless sidewalk vendors, and scores of scooters careening wildly through the streets. I made some bad choices over there....like eating at a few restaurants I probably should have avoided, buying a few shirts that were cheaply made (and in poor taste), and getting waaay too drunk in the Paris of the Orient. I also did some amazing things like eating lots of local street vendor food, cruising down the Mekong, and stopping by an old woman's back porch in an alleyway for a bowl of the best pho of my life. Xinh Xinh almost matched the amazingness of that back alley pho in Vietnam and is definitely my new go-to Vietnamese restaurant in Boston (sorry Pho Basil...you've been dethroned....violently). The pho at Xinh Xinh may or may not change your life but it most likely will create a constant, addict-like craving for their amazing noodle soup. The broth is perfection. They also have solid spring rolls, great fruit shakes, Com (aka broken rice), vermicelli noodles....basically whatever your heart desires. Everything about Xinh Xinh reminded me of being in Vietnam (except everything is a little cheaper in 'nam). Imabout to get real up in her. This place is bomb-diggity. Go get yer-self some of der pho (and don't call it FO!!! It's pronounced F-ah.....)
(5)
Hyeyeon B.

I liked this restaurant. The price is reasonable and the food was great. My favorite foods were #2 GOI CUIN TOM/HEO and #93 BANH HOI HEO NUONG. I whish they put more meat though. I want to try Pho next time.
(4)
Kenneth W.

Been going to Boston for business for years and biggest regret is not discovering this place earlier. Just fantastic pho- dont let appearances fool you this is the real deal. If visiting from out of town dont get takeout - get the full experience by sitting down.
(5)
Shoji T.

Good pho, but not amazing. Wait staff is nice and attentive. I'd come back.
(3)
Yanfei G.

Really really really great food there. Don't look it down just because of it's outlook.
(5)
Josephine L.

I assume I came on an off night, in terms of the waiter I had, because my boyfriend who'd been to Xinh Xinh before never had the service problems we experienced and even the other restaurant staff seemed to be frustrated with our waiter (being multilingual and getting to eavesdrop on the staff has its perks). Anyway, the dude sucked and messed up our orders several times. Of course, he was none too friendly either, but I'm used to that sour attitude from growing up in Aaaaasian restaurants. The food itself was tasty but I've had way better pho elsewhere. Noodles weren't the right texture, beef tripe could have been better cooked, tendons weren't tender enough, and the broth, though savory, lacked that je ne sais quo of Vietnamese pho broths that elevates it to level of sublime for my noodle soup-loving taste buds. Not worth a hike to Chinatown.
(3)
Ellie W.

Oh Xinh Xinh, one of my favorite places to get Vietnamese food in Chinatown. The staff is super friendly and the food is good. I had a horrible cold once, went here for some pho, didn't eat much of it because my head felt like it was going to explode and I couldn't taste anything...and the guy came over after we finished and said, "Oh, was there anything wrong with your food? Did you not like it?" and I said, "Oh no, I just can't taste anything because I'm sick..." haha Awesome.
(4)
Jonathan W.

No frills Vietnamese resto - around the corner from her fancier competitor, pho pasteur - this place is relatively small but the packed in hungry diners willing to wait 30 mins for a seat speaks volumes. Went with the pho special - beef, tendon and tripe - a staple of any Vietnamese restaurant worth it's salt. Noodles don't seem fresh but still reasonable. The beef is just right but could use a little more. The broth is rich and delectably soothing in the brisk, cool Boston night. Overall, at $6.95 a pop, great value for a good meal.
(4)
Thien N.

I've had a lot of pho in my life and this place has one of the best pho in Boston, in my opinion. It's on the strip of about 3 other pho places as its neighbor and can be easily missed. The place is small and can fit probably around up to 30 people max. The decor is nothing spectacular but the food will keep you coming back. It definitely beats pho pasteur and pho hoa. The food comes out quick and piping hot. The portions are generous for the price you pay. Fill your stomach with pho for about $6.75 a bowl. Choose your different types of meat - although my favorite is the pho tai (rare steak) and pho tai bo vien (rare steak and beef balls). My friend's favorite is their extra large bowl of pho with all the cuts of beef (rare, flank, bo vien, tripe etc). Their bun bo hue is also very authentic and delicious. Give this place a try, you won't regret it! What to try: Pho Bun Bo Hue
(5)
Pough K.

noodles to the dome, so good, much cheap.
(5)
Kang-Hsing F.

Overrated. My son could not finish the meal because of poor steam rice. Spicy soup noodle is not spicy. The food could be eaten but not even a 3 star quality.
(2)
John N.

I hadn't ate a bowl of Vietnamese that I didn't had to make myself for over 4 months so the first chance I got, I RAN here. There were a few places to try in Chinatown so I didn't know which one to pick so I check on yelp reviews and this seem like the more tasty one OH BOY was I wrong. The service was ok but it took a long time to get a bowl of pho so i had a feeling it will suck. The rule to any Vietnamese pho restaurant is if it take longer then 10 minutes then stand up and walk out. Anyway I wish I took my own advice and do it because when I try the food, it wasn't really good and all of that waiting made me think why didn't I choose somewhere else. The pho was bland and they added things that shouldn't even be in pho in the first place. I will never go back here!!! Oh I saw tons of Chinese/Korean in here and they keep telling the wait staffs that the food was awesome!! I didn't even see any Vietnamese inside beside the staffs....That was a big mistakes on my part not walking out!!!!
(1)
Adam A.

It's true. The peanut sauce that is served with the beef teriyaki appetizer is stupid good. I found myself eating it straight with a spoon. The Pho is also pretty good. Less salty (flavorful) than other local spots and they are quite stingy on lime and basil. But, the amount of noodles they give you in the Pho is fantastic. I was slightly turned off by the fruit flies that were consistently buzzing around the restaurant, and more importantly my Pho. Service is very fast and they speak great English (always a plus)
(4)
Mark D.

One of the best pho joints I've had. None of their meats are cooked so it's too chewy. I actually hate tendons, but I've changed my opinion because the way they cook the tendons is so that it's really soft such that you don't have to chew hard. Apparently, this is how tendons are supposed to be cooked, which makes me believe the pho I had from them was truly authentic. Would definitely come back again.
(4)
Anna K.

I don't even know what it's called, but the crab-based vermicelli soup is absolutely to dieee for, and the regular pho dishes are also consistently super high quality.
(4)
Andrew H.

Seeing how back and forth the reviews for this place were, I couldn't help but take a look in to get the scoop for myself. Overall impression? Tasty! The prices are reasonable, the food is legit, and I'd definitely come back again. I've made a point of having pho in every city I end up in, and this place has lived up pretty well. I mean, yeah, it's a hole in the wall and the decor is basically nonexistent, but that's not what you go for pho in chinatown for.
(4)
Jane Z.

yummmy! I think they have lots of great options to try out. I took my daughter here and she loved them! We're going back for her birthday in a few weeks, plus, the atmopshere is really great, too.
(5)
Annie N.

I had a SERIOUS craving for Asian food while on a short business trip in Boston. This is how serious it was: Cab to restaurant $26 Meal at restaurant $8 Cab back to hotel $26 Yeah, my bowl of pho costs me $60. And all I got was one strand of mint basil. I must say it was nothing compared to a bowl of pho in San Jose. But I suppose by Boston standards, it was pretty good! Ahhh satisfied my cravings...
(3)
Adam E.

As Susan R's "gal pal" I have to concur with her assessment of Xinh Xinh. My meal was fine, but nothing special. I guess we should've gone with the pho that everyone raves about, but I didn't want soup. So I ordered a ginger and scallion dish with rice. The chicken in the meal didn't taste great, like maybe it was on its last day of passability. The sauce was decent, but that's little redemption. Rice and an ok sauce with ginger and onions is not worth $11. Still, service was very quick. Although I feel like that was not for our benefit but to maximize table turnover/profit. The fact that the waiter wouldn't take no for an answer when my friend asked for no rice made me more confident that dollar bills were on his mind. No one was overtly rude, but when someone says "no rice" just make it so. But, I would give them another try as a pre-theater bite to eat. I would not stray from pho though. And I'd go vegetarian.
(3)
Sabrina G.

The place is really cute, in a nice space, downstairs and down the block from My Thai Vegan Cafe (don't go there). The staff was super efficient and helpful. I decided to try this place out after reading the menu posted outside the door. They had a "Vegetarian" section on the menu with a note above stating that the dishes could be made Vegan by requesting that the fish sauce be left out. I placed my order for Tofu Fried Rice feeling pretty confident that it would be an animal-free dish. The person who took my order even confirmed it with me, "Leave out the fish sauce?" - "Yes, please." I was waiting for a bus, so I took the food to go to South Station. I noticed that there weren't many veggies in the fried rice, and also that the tofu was fried beyond recognition. What I didn't notice until I was almost done eating was that the dish contained egg. Something got lost in translation. Maybe I should have been more wary, maybe I should have asked more questions, but after seeing the word "Vegan" on the menu I felt that they would have been able to accommodate me. Beyond not being Vegan, the dish was just lackluster.
(3)
A W.

Wonderful pho so I must give it three stars. However, there's a ridiculous rule that each person sitting at a table must order $5+ worth of food. I'd understand this if the restaurant is full- it's very small and allowing people to occupy seats without eating would result in them losing business. But my husband and I went in this afternoon, when half of the tables were empty, and the waiter refused to serve us when I ordered one bowl of pho and my husband nothing. After a little heated conversation they allowed us to stay: "We'll overlook it this time." Needless to say it left a bad taste in our mouths.
(3)
Nicole V.

Annnnnd... I was forced to go back. A friend of mine insisted I just ordered wrong and so we went during our Pho showdown. This time we got rare beef and tripe. I giggled the whole time because the tripe make my tongue tickle. However, it was DELICIOUS. Since going back a few more times I have rarely strayed but I don't regret it. I still hold a place in my heart for curry pho, but this is my first option for traditional pho now. (Congratulations friend, I know you'll read this eventually and go "HA")
(4)
Shaina P.

To the tune of Fa Fa By Guster tiny.cc/g298B [see link to La La] When you look at the menu, wish you could eat it all Just a vast cornupcopia, Pho Tai Gan and dumplings yah Minutes run into hours, hours run into days You're still waiting to choose that perfect something pre-booze Pho pho-pho Pho-Pho Pho Pho Pho Never be hungry again Pho pho-pho Pho-Pho Pho Pho Pho Never pay an arm and a leg Others were eating something, you swear you'll order for next time But how does one actually do that, sans asking those who dine? Spoken words now. I wanted to hold off to write a review after more visits and more eating of delicious flavorful foods from Xinh Xinh, but I couldn't help myself. Observing everyone else's orders made me realize that you probably can't go wrong here. Besides my own delicious Pho Tai Gan (Pho beef and beef tendon noodle soup), which had a deeply flavored broth (compared to other Pho in Boston), plenty of tendon, lots of noodles, and all the right fixings (including whole torpedo peppers), people were eating Fried Pork Rinds topped with some yummy meaty mix, spicy stir fries, fresh spring rolls, and fried dumplings! I felt engorged before I even took my first bite! Oh, and the smell in this petite eatery was just too damn tempting. "I'll get whatever I'm smelling." Maybe that sounds a little weird. The service was friendly, the atmosphere adorable, the bathrooms acceptably clean, and at 6:40 on a Thursday night, there was plenty of seating. I can't wait to return to Xinh Xinh to try its many offerings, but will probably need to update this review after a visit to Pho Hoa.
(4)
Mike L.

Excellent pho. Huge portion and bigger flavor. The place is a hole in the wall, but the food is good.
(4)
Vijay S.

These people are extremely cheap! I have been going here almost every other week. And introduced many friends to it. Went there today cause wife suddenly wanted soup as we were passing by. I was not hungry. She ordered a soup(~$8). I didn't feel good not ordering something, so I asked for some tea(~$4). The waiter walked away after taking our order, and another dude came out and announced "our policy is every customer must spend at least $5"! I said, "but surely we were going to spend more than $10"? (and I am a generous tipper, having waited tables while in school) - he wouldn't have it! I could've ordered something else just to make my order cost $5, but their cheapness disgusted me! I could understand if they were packed, but that wasn't the case either!! Surely, I'll never go back or recommend this place!
(1)
Dan S.

The last 5 places I ate in Boston's Chinatown have really been terrible. I even thought Pho Pasteur was awful. However I was very relieved to find this little hole in the wall that offered prompt service, excellent food, and very reasonable prices. I don't know if the food was authentic and I don't care. What I know is that their avocado shake was the best I've had in Boston and their BBQ Pork, Lemongrass beef, and pho were very satisfying and put Xinh Xinh at the top of our list for Vietnamese (In Boston's Chinatown). Please send me a note if you have another recommendation! Another reviewer mentioned the pure quality of the water. That's funny because I noticed the same thing. The water was filtered and delicious. That makes for good pho too!
(4)
Brian D.

The best Pho I've found in Chinatown so far. I asked for banh mi once, and they gave me a "dipping sauce" with french bread. It's like Pho soup base with chicken curry--fantastic!
(4)
Sara M.

Met my roomsies here one day for lunch - this is her go to from her office. The atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but the food is great, prices are reasonable, and staff are super duper friendly.
(4)
Ennis G.

Spot on.
(5)
Susan R.

oh Xinh Xinh... I am sorry to give you a 'bleh'... but i have to. picture this: dive looking exterior + homeless men sitting on the ground outside. hmmm, should i trust yelp and go in? ok, fine. once inside I found the place to be cleaner than expected but still pretty run-down. 'it's ok' I tell myself, excellent food will follow. the menu is huge-ish... too much to choose from... but that is fine, I will narrow it down to anything with a chili pepper next to it. the staff waited patiently for us to close our menus and came right over to take our order. (this is where it gets weird) My gal-pal orders a rice plate meal... and i order a straight up meal with no rice. 'is good with rice' 'i know, but i don't want any rice' 'but is with rice' 'i know, but i don't eat rice' 'ok, how about noodle.. is good' 'uuuuuugh, ok great, vermacelli, thanks' Sorry guys, i am not a fan of up-selling. I just didn't want the carbs... am I an ass for asking not to add on the $2 rice? whatever... good for him. i like when people pretend to not understand that you don't WANT to add the rice... its funny... sort of. When our meal arrives, mine was absolutely wrong... bummer... we were on a tight schedule...i guess all that talk about rice made him write something else down for my entree. it was still good but when i expect lemongrass and get a curry... i say 'booooo'. All in all, its an A-ok place, the fresh rolls were good even if the peanut sauce tasted canned and the food didn't make us sick.. but it's no Pho Pasteur. I honestly don't see where all the rave reviews are coming from. I do hear that the soup itself is awesome, but since i don't like soups, well, no review for that. 3 stars. that's all they are getting from me.
(3)
Erin H.

Great vegetarian soy free, gluten free pho with incredibly fresh vegetables for $6.50!! Served with fresh basil, bean sprouts, a chile, and a lime to garnish. Unbelievable! Not fancy but very kind, happy atmosphere:)
(5)
A Z.

Pho Tai didn't even need fixins because it was so tasty, the grilled pork vermicelli was delicious, and their pineapple shake blew my damn mind. If I came back I think we'd order all of these things all over again because they were so good. Definitely the place to go especially if you love Pho.
(5)
John L.

My pho-ginity (at least since college anyways) has been shattered. And you know what, it was a good experience, and all with the help of some cool Yelpers! I came by Xinh Xinh as part of a larger party. While there was some wackiness at the beginning, the service was quite good overall (I'll admit as well that I was a little antsy for my strawberry bubble shake). As for the food, it is both affordable and yummy. I ended up getting the beef ball soup. The beef balls, mixed in with the broth and some cock sauce, was incredible. The heat was palpable, but not overwhelmingly strong to the point where it would have been uneatable. And my strawberry bubble shake was great as well. All of this, and cheaper than many options for a good filling lunch. It's a small place, so I wouldn't recommend very large parties, but it's a good filling option for your pho needs :)
(5)
Ashley M.

"Good Soup!" declared my 2-year-old godson as he dove head first in to a bowl of Pho Ga (traditional Chicken and Rice Noodle Pho). And you know something, he's right! Xinh Xinh certainly does turn out some incredible food...and in portions that rival many a dish on Extreme Eats! Sometimes, you just need a little comfort food. Some people turn to cheese-laden pasta. Others go for pizza. Being allergic to both dairy and tomatoes, and never one to follow a trend I haven't set, I like to think a little more outside the box. In my world, comfort food comes in the form of rice noodles and soup. Enter Xinh Xinh. The restaurant isn't fancy: a dozen or so laminate tables, a few colorfully tacky luminaries, and the traditional Buddhist statuary one comes to love about a Chinatown establishment. No, decor is not the focus at Xinh Xinh, but food sure is! From the crispy, shrimp-filled Vietnamese pancake to the light but oh so filling pho, this is definitely one of the greatest Vietnamese eateries this side of...well, Vietnam. The service is fantastic as well, with a team of friendly staff always steps away and incredibly accommodating. Need to make a few adjustments to a recipe to work around an allergy? Not to worry, they have you covered! Your water glass will never go empty, and if you play your cards right, you just may be able to get an extra fortune cookie for dessert! Best of all, at about $8 per entree, Xinh Xinh will keep you coming back again and again!
(5)
Bailey H.

This review is based strictly on customer service. The food is actually pretty tasty and my coworkers and I used to go here at least two or three times a week for lunch since Chinatown is right next to where we work. When it came time to pay our bill, we asked for it to be separated. Granted, I know this is a pain, but we have never had any problems paying separately before. The woman refused to split the check, saying that there was a $15 minimum for each credit card. Seriously? We had just eaten there two days ago and the waiter had split the check for us. The only reason they refuse to split the check is because they are charged a service fee for every credit card transaction. After she paid the bill (in full, btw), my friend did not put a tip down on her card because she always tips in cash. When we realized that none of us had cash, we got up to go to the atm. Two seconds after we were out the door, the waiter came running after us, waving the check around, and shouting, "no tip? no tip?" We were shocked and told him we were going to the atm and would be back. Since when did tipping become such an entitled thing? After we returned to the restaurant to leave a tip, my friend informed the cashier that our waiter had run after us after we left and felt it was incredibly rude. The women seriously said that if we didn't have the money to tip or eat out, then we shouldn't eat out. We were awestruck. My friend said that we would never eat there again, and they did not apologize. It did not even seem to phase them. They are obviously so cheap and tactless that they would rather lose a good customer than apologize. At $12-$16 a pop and shitty customer service, we are absolutely done eating here, even if the food is decent.
(1)
Susan N.

Xinh Xinh makes me cry. Well more specifically, their beef sate curry soup. I stumbled around Chinatown a couple of weeks ago looking for soup to cure my cold. When I spotted a spicy pho at Xinh Xinh, I knew this was the place that would help fight my cold. I sat down and ordered a bowl. It was perfectly spicy, to me at least. Non-spice lovers may think it's too hot, while spice lovers may not find it spicy enough. The soup was really flavorful. I loved the flavor the squeezed lime added to the soup. The meat wasn't too fatty and the noodle portion was just right. Service was prompt. This is definitely a no-frills hole-in-the-wall type place. But what it lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in food. And personally, I'd rather good food than fancy surroundings.
(4)
Zeina H.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with this place. Our family eats out in Chinatown often and we've passed this restaurant several time. We never thought to go inside. The entrance just didn't seem to catch our attention for some reason. We finally dropped in today, after I saw it had good reviews on yelp. This turned out to be a great Vietnamese restaurant and I've been to several. The food was fresh, it looked very appetizing, and the portions were generous. I'm lucky to get some homemade Vietnamese food on occasion and this feels like it's as close as it gets. We decided to try their fruit shakes. They asked us if we'd like to add the pearls to it, and my oh my I think I'm in love. It was delicious. To top it all off the staff was very attentive and nice, and the place was very clean and organized. It was a great experience all around.
(5)
Tracey N.

The Hu tieu dai do bien is good! Also the durian bubble are good!
(4)
Samantha S.

Great value for money here. It may not be the cleanest place in the world, but that kind of gives it more character. I had the veggie pho, which was awesome because it had fried tofu in it...great bonus, because many other places I eat pho only offer us vegs plain vegetable noodle soup. My loving companion slurped his bowl of meat tendons and other animal parts faster than usual, and we both devoured our spring rolls before the soup arrived, which doesn't always happen for us. This place will definitely become a regular stop on our list of go-to restaurants, plus it is close to the movie theater.
(4)
Tim B.

After sampling all of the restaurants on this Vietnamese block in Chinatown (Pho Hoa, Pho Pasteur, Pho Vietnam, and Xinh Xinh), this is my favorite by far. The prices are as low as you will find and the portions are as big as you will find. Vermicelli wraps with lemongrass grilled pork are delicious and only $8.50. Pho Ga is $5.50 and you need a pretty large appetite to finish it. To top it off, the service is the friendliest you will encounter, and you will never be overlooked because it is such a small dining room. My only beef has been with getting my check (I am used to getting it automatically but my friends and I usually end up requesting it). And don't forget to order a shake! They're cheap too.
(5)
Steve S.

Really good food at good prices. The stir fries are excellent with very fresh vegetables. Shrimp.pork,beef or chicken. No.'s 69-76 on the menu!! Service is very efficient. Can't wait to return.
(4)
C S.

I can't find a better place. Food, people, price.......
(5)
luke b.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good! I ain't going to no pho no mo'. fer real. The service was awesome. not like them rudies over at pho. And the food is better. more flavorful, more choice. GOOD STUFF! Everyone go here... not pho. People get bugs in their soup at pho. VOMIT! And by pho i'm referring to Pho Pasteur around the corner...
(5)
Thy N.

their egg rolls suck! it's mostly vegetables and very little meat!
(1)
Joseph B.

It's been a while since I've been, but i thought I'd write something too with a pic. Had the spring rolls as appetizers. Tasty, but I'm not a fan of eating spearmint leaves. Pho was pretty good, but I got hooked up on the beef slices, since I'm so good looking. My friend that went with me barely got any in his. I think befriending the waitress is always a plus!
(4)
Raymond W.

Decently place to get a bowl of pho, but I've had better. I took two pho virgins and popped their... lime wedges. Everyone was satisfied especially with the $10 bill each for 3 bowls plus an order of fresh rolls. Service was fast and attentive. I probably will have to give other restaurants a chance before coming back at least for pho. pho pasteur seems to dominate the pho eaters in Chinatown.
(3)
Ann S.

I love this place. They have good service AND good food. That's a hard catch. The presentation value of the food is a 10! Their rice plates look very pretty, and they also taste very good. I'd recommend the strawberry bubble tea too.
(4)
Erik W.

I wish Xinh Xinh was in Roslindale
(5)
P L.

I was sitting in my office wondering what I could get to eat that would be quick and delicious. I hoped on my bike and decided to try out China Town. I found the Xinh Xinh and stopped in. The service was QUICK and friendly. I order some chick bun thing and it was DELICIOUS! I was in and out in probably 15-20 minutes (I was all by myself and picked my dish in about 1 minute). They were very friendly. The food was great! I can't wait to go back and to try something new. I love eating dishes I've never tried before so I'll definitely be back to this place many times.
(5)
Lickety Split N.

Outstanding food and service. The pho is aromatic and full of good clean flavors. Another favorite is the grilled pork chop rice plate. I think some of their rice dishes come with sticky rice, which is an added bonus, even as I picture the rice kernels sticking to my insides. I haven't tried many other places in Chinatown because I keep coming back to this one!
(5)
Norina N.

been here twice, the owner and staff are friendly, cheap food, but nothing speacial, havent been back since.
(3)
Jason L.

my god the food here is good, stopped in before a flight to LAX and had the duck pho, was excellent! service was fast and friendly!
(5)
Jeff B.

Xinh Xinh makes my belly happy for lunch and for dinner. Xinh Xinh knows how to make the broth sooo much better than their next door neighbor. Xinh Xinh has the nicest and friendliest staff. Xinh Xinh doesn't forget when you order one of their delicious shakes. Xinh Xinh is where I do it to it in Chinatown. Xinh Xinh!
(5)
ChianWen T.

Okay, this place is nearly as good as Dalat in Ypsilanti, MI. I wanted to deduct half a star for the third world bathroom and the decor but...... I really have nothing against the food and I would go back again and again, so I am rounding up. The staff is really eager to please and sweet. I think it has a cult following too, just like Dalat. The only thing lacking is that they don't know my numbers yet, so I don't feel nearly as special here as I do in Dalat.
(5)
Rebecca F.

Delicious, homemade, family run - The best Vietnamese cuisine in Boston! Try the fresh papaya salad and a young coconut juice.
(4)
kelle s.

By far the best Vietnamese I have had in Boston. Try the Pho Sate Dac Biet (spicy beef noodle soup) and Banh Xeo (vietnamese crepe). Have a bubble tea for dessert. Service is friendly and efficient. Wish they served beer.
(5)
R U.

Tried the #28 noodles. It was decent, but I probably would've preferred their regular pho more (just a personal preference). The soup and noodles were tasty but the one piece of shrimp did leave you wanting for more.
(4)
E C.

I went to this restaraunt every day for the first two weeks I worked in Boston, and it did not disappoint. The rare beef and tendon noodle soup is better than some of the pho places I've been to around Berkeley and San Francisco. I also enjoy their chicken noodle soup which is lighter and less hearty, but it makes me feel healthier after eating.
(4)
Robin S.

This place is good-- i mean you really can't go wrong with pho- it's hard to mess it up. The staff is friendly and they offer wood chopsticks in addition to the plastic ones!
(4)
Surya N.

best spicy pho ever, their chicken curry pho is also pretty good... definitely must have
(5)
Nicky N.

good pho, but does not stand out. Been here a few times and would probably choose Pho Hoa or Pho Viet's in allston before coming here again. Chinatown restaurants are expected to have little ambiance, but this place seems a worse than most.
(3)
Christian E.

Great food, friendly service. The atmosphere is akin to a White Hen.
(4)
anne r.

family-owned restaurant. i got at least 1-2x a month. i always suggest this place to friends. i think the owner might just recognize me by now. being vietnamese, i have to say this is one of the better places to go for my food. my personal favorite is the "hu tieu nam vang" (seafood noodle soup). the flavor is on point. only downsize is how small the restaurant is, but i don't think they can help it. of the pho restaurants on the same block, i would say that you MUST try this place, it's by far the best on the block.
(4)
Hamlin Z.

It deserves the best of Boston 2008. I ordered vegetable spring roll and vegetable rice soup. Both of them were good.
(5)
Vanilla P.

Tiny tables, bustling waitstaff, and yummy food makes Xinh Xinh my new favorite cheap spot for dinner. The bathrooms are clean enough, with sweet smelling soap and hot water, and the lights to the bathrooms are located outside the door -- which made me worry the entire time I was piddling that someone would switch them off for fun. It didn't happen. I ordered spring rolls and tofu and vegetable soup with chicken broth. The waitress asked me if I wanted vegetable broth or chicken broth, which was thoughtful, especially if I were a vegetarian who cared about that sort of thing. Hubby ordered the extra rare beef soup, and our buddy ordered the beef special. All dishes came out quickly. The spring roll wrappers were a little dry tasting, but the peanut / hoisin sauce made it all better. My soup was great, with a huge assortment of vegetables: green and red pepper, baby carrots, little mushrooms, onions (green and white), celery, and some other stuff I'm forgetting. The noodles were larger than vermicelli I've eaten, and were pretty slippery, making the use of chopsticks impossible by themselves. Enter spoon. All better. Hubby's beef soup was great, and buddy's beef special was good too, but the presentation was really funny. The special looked like a dessert, with cubes of beef surrounded by fresh fruits and wait, what's this? A maraschino cherry! Buddy liked it well enough, but was a little thrown by the initial first glance. If you're looking for a slow, elegant dining experience, then Xinh Xinh isn't for you. The staff is very efficient at getting you fed and on your way, which worked out perfectly since we were going to a Flamenco ballet later on that evening. Dinner for three: $37.
(5)
Jennifer D.

I give it about 3.5 stars. The pho is decent, but the rare beef is never rare. The broth is on the mild side. The catfish sour soup was way too sweet. The bun reu oc is also only OK. I'm not sure what the hype is all about. I've seen them forget to return the change from the bill on two occasions. That's a lot considering I don't eat here that often.
(3)
Dan P.

I don't understand why people like this place so much. I went the first time a couple of years ago and was disappointed, but felt it deserved a second chance based on how popular it is on Yelp. The second time was just as disappointing. The pho is pretty bland (adding the various condiments helps) and the neighboring restaurants are better. The spring rolls and coffee were good though. The service was also pretty good.This place isn't awful, but you can definitely do better. If you're in the mood for pho in this area, then go to Pho Hoa or Pho Pasteur.
(2)
Maryn H.

The place sure filled up fast, so that's a good sign. The food was all right, but you're in for more of an experience if you go all out. It's a tiny place, so beware. The waitstaff is very attentive, but they may forget filling your water glass here and there. Overall, a good place to dine in Chinatown.
(3)
Quan P.

I think this is the best vietnamese resturant so far. The decor is not the greatest but the food is great. I love their hot pot. Their eggrolls are superb. Sometimes I go out of my way and pay for parking in Boston just to dine there.
(4)
Aron S.

My foodie buddy and I made a late night stop at Xinh Xinh on a cold and blustery winter night looking for something that would warm our bellies and put a smile on our face. Did we ever go to the right place! The restaurant is a brightly lit, casually decorated space that feels very homey and welcoming. The staff is very friendly and attentive and quite patient with people who don't know the menu well. We began with fresh spring rolls of course. These are made to order, filled with fresh aromatic ingredients and served with a delicious peanuty dipping sauce. We also had the duck salad which was outstanding. Comprised of fresh shredded vegetables and roast duck with a delicious tangy sauce, it was an instant favorite. I had the spicy beef noodle soup which comes in a huge steaming bowl of heavenly smelling broth with bits of floating red pepper. The broth is complex: sweet, sour, meaty and a high note of chili pepper. The veggies, noodles and beef are almost incidental, but they provide a nice texture, especially the garnishes of bean sprouts, basil and lime. KK had a wonderful concoction of crispy rice noodles with bbq beef. OMG, this was off the hook delish. We only drank water--they don't serve alcohol--and didn't have any dessert. Oh, i almost forgot--they validate parking for the lot across the street. Does that rock or what?
(5)
S. A.

This place has a great selection. It is so flavorful and cheap! I had the iced lychee drink and it was amazing. Real lychees on ice...yum! I ate the crispy noodles w/ shrimp and my boyfriend got the pork hot pot. Everything was out of this world.
(5)
Francine W.

best vietnamese food around. the pho is amazing, way better than the chains (pho pasteur etc). its cheap, family owned, and theyre really friendly. the bubble teas and smoothies are good too.
(5)
Jimmy C.

I came here with my brother after a long day at work. The both of us had been really busy so we didn't eat anything the whole day. Although I've never tried this place recently, I've eaten here a long time ago. It was where I met my current gf for the first time and the place that used green chopsticks. Anyway, my brother had been raving about this place. We got the fresh spring rolls which were decent, but the dipping sauce lacked a good peanut to sauce ratio. I got the Pho Dac Biet. The soup was amazingly flavorful, the beansprouts were fresh and they gave plenty of noodles and meat. Inside is very mom-and-popish; I can imagine the cashier's grandmother stirring a large pot of pho in the back of the kitchen. Recommended for something quick, cheap, and good. And, Yes, it did hit the spot!
(4)
Charlie G.

This is definitely my favorite restaurant in all of Chinatown.. and no I'm not just saying that because I personally know the family that runs it. For years my idea of Chinese cuisine was ruled by pork fried rice, chow mein, sweet sour chicken, and the occasional crab rangoon (more commonly known as the cream cheese dumpling). But Xinh Xinh opened my Eyes to more! it showed me the Yummy deliciousness of tofu hot-pots, real fried rice, and the most delicious avocado or mocha mint shake I never knew existed. Give this place a shot, you wont regret it
(5)
Aimee S.

This place is wonderful. It's a tiny little hole in the wall, but the food is delicious and the staff is great. They are very attentive, and always willing to make recommendations. We try to go here at least once a month and have never been disappointed.
(5)
Hai H.

What a complete disapointment! I ordered Bun Rieu and Mi Vit Tiem for pick up. First, the herbs they gave me was for Pho!! Second, who puts white egg yolk and tofu in Bun Rieu? There were barely any meat. One shrimp and one slice of fish cake! Unbelievable! I took one sip and bite of each dish and threw them out! Never again! If you're a true Vietnamese food lover, don't go here. Waste of money!
(1)
Irene F.

Get the pho. Scarf down the vermicelli. Add a smoothie on the side. Satisfying food, generous portions, fast service, clean place...and both you and your wallet leave full and happy. 4 stars!
(4)
Anonymous P.

Homey restaurant with large portions of delicious food and drinks at cheap prices. The shakes are fantastic (try soursop).
(5)
s s.

Nice waitstaff, and a decent place for a steaming bowl of Chao Ga in the winter. Only one highchair, and it's definitely for smaller babies. A medium-sized toddler would have to sit in a regular seat.
(3)
H T.

I like their menu selection, although it seems a bit more Americanized. Pho and bun (noodle varieties), and papaya salads are so good. Not recommended for large crowds since the restaurant is a bit cramped.
(4)
Steve N.

broke out of our Taiwan Cafe/King Fung/HKE routine to try Xinh Xinh this past weekend. very nice little place, clean for the neighborhood. got a very warm welcome from the staff (possibly owners) who chatted up my son about the up-coming Red Sox season. started with the roast quail and i must say that this was the standout of the meal. 2 whole birds split and roasted (with all bones). marvelous crunch to the exterior and wonderful spicy/sweet/meaty flavors throughout. was served on a plate of lettuce leaves and vinegared red peppers and onions that while good, was overshadowed by the quail. a finger bowl was presented as we finished the quail which was a necessary/nice touch. pork and shrimp spring rolls were standard in taste and preparation with the peanut sauce needing a bit more heat for me. next up were squid (calamari on the menu!) with lemon grass and sliced pork with ginger/scallion. the squid was some of the most tender we've had probably due to the extensive cross-cutting of the meat. the pork was a little dry which left us wishing they had used a more fatty cut. both were sauced pretty much the same, light, slightly sweet/sour with modest heat. we finished with a couple of shakes. strawberry/pineapple for the kid (tasted like strawberry Julius) and avocado with tapioca pearls for me. gotta say i tried the avocado on a whim and was impressed. very yummy. you could really taste the avocado but it was nothing like i was expecting. very good. will absolutely be back and probably order off the special board, with a double order of the quail.
(3)
Paula N.

I ordered take out Fish hotpot and Port Hotpot. Each cost $10.95/dish. They should have named these two dish as "Onion hotpot" as the onion is the main ingredient and occupies more than 50% of the dish. $10.95 is really overpriced and not accepted. In addition, it is not "kho to^." version.
(3)
Dave E.

This place is very good, and has a great, family-run, unpretentious atmosphere. The menu may be a little better than Pho Pasteur, but for some reason, I just like the Pho better at Pho Pasteur. I suppose that makes me an idiot, but what can I say. They're both terrific restaurants.
(4)
Keith D.

The only place for Pho.... Well the only place for REAL Pho in Boston. Every place I've tried around here never comes close.. unless you call warm beef flavored dishwater Pho? They have great fresh-rolls too! The place is clean, service is quick and friendly. And if you like bubble tea they have practically every flavor. So, is there a better place in Boston?...... Pho-get about it!!
(5)
Wendy H.

I must confess I love soup and there is nothing more nourishing for my soul than chicken soup, it's like being 5 years old when Mom could make everything better with a kiss and a cookie. My Husband's flight had been delayed, he had been gone for what felt like forever and it had been the week from Heck for both of us. So when I picked him up I suggested we forgo the romantic dinner in some french restaurant and go here for dinner. We are far from experts on Vietnamese cuisine but are always eager to learn about good food, and the staff could not have been more helpful. We started with an appetizer which was in essence a large crepe filled with bean sprouts, meat and shrimp. It was served with some pickled carrots, cucumber slices, lettuce, really ripe tomatoes, basil and a vinegar based sauce. The serving was HUGE, and make no mistake we ate every bit of it, it was so good. I ordered the Chicken soup which had a lot of white meat chicken which wasn't dried out and flavorless, noodles, cilantro, and lots of bean sprouts and basil on the side. The broth was delicately flavored and just what I was looking for, it was excellent. My husband ordered the duck soup with five spices which was AMAZING. A whole duck leg, noodles, and the most delicious broth I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. Next time, I'm getting that. I had a salty/sweet lime soda, which had the lime in it, my Husband had the Pickled Plum soda, (Which I think is made with li hing mui), They were also excellent, although we probably will skip them next time because they were really salty. The staff was so helpful, and checked several times to make sure we liked what we ordered and the incredibly sweet young lady who waited on us came over to talk with us after dinner, as the place had closed by this point. The bill total came to $30.00. This is not a fancy restaurant but the food was outstanding and the service attentive. A really great experience and we will be back.
(5)
krystle j.

great pho, great service, great prices, great location i'm not quite sure why i'm not giving it five stars, but i'll def be back here
(4)
Vonda B.

This is by far my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown! Their food is delicious, the owners and staff are wicked friendly, and their prices are very fair. Their fried springrolls/eggrolls are the best in Chinatown in my opinion! They have excellent rice dishes and their variety, authenticity, and vibrant dishes are greatly appreciated. No other Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown comes close to providing the well rounded experience and food you get from Xinh Xinh. Their pho is pretty darn good (could use a bit more noodles though, we just ask for more now)! My roommates also love their shakes and one believes that they make the best Thai iced tea in town. They are so friendly and I always wave to the owners everytime I walk by. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. :-) Don't let the whole-in-the-wall decor scare you. Definitely try it!
(5)
Alison L.

Great food, excellent bubble tea drinks, wonderful prices, and friendly service. I've never had a bad experience here. The avocado, Thai iced tea, and taro bubble teas are delicious, as are the bun bowls.
(5)
Anon P.

I had the rice noodles, not the pho, and it was just mediocre. On the pricey side and mediocre service. Meh.
(2)
Lala L.

Ate here for the first time this week and was so full...I couldn't finish my bowl of noodles. I ordered #42, which is the clear noodles in chicken soup with a pretty good amount of shredded chicken. It was the best I've had because not all Vietnamese restaurants serve this, and when they do have it on the menu...they're cheap with this specific type of noodle. The bowl I had was also full of fresh herbs which enhanced the flavor of the soup!
(4)
jenilee p.

i had an overwhelming need to suck down some pho today, and on good recommendations from yelpers, grabbed a friend, and skipped merrily all the way down beach street for some noodle satisfaction. i ordered the special bowl of pho, which was a good sized portion for the economical $6.50 price tag. along with the quintessential noodles, bean sprouts, and hot sauces, this pho also included slices of pork, beef, beef tendons, and tripe. while i am usually a huge fan of the nasty bits, on this particular day, i think the smell was a bit too strong for my liking. something just didn't seem right. maybe i hit it on a bad day. just the same, once having dismissed the smell, the soup was good and what i had expected to quell my need for a hot bowl of noodles. my companion ordered the small shrimp hot and sour soup with vermicelli noodles. while this is one of the more expensive items on the menu (over ten dollars=expensive?!), i have to admit that it was completely worth it. the soup was reminiscent of a thai style hot and sour soup, clear broth with the flavors of shrimp and sweet pineapple. the dish itself arrived in a heated shabu-shabu type container: fashion and function, my friends. i can't imagine anyone ordering a dish to share around the table being disappointed with this choice. overall a pretty good bowl of pho, though i am eager to order one of the other varieties during my next visit.
(3)
buckminster f.

their pho tai is not only super tasty but is also the ultimate hangover killer of all time. i like to overload mine with plum sauce and rooster sauce. you can ask them for extra veggies (beansprouts, basil, etc.) and they won't even charge you (unlike the one in harvard garage). if you don't like pho, their buns are good and so is their papaya salad.
(5)
L. S.

delicious. i was kinda skeptical when my boss suggested this place for lunch, but once i tasted the fresh spring rolls with beef and basil, i was hooked. it looks a little sketchy from the outside, but don't be fooled. great service, delicious food (especially the cinnamon-y (?) beef) and super affordable.
(5)
Clint L.

I love Vietnamese food! The most popular Vietnamese dishes anywhere are the "Pho" dishes. It is a combination of meat and vegetables in a beef soup. The flavor of the soup is very important. That would be the first thing I try in any Vietnamese place. If the soup is not good, I would not try anything else. I have been to Xinh Xinh a few times now. The food is not the best, but is actually decent. I have been too spoiled in Vietnam. The staff seemed pretty friendly there, for most part. Though one time, I asked the waitress to give me more fried onions for my "Pho", she did not seem to know what I was talking about, which was cool. Then my order came, I told her about the fried onions that was sprinkled on top of my "Pho" thinking she would give me more. It never happened! The seating and atmosphere is not very comfortable. Usually alot of young, noisy, American teens go there. Also, they seem more friendly to you if you a white face American. Too Bad!
(3)
M C.

Star for proximity to my apartment. Star for service (they were very friendly and polite). Food was okay. To be honest, the reason why I was there was because Pho Pasteur looked really really busy. And I was hungry, and had a lot of stuff to do. I needed a quick place to eat. I ordered a rare beef pho noodle soup, which is boring, yes I know, but I like it. I am not a fan of change. If its good, I know its good. The soup tasted very bland, without the richness of the other broths in the neighboring establishments. The meat was skimpy. I really liked their iced coffee with condensed milk. A lot of coffee doesn't taste like anything to me. Especially after the umpteenth cup of the day. However, this iced coffee was flavorful and delicious (I'm sure the condensed milk helped some), but yummy in all its caffeinated goodness. I'll probably be back though, because I am very lazy. And the people are nice. Maybe something not pho oriented and Pho Pasteur seems to really be dominating the market there.
(3)
fefifofum h.

my mom and i decided to try this place out. i personally have been a fan of pho hoa for years so i was a bit skeptical about this place. overall it was ok. my mom and i tried the large chicken noodle pho which was fine but could've used more noodles. the beef vermicelli wrap was a do it yourself-er and i didn't like the smell of the wrap after i put it in the bowl of hot water and took it out. i ate the beef with the fixings sans the wrap and although the beef was well seasoned, it was a bit tough and chewy. i ordered a pineapple shake and it came after i was done with my meal which was a little annoying. i have to say the shake was great though. not too sweet, thick and flavorful. the service was pretty good. had to wait a little but i wasn't starving so it was good. a lot of locals frequent this place so it has a nice feel inside. the wait staff are so friendly and polite and they smile a lot which i always like. overall it's good. i might come here again for the pho and shakes but i will go next door to pho hoa for the vermicelli wrap.
(3)
Atrebor B.

I was delighted to see that this place offered Bun Bo Hue (#40 - Hue's special beef noodle) ($6.25) on their menu, but my delight quickly dissipated into despair when my bowl of noodles arrived. There was about a 2-inch worth of grease from chili oil sitting atop the broth in a shiny, slimy reflection. It was hard to skim the stuff off the surface and I soon gave up. After all, water and oil never mixes hence the blatant visual presence. Nonetheless, I was hungry so I dived right in. It was very spicy but also very, very greasy and boy did my gastro-intestinal tract take a beating that night. Instead of the normal slices of beef round that one usually finds in pho; there were tough and stringy chunks of beef shank floating around in the grease pool of a soup. I was not impressed and completely left the protein portion alone. I won't be returning since I'm no fan of taking Immodium after meals, and shouldn't have to either for a bowl of pho.
(2)
Nik A.

I had the pork vermicielli (a dish I've never had before) and it was really good. I am a fan of the sauce and vegetables that they used in the dish. I need to come back again to try more items off of the menu. I kinda like the really casual ambiance and service. Its a cheap place so I got what I expected.
(4)
Sue T.

They assigned a table to the 2 people who came later than me first. That's not acceptable even though I was just one. They even didn't ask me. Food was mediocre (maybe I am picky because I am from the area with lots of authentic Vietnamese restaurants).
(2)
Harlan K.

Maybe I'm just a bit too dense, but it's very rare that I get a bowl of pho and go "Oh yeah, this was definitely the most optimal meal choice I could have made." Or maybe I'm just spoiled by Le's pho. But between Xinh Xinh and Pho Pasteur, I think the 3 Star/"A-OK" rating just about sums it all up. To get into the deets: It was near empty when my group of 3 arrived for a Friday lunch. I like the quiet though. Sometimes the Hustle and Bustle of a restaurant can distract too much from the food (looking at you, Pho Pasteur). We got the squab to start out which was quite delicious and would highly recommend. We then got our pho's and they were... fine. Maybe I walked in with too high of expectations, but that smallest taste of enlightenment I like to get out of every meal just wasn't there. We also had to request another tray of veggies as they clearly did not know that we intended to mean business. I consider pho to be serious business, and maybe I'm alone in that, but it is this business that I will continue to shop around until I find that right phostablishment.
(3)
Jasmine T.

My last meal in Boston and I gotta eat well. We didn't want to go too far away from our hotel. Luckily our hotel was close to Chinatown and North End. But after going to North End twice for dinner, I thought maybe a good bowl of pho would be a nice break after downing lots of oysters, clams, lobsters, calamari in the last few days of my trip. I shared the pork spring rolls as the appetizer. I also got to try the plate lunch that had pork with rice, fried egg, raw lettuce and cucumbers, while I got a regular-size bowl portion that was huge at $7-$8 a bowl. Nice way to end the trip. Highly recommend for out-of-towners needing a nice bowl of pho. :-)
(4)
Sarah G.

It's been a long while since my first dine in and I was hoping for a much improved experience. Quality of the food was MUCH better, but quality of service still needs a bit of help. I had the cha gao/fried Vietnamese rolls. Tasty, but there was more roll than filling. The Pho Tai Nam was also tastier and not too greasy. Their regular is everybody else's small, but it's priced a little less and I didn't find the portion lacking. Though the sides (bean sprouts & basil) was a tad skimpy, but then again any more wouldn't fit in the bowl! Walking in I was greeted warmly, but the exchanges went downhill from there. I asked for some Thai fresh peppers and was told there isn't any. I'm wondering if this is a trend towards not catering to these small requests, since this wasn't the only place to state this. Though this surprises me since the cost is in cents rather than dollars. Everybody that served me I said thank you to, with a smile, and I got back nada. Did see the server ask for a tip when the customer was about to leave. This is also a new trend. A tip is for extra service beyond the expected, a lot of servers demand tips now as part of the dining out experience. As long as I've had a pleasant meal, I'll leave a tip, but it shouldn't be demanded of customers!
(3)
Thomas C.

I don't get the hype... Ambience/Service: small hole-in-the-wall shop with seating for maybe 15-20. Came late on a weekday night and while 2-3 tables had no people, they were still dirty. Couldn't tell how long it had been that way but the two servers looked overworked and tired. Nevertheless, I got my food reasonably expeditiously. I noticed that a couple of guys came in about 20 mins before close and was told they were closed. Honestly I just think the two servers were exhausted. Service: 2 stars Food: I read about the vegetarian options and how people were raving about them. I decided to go with the traditional Vietnamese hot and sour soup with vermicelli, small size. It came in a serving bowl with a heat source underneath it. I'm not convinced this was anything more than for show. It was ok, and not spicy on the least. I had to add quite a bit of sambal olek hot sauce, but when I did, the soup was drastically better. The soup had celery and some other vegetable that was more toothy. There was fried tofu, tomatoes, and a ton of bean sprouts (probably too much). In hindsight, I wish I ordered the veggie pho. I left a little hungry, actually. Perhaps an app would have completed the meal but that would make the meal particularly expensive for pho. Food: 3 stars. This is a borderline 2-3 star for me. The food is ok but the service just didn't make it an enjoyable experience.
(3)
Robert C.

I think the good reviews of this place must not have anything to do with the pho or the stringent rules. They are likely remnants of the days of old. Some quick tidbits: - $5 minimum spent per person at the table - $10 credit card minimum - Checks split in half at the max The pho: Definitely noodle heavy. There's like five pounds of noodles in the bowl with 4 pieces of meat and other random cow particles mixed in. The flavor is good and the meat is great, but the portions are meager compared to their next door neighbor Pho Pasteur. The service: Nice folks, attentive and available. The verdict: Probably only come here if Pho Pasteur is too busy.
(3)
Jason O.

As the saying goes, "You fool me once, shame on you. You fool me twice, shame on me." So it's been several weeks since my last visit to this place so I decided to give it another chance. This time again, I came with the same friend who was told he couldn't sit in the restaurant unless he ordered at least $5 worth of food (even though the other 3 of us were dining here). I got another order of their fried rice since I remembered it being really good last time. My friend decided to order the beef and broccoli. When we went to order, we told the lady what we wanted and she asked, "Brown rice or white rice"? My friend asked for white. We then handed her our card and noticed she charged $27.50 dollars (for 2 entrees that were supposed to be under $20). A little confused, we asked why we were charged $7+ more dollars. The lady then proceeded to explain that the white rice was an additional $3. When one pays $13 for a broccoli and beef entree, rice is expected to come along with it, no? And, the way she asked whether he wanted white or brown rice made it sound like it was included. Still a little confused, we asked what the other $4.50 was for. Once again, the lady tells us that for every take-out item, they charge $1.50. $1.50????? For take out??? Who does that!!! She charged my friend TWO take out fees (1 for broccoli+beef and 1 for the rice!) Absolutely absurd and poor business practice. Sure, you might make decent food but scamming customers with poor business ethics is just plain wrong. By the way, the chicken in my fried rice tasted like it was a day old. Also, my friend's beef and broccoli had FOUR pieces of beef and 30 pieces of broccoli. I guess they weren't expecting us back anyways. I hate you.
(1)
Shir L.

BBH with clear noodles
(3)
Ilya P.

This place has rules: 1. Checks split in half only 2. No paper in toilet 2. Will not seat incomplete parties 3. Many more! The food: extra MSG, skimpy on napkins, and the staff got my order wrong. Will head to Pho Pasteur next time.
(2)
Julia K.

Xinh Xinh seems to be one of the higher quality pho restaurants in Chinatown. The rare beef pho (XL) is delicious. One of the downsides here is that the size differential between regular and XL is not meaningful, but the price is. Though, let's keep in mind that at the end of the day, it's still only a couple of bucks. At other places nearby, you can upgrade to a larger bowl with extra noodles for $0.50-$75 more. I was pleasantly surprised to see fresh spring rolls with the choice of bbq meat! Most places only have boiled shrimp which I'm not a big fan of. Try their spring rolls too. They definitely don't disappoint.
(4)
Tiffany T.

Pho is pretty good; the tendon is kind of chewy. $5.00 minimum per customer. Service is passable, not great. (At times it may feel like a nail salon where the waitresses may or may not be talking about you as they pass by) I don't know what the credit card minimum purchase is exactly since our bill came out to be just over $14 and we paid with card. The man behind us had a $13 bill but was asked to pay with cash... 3.25 stars (can i even do that?)
(3)
Sharon Z.

I'm tempted to write a two word review: Pho Sate. I live and breathe (and sometimes dream) Vietnamnese food. The pho sate here is enough to occupy my food thoughts for at least 75% of the time since we first made our acquaintance. The thought of that ultra-spicy (a degree rarely found in restaurants in the US) boiling-hot tomato-based broth, and the lemon-zested rare beef slices slightly dipped and cooked with that broth really interferes with my work day concentration. It feels like I'm getting plentiful of veggies served in the utmost flavorful broth of them all and my taste buds are definitely spoiled by the tender texture of the thinly sliced rare-rare beef. For under $8, I would come back for this (rarely found) dish anyday and everyday. They also serve beyond the regular pho menu - bun rieu, bun bo hue, bo kho, etc. The service is friendly, fast and awesome. Though the XL size is really only slightly larger than the small and definitely not the train size.
(4)
Jim S.

Pho! Pho! Pho! I really enjoy pho so I was pretty excited coming here. I ordered a pretty typical pho with beef and flank, along with an order of pork and shrimp spring rolls. Ok, the spring rolls were honestly mediocre at best. They were packed really loosely and were too fat for consumption. They didn't taste too bad, but I think the peanut sauce (aka mah favorite sauce in dah world) really saved it. Plus they were like 5 bucks! Which is really expensive when compared to what I'm used to get in Texas. The pho itself was pretty good! The regular size was enough to get me really pho-ll (lol pho pun). Taste wise, it was decent, although the broth was pretty bland. My friend ordered an extra large and it was really massive, so be prepared. In all, xihn xihn is a decent pho place with pretty lackluster pho. If I could give it 3.5 stars then I would. I enjoyed the place for its serving size and service, I was ok with its taste, but is wished they would improve on their spring rolls :( hashtag pho.
(4)
Vincent H.

Xinh Xinh, the small little Vietnamese restaurant that could. Not bad for lunch or dinner, not super busy and hectic as Pho Pasteur, but also better than Pho Hoa. Pho was good, vermicelli noodles on the other hand disappointed me during one of my visits since I felt that it wasn't as filling...or I just had a big appetite that night.
(4)
Elsie W.

Not bad. Just okay. There's a minimum of $5 per person. They didn't have the egg soda I wanted because apparently there's only one guy who mixes it and he wasn't there. So I got bubble tea instead, which was okay. Pho is okay, but adding one beef ball costs $2.
(3)
Joyce L.

Pho for less than $10 when the temperature drops 20 degrees and you have a cold? what more can I ask for?! Really... what more can I say. The service is great, the pho comes out fast and the broth hits the spot on a cold day. Their bowls are smaller than Le's, but I was still stuffed after I finished off the bowl (just as a reference: my guys friends were not THAT full lol...). Now that the weather is getting colder, I feel like I'll be coming here more often :)
(4)
Young P.

I visited here a couple of times and my experience here has been very pleasant. Please keep in mind its not the most clean place to eat in but what do you expect from a restaurant in Chinatown?? I really like their pho. Noodle is very well cooked, soup is intense, and they give you a pretty good amount of food. If you really want to enhance your pho experience, ask for their "house special hot sauce/oil" on the side. This is a good way to control how spicy you want your soup to be. Please keep in mind that it is very spicy. I'm Korean so when I mean spicy, I really mean spicy. But try putting a little bit in your soup and if you can just get that right amount of hot sauce mixed, man it will rock your world. Trust me and give it a try. I also tried their quail appetizer and I must say it was very delicious. It has that weird distinct smell/taste but they did a really good job blocking that out. Definitely a place to try if you are in the area!
(4)
Jessica L.

First of all, trust me when I say that I'm not a huge fan of pho. I'm really not. But this place was impressibly good. To the point where I think I might crave it in the near future. This is rare! I never ever crave pho! But you know what? Next time I have a little too much to drink on a Friday night, I feel like I'll be dreaming of some Xinh Xinh in my belly. Okay. Let me get to the point: the FOOD I got the pho with rare beef, tendons, flank, and trite. I basically chose the one I thought would have the most stuff HAHA - I was hungry, okay? Well the portion was bigger than I could eat, but man. the broth. was insane. i dont think ive ever tasted pho with such delicious broth. It was deep, flavorful, and most importantly - CLEAN. The noodles were great, the trite and flank were also great, but I would have liked a little more beef in mine haha - I'll get the one with just beef next time I guess. This place lost a point because of two reasons: the water they served us was lukewarm...with no ice....a huge turnoff. and a second HUGE reason. It was SO HOT INSIDE. Do they not have AC? If theyre serving HOT soups, then omg at least put the AC on...I was SWEATING the pho I was eating! ahah TLDR: one of the BEST pho I've ever had, but there was no AC and I was basically sweating out the pho I was eating.
(4)
Lillian C.

Not sure what all the hype is about, but for me the Pho Dac Biet was lacking. For a vietnamese place, the pho was small, broth lacked flavor, and left me wanting more. Sure, the service was really friendly and the place was clean enough, but the pho just didn't do it for me. A friend ordered the plate where you essentially rolled your own spring rolls. It was his first time making his own food and enjoyed the experience. I have to say, the grilled shrimp was nicely cooked and the ingredients were all really fresh so that was a plus. Still on the hunt for delicious pho in Chinatown...
(2)
Sara C.

Great place for an easy and affordable Vietnamese meal. We tried the hot and sour soup with chicken (not bad, though the pineapple was a bit unexpected) and traditional grilled pork on rice (yum). The best part was the soursop shake with boba. Price is right and service is friendly, even if the ambiance leaves much to be desired. But that's not what you come here for!
(4)
Jorina N.

Great service, dished cooked to order, and they actually offered me a dish that was not on their menu because I was just so darn picky...they are the friendliest!! Thanks!
(4)
Ally C.

The experience was so poor that it deterred me from this place before I even ate. I came in with a friend, and even though it was pretty empty, we were instructed to wait for a table. Sure, no problem. Eventually we are seated and it takes the server over an hour to come around to us with water and take our orders. I noticed that they had a sign on their door that requires at least $5 per person. That shouldn't be difficult since all of their food items on the menu generally start at $10. I'm not feeling very hungry, so my friend and I order a $10 entree and a $4 smoothie to share. The guy tells us that we have to order more food because of the $5 requirement. I'm confused because we have already ordered over $10 for the two of us. He is inflexible so we decided to go elsewhere. Also this place is cash only. I'm not sure how the food tastes but no level of flavor would merit these bizarrely unfriendly policies and underwhelming service. No thanks.
(1)
Yuki S.

Reasonable price but amazing food.
(4)
Carolyn L.

Disappointing. Bowls are significantly smaller, soup dishes tasted nothing close to what they were supposed to and their pork was awfully overcooked. Portion sizes wouldn't be a problem if the prices matched its size, but they serve your noodles in a kid's sized bowl at prices higher than what'd you'd pay for a large anywhere else! The Bun Bo Hue tasted bizarre. Not really sure how to describe it because it tasted nothing close to any bun bo hue I've had before. Avoid! I ordered the Bun Rieu. It was decent, but not as satisfying as the one's I've had elsewhere. There was a good amount of tender pork and I got one piece of shrimp. The Pho was nothing special. They're definitely less generous with their meat. My friend's vermicilli dish with pork was disappointing. The pork was overcooked and shriveled. My other friend ordered this dish here before and said it looked nothing like that so maybe there was a different chef? Hope so because I haven't found many places with Bun Rieu here!
(2)
Joseluis A.

excellent small vietnamese restaurant which i always have to come check it out every time I'm in boston. with so many positive reviews i think its safe to say this place won't disappoint unless you're good at hating everything others seems to love. because you're original. fresh ingredients, fast service, no frills, great prices. this place is modest so if you show up with those same 5 ratty peeps you know, share an appetizer and expect to have the bill split in 6, you're out of luck. keep it simple bro if not no soup for you. extra star because one of their servers complimented my man city jacket and also idolizes carlitos tevez.
(5)
Janet O.

I am not a huge fan of pho because the times I tried it, I wasn't crazy about the taste. I went to this restaurant and was in the mood for soup so I decided to try the chicken pho and I'm so glad I did! The pho was super flavorful and delicious! Now I can say I understand the craze over this dish. I also got the fresh rolls and they were okay, but I prefer it with only shrimp, not pork. The peanut sauce was thick and tasted really good. Next time I'm in Chinatown and am in the mood for a yummy soup, I will be having pho in this restaurant!
(5)
Julie P.

Slightly shocked by the 4 star review on yelp...one of the rare occasions that yelp has failed me. Ordered a pho tai - the broth just tasted salty, no real beefy flavour to the broth. The "rare beef" that normally comes in pho tai was overcooked and super dry. Like almost approaching beef jerky kind of dry. I probably ate 1 piece of it. The noodles were clumped together. Sorry now I'm just being picky because it really was not an enjoyable bowl of pho! Also had the banh xeo (vietnamese pancake). The pancake part was actually delicious - crispy and flavourful. The filling was made of mostly bean sprouts and those little shrimps which all still had that gross black intestinal vein. I guess it's not a shocker for an Asian restaurant, but still. Definitely won't be returning here on my next trip to Boston...
(2)
Debbie C.

Had the roasted quail and the pho special. Delicious! The staff are quick and super kind. They may need to update the furnishing though. Other than that, I will be back soon!
(5)
Mel C.

The first mistake I made was coming to Xinh Xinh thinking that it would be a good 4 star pho spot. If you look closer at all the reviews, it's the white people who give it 4 stars. And that's because this place is geared towards American tastes and not authentic Vietnamese tastes. The second mistake I made was stepping into the restaurant and seeing that it's a Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant. What? That doesn't even make sense. It's not like a Chinese fusion Vietnamese spot, but they serve BOTH Chinese and Vietnamese food. Oh no... The third mistake I made was noticing that I was the only non-tourist in there, and not stepping out and going to Pho Pasteur next door. All of the other tables were eating dishes like Chow Mein. The pho isn't awful by any means, but it's not great either. When there is another option (literally) less than a block away, why not choose the real pho spot? I can see this place doing well in an area like Kendall or Central Square, where it stands alone as the only pho option, but not in Chinatown.
(3)
Steven Y.

I came here with my girlfriend for dinner last last Sunday, and the service was horrible. Yes I understand it's rush hour, but that doesn't mean you rush customers, not only once, but TWICE. A waitress dropped off the check and told us to take our time. We were basically done and just chatting a little more. The manager comes by and asks us to pay our bill because there was ONE group behind standing by the door for over "30 minutes". There's no way they were, as we barely sat down for 30 minutes just to eat our food. We decided not to tip because of that. The same manager then had the balls to say that the price doesn't include tip, and when we replied that we knew that and that he shouldn't rush customers, he snarkly said "I hope you don't come back". I won't. And I will tell all friends in Boston as well as visiting friends to never come here. That terrible service, compounded with mediocre food, makes me give them a 1 star. I'd give zero if possible.
(1)
Tom S.

I came here for hangover remedies. It served healthy noodles and I could revitalize myself.
(4)
Emily C.

Just plain delicious. The pho broth was so well seasoned that it barely needed any accompaniments other than a squirt of sriracha and some lime. A welcome change from some of the hot grease flavored water that tries to pass as broth in other restaurants. I loved my grilled pork vermicelli bowl with crispy spring roll. Steaming hot, topped with fresh cilantro, julienned cucumbers and carrots, and cabbage - SO unbelievably tasty. The restaurant was packed but service was impeccable (so friendly!) and we were in and out, fed and happy, within 45 minutes. Excellent.
(4)
Curt W.

Inexpensive and always delicious, there is so much to love about this quaint place. You can't go wrong with any of their phos. The tofu rice chowder is my go to. Great spot for authentic Vietnamese!
(5)
Mia C.

I experienced the worst service at this restaurant. The waitress seemed friendly when we first came in but her attitude quickly changed when we only ordered two entrees without any appetizers or drinks. The service went straightly downhill after that. The food is just average for a Chinatown restaurant. Also the restaurant looks dirty. It's hard to imagine what the kitchen looks like. So definitely be prepared to order a full table of appetizers, drinks and entrees before going to this place or you will be greeted by their moody and nasty services. This is my first visit and will be my last.
(1)
Nes Y.

Good location, huge portions, cheap prices, tasty food!
(4)
Erica M.

My favorite Vietnamese spring rolls. The peanut sauce is drinkable. The pho is great too. And the avocado shake is an interesting treat. No frills place, you are in and out. Amazing!
(5)
Cyril C.

I think this is the bowl of Vietnamese soup that I had! I dare say better than the ones I had in NYC! It's just a pity that when I came there it was already close to closing time. But I was still able to thoroughly enjoy my soup. The reasons for deducting a star is that the cha gio wasn't spectacular for me. Oh! Staff too was welcoming and although it was close to closing time, didn't rush me at all.
(4)
Suneeta B.

Horrible service.. The food was okay, I ordered the fried calamari and a side of vegetables which they don't have that on the menu. The calamari was good, well seasoned. When I got the bill the side of veggies was MORE than the calamari. Confused, I wanted it to be corrected, because that's just exploitation of customers. I talked to the waiter and he called someone who spoke better English, the chef. She gave me an attitude and said she would not change it. I left and will never return.
(2)
Flora F.

I love this place. Tasty pho every single time I go... Quick, easy and clean. I always have #16 and add extra rare meat and I have tried also the veggie pho that I find flavorful. Some of the veggies added to the veggie pho are not 100% what I'd expect to see in the bowl but overall the dish is definitely a win if you are vegetarian.
(4)
Spencer T.

Hopping fast paced Asian diner. Authentic cuisine, nose and mouth porn, and right next door to the T. Soups and Vermicelli were spot on, lots of food condiments, and the place is always packed----a sure sign of happiness.
(5)
Susan C.

I'd call this a solid tier two viet restaurant. Walked in and sat right down - quick service, a little slow on bill/payment at the end but good for a quick meal as my girlfriends and I were on our way to the airport. (Super close to the airport, btw, if you're craving Asian food and need to board a flight). Smaller portions than typical viet places as well. Pho is $8.95.
(2)
Cara W.

I love everything about Xinh Xinh. I've been coming here for 5 years or so, and it is the greatest little soup place in Chinatown. I am a vegetarian and I appreciate the variety of soups that they offer, as sometimes it is difficult to find a decent vegetarian soup. Tip: Add an egg!
(5)
Andrew p.

When I eat at xinh xinh, I feel almost compelled by an unseen force telling my stomach that I must order the pho tai, extra large and with extra veggies. It's savory beef broth wafts towards me like a siren's song for my susceptible nose which usually coming here after a long flight from out of town is no better than a weary sailor from Ulysses journeys. If I don't order the pho tai, I usually get the hot and sour shrimp soup which comes with a fun little volcano boiling it's tasty contents to nice hot temperatures. Each time I get this, I like to get it extra large and go no rice however I've noticed others seem to enjoy some rice on the side with this dish. If you're a weary traveller looking for a nice, delicious hot soup, then you will find it hard to beat Xinh Xinh.
(5)
Kristina D.

For a four star place I expect the pho to be at least good. It was just okay here. Not bad. Just okay. The bowl was small and the soup didn't pack a whole lot of flavor. The shrimp and pork spring rolls was mostly mint leaves and lettuce and contained very little shrimp and pork. Might as well change the name to veggie spring rolls. Maybe I've been spoiled by the abundant and delicious pho in Cali. Maybe it's not fair to make a comparison but this place does not top my list of pho places. There is a sign that says a $5 minimum is requured per person that I did not see. My friend didn't order anything but between the tea, spring rolls and pho it was over $10 and they didn't say anything which was nice.
(3)
Owen R.

There is better pho in the city. Restaurant could use some paint and cleaning. Soup is good.
(3)
Minh C.

The outside of Xinh Xinh is rather depression compared to some of its neighbors. Inside, it's the standard Chinatown-type of restaurant - nothing luxurious, just the basics. I ordered the Com Suon with chicken. My buddy already ate, so he was just going to have water. Unfortunately, the restaurant policy is $5 minimum per person, so that forced me to order a bowl of soup. Boo, but a valid reason to order more food for me! My main dish was actually quite good - I missed the lemongrass, but the chicken was grilled perfectly to just the right amount of char. The portion size was also decent and was definitely much better than other higher priced restaurants near Harvard Square.
(3)
Amanda L.

Food is great. Service is awful. I was there on a Monday. The weather was beautiful out so it wasn't busy at all. I was the first to arrive in my party of two. They sat me and a few minutes later, the female server came over to me and rudely said "just so you know, we don't seat parties until they are complete." I totally understand that rule but at that time, I was one of two guests in the restaurant. Like sorry, am I taking up too much room? So whatever, to stop her dirty looks I ordered my food before my friend got there. During this time, an older Chinese couple walked in and were sat down. They pulled chairs over from the next table (completely empty restaurant) so they could put down their coats and bags. She ran over and ripped the chairs out of their hands and goes YOU CANT DO THAT. Have some respect. Later, a group of Caucasians walked in and did the same thing. Pulled chairs over and did as they please, but she didn't stop them. She pampered them like no other. I felt disrespected myself and even more when I saw how she treated the older couple. It's a shame because I think their food is great but if I see that she is working, I will go next door.
(3)
Arthur C.

Not bad at all! The pho tasted authentic, and the Banh Xeo, although a little oily, was so damn crispy and well filled! The portion of Summer rolls was a tad small and I wasn't super ecstatic about my Beef stir-fry on rice. Small place, and servers were nice :)
(4)
Adam P.

I'm probably not the best person to be judging Vietnamese food considering this was only my second time doing so but it was very good. Based on how crowded it was for lunch and the number of Asian people eating here, this place must be pretty solid. Had the pho soup and the pork chop and both were tasty.
(4)
Lisa N.

**2.5 stars** Not sure how the Viet food selection is in Boston, but my friends and I came here on a very cold day to warm up with hot soups. The place is small so if you sit near the door, it'll still be cold. We tried the Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup) and Bun Rieu (spicy soup). Both were average (trust me, I know because I'm Vietnamese). Not enough meat. Cafe Sua Da (Iced coffee with milk) was watered down. Service was friendly, but they added on a drink they forgot AFTER we had given them our credit card. They should have told us before, since we had already decided how to split the check. I wouldn't recommend Xinh Xinh.
(2)
Jennifer M.

It's not quite like my local Vietnamese spot in NJ but just as good. Different but still a great contender in my book. Came here for lunch right before heading back to NJ. This place has a solid four stars so it spoke it me. A small hole in wall but nonetheless clean and orderly. Ordered a large Pho and some Cha Gio. Both came out promptly. Both hot and tasty. The Pho broth was subtle but great in flavor. I'm usually used to more noodles but hey, we can't have it all. The craft in Pho is usually the broth and Xinh Xinh has my thumbs up of approval. Maybe it's just a Jersey thing but Cha Gio is supposed to come with lettuce, right? I thought it odd but the egg rolls were good in itself. I just wish parking were easier in this neighborhood.
(4)
Lils Y.

You can't go wrong with pho at a pho place, so I ordered the beef strips with tendon pho. It must have taken only a MINUTE before my order came out already. Loved the pho. Friendly and prompt waitstaff. Plenty of seating for dinner. Mainly a young/ 20s crowd.
(4)
Raven Z.

PhÃµ is soso....I ate so much phÃµ in my life ...this phÃµ is really soso...the soup not yummy ..but the spring rolls is good,..
(3)
Harry H.

My entire time here I was repeating the hook of youtube.com/watch?v=2FnRâ€¦ * Went with the Durian bubble tea and catfish hot & sour soup (plus 2 other items) for $50 even. Service was as brusque as you'd expect, even more so because they close at 8 on Sundays. Aside from nearly choking on a catfish bone and burning myself, a pretty tasty experience. *This may have been an 'it-kinda-rhymes-with-the-name-of-the-place defensce mechanism to the fact that they were awkwardly blasting Lionel Richie's "greatest" hits during our entire visit.
(3)
Mira S.

Decent little Chinatown place with a huge menu. Basically Vietnamese, although there were some other dishes. It wasn't as quick as the comparable places on Baxter in New York, but it was fast enough. The staff was nice. The beef with vermicelli wasn't the best, but hit the spot. My friend got some sort of chicken in a sauce, it looked like a Thai curry, but didn't taste like it. We also tried smoothies with boba, which were good. The boba was maybe a little overcooked, but that works well with frozen drinks. We had no problem finding metered street parking nearby.
(3)
Peter Y.

In a city flooded with Chinese restaurants, Xinh Xinh really stands out in terms of the service. I will admit I am a bit jaded at this point when it comes to service in Chinatown, which is why I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with warm smiles and introductions. I only wish I was more of a regular, so I can get to know the owner and servers better. Anyways, the food is pretty standard Chinatown fare, with a focus on noodle based dishes. Their pho, though nothing too special, is good enough to compete with the likes of Pho Pasteur and Le's. The service is quick and your food comes out steaming hot. The prices are on the cheaper end, but they do have a minimum for cards, so make sure you carry some cash. Also, a fyi for those needing personal space, the interior is pretty small so it can get pretty crowded.
(4)
Sarah S.

Best pho in Boston in a small and cozy atmosphere.
(4)
M L.

I got the mixed seafood noodle soup and my friend got the classic beef pho. Both were good, although I felt the amount of seafood and beef in each bowl was a bit skimpy and it was mainly a ton of noodles with two shrimp and a couple slices of fish cake. I also paid $2 to get extra vegetables and there were barely any veggies in my soup, so that was a major let down. Broths for both were delicious though, and the beef pho broth was a bit sweeter than most phos I've had - maybe it had more five spice? I wouldn't go rushing back and will keep exploring other places, but it was a solid meal. $15 for each of us, including tax and tip.
(3)
wing p.

Everywhere we travel will try Vietnamese noodles. This is one of the good one. Worth to try if you come visit Boston. Service is so so but food is authentic.
(4)
Sam M.

I've been eating at Xinh Xinh for years, and it has always been consistently good. You can't say that about every Vietnamese place in Boston--some are uneven in food quality or service; some used to be great; some have always been awful. The standard for quality of course is pho. It's very good here. I'm seeing reviews that say the soup was cold and the meat wasn't cooked but I don't believe it. When I get pho, the broth is at almost perfect temperature, sometimes a little hot, but never too cold. The ingredients are cooked the way they're supposed to be. But all of Xinh Xinh's soups are great, because their broth bases are damn near perfect. Their fish ball soup--a lot of people new to Vietnamese food don't consider it, but if you've always wanted to try it, try it here first. Light, clear broth with fragrant seasonings, cilantro & onion and mild bite-size fish balls. Their chicken soups vanquish all evil, especially the kind that makes you come down with a cold. Or if you're hung over, or have a so-so stomach. Beef satay noodle soup: It's got a kick like a horse. It's hot as Catholic penance. Your sinuses will be blissfully clear. I agree that the portion sizes have gotten a bit smaller over the past year and the prices are a little bit higher. Okay first, nobody needs to wear that pho on their asses for weeks afterward. I couldn't really finish all the noodles in my pho before. Second, if smaller portion and slightly higher price means I still get quality food, then I will pay it. They could add an "extra large" option for customers whose stomachs are apparently the size of a buffalo. Businesses in Chinatown are paying ever higher rent, and the community is in danger of being priced out of existence. Expect to see higher prices at all the restaurants here. Oh, and if you sit down any restaurant, especially a small one with limited seating, and order a glass of water or tea and nothing else, I have nothing nice to say. Drink your water and GTFO or order something.
(4)
Wilson T.

The food was good, not great, but good. The service was bad, the waiter just seem so lazy to take my order. I iced coffee and they put too much ice so making it seems that the cup was full, i only drank like 5-7 slurp and it was finished. I ordered the Pho Beef Noodle Soup, it was fairly okay. Our billwas around $30 and we asked him to split the bill but he charged us twice the amount instead of $15.
(1)
Mad I.

Xinh Xinh is a No No! Had the #28 noodle based on a yelpers photo....not so yummie, weird crab-like paste in it, not much flavor, had to add a LOT of sirachha. Also had the spring rolls (shrimp and pork) with peanut sauce. Shrimp and prk, non existent.....see my picture. Worst "spring roll" I ever had. Rice in a rice paper wrapping for $5. This place is the pits.. Husband refused to eat and since there was a $5 minimum dining fee I had to pass off the coke and rolls as his. The coke I asked for a couple times...
(2)
Madison L.

Spring roll was ok. But service was really really bad. They are just rude if you don't order a lot of food.
(2)
Cindy H.

Good quality pho! It's pricier than the pho joints in Chinatown and within vicinity, but the soup is tasty and well worth it. I don't like how small the restaurant itself is, but the food won me over.
(4)
Kevin J.

place hit the spot for Vietnamese food loving girls love their rice love their food very nice people family owned friendly courteous workers there awesome cooks awesome back office very large selection of food great menu great prices won't be disappointed
(5)
Jennifer L.

Just a bit bigger than a hole in the wall with a super casual vibe, nestled between a bunch of other similar restaurants in Chinatown, but a heart of gold! My boyfriend and I came here for lunch on a brief visit to Boston, and we had been to the city a few years ago and couldn't remember which Vietnamese restaurant we loved, so we tried Xinh Xinh. It was pretty close to noon, if not before, so it wasn't very crowded, but by the time we walked by the restaurant an hour later, it was packed to the brim. What all the other reviewers say about the service is true. We ended up interacting with two of the male staff members, and the middle aged woman brought us our check at the end, and all were super nice and friendly. I ordered the Bun Bo Hue (beef and pork noodle soup), which had great depth and the flavor only got better the longer I took to eat it, and my boyfriend ordered chicken fried rice and the Thit Hero Kho To, which was good but not spicy. Fried rice was okay, needed some salty sauce, but overall pretty good. Large portions, $10ish a person, super friendly staff. We parked in a $10 weekend lot nearby, on Essex between Ping and Edinboro in case you are looking for some all day parking near by!
(4)
Paul N.

I'm gonna give this place a 3 for being in a non traditional Vietnamese market. I guess if you grew up outside of Orange County, LA, San Jose, or Houston, you wouldn't know what good Vietnamese good taste like. I'm thankful I live 20 mins away from Little Saigon. One thing I ordered was the egg rolls. The egg roll was 1/3 of the size you got back home . I believe it was just shrimp paste and no pork in sight. Fail. We also ordered banh xeo. Again where the heck was the pork that came along with the 7 shrimps? Another fail. The main entree for me last night was the crispy pork chow mein. Not bad but not great. I support Vietnamese business in non traditional markets so I'm gonna recommend this place for people who have never had Vietnamese food before and live in Boston.
(3)
Keran C.

My cousin and I both have beautiful babies. While visiting Boston we checked on yelp for a good place to eat in China Town. This place had good ratings on yelp so we decided to give it a try. Anyhow... Long story short ... They would not serve us because we had the babies and strollers with us. Mind you...both babies were asleep and not even making a fuss! Fail! Fail! Fail!
(1)
Kristine J.

Excellent pho. Definitely order egg rolls too, so good. The soup broth and meat/veggie ingredients were overall very fresh and well-seasoned. They serve their food quickly/efficiently. Also, they got a selection of refreshing boba drinks! Yummm. It's located in downtown Boston, Chinatown area. The outside & inside of the place looks runned down but don't let that deter you from having one of the best pho here!
(5)
Jenn S.

We ended up here on a COLD Friday night after seeing a movie at the Boston Commons theater. We first ventured into Q, but when they said it was a 2-hour wait, we crossed the street to Xinh Xinh and were immediately seated. Before we had even taken off our coats, we each had a glass of water and a menu. Fantastic service! Our waitress was very patient with us and gave us some great advice about what to order/what not to order. Unfortunately, I can't find the complete menu online, so I'm going to have to do this by memory... We started with 2 appetizers - the fried spring rolls (very tasty) and the "crepe." The crepe was very good, but different than what we're used to. All of us liked it, but thought it could have used more flavor (in fact, most of us used the sauce from the spring rolls on the crepe). We wouldn't necessarily get it again, but are glad we did. For our entrees, 3 of the 4 of us got Pho and 1 got the Grilled Chicken With Vermicelli bowl. The hot, steaming Pho was exactly what we wanted on a freezing cold night and the vermicelli bowl was very yummy as well. It was a TON of food though! Two of us were able to combine our Pho leftovers (we got the same thing) and had a ton left! We probably could have shared 2 plates between the 4 of us. But it was not expensive! I am so glad we stumbled upon this little place. Authentic, delicious, huge portions and a decent price.
(4)
Meghan F.

Just visited this place and will not be going back. My husband and I went with our two young children, looking for a good pho restaurant. We never made it to the pho because we ordered the fried spring rolls, and got fresh spring rolls. We accepted them, and asked for fried spring rolls as well. After a few bites, we were not impressed and did not wish to try anything else. Food tastes like it was from a freezer. After asking for our bill, the waitress told us there was a $5 minimum per person. Now we were really put off. We told her we'd leave a $20 ( since there were 4 of us) and she said,"no...you have to order food!" My husband gave her $20 and said would not be ordering food. We left. I'm just curious....what exactly are the "consequences" of not spending $20 on food?!
(1)
ThuLan P.

I'm found this place through yelp, we had a pho satay and vermicelli with grill chicken, food and service was ok, nothing special about it, I'm not sure want to come back if we have a chance to go back to Boston next time
(4)
Stephanie B.

Spur of the moment happy find in beautiful Chinatown before a show at the Wilbur. Good vibes as soon as you walk in, followed by friendly and super efficient service. I ordered a fishball and calamari pho type noodle bowl, and it was served with super fresh bean sprouts and aromatic basil and lime. A little sriracha and I was in heaven. He had a vegetarian spicy tofu and bean thing with brown rice that was the bomb. Xinh Xinh has these incredible soda and smoothie options -- I felt brave and ordered a lychee soda and was rewarded a beautiful fresh fruit and ice concoction. Afterward we each had a hot Vietnamese coffee -- have you had one? Really strong hot coffee with sweetened condensed milk, its own dessert, really, and I recommend that you have one. So good and you can't beat these prices. Thanks for the awesomeness.
(5)
E S.

Charbroiled pork vermicelli.. very yummy!
(4)
Jack A.

Very happy with the pho. I waiter was nice enough to give me the ingredients from one soup, with the spicy broth of another! We had various hot and cold spring rolls which were tasty as well as a large crepe/omelet. The soups were the highlight. The hostess and our waiter were very attentive and helpful with their suggestions. Our kids love the fruit shakes with the tapioca pearls. It's easy to find, with a parking garage, right across the street. My only complaint, would be that I didn't realize I was ordering a LARGE bowl of pho, and there wasn't any way I was going to be able to eat all of that! :-)
(4)
Luo D.

I used to like this store, just like others people said, noddles and meat is full, and price is very acceptable. One day,afternoon I went there aroud 5 pm. It was early for lunch, so there only has few customers in it, and there has a lot of empty tables. They let me sat on a signle table, because I am only one. It is okay and reasonable they put in a small table, and there only with one chair. I was trying to put my heavy backpack behind the chair, but I felt. Then I took another chair from the nearest table, the girl (I bet she is new ), she told me I only can use one chair. I explain to her why I need the second chair. She still say not okay for that. I was not angry but I do feel she was not treat me well because I am signle customer.
(1)
Cameron P.

There are tons of good places to say in Chinatown and a reasonable sampling of virtually every type of East Asian cuisine. When it comes to Vietnamese Xinh Xinh is the gold standard for food. A no frills kinda place Xinh Xinh is all about the meal. If you're looking for nice atmosphere you may want to try Pho Hao next door but really you're gonna pay for for nicer surroundings with less quality. My friend and I have been here in multiple occasions and can get out with 2 entrees and tip for under $30. Fast service. Diverse menu. Excellent quality. I ordered the Spicy Tofu Hot Pot (I've also had the Lemongrass Chicken before) and it was served to me in under 10 minutes. I am convinced the place could improve it's appearance a little bit to attract more business and still keep prices low. I also wish the portions were larger cause it's so damn good.
(4)
Ben T.

Every few weeks or so my wife and I try a random place in Chinatown. There have been more misses than hits- this place was a hit! It's a small family run business with funky decorations and food made with love. I have a spicy tofu hot pot and my wife had beef satay stir fry... Both were awesome. The staff was spirited and friendly, overall a great experience. Oh.. And get the crab and asparagus soup!
(5)
Olivia P.

I came here without that high expectations but was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the food. I tried the Bo bun hue (no. 30) and the pho dac biet. The winner was by far the bo bun hue, but that's not to say the pho wasn't good either! The broths of both noodle dishes were supremely flavorful. Portion size was just right - not too much noodles but generous with the other ingredients. I don't think this place uses (if at all) much msg too. Only reason why I am giving this place 4 stars is because my pho did not come out piping hot. This is probably because the ingredients were simply assembled in the bowl without preheating and topped with hot soup that consequently cooled down quickly. Thus, my beef wasn't cooking and I sent it back. I wasn't too find with the way one of the staff members insisted that my soup was hot when it clearly wasn't.
(4)
Christie L.

Delicious! Got the Grilled Shrimp, Pork & Fried Spring Roll With Vermicelli! I have been craving some good Vietnamese food and this hit the spot! The veggies were fresh and the flavors were perfect! Can't wait to go back! :]]
(4)
Aanchal J.

Came here for dinner after a performance at the Opera house, and I am glad I did. It is sort of a hidden gem in Chinatown. I super enjoyed my Vermicelli noodles with veggies and tofu, and my friend was super happy with her Chicken pho. As noted by previous reviewers that the service is not top notch, but I didn't mind that. It was the service I generally expect at a not-so-fancy-family managed-not expensive-place.
(4)
David J.

Deciding among all of the small restaurants in Chinatown can be a bit overwhelming... thank goodness for Yelp! Anyways... This was our first visit to Xinh Xinh, and we came in for a light early-dinner. The restaurant is small but doesn't feel as crowded as some of the others in the area. The menu is large with a wide variety of options. Whether you are looking for the standards or are feeling adventurous, there are many options to choose from. We selected the spring rolls and the shrimp hot pot. Both dishes were hot and very flavorful, with the hot pot being the superior of the two. The deep and complex flavors of the sauce worked wonderfully with the shrimp and onions. Portion sizes here, as reported by others, are not huge, but neither of us left feeling hungry. Overall, I feel Xinh Xinh is quite deserving of the high ratings others have given it here. I'll definitely be back on my next Boston trip!
(5)
Nelson B.

Loved their BÃºn riÃªu cua (crab soup)!!
(4)
Wayne T.

Come once in a while, sometimes the seating is a bit awkward, food is great, has a variety to choose from, for me a little pricier compared to other restaurants for similar quality
(4)
Janice C.

Beware. The portions are smaller than other places and the prices are higher. Besides that, their pho is amazing. I judge pho based on their broth and Xinh Xinh's was amazing. No MSG or added salt. Just pure goodness. So much better than pho Hoa next door. Come here if you want some good broth for a windy or cold day. It will not disappoint. Happy eating!
(4)
Elizabeth S.

Okay, confession. I only came because of the "where to get chicken soup for a hangover" talk thread. I'm not hungover, but it really made me want soup. And I'm so glad! I just loved everything about this. As I was enjoying my delicious, steaming, gigantic bowl of pho ga, I saw that the man at the table next to me was downing a tall glass of apple juice. This is my kind of place. Plus, everyone there was so nice. And the soundtrack was so entertaining - there was a medley of U2 and the Four Seasons covers, followed by Abba. But the best part was the soothing yet intensely flavorful broth in the pho. Mmmm.
(5)
Frank R.

I love their soup its amazing! just skip on some of the kinds of fish they put in it not my thing.
(5)

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Address : 7 Beach St
Boston, MA, 02111
Phone (617) 422-0501
Website https://xinhxinhboston.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Chinese Cuisine

The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.

Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.

There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.

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Xinh Xinh

7 Beach St, Boston, MA, 02111

Xinh Xinh Menu

Appetizers

Beef Noodle Soup - Pho

Noodle Soup Specialties

Vermicelli - Bun

Rice Plates - Com Dia & Com Chien

Healthy Meal suggestions for Xinh Xinh

Appetizers

Beef Noodle Soup - Pho

Noodle Soup Specialties

Vermicelli - Bun

Rice Plates - Com Dia & Com Chien

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