Viet Cafe
“Bien Hoa is, bar none, one of the best places to get vietnamese food in the Edison area.”
“my favorite is porkchop with broken rice and a fried egg.”
“I ordered number 66, which was a rice dish with grilled pork chop, shredded pork, and crab meat patty.”
Viet Cafe
Takes Reservations: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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Yep, new management unfortunately killed this place.
The overall decor + set-up of the restaurant is nicer but frankly who cares when the food isn't as good anymore?
I used to enjoy the broken rice dishes from here. As far as I know, this is the only Vietnamese restaurant in the local area that serves broken rice so that's what I went for again on my latest visit, aware that Bien Hoa was under new management.
Meh, I should have listened. I started off dinner by ordering an appetizer of fried egg rolls. They weren't bad but they were extremely small. I know, I know, let's not make size jokes about egg rolls……but let's just they are hotter, bigger, and tastier at other nearby (vietnamese) places.
I ordered the standard broken rice dish with all the fixings of grilled pork, shredded pork, pork skin, fried egg, meatloaf: basically a Muslim vegetarian's nightmare.
I was starving so I was extremely happy when the food arrived quickly.
Blah, after a few bites, the dish confirmed my suspicions that the new Bien Hoa reheats food instead of making it fresh. The food wasn't hot enough and the speed of delivery indicated that the chef was either a master ninja or a microwave expert.
I wouldn't say Bien Hoa is now terrible because the food tastes average (I might apply this generously because I was starving) and the prices are seemingly reasonable on the menu. However, Bien Hoa was definitely better and tastier in the past.
If anyone is interested in the specifics of my broken rice dish:
+ grilled pork chops were too fatty. I like fat but this resembled eating lard.
+ shredded pork + pork skin: too skimpy on portions to be memorable.
+ fried egg: get out of the restaurant industry if you can't make fried eggs. Luckily, Bien Hoa can.
+ meatloaf: pretty good; the redeemer of the dish since the main pork chops were actually one of the most inferior renditions of Vietnamese pork chops I've had in a while. I assumed pork chops were a never-fail component of Vietnamese rice dishes but unfortunately at Bien Hoa, it wasn't.
My favorite pho place in the area. For one stretch I game here every week. I always order the fried egg rolls and the number 8 which is the large bowl of pho. Everything comes out very quick and is delicious. The service is great and the staff is very friendly as well. Def recommend coming here
The flavors of pho were okay, but nothing to write home about.
I haven't been here in awhile, but it's an ok place. The noodles are good, unlike at other places with oversalted broth or that use artificial noodles. I think the flavor isn't as good as other places I've been to.
The setup is like a diner with booths. The vibe is low key and quiet. There are tvs.
One thing that was strange was that a young man who worked there would stay in the bathroom for long periods of time. Like 15-20 min. No idea what that was about. If you want to use the bathroom, be cognizant of who's in there. If it's him, just knock right away. Otherwise, you'll waste that several minutes before you knock.
The owner is nice, but she doesn't seem to understand that much. It wasn't only a language issue. I've tried to have basic conversations with her, such as ones about the weather, and she doesn't get it. I saw a table of regulars try to explain to her why they hadn't been back in awhile, and she just said "oh." I'm not sure she understood the explanation. These people are probably regulars a lot longer than I was and would like to have that friendly acquaintance with her, but there's none of that. She does recognize your face though.
I have yet to find a nearby Vietnamese place that I've really liked since Pho 99 in South Plainfield closed (R.I.P.). Viet Cafe isn't my answer, but it's okay. The vermicelli is good, but the rice dishes (e.g. pork chop with rice) are way too salty for me.
Viet Cafe is a modern, casual, and tasty Vietnamese restaurant off of Route 27 in Edison. It is across the street from Pines Manor in a non-descript strip mall. The restaurant is zen, with bamboo, river rocks, and well divided seating. They also have some gorgeous embroidery on the walls. The ambiance, though casual, would work for a down-to-earth date or for people who have never tried Viet food. Service is also prompt, responsive, and have good memories. We had a large group and managed to all order and eat in just over an hour.
I ordered a Viet iced coffee (tasty and cold!), the # 90. banh cunch tun thit (round rice noodle with pork and shrimp) and shared the papaya salad with the table. (I forgot to sample everyone elses's food, but there was a good mix of rice dishes, pho, and fusion food.) My noodle soup was tasty, not too salty, and had a good heartiness to it. The dish had an average amount of pork and shrimp in it, and I tossed in a lot of bean sprouts. The food is good, but not memorable, but also very affordable. I would be willing to try it again.
It always seems that the best things in life lie right in front of you and for some reason or another we miss it and miss out. The Viet Cafe is slightly off the beaten path on rt. 27 Edison in a semi outside strip mall that can easily be missed if your eyes aren't peeled. After 3 visits it's time to rave a review.
I've become an Asian food junkie typically searching for the most exotic an out of the ordinary experiences and dishes possible ah la, " Andy Zimmern."Strangely enough the pure simplicity and back to basic delivery and preparation of Vietnamese cuisine has captured my imagination and taste buds by surprise. This great find exemplifies this wonderful tradition.
I've had the Pho to the combo rice to the noodle dishes always accompanied by a partner or 2 to sample multiple delights. Always fresh and clean tasting without over seasoning, what I love about Vietnamese chow. This place is relatively small maybe 10 tables but very clean and the service is friendly and helpful in making suggestions. They also have their own homemade tea with a floral touch that is to live for. The prices are affordable but on the higher side of typical w/ ample but not huge portions. The menu is rather limited, but fairly traditional.
If you dig Vietnamese like I do then it's time to unearth Viet Cafe.
The combination bowl and my egg rolls were good. My friend ordered the bbq pork and he was not a fan. It's not bad, but just a little too "Americanized" or "different" for his liking. Not what he remembers from growing up in South Vietnam. The main reason why I gave three stars is because they charge $3 for hot tea. Three dollars?? Really? For hot water and regular tea leaves in a pot? Most Asian restaurants have it available for free (instead of cold water) or just charge $1. Pscch.