Saigon Express - Reviews
Reviews summary
Was Anonym at Saigon Express a mag?
The prices for what you get here simply can't be beat! My Vietnamese friend loves this place because it reminds her of home, with authentic recipes and generous portion sizes. Like the banh mi here is $6!!! That's amazing for a place situated in downtown Berkeley, and it makes for a great lunch stop for local workers and students. I personally love getting their bun bo hue and pho. The broth for both is super flavorf... View all feedback.
What Anonym dislikes about Saigon Express:
we ordered the rare bark and the brisketpho. the Pho width was good, but the Toppings plate was a bit meager. there was a nice amount of bark meat, but it came a bit overcooked for rare. it tasted like something was missing. the atmosphere wasn't great even though it was clean. just a lot of design elements that didn't fit, and a bit economical. the service was great, polite and prompt. View all feedback.
Reviews from various users
Last update : 01.09.2024
The best sandwich in downtown Berkeley! The staff is incredibly friendly, and the food is fantastic. If you have diabetes, Sandwich 1 is an excellent option—it's low in sugar, and the bread is healthier, resembling French bread rather than the sugar-laden American variety.
I experienced food poisoning that was among the worst I've ever had. I ate three veggie spring rolls at 4 PM, and by 2:15 AM to 3:15 AM, I was throwing up four times. I wish I could give this place zero stars.
I ordered the Claypot with Shrimp, and a few minutes later, it arrived at my table piping hot. The vegetables had a perfectly crisp al dente texture, just the way I prefer.
I’m a student at bhigh, and no matter how u feel about the food, the short dude with glasses who works here is the actual nicest human ever
Nestled in a college town, this Vietnamese restaurant offers a mix of authentic flavors and reasonable prices. While some dishes like the banh mi and shrimp spring rolls receive praise for their freshness and quality, others, such as the chicken udon pho, leave diners wanting more due to overcooked ingredients and lackluster flavors. Although the atmosphere is clean, it lacks unique charm. Service is commendable, with polite staff ensuring timely delivery of dishes. Overall, the establishment presents a solid option for satisfying Vietnamese cuisine, especially for those seeking generous portions at affordable prices.
Last update : 14.11.2022
The restaurant has a simple vibe and lacks any unique features. The kitchen and cooking area are quite basic. However, the food was good and was served in a reasonable timeframe. The price of the Phở wasn't outstanding, but it was also not too high. Overall, I would consider returning, but I wasn’t particularly impressed by the food or the restaurant itself.
We ordered the rare bark and the brisketpho. the Pho width was good, but the Toppings plate was a bit meager. there was a nice amount of bark meat, but it came a bit overcooked for rare. it tasted like something was missing. the atmosphere wasn't great even though it was clean. just a lot of design elements that didn't fit, and a bit economical. the service was great, polite and prompt.
The pho was just average and lacked a variety of toppings. The service was decent, but overall, it felt overpriced for the quantity and quality we received. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t return.
That's one of my favorite lunch spots in berkeley. great sandwiches and the price is quite unbeatable for this opposite. bbq pork banh mi is mine to go.
The banh mi is likely the highlight of the menu. Unfortunately, my $16 chicken udon pho was a letdown, as it arrived with overcooked, gummy chicken that lacked flavor. I suspect the broth was just a cheap, uninspired version. I mentioned the issue to the owners, but they acted as if it was perfectly normal. I left feeling very disappointed.
Last update : 19.08.2023
The owner is incredibly friendly and his hospitality makes dining here a pleasure. I appreciate his kindness. I know this place is at the very heart of Berkeley, and I've become a regular customer. However, I think the $10 flat rate is a bit pricey, though I understand the reasons behind it. Regardless, I will definitely keep coming back because the pho is delicious, and the owner is always open to making adjustments to your order.
This restaurant offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine, run by Vietnamese owners who speak the language! The prices are quite reasonable too, with banh mi sandwiches starting at just $4.50 each.
This is a lovely, clean Vietnamese restaurant located in the college town. The pho was excellent, and the chicken salad bowl was fresh, lean, and full of flavor. It's a great choice for lunch!
The pho here is really delicious and the portion sizes here are fantastic. The shrimp spring rolls were also really delicious. Prices are very reasonable and the food comes out pretty quickly.
What they call the Salad Bowl is pretty good. The chicken salad bowl is my favorite. For me, it’s a sort of Bún Chà, but already mixed. And you can choose the protein. It’s scrumptious. In general you will have big portions and intense flavors. In short: Quality and quantity here are outstanding. And the best thing: it’s cheap. At least for Berkeley standards. (8-10 usd). And if you buy Banh Mi, it’s actually much cheaper. Do yourself a favor and come here.
Last update : 31.07.2025
My best restaurant in Berkeley! My recommendation is just Number 51 or 47 Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5
This is my favorite lunch spot around campus. the food is soooo good and the owners are very friendly. the service is super quick. Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $1–10 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5
Though the banh mi I had was a bit small, I really like it (and the Thai Tea! . The employees were very polite and kind. Please visit this restaurant! Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $10–20 Food: 4 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Grilled Pork Banh MI 5
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