Little Saigon Pearl

Came here for phở, sold out!!! –_​– Uhhhh… okay… Decided to try whatever is left. I got chicken and grass noodle soup which is just some chicken slices, lettuce, noodle. The msg was still floating on top of my soup. My gf got the shrimp paste noodle which is meatball and tomatoes in soup. Broth didn’t have any shrimp taste. Only positives were the shrimp roll and the bathroom (because it was cleaner/​roomier than most Asian restaurants). Coming back here for phở? Highly doubt it.

Little Saigon Pearl is indeed super tiny; hidden from the mainstreams of other chains (it’s slightly across from Phở Tay Ho). I have been to this establishment once (sitting down) and another time (take out). I enjoyed my sit down experience much more than my take out experience. When I first ordered take out, I ordered the infamous kim tien rolls (a mixture of shrimp and cha gio), phở ga (chicken phở), and bun cha gio. The kim tien rolls are infamous for a reason, they’re super delicious! I highly recommend this item! The spring rolls aren’t like what the mainstream Vietnamese restaurants have, so they were good as well, but not as good as the kim tien rolls. The phở ga was a disappointment because when I came home to unpack the food, there was no phở to be found… they had only given us the soup… wow. Anyway, I also want to note that this place skimps out on veggies… there were four kim tien rolls, and they gave us one small piece of lettuce…
Alrighty, onto the sit down experience. Take note that this is a small family owned store that has about four tables that were tightly placed around each other. We ordered phở ga (this time, they didn’t forget the phở!), bun cha gio, kim tien rolls, com tam suon (grilled pork chops on broken rice), bun bo hue (beef noodle soup stew), and a blueberry and pineapple milkshake. The kim tien rolls were delicious as before, but again, there were two small pieces of lettuce to go around the table… the pork chops were well marinated and tasted good. The bun bo hue lacked noodles, meat, and veggies. There was more soup than anything else in this bowl. The beef was cooked well, though, I’d have to say. My blueberry pineapple milkshake tasted like milk and ice, but was refreshing nevertheless. There is music in the background (radio station 106.7 lite fm to make the environment less awkward). The sandwiches here seem like a steal at less than $ 4 each, I’ll be sure to try that when I’m in the neighborhood. The owner is friendly, which is why I’ll be coming back. When you leave this restaurant, you’ll be smelling like BBQ.

I used to love this place a year ago and in the past couple of months this place has fallen off. I never expected good service since their phở was always really good. But I think their chef may have changed or they changed the soup recipe because it’s not as good as it used to be. The soup is way darker and saltier now.
I hope they hear this enough from their customers and switch back to their old recipe.

You can always order a fresh bowl of phở here, i haven’t try the sandwich yet, but I do know the phở definitely taste good, with slice beef and beef ball in it. the place is clean and the environment is nice, ordering take out is convenient!

I’ve never noticed this tiny place before, especially since it’s so close to the popular Viet spot across the street. The phở broth and noodles were so good! The spring rolls have the typical spring roll skin versus what you would normally get at a Viet restaurant but they were really good too regardless of that. There are only 3 tables that seat 4 people and the rest are 2 tops so it looks like most people might order take-​out here. There is only one waiter and he was super mellow and indifferent but that didn’t take away from the service, which could be a bit slow since he’s the only one working in front. I would definitely come back again if I were craving phở but would skip the Viet sandwich next time, which was a bit disappointing.

If you guys want amazing Vietnamese food, you have to check this place out. I can easily say it is the best Vietnamese place around here. They give you little sauce and vegetables does not mean you can’t ask for more.

Their phở here is very good. The broth taste very authentic. The shrimp appetizer is also very good. It’s a must try. The only thing I don’t like about this place is the fact it is it super crammed up and the portion of the food is a bit on the cheap side. The price is also the same as any other Viet restaurant.

Came here with hubby and we were starving, so we ordered one of almost everything on the menu and shared. Noodle soup base is very flavorful, taste a little bit of herbal, has a great after taste. The sandwich is average, I’ve had so much better sandwich elsewhere, barely any meat in the sandwich and the taste is lacking. The pancake was alright, very crispy on the outside, and it looks soooo appetizing, but it lacks taste inside, it was just a lot of boiled bean sprouts and a few pieces of chicken. The kim tien rolls were tasty and goes great with the lettuce and the dipping sauce, but it was little too oily. All this being said, this phở place is still so much better than the phở tay ho across the street. phở tay ho used to be good years ago, but now it’s gone down hill.

I placed an order via phone. First the guy obviously is new; he didn’t know how to properly take an order and should study the menu thoroughly before taking orders. Banh xeo (2), com suon nuong (1), cha gio (1) & extra lettuce on the side. I asked for him to repay the order & he did. I felt reassured since he read back everything word for words.
Com suon nuong according to my kids is good. Cha gio is good. And my banh xeo was just pathetic and sad (it’s basically just two pieces of shrimp & a whole lotta bean sprouts). They gave no nuoc mam for the banh xeo and of course no lettuce like I asked.

This review is for the service only:
My family and I (a group of 7) wanted to come here for lunch. The restaurant was completely EMPTY and they told us they can accommodate us. It was very uncomfortable where we were seated and we asked if we can sit by the windows instead where there is more room.
The lady (I’m assuming she was the boss) told us she won’t seat us there in case other customers come in.
What I was really unhappy about was the fact that even if we were to move to by the windows, it would not take away from the tables that other future customers would sit in. Also, we just wanted to be seated in another area with a little bit more room (there really wasn’t much room where they sat us). We were the only people at the restaurant and they’d rather save those seats for customers that may or may not come in.
We ended up going across the street to Phở Tay Ho and left the EMPTY restaurant. They just lost the business of 7 people in anticipation for other people to come in. Very disappointed.
TIP: since it is a small space, I’d recommend go in a group with Max 4 people because even if they say they accommodate more, they’re not very good about it. And it seems like they care more about smaller groups for their business anyway.

A tiny restaurant off of 86^th Street. It has about five tables, a waitress and a cook. Coming back from Vietnam recently, and missing their food terribly, I definitely wanted to try a more homestyle type of Vietnamese restaurant. Usually I go to the Vietnamese restaurants, with the large, laminated green menus with lots of options. Here, you get a few good choices that they make well and fresh.
The coffee here is so good, lots of chicory flavor and strong. The phở’s broth is definitely delicious and flavorful. It’s more clear and clean tasting too compared to the other phở places. The chicken lemongrass had good flavor but when I usually get it, I love the onions and peppers, which they do not put a lot of. The clay fish is definitely recommended. The crab soup was not what we were expecting when we ordered it but it was still good.

The first time I came here I thought the food was good. I had the Bun Bo Hue and the hubby had the Phở. We also had the shrimp spring rolls. We were very excited to have a new Vietnamese restaurant to eat at. I was surprised to see that they had such a limited menu and based on that I assumed that everything on there should be very good.
The second time we went we had the pork chop over rice and lemongrass chicken. The lemongrass was overwhelming and it was just chicken and sauce. No veggies not even on the side. Not impressed. Hubby didn’t care for the pork chop either. At least they cooked it with the broken rice. If we go back I think we will just stick with the soups.

My husband & I were craving phở, but I did not want to go to Phở Tay Ho (I gave them a 1 star review for horrible service, unsanitary practice, and mediocre food). Unilocaled and found this place. I have to agree with what others have written that this is a hidden gem. It is a small restaurant w/​2 staff (a lady doing the cooking (likely the boss), and a teenage girl who is the waitress & cashier).
We each ordered Phở (Noodle), Tom Hoa Tien (kim tien rolls), and Viet Styled Coffee w/​Milk. The rolls were very crunchy and full of flavor. The Viet styled coffee was legit — as good as the ones we tried in Los Angeles Garden Grove area (Little Saigon), which had one of the best viet foods I have ever eaten. The Phở broth was the best part — it was so delicious! My only complain about the phở is that: 1) portion size was small for the price, 2) more noodles than meat (only 3 small pieces of meat). Even though those are the 2 complains, I would still order the phở again because it was damn delicious! I have to agree also that the food did taste more authentic than the usual viet places in NYC.
We both enjoyed our food very much, and would be coming back here soon again to try the pork chop and bahn mi.

This place is the definition of hole in the wall. It’s more of a take out than a dine in restaurant. However, there are a few tables to eat in at. The recommended dishes were pretty spot on. The grilled pork chops over rice was grilled nicely. The number one phở was not your normal soup base. It was lighter and not as salty but still good. The shrimp spring roll was a pleasant surprise. It feels like you’re eating in someone’s home. Next time, I’ll have to try the spicy phở that isn’t listed on the menu and a sandwich.
Please note, they do not take credit card.

What I liked about this place was that it’s small, family-​run and definitely homestyle. Started with a most excellent Vietnamese coffee– thick, sweet, delicious. The Vietnamese sandwich was not the best I’ve ever had, but it’s small– appetizer size– and it did the trick. The pork chop was tender and could have used a bit more flavor. Now the highlights which will bring me back. The Kimtien rolls were shrimp and pork wrapped in dough and fried– yet they weren’t greasy or heavy. Yum. The real taste explosion came with Lemongrass Chicken. I can honestly say I’ve never tasted anything like it. Full of flavor, it was our definite favorite. While I found some dishes better than others, I will definitely return here and it will be one of my local faves, hopefully for a long time!

A total hidden gem. Hidden in one of the smaller street that connects to the main street, would not have known about its existence if a friend haven’t driven by here.
Whether you order phở or pork chop over rice, everything here is absolutely delicious. Their thai iced tea is really good too.
The only problem with this place is that they only have one person manning the front and everything seem rather disorganized. I came here with my family and ordered four individual dishes but two only came out because the waiter thought we only ordered two items. The wait time is a little long but the food at the end is worth it.

Off the beaten path, Little Saigon Pearl is a hidden gem. The idea of «less is more» is well executed here. Their menu may seem small but it provides enough options if you’re looking for a basic phở fix.
Don’t skip out on the Kim Tien rolls. I’ve never had anything like it before. The shrimp was fried within the spring roll. The amount of lettuce and dipping sauce may appear to be small in quantity but it’s just the right amount to fulfill your spring rolls, I suppose they’re frugal and environmental when it comes to food waste.
The classic beef style noodle soup (#1) was one of the best broths I’ve had. It was light and hearty. It did not have any MSG in it nor did I feel the chef went overboard with seasoning.
At most places when food tastes overwhelming in spices/​sauces, I assume that the chef is 1. Insecure because they’re trying to hide and bombard the dish with seasoning 2. They just started out in the culinary industry so they’re not familiar with spices yet.
However Little Saigon Pearl does it right, phở here tastes healthy and hearty just as it should be. It’s light enough that it’s not bland. It tastes homemade but it’s not homemade quality, if that makes sense.
The same can be said about their sweet and sour chicken soup (#7). This dish was quite unique since I’ve never had anything like it. There was a variety of pineapple and tomato chunks which gives it that sweet and sour taste.
The Thai iced tea is mildly sweet but it lacks that true taste of what makes it a Thai iced tea, I’d just stick to the food here.
I highly recommend coming here if you’re around the area. It’s the best spot in Brooklyn for phở!
Oh and for other reviewers who complain about the portions or quantities, you have to remember each dish is about $ 5 — $ 7. You get what you pay for. Again, the idea here is «less is more».

A great viet place off the side of 86^th street. I didn’t even notice it. My best friend and her boyfriend bought me here after the gym one day. They spoke so highly of this place and it had me really interested.
The spot has really limited seating, but the food is really delicious. It’s a very nice contrast from the viet place across the street; the food has more home made feel. Good portion sizes and great taste

It’s a small restaurant located on Bay 35^th street. Don’t expect u will see a lot of items on the menu. It’s a small place run by 2 sisters. I went there many times. Really love the homestyle cooking. No MSG. I highly recommend kimtien rolls, Vietnamese pancakes and phở. The don’t sell rainbow ice there but they make different types of smoothies. Be honest with u, service is not that fast. It’s not like the place on 86^th street. They can’t give u a bowl of noodles in few minutes. I saw a lot of reviews about the teenagers servers. They are the owners relatives. Their service is getting a lot better now.
They close on Mondays and check out their hours. They close quite early

We tested this restaurant by ordering iced and hot Viet coffees, and they failed. This is our usualy litmus test, actually. The iced coffee was way too sweet but had crushed ice, which I prefer. The hot coffee tasted like tea with milk, nothing like coffee whatsoever.
However, the restaurant boasts itself as using no MSG, so we might give the food a try sometime in the future.