Saigon Far East
901 San Pedro Dr SE,Ste D, Albuquerque, NM, 87108
Saigon Far East Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Albuquerque for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
901 San Pedro Dr SE,Ste D
Albuquerque, NM, 87108 - Phone (505) 255-7408
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Daria S.
Wow. This was one of the top 3 pho soups I have ever had. I tried H1 with pork, crabmeat, shrimp and quail egg. You get an Asian donut with the soup and a delicious peppery sauce to add in. Had the mung bean in coconut milk for dessert....incredible!!!! Don't be intimidated by the outdoor appearance. This place definitely looks sketchy from the outside but well worth it. Staff was also fantastic.
(5)Mikey K.
Great food with many options in a quirky space. I think there used to be a gentlemen's club there because there are no windows, but they have created an interesting decor. -I had a tofu rice dish with some broccoli, which they forgot to make spicy, but they brought me some chili peppers in soy sauce to add, which was delicious. -The ginger limeade was fantastic. Not too sweet and very gingery.
(4)Tien L.
They have real quail eggs in their hu tieu. That's so hard to do in a little town like Albuquerque that doesn't have many ethnic food stores. Major kudos to this restaurant for going out of their way to make Vietnamese dishes the way they should be made. Prices are very good considering that it's pretty hard to find Vietnamese herbs/seasoning in a town that does not cater to this population. I had the hu tieu and it was so flavorful and the restaurant did not skimp on the veggies nor the shrimp/pork/seafood. In addition, the owner is super friendly and sweet. She will go out of her way to make sure your dietary needs are met.
(5)Rena H.
3 stars because the fried egg roll stuffing had a gross powdery texture and the portion of the soups is pretty small especially with the price they charge you. If I drove by this place, my initial thought is that I would not step foot into this restaurant. There are no windows, it's just a square shaped one story building that is not attractive to me. I came here because of the great Yelp reviews so since I was flying back home, I need to end my trip with having Vietnamese. I ordered the fried egg rolls, stuffing was powdery so I won't get it again. I just took one bite and was done with it. I ordered the Bun Bo Hue and it was very good, the broth was flavorful and delicious but the portion was very small. I would like to come here again and try their other noodle soups but I'm not ready to shell out that kind of money for Vietnamese food.
(3)Vito M.
On being struck by a sudden yen for healthy Vietnamese, we followed good Yelp reviews to Saigon Far East at the corner of San Pedro and Kathryn in southeast Albuquerque. What a delightful find! The location is a little obscure and the exterior is unimpressive, but the interior is fine, the service is excellent and attentive, and the food is exceptional! We started with wonderfully fresh and tasty spring rolls (the soft type) and fried egg rolls -- Excellent, to good for the latter. My lady's barbecue chicken wings were substantial and delicious and she was pleased with the rice noodles and variety of fresh greens. My beef flank steak with vegetables and rice in a mild golden curry sauce (Menu number CD11, I believe ) was as good as I recall having in decades, certainly in restaurants this side of the Pacific. The place was so out of the way and quiet for a Sunday dinner hour that we feared they might not endure. But their take-out flow was steady and the charming and helpful hostess assured us they are firmly established and been in place for 33 years! We will be back.
(5)Sarah S.
Order extra noodles with pho! I like my noodle:meat ratio to be equal so next time I'll be ordering my bowl with extra noodles so I won't be left with a bowl of meat at the end. Our waitress was attentive and had a sense of humor. The restaurant looks sketchy from the outside but it seemed sanitary and safe on the inside. Overall I'd recommend it to anyone craving pho in Albuquerque.
(4)Bobby M.
Devoured...! That's how I'm starting this review. I, like most, have come to embrace the dish that is Pho, and in ABQ it is no better than at Saigon Far East. I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was lunch, and my buddy Jordan M. suggested we make it happen. With him playing bard and entertaining us with tales of its awesome, we ventured on. We pulled up to the rear side of the establishment and it looked incredibly shady, but don't be fooled by the exterior. My other friends delved into the Vermicelli bowls, but the only thing that was on my mind was their pho and it's savory flavor. I usually add a few extras more than the usual fixings (Basil, Bean Sprouts, Lime, and Jalapeño). Sriracha is usually in order, but not this time. The broth was that GREAT... I was in "Pho Heaven" and I ate every single bit of it. I have never cleaned a bowl like that before in my life, and I feel it is a testament to how delicious the pho is at Saigon. I have to thank Jordan M. For hyping this place up, because it is worth every bit of it. Devoured. That's the only word I have for how I took down that bowl of pho, and I'll definitely be back to devour some more.
(5)Patrick W.
Saigon Far East makes the greatest Vietnamese soup the world has ever known. 'nuff said.
(5)Michael O.
It's always a fun experience dining here! The owner is a pleasure to meet as well! Great food! I'd recommend the Pho for sure! It's such a clean little place too. The beers are always ice cold and our dumpling appetizers were fantastic! Very affordable as well! Don't pass this little place up if you're looking for great Thai food in the Q folks! Oh ya, and their veggies are always SO crispy! This is also the only Thai restaurant in Albuquerque that most of the Thai community swears by!
(5)Justin W.
Being the pho-obsessives that we are, my wife and I developed a rubrik of sorts for grading pho. Here is our thoughts for Saigon Far East: TL/DR: Salt! Lots and lots of salt! Honestly, the flavors were pretty good and the meat, while sparing, was well trimmed and flavorful. But this bowl was just too salty! I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that this salt level was an off night and will therefore try it again...eventually. Borderline 2/5 and 3/5 but I rounded up. ------------------------------------- Broth: ## Clarity (note that traditionally, a clear broth is good): Is there oil on the broth? Broth was only partially clear and very brown. Not too oily ## Flavor? What are the dominant flavors/spices? How sweet is the broth? Discuss salt levels. Dominant flavor was salt, salt, and more salt! I get that pho (and soup in general) is salty but this took it to a new level. Behind the salt is more salt. But behind that was some nice flavor. Very strong notes of black pepper. ## Note other factor such as mouthfeel, richness, and aroma: Rich mouthfeel. Not to much oil which was nice ------------------------------------- Other Ingredients: ## Discuss proportions of meat, noodles, broth, onions, etc. The "Large" bowl seemed normal and their regular seemed small to me (though my wife disagrees). Nice amount of noodles but could have used more meat. ## Noodles: Are they loose or in a big clump? Are they well cooked? A bit of a clump but they dispersed easily. ## Meat: Was the Tai served rare? Texture and thickness? Fattiness of the other meat (relative to tradition and personal preference)? Tai was already cooked in the broth but not too bad. I got the bowl with all the meats (including tripe which I had asked to be excluded...oh well). I was very happy with the lack of fattiness of the meat. I know that some like the fat but I don't so I found this to be agreeable. ## Garnish: Are they fresh? Was there enough? Did they serve cilantro? Garnishes were fresh and, they not only served cilantro but had a good bit in the soup already. Preferable in my mind but take note in case you do not like cilantro. ------------------------------------- Other Details: ## Menu Selection: Was there a good selection of non-Pho meals? Interesting appetizers? Any different or interesting add-ons (e.g. fried egg)? Was the option for extra meat and/or broth listed on the menu? Large menu with a variety of non-pho and non-soup options. We didn't see any interesting add-ons but extra meat and broth were listed. Good variety of South and Central Vietnamese fare ##Utensils: Were forks already at the table (neither good nor bad)? Did the spoons have the hooks to prevent them from falling into the soup? They had forks at the table already. The spoons did not have hooks and kept falling into the bowl. :-( ## Service: The server was friendly and good about water (needed given all of the salt!) but was very slow to take our initial order. ## Ambiance Mediocre. I felt like it was a converted classroom. It is clear they made some attempts to spruce it up but it still felt a bit cold and hole-in-the-wall. ## Price: Fairly reasonable. Pho was ~$8 for the regular (which I thought was small). The all-types-of-meat large bowl was ~$10 ## Hours: Sufficient.
(3)Jeff S.
The pho here will blow your mind with its flavor and heat. Far East serves some of the best pho I had ever ordered at a restaurant. And the spring rolls are pretty darn good also. Don't mind the austere looking building (especially at night). This place is a true gem. And the feisty owner only adds to the experience. While waiting for our food to cook, she let us play a version of "pocketless" pool. When we were not very good, she jokingly saved us from further embarrassment by hurrying up our dishes. Nothing could help me save face, however, when my wife secretly added all of her chili powder to my soup bowl. Five empty water glasses later and I was still the poor white guy with an unstoppable runny nose. (Yes, I know water isn't the best thing to kill the heat) Alas, the extremely spicy finish to my meal was not the restaurants fault... I'll have to get even with my better half later. Bottom line, Far East is a must for any ethnic foodie passing through or residing in ABQ. Who would have thought central New Mexico had a little slice of Vietnam?
(5)Charlotte C.
Best Vietnamese in town, and I've pretty much tried it all at this point! This place is probably my favorite restaurant in all of ABQ. Their bun bo Hue tastes exactly like what I got in Saigon. They've got the broth down perfectly! If you like pho and want to try something new and authentic, I definitely recommend this dish, and this is the place to try it (although their pho is pretty spectacular too.) They're very cool about substitutions for dietary restrictions. I routinely get tofu and/or vegetables in any dish, and I've also asked for fish instead of the regular meat in soups. They're totally accommodating to any request.
(5)Taffany H.
It's really kitch in here, you wouldn't even know that this place is even opened for business by the look of how everything being so dead near by. I went to Saigon Far East after a quick business trip into ABQ and wanted something light and warm. The lady who works there was very friendly and attentive. I tried their Pho and it tasted fine but the broth was a bit on the oily side. This would be much better if they do take some time to skim off the grease before serving it. The spring rolls were good and fresh. Being in ABQ, this might be as good as it gets for a Vietnamese place but really hope they do take time to improve the state of their pho broth though.
(4)Terry B.
Great food with a variety of taste. Great service. We will be back
(5)Mishel F.
...This place was highly recommended...I had the rare steak pho...Distinct taste to the broth-it was exceptional!...I wish I lived closer to this place...I would be here all the time...I ordered the soft egg noodles with the chicken (MX2) to go and it was great...I'm very satisfied...Four stars because we had to wait to give our order and I had to go to another table to get napkins and silverware and chopsticks...But that's just a hiccup...Don't go for the service, but enjoy the food...
(4)Matthew T.
Absolutely warm sunshine in a bowl! There pho is fantastic and served with fresh basil and Jalepnos! The service is prompt and the prices reasonable. I got the everything pho and it is to die for!
(5)Morgan O.
The women who works here is incredibly sweet. She's been there for me during work meetings and during the times that I've been down with a cold. The soup is really where it's at with Saigon Far East. I typically get something in the M range, I think M-7? If you get it to go, most of the ingredients come separated so you can mix them in to perfection when you get to your location. They also have great Thai Tea and Asian doughnuts. The doughnuts are more for the soup as oppose to a dessert though. The only minor problem I have with this place is when it gets busy. The restaurant gets a lot of business from the nearby hospitals and KAFB, so everyone has nearly the same lunch hour. Only the one woman works the front and there's one man who works in the back. Times can get pretty slow, but you do have the option to call your order in ahead and have it ready to eat as you arrive! You just have to make sure that you can find a table. The food gets 5 stars. Hands down- no contest. But overall my review is 4 due to lack of employees present during busy times. I love this place regardless though!
(4)Casey C.
The ambiance of this place left a lot to be desired, but I can deal with a dive as long as the food blows me away. I got a basic beef pho, which was decent, but not blow me away material. The thai tea was also descent, but a bit too sweet (yes I know it's supposed to be sweet, but I'm taking that into consideration). I think the thing that turned me off the most for my experience was the table of sick (cold maybe?) children seated right near us that kept hacking and coughing...not appealing. I realize that this was not the fault of Saigon Far East, but I have to admit it colored my experience all the same. I will give them another shot in the future, but just when I'm looking for something cheap and easy.
(3)Garrett K.
Great Vietnamese food! I was pleasantly surprised with the friendly service and great food. I got the pho and spring rolls, both were delicious.
(4)Seth G.
Saigon Far East is good pho your soul! I have now tried 90% of the Vietnamese restaurants in Abq, and hands down, this is my favorite. Everything about this place is amazing. My mouth is literally watering as I type. Spring rolls. Happy rolls. Hot wings - yes, hot wings. They serve some Of the best wings I've ever tasted. Obviously their beef soup is pho real. Also H8. I have no idea what it is, but I do know it's amazing. The service is great. Try Saigon Far East. You won't be disappointed. Pho sho.
(5)Allan L.
Anything you get is cooked fresh and delicious !!! I love the pho #10 and spring rolls(veggies) .. They're just the best!!
(5)Lengge S.
The taste is just ok, and the stir fired noodle is so salty:( . I rate it three stars because the bowl is so small, and the spring roll is small too. It is not worth the 4.5 stars. When we went there, the waitress thought we were visitors passing by ABQ, so I guess most people are visitors and they went there because of the 4.5 stars rating, but it not better than other Vietnam food I tried before. Not recommend.
(3)Howie K.
17 years ago, I was a regular at this place. Year two at UNM. I had a friend who had a car, and there weren't many Vietnamese restaurants in town, so we always came to Saigon. Every time we walked in the door we found the place deserted, and every time we'd start the conversation the same way: "This has to be a front for the Mob. The Vietnamese Mob. They have Mobs too, right?" Half of the building was a desolate pool hall. The dining room, the entire operation, was handled by one quirky woman. But we kept coming back, again and again, because nothing in the city quite matched the flavor coming out of that kitchen. Imagine my surprise, then, to find Saigon absolutely unchanged recently. Didn't look like the quirky woman had aged one day. And the food was precisely the way it tasted back in the day. Unbelievable. Over the last 17 years, ABQ has become more than blessed with an uncompromising Vietnamese dining scene; even our sub-par places are pretty good. Yet Saigon continues to dish up the pinnacle of flavor in the strangest money laundering Mob front you'll ever have the pleasure of falling victim to. Talk about falling victim. I took Nat's advice and got some fresh rolls, adding extra sriracha to that fantastic dipping sauce. I took Vincent's advice and snacked on some chicken wings, forking up the onions and spice along the way. I took Keith's advice and got CD12, fresh water shrimp with rice, extra hot. I was certainly rather proud of my constitution as I inhaled entire cross-sections of red, orange and green peppers; I only needed two refills of that terrifically refreshing iced tea (thanks Heather). I will only close by stating that I'm a spicy-food-wanna-be. I live for fire, baby, douse that sh*t, yo. Bring it. I'm a wanna-be because the truth is, I can't handle it. Let's just say that my dining experience was very, very memorable a second time, later in the day. About six hours later. Fair warning. Should've had the soup.
(5)Andrew E.
I just fount my new favorite Vietnamese Restaurant. It was Viet Taste but I went to Saigon Far East today and was very impressed! Its a trek from the NE but worth it! Delicious soup M1!
(4)John D.
Great service. Huge location--maybe for a party? As far as Vietnamese goes I'd give it a C--nothing more. It was okay. But then again Houston and Cali spoiled me.
(3)Dave D.
Here for lunch on a Friday. We were seated quickly and there were plenty of open seats. The restaurant is tucked away on the side of a strip mall next to a laundromat and I nearly missed finding it! I ordered my typical standby in a new asian restaurant to gauge how good the rest of the food might be, beef fried rice and spring rolls. The fried rice was the best I've had in Albuquerque! I've tried quite a few places looking for someplace that does it well and I've finally found one, so I'm happy. I just wish it were closer to where I work. The spring rolls were also very good, served cold in a rice wrap with shrimp, green onion and an herb that I'm not familiar with and a peanut sesame sauce. Service was quick, friendly and attentive. My lunch partner and I had a lot to discuss and even though we were chatting far past their lunchtime closing hours they were very patient with us and didn't pressure us to leave. Overall a great experience and I will be back.
(5)Nat S.
After eating at 4 other Vietnamese restaurants in town, I can say this still remains my favorite. The food is magic, and the atmosphere could be a set in a David Lynch film. A roadhouse with no windows, and a room adjacent to the dining room that seems to have been a pool hall. You wonder does some secret Asian society have parties and meetings here late at night- when all the world is asleep. Having said this none of the Vietnamese restaurants we have eaten at are bad they all are highly acceptable. Saigon is just special. Everything we have ordered was delicious. Items including green papaya salad, grilled, steamed dishes, multiple soups, and the fresh, and imperial rolls have been memorable and worthy of ordering a second time. We recently brought a friend visiting NM here and he was dubious at first. I think he was thought we were insane eating at a restaurant that looked like this. But I told him trust us this is crazy tasty. He was blown away! He had never had Vietnamese food before, and food where we all come from (NH )is mostly bland and starchy. Flavors present in the spicy savory, and pungent Green Papaya salad(very spicy here) do not exist or are hard to find in many areas of New England. I always want to order two plates of the imperial rolls, then the rest of the food comes and I am glad I held it to one. The fresh rolls are my favorite in town. Imperial rolls arguably are as well. I love the server and her cart, I feel like I am in another world eating there. Is this what heaven would be like? They do not have shakes or Bahn Mi, but many other Vietnamese restaurants in town do.
(5)Jonathan B.
This little place off the main roads makes for a quick and quality lunch that is reasonably priced. Adorned with paper lanterns and wood accents this place has a nice atmosphere without trying to over do it. The portions are very filling and the food is fresh and quickly prepared. The staff is fun and courteous and drop by your table for refills before you need them . They do not take American Express though, so bring cash, VISA or MasterCard. All on all this place is a nice lunch stop and worth visiting.
(4)Richard V.
This small and quaint little Vietnamese restaurant is a treasure in a neighborhood that you would never expect. The service is not the fastest, but i is fast enough. The menu is extensive, and they will make it as spicy as you want, great for lunch and is mos likely good for dinner. So if you want something different, check this place out!
(4)Ricky M.
Wow... thats all I can say.. This place definitely has the best Pho and spring rolls in town. I usually never can eat an entire bowl of Pho but I knocked this one down like it was water and am extremely full while writing up this review. Saigon Far East isn't the type of place that has all the fancy decor its quite the opposite. This place is what others call a "hole in the wall" and isn't in the best part of town but they sure do make some awesome authentic food thats decently priced. If you are in this part of town I highly suggest checking this place out.
(5)Riley J.
I haven't been to Saigon Far East in ages, and I have no real explanation. We describe Saigon as home of the laughing lady, because the owner is pretty much always laughing. She's absolutely hilarious, warm, and wonderful. The spring rolls are stuffed with flavor (they have mint in them it's absolutely delicious) and a heaping portion of peanut sauce(mmmm). Their rice vermicelli dishes are a fabulous size and taste great. I love love love love their grilled onions. This place is in a very sketch part of town, but it's well worth it. You'll leave happy and full.
(5)Audrey H.
The outside looks very unassuming but the interior is open and staff is very friendly and offers suggestions on the menu for those less familiar with this cuisine. We opened with spring rolls with peanut sauce-fab! And sautéed green mussels, extra spicy-also tasty! Our soups were each very unique-wonderful broths and tasty floating items including beef blood, meatball and eye of round(mine); thin pork, shank and quail egg(his).
(4)Huan Y.
Hands down, the best pho in Albuquerque. We were fooled by the exterior once, didn't want to go in because there was no car parked at the front. I read the reviews on yelp again, decided convinced my hubby to give it another try. So here we are! The interior is nice and clean, service was fast and friendly, and the food, delicious! We ordered spring rolls, pho#10 and vermicelli #11. Spring rolls were a kind of small and not much meat in it, but the source was very peanut buttery, made up for the flavor. The pho # 10 was a big bowl full of different meat and the soup was very flavorful. Had to say it was the best pho we've had in burque! The last was the best, the vermicelli. It comes with BBQ pork, shrimp, fried spring roll, sausage and all all kinds of dice vegetable. So tasty my hubby didn't want to share until the bowl was almost gone! Definitely will come back! By the way there is a back door, and most Vietnamese customers park over there. It doesn't seem so deserted when you go through that way.
(5)Madison C.
Thank you fellow Yelpers! Came here for some yummy authentic Vietnamese food. Did not disappoint! Had the pho noodle soup in beef broth. The broth was flavorful. Ordered the honey roasted quail out of curiosity. It was quite a presentation...Poor quail, thank thee for a tasty treat...The cook did a gr8 job making its skin nice n' crispy. (FYI: quail is a Tiny little bird and it tastes like chicken.)
(4)Kervin Y.
Excellent Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine. We've eaten at numerous Vietnam restaurants throughout the country (including Orange County in CA and Northern Virginia) and this is one of the very best! Very extensive menu. Extremely reasonable prices. Great Pho and the quail appetizer is awesome! Family owned and very friendly service. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
(5)Vincent H.
This is a definitely must try Vietnamese restaurant because of a few reasons: 1. the food is authentic - this is how my grandmaw and maw would make Vietnamese food at home for us. You should try the fried chicken wings with fish sauce, the smell of fish sauce could be awfully overwhelming, but once you try it, you will like it. The chicken wings were crispy, tender and tasty. I order this every single time I dine here. - I like their Pho, the broth was savory, smelled and tasted awesome. 2. The atmosphere is cozy: - When you enter the place, it feels like a different world. Unique with the decoration and lighting. It makes you feel cozy, comfy and intimate. 3. The owner is friendly: - she is fast and friendly, I have had chances to converse with her in Vietnamese and she is rather a friendly lady. 4. Why 4 stars? cause it took a while for me to get my food, not just a one time thing, my family plans ahead of time if we decided to have a luncheon or dinner here since it could take up to 2 hours from star to finish.
(4)Shawn M.
This place used to be one of my favorite restaurants about 10-12 years ago. I would come at least once a week for years. The food was amazing and always seemed better than any other Vietnamese in town. Then about 10 years ago the owner passed away and the restaurant sold. Overnight the food became terrible. So, after several bad meals I stopped coming and it has now been about nine years since I've been here. I was looking through yelp and noticed to my surprise that this place has one of the best ratings for Vietnamese food in town. So, last night I returned to give it another go. To my amazement the place looked just the same. Clean simple decor that gave me the feeling of going to the Grandparents house. You know, the comfort of things being the same. I ordered my old usual which was lemon grass chicken and a side of imperial rolls. I don't know what they do differently with the imperial rolls but unlike most places where the wrapper is smooth and golden here they are darker and kind of blistered. They also smell and taste different as well. The texture here is better and so is the flavor. I generally have a good pallet and can come close to an ingredient profile of a dish but not here. I feel like they have some exotic ingredients that I are unknown to me. These were so good I almost ordered more. When the lemongrass chicken vermicelli came it looked a bit different than my old favorite as the chicken looked and tasted less grilled than before but it was as good as the food in my memory in a different way. Yum! I don't know if it is a cultural difference but the service in Vietnamese places seems less chatty and friendly than other restaurants. Not in a bad way, they just seem to get down to business and efficiently get your order out. No exception on that here. Thanks yelp for reintroducing me to an old friend I guess what is old is new again
(5)John R.
First I will start by saying this place is in a bad neighborhood, and it doesn't look all that fantastic inside or out. That said my SO actually found this via yelp quite a while back and I've been in about twice a month since we found it. I only learned about Pho 4-5 years ago or so but it has since become one of my favorite things to eat. I've yet to have anything on the menu that isn't good and the service here is great and has a great vibe. Love this place and I'll be eating here as long as they're willing to take my money.
(5)Jeremy S.
This experience reminds me of exactly why I love Yelp. I would have never found this place and even if I did I don't know that I would have tried it. I'm trying to be nice when describing the graffiti tagged exterior with something other than scary but this place truly defies the assumptions we make when we look at a location. You have nothing to fear, because the food and service are terrific. I had the H1 because of the other recommendations on Yelp and sure enough it was fantastic. The broth had more flavor and just like Jazmine says, it didn't need Siracha at all. Perfect just as it comes. They do serve it with a little pepper oil dish. That was great. Just go easy or you'll enhale it as you slurp your soup and cough all over yourself. Actually, since I was the only person in the restaurant, I didn't mind coughing at all. I also tried the spring rolls at the recommendation of other Yelpers. Indeed, do not skimp on the spring rolls. They come with a peanut Hoisan siracha condiment and taste terrific.
(5)Snehal Rudra B.
Adventure. That is the one word that comes to my mind when I recall my experience at Saigon Far East for the purposes of this review. It was an adventure just finding the restaurant. Turns out it was hidden behind the corner from my favorite pizzeria in town, Giovanni's. Who would have though South San Pedro was such a culinary hot spot? The adventure factor went up a notch when I opened the ornate doors and walked into the restaurant. It was dimly lit, and decorated in aging wooden panelings and beer signs. Was this a pool hall? Was this a restaurant? Was this a combination pool hall and restaurant? I was sure eager to find out. The menu also appealed to my adventurous side, They had some dishes that are not easily found in other vietnamese restaurants, including some South Vietnamese selections, and also at least one cambodian dish. I had a chance to try a couple of different soups. One soup was made of rice noodles and a combination of shrimp, crab sticks...errr Krab Stix?....fishballs, along with some pork on the bone. It was delicious. The broth had richness, complexity and character that can only come from simmering marrow rich bones in cauldrons of bubbling goodness for hours on end! This is also the exact richness, complexity and character that is so often missing from other Vietnamese restaurants trying to tone down the flavors to, quite misguidedly, appeal to the masses. The second soup I had was a special. It was a pork offal soup with rice noodles. Kudos to the owner/server for even suggesting it to someone who is clearly not Vietnamese. This soup was, needless to say, very rich in flavors. The broth was quite different compared to the first soup. Whereas the first broth was light and refreshing, this one was thick, rich and smoky. Once I put aside my irrational ambivalence regarding eating offal, I thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed this soup. I cannot wait to return to this place and try out some other dishes on the extensive menu.
(4)DJ P.
We were lured by the great reviews. Sometimes you have good days and sometimes you have days when you get food that's not so great... This one was one of those days. My bf and I had the lemongrass chicken (my favorite), shrimp rice noodles, and some kind of steak plate. My lemongrass chicken was salty and so incredibly greasy. His steak plate had no flavor. The only thing that was good was the noodle dish. I'm sorry, but we won't be back to this restaurant again, given that there are so many other restaurants around. I don't mind hole in the wall places, but I just felt like the place wasn't clean. The walk to the restroom, you see abandoned pool tables and the restroom is gross. You pass by the tiny, questionable kitchen. I just think they need to update this place, or at least clean it up.
(3)Kevin G.
My wife was born and raised in Vietnam and we eat Vietnamese 3 X a week in normal weeks. We both travel a lot and have eaten Vietnamese all around the world. This little gem of a place has to rank in the top 10. We were traveling through ABQ and found this place on yelp. When we went to the address, it was kind of hard to find but we drove around till we found them. My wife had Bun Ba Hue and I had pho tai. Some of the best of each dishes that we've had anywhere. Fragrant, flavorful and spiced to taste. The goi cuon was also well made and very authentic. The owners were both friendly, solicitous and a delight to know. Only negative was that, until I asked them to turn on some music, the place was like a church or library - perfectly quiet and without ambiance.
(5)Jeremy M.
This place may not be much to look at but the food is exceptional. Fresh, flavorful and delicious. A must when in Albuquerque.
(4)Melissa P.
When I told my sister (who has been living in ABQ for a cumulative 4 years) that I wanted to try this place during my visit, she was all "NO! THAT'S A REALLY BAD AREA". We had just been to her regular salon in the same district for mani/pedis and haircuts, so I was all WTF You can't go to one and say no to the other, especially after reading all the glowing reviews of this place. She finally relented and we rounded the two corners it took to get there from her salon, and yes, the area is pretty sketchy. After parking out front, she made a comment about hoping her car was still there when we were done eating. I laughed nervously as I watched about 4 officers mill around some sort of crime scene, complete with yellow tape, literally on the adjacent corner. Upon entering the windowless establishment, a charming young lady (probably about 10 years old) asked us if we wanted to eat there. She actually phrased it that way: "do you want to eat here?" It was pretty adorable. The interior is simple and relaxing. I ordered the Pho Tai and my sister ordered a dish that was her attempt at obtaining the least weird, safest menu item. It was basically stir fried vegetables and rice noodles in ginger sauce, and it was a nice dish. My pho was outstanding; didn't need much doctoring. I had to incorporate the hot peppers and basil, but it really didn't need any Sriracha at all. We also got the shrimp spring roll which was highly reccommended, and I must concur they were great with loads of fresh strong herbs and the sauce was AWESOME. The best part was after the meal when the owner decided to check on us and share a horrific story that took place a few weeks ago on the next street over. Apparently a pedestrian was hit by a car and had his head run over several times by different vehicles before anyone realized what was going on. She described seeing the head and exclaiming "it was so flat!" After the initial shock of the story I found it pretty funny that the proprietor of a restaurant would relay this type of advertisement about the area in which she makes her living. I suppose that might be an indicator of how bad the area truly is, if that is just par-for-the-course dinner conversation. I would definitey reccomend having lunch or dinner here, but perhaps make sure you're out of there before sunset. My sister's car was indeed still there when we were done eating. It did, however, suffer the indignity of having silly string applied to its rear bumper. I suppose it could have been worse!
(5)Elizabeth E.
Saigon Far East is wonderful! I tried it out last night because of the fantastic reviews, and my partner wanted Vietnamese food for dinner. There seemed to be a lot of choices in all parts of Albuquerque for Vietnamese food, and I am so glad I followed reviewers like Jeremy S. to try Saigon Far East out. We started with spring rolls (had just shrimp, although they also come with pork). I had a chicken egg rice noodle dish, and my partner had a crunchy noodle dish with a mixture of pork, beef, chicken, and shrimp. I would have photographed these tasty choices, but I forgot because they smelled so good that we dove right in. In addition to delicious noodles (both wider egg rice noodles and crispy small noodles), the fresh veggies just took the dish over the top. YUM YUM YUM! In closing, the service was excellent, the price is super, and I liked the vibe of the place (I did take one interior photo I'll post). Enjoy an affordable, fresh, memorable meal at Saigon Far East just as soon as you can!
(5)Shea D.
They have the best spring rolls and freshest vegetables. Outside is sketchy at best, but it's clean inside and the service is great.
(5)Moe R.
The Pho here is good & simple. The noodles seemed a bit thin for my taste and the broth was well prepared but nothing outstanding. The owners are very nice. Dining area is clean but the other half of the restaurant where the restrooms are located is frightening. The location though is what will keep me from coming back, being worried about someone stealing my car or holding up the restaurant is not an ideal dining experience for me.
(3)Stacy G.
Very friendly, and the best pho I've had outside our favorite place in Mountain View, CA. Like the other reviews said, it looks closed but it is open. Vietnamese customers park around back.
(5)alice w.
We decided to try this place based on the rave reviews here...maybe we didn't order the right things? We had Imperial Spring Rolls, Pho and Bun Cha Gio...our favorites. Our food was ok, but not as good as our favorite place, Pho #1. We will keep looking for another substitute for Pho #1, because we love their food but sometimes their ever-present kids are out of control and there are times we don't want to watch kids fighting!
(3)Cary F.
Like the other reviewers will tell you, the place looks a little sketchy from the outside. Don't let this stop you! We had a great meal here. My wife and I both had the Pho and it was great. Not too salty like most places. They also were happy to add extra veggies to hers and less noodles. Kids ate all of their fried rice, and noodle dishes. Waitstaff was quick and friendly. We also saw they had their children helping out there adding up tickets and helping out. I think its great to see families working together! Highly recommend!
(4)Kathy W.
This is one of our favorite restaurants in ABQ. We've been here many times and have gotten to know the owners, she's the hostess/waitress and he's the chef. Service is excellent as well as the food! We have yet to find better spring rolls than theirs in ABQ. Other favs include - tofu, lemongrass, noodle salad, rare beef pho, and shrimp stir fry on soft noodles (MX 5). Their menu is several pages of delicious options.
(5)Glenn E.
Me + Saigon Far East's Pho = Happiness
(5)Eric S.
Went here bc of good Yelp reviews. It's a home run! Everything is fresh and flavorful. Better than the Vietnamese I experienced in Chicago. Even though everything is good, the soups are stronger than the rice dishes. Great prices, which includes prices for beer and wine. The place was empty both times I went, and I have no idea why. The exterior is hilarious, and the interior is warmer and more pleasant than expected.
(5)Scott L.
What a great place to eat. We were close-by at a local healthy food grocers and checked Yelp for nearby restaurants. Saigon Far East, with it's 5 red stars, fairly jumps off the page at you. My wife and I love Vietnamese food and have tried many in Albuquerque looking for a place we can call our favorite. The search is over. Kim was very kind and attentive. She was quick to ask what we liked and made suggestions in accordance with our tastes. We were impressed with the freshness of the items we ordered, and it was apparent that each plate was made to order. No heat lamps or preprepared frozen foods here. We had the shrimp and pork spring rolls as an appetizer, and shared the M7 (combination noodle soul) and the CD7 (combination rice dish). We can't wait to go back and try something else. We'll see you at Saigon Far East!
(5)Erica H.
I found this place on Yelp. Everyone has it right. Great food. Cute inside, unassuming exterior in less than prime location. Service was great and food was delicious. I wish I lived closer!
(5)Christopher A.
Best place for PHO!! Also believe it or not, the chicken wings make you want to go to Buffalo Wild Wings and slap the cooks! Food is great never ate anything bad.
(5)Stephanie N.
I definitely agree w/ the reviews that the spring rolls & peanut dipping sauce is off the hook. So good that I ordered another order in the end. I also got the H3...lemon grass chicken & veggies on a bed of vermicelli. You're supposed to pour their fish sauce over it. Kids couldn't get enough of the chicken. & the sliced jalapeños in there weren't spicy at all. We also ordered the h1 soup & a bowl of pho. The kids loved the h1. There's shrimp, imitation crab, quail egg, fish cake, bone in meat & thin slices of meat in there. Good stuff.
(5)Duane K.
Saigon Far East is a truly amazing Vietnamese restaurant. Don't be fooled by the exterior as the food is AMAZING! The spring rolls with peanut sauce is fantastic. Do yourself a favor and go here tonight for an incredible tasty meal. Easily five stars never a bad meal.
(5)Kirkor E.
Wow, this place was great! Thought I was hungry so I started with the papaya salad followed by the large combo bowl...oops! I was stuffed halfway through! :) It was all so good! My host/ server was great as well. Super nice, polite, and considerate.
(5)Michael H.
SOLID Vietnamese. Easy on the wallet and tasty. Don't let the sketchy exterior fool you, inside is a nice, cozy atmosphere and the owners are quite friendly. I love the spring rolls and always get a noodle dish.
(5)Robert W.
I saw this place on yelp and the reviews on here don't lie. If you are looking for a place that is cheap yet just as good as an expensive 5 star restaurant . They are very friendly and pretty fast whether you are eating in or taking out.
(5)Lindsey W.
This is THE BEST Vietnamese place you have ever eaten at.
(5)Jenn D.
So you have your favorite Vietnamese restaurant in ABQ, right? Well, you aren't right if it isn't Saigon Far East. Okay, I haven't tried every single one in the city, but I'm perfectly content to stop my search with this place. And yes, I've tried several places. The BEST spring rolls are made here! The BEST. Why? Presentation and fresh flavors. And the dishes, seriously you can't go wrong with any order. And one could eat here twice a week for a year and never order the same thing twice. I love H1, but everything else I've tried is also yummy goodness. The server is sweet and awesome, as well as a little bossy in a funny way. She always makes sure I have a small bowl of chili sauce for my dish since I like my food pretty spicy. However, the house mix is just enough and I don't use Sriracha in the soup here because I feel as though it covers up the amazing flavor of the broth. So dang good. If you are a fan of Vietnamese cuisine, do yourself a favor and try this hidden gem - yes, even if it seems a little out of the way and looks closed from the outside. Go. You (and your companions) might be the only diner(s) in there, but that only has to be because not enough folks have discovered this awesome restaurant. Oh, and I love the purple table clothes. And that a glass of water is served with a lime wedge.
(5)Daniel W.
This place isn't exactly in the greatest part of town, but it's well worth the trip. The food is flavorful and fresh, the service is kind and helpful, and the prices are exceedingly reasonable. This is definitely the best Vietnamese food in town. One thing I would mention, don't overlook the desserts. I know a lot of people don't ordinarily order dessert at Vietnamese restaurants, but I would encourage anyone with taste buds to try Saigon Far East's dessert offerings.
(5)Tori N.
This little restaurant has great dishes! I've tried several- beef chow fun, hu tieu nam vang, bun bo hue, and their chicken wings appetizer. All amazing and I will be back to try more! The service is very quick and friendly as well and the portions are very good. My favorite restaurant in Albuquerque! :)
(5)Allyn H.
The neighborhood is sketchy, but it's worth the trip. This is some of the best Vietnamese food Albuquerque has to offer. Friendly, prompt service.
(4)chris m.
I don't hand out many 5 stars. This place gets one. What looks like an old strip club from the outside (and quite frankly from the inside ) turns out some of the best Vietnamese food I've ever tasted. I did live in San Francisco for about 15 years so I have tasted what they have and this is as close if not better than anything I've had there. I had the most unique spring roll app, an overwhelmingly flavorful, vermicelli mix, the sublime corn pudding desert and light, ice tea for 19$. Can't flipping beat it. I'm going back tomorrow.
(5)Yashar I.
I stop by at least once a week in the late afternoon when it's dead. The same woman, presumably the owner, is always here with her friendly charm. The food is amazing for the area and really anywhere. Winter is coming, and there's no better remedy than pho on a chilly day. If you're new to Vietnamese, start with a simple pho like rare beef (P4 on the menu). If you want to try something other than soup, the B11 (vermicelli noodle bowl with meats) is bomb!
(5)Jazmine V.
Why five stars? It's simple. There wasn't anything I didn't like about this place. The whole "hole in the wall" thing is pretty charming. The food was fabulous. Even the little plate used to serve the appetizer are so cool! This is the type of place you'd easily drive by. If I hadn't read some really good reviews about the place, I probably never would have stopped there. I don't live anywhere near it, and even if I did, it's kind of sketchy looking from the outside. I walked in and was immediately greeted and was told to seat myself. The server was fast and efficient. The inside of the place is unique and clean.I had the spring rolls and they were delicious. Probably the best spring rolls I've had. I think they had a thin slice of chicken inside, which was a nice surprise. I had the H1. It was a rice noodle soup that had quail egg, seafood (shrimp and crab), and pork in it. It was the first time I had tasted a vietnamese noodle soup and didn't want to add sriracha (a spicy sauce that is usually nearby). The flavors were perfect just the way they were. I thought the sriracha would maybe even spoil the flavors a bit. The soup was loaded with cilantro, lettuce, and green onions. I also had the option to add extra meat, extra veggies, or upgrade to the extra large bowl. Although I didn't do any of the above, it's nice to know that I can add extra stuff. Something unique about this place was they serve an "asian donut" with many of their meals. It's this delicous piece of fried dough (think churro without the cinnimon and sugar) that is perfectly crispy with this delightful salty and spicy sauce for dipping (think soy sauce with red chiles). Yum! I had to try the place because of all of the great reviews. I was pleasantly surprised and would love to go back.
(5)makenzi e.
Wonderful & attentive service. Great food! I had the chicken soup(pho). Simple, but the broth had a perfect touch of sweetness to balance with the spice from added jalapeno they bring on separate plate. As others mentioned, the spring rolls are a must have. Also had iced coffee and it was the perfect pick me up at lunch.
(5)Bonita E.
Loved this place. Locally owned and operated. The food was amazing. I had a shrimp dish that was excellent. The heat was perfect! I would definitely recommend this place and will be a regular.
(5)Sana M.
Traveling through ABQ from California on a cold winter night my husband and I decided to get some pho to warm us up. On a Saturday evening we were the only ones in the restaurant. We ordered crispy noodles with veggies and tofu and a beef pho. The noodles were soaked with oil. And there were only a few pieces of tofu. The pho was average at best. California has some fantastic pho establishments so we may just have high standards but we left hungry and disappointed.
(2)Daniel B.
Definitive best Vietnamese food and service I've ever had. Their Pho is SLIGHTLY beat out by Pho#1, but everything else on this menu is the best food in the city without question. Kim runs a friendly "welcome home" vibe restaurant and will remember your favorite dishes and recommend new ones. I simply cannot recommend this place enough. Also: B3 Lemongrass vermicelli bowl is legendary and will change your life. Best Spring rolls in town/on planet Earth.
(5)Cecily L.
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(2)Joey T.
I have been going to Saigon for over a year, and I make it a weekly routine if I can. The food is incredible!!! Kim really makes you feel welcome, she always knows how I like my Pho Soup or what ever I order. It always comes out perfectly each time. They don't use any processed flavors in a jar, they cook all their broth's using meat for the best flavors. Because I enjoy eating at Saigon so much I also setup a free webpage to help bring in business for Kim and the great staff at Saigon saigonabq.com . I promise you will not be disappointed, there is so much to choose from and so many good plates and soups to try. Do yourself a flavor, that's right I said flavor! And head over and get you a nice hot bowl of happiness! Just remember to look for the hole in the wall, and be amazed once you come inside. Also they are closed on Wednesdays so don't end up missing out because you came on the wrong day, trust me I have done it to often :)
(5)Jeff M.
Exquisite! Spring/Vegetable rolls were excellent. Udon shrimp soup and vegatables with crunchy noodles were great. Service was also terrific. Would not hesitate to come back.
(5)Jeff K.
This food is superb. In the area for few days and was craving a good meal. The location and the exterior of the place definitely makes you check to lock your car twice but the food and the value make this place a must try for this type of cusine. The waitstaff was very friendly and attentive. The food came extremely quickly, was cooked to the spice level I was asked, and the ingredients were very fresh. Im going back before I head home!
(5)A L.
Best Pho in ABQ. Chili sauce will light you on fire...even if you love the hot stuff. Would be 5 stars, but it was pretty slow, especially since we were the only table. Friendly service.
(4)Aileen W.
We wanted to give this place a fair trial so we ordered three dishes: a rice, a noodle, and a soup. The roti chicken rice dish, which was listed on the menu as of French origin, was tender and fragrant and came accompanied with a side bowl of salad. The vermicilli bowl I ordered had a splendid array of grilled meats, shrimp, and the usual bean sprouts and herb mix-ins. Accompanying nuoc cham came in a cruet for you to pour as much or as little as you'd like. The Hu Tie Sate soup was spicy and flavorful, although a little too thick or cornstarchy for my tastes. Overall, the food is solid and prices are very fair. The only thing that would hold me back from returning is, sadly, the ambience. There are no windows and the decor is lacking so with the plethora of amazing Vietnamese restaurants in the area with equally good food, I might not be a frequent visitor of this establishment. I would recommend take-out, however.
(4)Jennifer I.
Don't be fooled by the shady exterior! This restaurant is incredible! Service is wonderful and the food is, too! I recommend the pho, of course, along with everything else on the menu. You can't go wrong!
(5)garrett w.
This is my new favorite place. I spent the day playing billiards and eating the best food in albuquerque. Can't wait to go back....
(5)mintoreo m.
I want to like this place, the chef seems nice... I was in the rush so chef recommended some fried rice and pho. Pho is so so, very fatty meat with MSG soup. Fried rice is bad , the box is half filled, I guess it's not a bad thing--because it is filled with greasy rice, over fried,egg and some very dried meat. it tasted like refried/over microwaved fried rice from yesterday.
(2)Devy P.
First time here FANTASTIC!!!!! Will be coming back and telling everyone to come the spring rolls were awesome!!!!!!
(5)John S.
one of my favorite restaurants for one of my favorite cuisines. the food is always very fresh, the service is always very good, the staff is friendly, the price is very good, the location is a little tucked away behind Damacio's grocery but that's just one more thing i like about it.
(5)Dave W.
Best spring rolls in town! Very good food, very inexpensive. The chicken with lemon grass or tofu with lemon grass is to die for!
(5)Jamie E.
This is my favorite Vietnamese joint in ABQ! It's a shame that it's in such a relatively remote location. Silver S. is totally right-- It looks closed down, but it's not. I love the lush, late-80s Chinese restaurant "jungle" decor in this place- lots of hanging green plants and wood and paper lanterns. The environment is really comfortable and I felt like there was a good deal of privacy. Some Vietnamese places are overly-lit with yucky fluorescent lights- they feel like giant bathrooms or Office Depot; thankfully that is not the case with Saigon Far East. I sort of missed the usual giant tv blaring cheesy viet pop videos, but that is my only complaint with the entire establishment. I had the veggie spring rolls and stir fried vermicelli w/ noodles. The server brought out a bowl of thai chilis and later, a bowl of shredded habaneros to accomodate my dinner companion's requests for more heat.They didn't have beer on tap as advertised, but the bottles were nicely chilled and the server kept them coming. The spring rolls were VERY good with tasty ingredients (stir-fried mushrooms, lots of herbs) instead of the standard glass noodle, tofu, and cucumber variety of fillings. Everything was very fresh and well-made. Note to self: Eat here more often!
(5)Emma T.
Saigon Far East is the best in the city, in my opinion. My husband and I go there at least once (usually twice or more) per week. Everything is delicious and the service is awesome. Highly recommended!!
(5)Silver S.
If you drive by, you will likely think that this restaurant is shut down. But if you dare to open the totally unassuming looking door, you'll momentarily have one of those twilight zone experiences at seeing a full dining room inside. My guess is that this restaurant is in a converted Elk's Lodge or the like, though I can't figure out why there is not one window in the joint. But don't let that deter you. They have the most elegant Vietnamese spring rolls I've had in Albuquerque. The food way outclasses the exterior of the building. The menu is long and you can basically just describe what you would like to eat, and they'll deliver as if it's your birthday. Substitutions are happily allowed. I eat until my stomach is so full that it hurts. I've dined here about five times and have always been pleased. The owner/waitress/potentially also the cook makes you feel right at home. Service is prompt and friendly. Last time I dined at Saigon Far East, I paid $20 for spring rolls, two super-sized drinks (ginger limade is great), and two entrees. If I lived around the corner, I would eat here every week.
(5)Liz B.
I discovered this gem for lunch when I saw three 5-star Yelp reviews. I figured that if at least three people raved about it, it was definitely worth a visit. I ordered Vietnamese iced coffee, spring rolls, and the vermicelli noodles (bun) with grilled pork. The iced coffee was good and came pre-mixed. I noticed that in Albuquerque no one seems to do the slow-drip-into-the-glass-filled-with-condensed-Âmilk-and-ice thing, which is common in California. The spring rolls were delicious. The peanut sauce came topped with Sri Racha and peanuts, and I think there were even some jalapeños wrapped into the spring rolls because there was a nice kick to it. Then my noodles came. The fish sauce came in a glass cruet instead of a small plastic Chinese bowl, and it had some chili pepper seeds floating in it. Instead of giving me the correct portion to pour into my bowl, and I was given the task of figuring out how much fish sauce to pour on my noodles. In hindsight, it was too much, and I also poured Sri Racha on the noodles for good measure. At first it didn't seem like much, but then there was the slow burn starting. I guess the chili pepper seeds in the fish sauce added a decent spice level to the dish. Luckily, I grew up on spicy food, so I was OK, just sniffling a little at the end. Unfortunately, a gentleman sitting at the next table seemed to be suffering more than me as he drank multiple glasses of water. I'm guessing he ordered vermicilli noodles, too. Be warned that the fish sauce does have a slow burn to it, so go easy on the Sri Racha if you're like me, and you add a good amount to your noodles. I give this place 5 stars without even having to think about it.
(5)