I've been to Nha Hang Viet Nam twice. The soup, 149 on the menu, a sweet and sour soup with a ton of fresh vegetables, pineapple, okra, rice and fish is straight from heaven. The two noodle dishes-- the large noodles-- with veggies-- were delicious.
The staff is attentive, helpful and very friendly.
The ambience is not upscale, but neither are the prices. I don't  think you'll find better Vietnamese fare at any price.
I am giving this place a full five for the following reasons...
A. The Banh mi op la, #23 on the menu. This Vietnamese sandwich was on the freshest bread I have ever tasted, and that includes the fresh bread my wife makes piping hot from the oven. It was remarkably soft, warm, chewy, and just plain perfect. It could have anything for a filler and I would have been overjoyed. This though had 2 "Sunshine Eggs", soy sauce and black peppers. So simple yet all tied together by the amazing French Bread. The sandwich itself did need a bit of a kick, at least for my palette, so I added some seasonings that they have on the table, and SLAM, my sammie was a goner.
B. The Bun Mam-#83. This soup was ridiculous when it comes to the great flavor. I have know idea what was in it besides the description of, "Steamed rice noodle soup w/preservative fish flavor(ok?), served w/shrimp, fish, and squid". That's all I needed to know and within seconds of it being set down it was gone in a flash. Where did you go to so fast soup?
C. The Canh chua tom-#147. This soup was described as "Hot & Sour soup w/shrimp, pineapple, okra, elephant ear stems, tomatoes, cilantro and rice paddy herb. Honestly, this soup reminded me of some Thai soups that I've had, hence the "Tom" most likely, as it had a sort of coconut sour soup flavor, which is something I really enjoy. That flavor along with giant shrimp, and the great vegetables gave this soup terrific aromatics and a wonderful flavor.
All in all, I(being caucasian) just go nuts for these Asian meals, and while I cannot cook any of these nor want to try, I have eaten mostly Asian food only for the past 20 years. There is just something about the way they meld all these interesting and wonderful combination of flavors that just sucks me in. That said, please still read my Vietnamese experts review by Izzy N. who has a different take on this place, because I might just be blowing smoke...
Enjoy Suckas'!!!
Pho season is upon us!
The combination pho at Nha Hang Viet Nam is alright. It is called "Pho Vietnam" and doesn't include meatballs, which is odd. Pho without meatballs makes me sad, but I was able to add them. I still prefer the stuff from 777, but have only been eating it for a few years (if you're looking for the authentic stuff, check out Izzy N's reviews).
The spring rolls with shrimp and pork were tasty. I was dining with a friend and they gave us each our individual sauces. The banh xeo was crispy and delicious. Often a mess to eat, but I can't resist ordering whenever I have a lunch buddy. We got our own sauces again!
This place is really tiny, and got pretty packed during the peak lunch hour. Lots of people coming in for their noodle fix. They only had 2 people working, so when you're done with your meal, don't hesitate to go up to the counter and pay for your meal.
If I return, I'll definitely be trying some of the Vietnamese home cooking dishes Izzy mentions in her review. For pho, given the many options in the area, I'd go elsewhere.
These guys recently went through a facelift and it served them very well. Â They have brand new tables and chairs which are not only more comfortable, but also considerably classier. Â The menu is still just as large, but now is much easier to read for someone who does not read Vietnamese.
They have so much competition and everyone on this street has some specialty that they do best. Â Yet all factors considered, I think that Nha Hang Viet Nam has become my favorite restaurant on Argyle Street. Â I look forward to many more happy experiences in the future.
So far the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to on Argyle! The pho was excellent - the noodles were firm, the broth so great. We also tried crispy rice with various kinds of meat and vegetables and that was great too! If you're a fan of crispy rice (from the bottom of the pan), you'll love this dish. The service was excellent, the people very friendly and helpful. I'm definitely going back!
Review Source:I live in San Jose, California where there are some of the best Pho places in the country and I must say that this place has the best broth I've ever tasted. Â Not salty. Meatballs are huge. Â Generous portions. Â Price is good too. Â Will definitely come back the next time I'm in Chicago!
Review Source:We were up north and decided to stop by Argyle for a late afternoon meal.
Boyfriend really enjoyed his pork/rice dish, standard Vietnamese fare. My wings were quite tasty -- fish paste sauce, was it? Something like that. I was hungrier when I left so that either means it was a great appetizer or the portions were too small. HMMM..
Although it was homey I guess, it was a little bit too homey for me since we were the only patrons and the other 10 people were I think relatives of the owners... and with the kids yelling and hurling insults at each other, it felt like we were intruding on a family function. Awkward. They were really nice though.
Oh man, oh man. We had this large pancake of sorts, and then a couple of meat and veggie dishes. I think this is as good as Asian food in the US gets. Didn't even have any pho and I was so satisfied--for 5-6$ a person we had food for 4 and then some to take home with us; utterly delicious and I can't wait to go back.
Review Source:food was delicious. Â We got some nice spicy dishes (tamed down a bit I'm sure)... Mostly native eaters and friendly neighborhood locals. Â There were a couple on a date, there was a family of 10, there was fellow entertaining his tourist friends a his favorite local ethic restaurant. Â Good energy but not overly loud. Â
Staff was incredibly warm and friendly. Â
Parking is bountiful or its a block and a half from the redline.
I have traveled through Viet Nam and I think the food at Nha Hang is delicious. Â Check your dietary quirks at the door and prepare to be adventurous. Â The menu is huge and diverse with many of the dishes beyond explanation. Â You just have to trust that they know what they're doing in the kitchen and try it. Â
All dishes, even soups, are intended for  family-style sharing.  Unlike the American entree, a main rounded out with a couple of sides, at Nha Hang many dishes feature one thing exclusively.  So plan on passing plates around for a taste of everything. Â
We brought a birthday party of 14 and the family members running the business were very accommodating and fun. Â The ambience is warm, making you want to sit for hours with drinks. Â (Thank you, BYOB.) Â The romantikitsch decor and available karaoke make for an entertaining evening.
I think Nha Hang does a great job of maintaining authentic Vietnamese flavors while making their food accessible to the American palate. Â Chilis and fish sauce are on hand for the lovers of spice. Â I'm going to start coming here instead of the higher-priced, busier Tank Noodle. Â Best of luck to the Nha Hang family for working hard to feed us to happiness.
I almost don't want to write this review cause I dont want this place to get packed but what the hell, I love this place.
My favorite restaurants listed on yelp are the ones that have one $ and 4 stars. this fact earns it the fifth star.
Now, I'm a person who grew up in arguably the largest, Â asianest, vietnamesiest neighborhood in california and lived with parents who cooked vietnamese food everyday so I don't get too huffy puffy about vietnamese food. and for chicago, this is probably the closest you'll get to authentic good vietnamese food.
The pho was pretty good, a lot places can make pretty good pho (maybe not too many in chicago) so you could say this is the best pho you'll get in chicago-considering the bar was not very high to begin with. However, what Im really impressed with is how extensive the menu is, and how well everything (most) Â is cooked. This place is no one trick pony. Yeah, you can get good pho but this place offers a plethora of signature vietnamese dishes with just some fine cooking.
some dishes I would recommend:
- Pho: pretty decent, but you'd be better off trying the other great dishes offered.
- **pan fried noodle: amazing, literally the best I've ever had in my life. pan fried noodles usually come super oily  but the chef makes it light, but still has flavor! and it has a light  crunch. yum
- #30- chicken wings in tamarind sauce: this is an absolute must have here. I never come here without ordering this dish. Â Not traditionally vietnamese, its the chef's special recipe.
- mussels on half shell in tamarind sauce: awesome if you love seafood
- on the first page is a combo you can get of home-style dishes that your (my) mom would make. not things traditionally served in restaurants, so I would try this if you want to know what cooking in a viet household is like.
The service is great, the owner is a very friendly nice man; they don't speak english very well so have patience!
I love the decor - if you know vietnamese people you would know this is how they would decorate a restaurant. love it. notice the abundance of flowing water featured on the walls; vietnamese superstition is that water flowing in brings good luck and fortune.
Overall, I would come to this place if you want to know want to get to know real vietnamese people, food, and atmosphere.
also, its byob - and theres a liqour store down the street. holla.
Although "Nha Hang Viet Nam" restaurant is pretty small, but the food is fresh, delicious, and...it is just fantastic. Â It's authetic Vietnamese food. Â I take most of my clients here when I want to eat Vietnamese food :) Highly recommended
And... the owners are very sweet, friendly, and sincere.
I gave this spot a try randomly, again not using yelp because when it comes to viet restaurant ratings- I don't find it reliable at all. I would come here when it's brutally hot outside by coincidence and I turn to Mi kho dac biet- it's seasoned dry egg noodles with different meats, wonton and shrimp, sometimes a quail egg, served with a side of broth. Squeeze on some lime with some hot sauce and hot peppers and it's my perfect meal from my childhood. This rendition was decent- flavorful enough but not fragrant like I'm accustomed to because they don't toss the noodles in sesame oil and the crisp onions. The broth was also decent- it's basic chicken broth and you can tell it's homemade and not from a package. I've had this twice now here and it's pretty consistent. I was in the mood for eggrolls but they make it with taro and bean sprouts which I hate so I didn't get them. It's unusual for viets to put in taro for eggrolls and I just think that's gross but it depends on where you're from in Vietnam. Like how some vietnamese put mung beans on their banh beo (not to be confused with banh xeo) in some regions, our family doesn't put that shit on ours cuz we all think that's a nasty combo.
On to their pho- I had the everything included pho, on their menu it's listed as pho vietnam. I asked for the rare steak on the side and they listened-hooray. All in all though it was mediocre pho at best that was edible. Would I order it again? No. It lacks depth for me as a vietnamese and it almost tasted nearly one noted to me. I don't know what others are talking about when they say it's the best pho, has a lot of depth or pretty awesome and the like.. compared to back alley puddle water? or ok, ok I'll be nice, compared to hot tap water with a dash of salt? Our standards/tastes are different but then again it's written by a bunch of non-vietnamese yelpers. I'll say it again like I did with Pho Lily- surely you all jest. SURELY. 5 stars? Laughable.
I like that they offer home style dishes not often found in vietnamese restaurants. Dishes that's common in vietnamese households that my family makes! Like Thit heo hot ga- basically stewed carmelized pork belly and eggs. That's a childhood favorite I learned to master making during my college days. My brother and I love that and my mom makes a low fat version these days. Also Thit heo kho cai chua- stewed pork with mustard greens, another favorite of mine! My dad use to make this with the leftover roasted pork from the weekend, with crispy skin and all and stew it mustard greens. It was sooooo good!! And stuffed bitter melon with pork, my brother and I ask my mom for that all the time. So hopefully they make a good one here, I might come back and check it out along with the banh xeo- my other litmus test for vietnamese cooking. After giving this spot a couple fair shots though, I'm done for now.
Don't be afraid to just come up to the register and pay there cuz I don't remember getting my check at my table ever even after waiting for a bit when finished. Tick Tock! Also this place is a tad too dirty for me which I've tried to overlook. One time it smelled in here- like stale something mixed with musty old rugs or something. A little unpleasant. My mom would smack me hard across the face if I brought her here and I never would. Not all vietnamese people are dirty ass bums. We don't all live in mud huts and shit in the homeland. This place needs a scrub, fresh air and lysol wipes all over their condiment bottles. Sticky icky.
Notice how it's only non-vietnamese people that give this place a lot of stars. Tells you something right there. Bitches please- it's only barely alright. I've learned to accept that Chicago only has medicore vietnamese food just like how lazy assholes on the CTA almost always never give up their priority front seat to a senior citizen or  ignorant assholes keep misspelling banh mi as bahn mi. So stupid. Can't even spell a simple 4 letter word correctly.
Like Jennie T. said, back to the drawing board for my favorite vietnamese place indeed.
p.s. Not closed on tuesdays- I just went this last tuesday and I passed by it the tuesday before.
Safe to say, this is some of the best Vietnamese food I've had. Â Everything was delicious.
Four of had most have gone through at least 10 dishes from fresh rolls to pho to rice bowls to hot pots to green papaya salad. Â It would be hard to order badly here.
Byob is a definite plus. Â
They did forget to bring an avocado shake but that worked out in the end as it left more room for food!
Tried to come back on a Tuesday but gosh darn it, they are closed.
I love this place!!
the food is so fresh and you can tell how passionate the owner is about food
i had their Bun Bo hue (love the depth of the broth), rare beef salad (refreshing), catfish and pork belly in clay pot (i inhaled it)... they were all so tasty
The owner recommended (not on menu) the red crab dish (stir fried crab in sweet and spicy sauce) and mussels (spicy sauce) and they were off the chart
do yourself a favor, skip the totally overrated Tank noodles and go to Nha Hang, ask for recommendations and you can thank yourself later!
My two friends and I came to this place pretty late on a Friday night. I've always thought pho was overrated, but I had only tried it before at Tank. The pho at Nha Hang Viet Nam was good enough to convert me to being a pho fan!
Not only was the food extremely fresh, but the service was also great. My friend asked our waiter about a dish she had previously eaten but didn't know the name of, and he told her the menu item number off the top of his head! (And this place has probably 100 menu items). We also got avocado and strawberry smoothies, and they were delicious. My friend and I were going to split a smoothie, but he ended up bringing full-size cups and not charging us.
Decor is kitschy, but I really like the laidback vibe of this place. Seriously, come here for pho instead of Tank!
I read about this place on Yelp and LTH, and I thought "I'd give this a try. Surely both of those forums wouldn't mislead me..." Um, have I ordered the wrong items?
On my first visit, I started off with a che 3 mau nuoc dua (tri-color bean drink) because my friend was running late, and I was starving but I didn't want to order an appetizer yet. The kidney beans in this dessert drink was way undercooked. It was hard! The yellow mung beans at the bottom were practically stuck to the bottom of the cup. I couldn't even get to it. I was really disappointed.
When my friend finally came, I ordered the goi cuon (spring rolls) even though I was really eying some other items (a nearby table had ordered banh xeo and I was tempted to tell them that they were eating it kind of weird... but it did look good). My friend and I were really hungry, and I knew that she likes spring rolls so this was what I ordered. It was good and decent. No complaints there. Our server even gave us individual saucers, which was good because I like to add sriracha sauce to mine, and my friend can't handle spices very well.
I then made the mistake of ordering canh chua ca... It was good, but it wasn't the best I've had in Chicago. I also prefer not to choke on tiny pepper flakes. The only reason why I said I made a mistake of ordering this, however, was because I had forgotten that this soup is spicy. Thus my friend could only have a little bit of it.
I also ordered a plate of bo luc lac (French-styled beef steak cubes, also known as shaken beef). This was mediocre too... and I was rather surprised by the soy sauce they gave me. Um, I've only ever had it with a lemony/vinegary-pepper-salt combination dipping thing (it's not really a sauce). That was really weird for me.... The other somewhat weird thing? I've never had this served on a bed of watercress either, but that pairing was surprisingly good.
On my second visit, I ordered the papaya salad. Again, it was good, but I prefer it somewhere else as well, so it didn't wow me. My friend ordered bun bo hue (spicy beef noodles), and she didn't think it was spicy enough... This made me wonder if perhaps this place caters to the palate of non-Asians... On both visits, I swear my friends and I were the only Asians in this restaurant. That always worries me a little about Asian restaurants.
Back to the drawing board for my favorite Vietnamese place...
I'm not sure if this place is new or not, but it is definitely a high quality restaurant!
I found out about this place through LTH Forum, Chicago Reader, and Yelp. The recommendations and pictures were hard to ignore, so we thought we'd try things out here. Â We are so glad we did!
The place is on the corner of the street and looks large on the outside. Â However, inside is actually pretty small. Â I think they had about 8-10 tables. Maybe I was thinking too large scale? Anyways, there were already a few tables during the late afternoon/early dinner time when we walked in.
We were promptly seated and given tea and menus. When we asked the waiter what he recommended, he quickly gave us his recommendations by telling us what number on the menu was good. We asked him about the fried chicken and he said 58 was better than 59 (or maybe it was 59 was better than 58?) We ordered what he recommended and he did not steer us wrong! The fried chicken dish he recommended was SUPER yummie and flavorful.
Then we asked him what pho bowl he recommended. He said all of them were good. He was also able to substitute tendon (in our pho) with meatballs. Â (I'm not sure if we got charged extra, but he was able to make the substitution). Â The pho soup had a lot of flavor and was not overly salty. A large size is plenty to feed two people with leftovers. It also came with a side of basil and fresh sprouts.
Then we asked him if they had papaya salad. I was so ecstatic when he said yes because some restaurants in the area do not serve it. He said it was one hundred something-something on the menu. The man knows the menu front and back!! I was VERY VERY impressed! The papaya salad was $10.95 which is comparable to the cost that Pho 777 charges for their papaya salad. Â The papaya salad here is also not very spicy compared to Pho 777 which works very well for me and my sensitive stomach.
We then asked him what type of Banh Mi he recommended. Again he said all of them were good. Â We went with the pork banh mi. It was very good and the bread was very soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. SUPER FRESH.
When we asked him what type of drink was good, he recommended the freshly squeezed orange juice. Â My friend wanted something else so he recommended the lemon/lime type drinks. Â He said it was made with club soda and lime. Â We wanted something more sweet and so he was able to cater to our tastes when we told him we wanted Sprite in the drink instead of club soda. Â My friend really liked the drink.
The bill for the papaya salad, large bowl of pho, one banh mi sandwich, one appetizer and one drink including tax were $36. Super affordable!!!
I'm super happy to add another great review for this little restaurant :) My friend and I had been craving pho aaall week, and scrapped our initial plans to dine at Pho 777 when I found out about this new spot. I started my meal with the shrimp and pork spring rolls ($3.50), which were rolled perfectly (everything stayed together til the end!), big, and SUPER fresh. Mm I hadn't had such good spring rolls in awhile. For my main course I had pho with just the beef flank and brisket ($6.50). The broth was amaaaazing- light, flavorful without being just salty, man oh man it hit the spot! The noodles were just the right texture, and the meat very tender and yummy. The portion was big, too! I ended my meal with an iced Vietnamese coffee to go, which had the perfect ratio of coffee to condensed milk. Must note as well that my friend had (among other goodies) the vegetarian pho, and she superloved the tofu that came with the pho.
This is a no frills type place with about ten tables but it's very clean. The two gentleman who were serving that day (the owner(s)?) were so incredibly sweet and thoughtful. I will DEFINITELY be returning whenever I crave Vietnamese (which is often).
I might have to go back for lunch after writing this review. It was that tasty.
Pho ($6.50) was oh-so-good and took me to slurpy-noodle-happy-town-place. I was a little sad when I reached the end of my bowl, even though my food baby had long made it's appearance due the "appetizer" half bahn mi I had prior to my pho. When spicin' up your broth, I recommend skipping the sriracha and sambal oelek and going straight for the clear jar full of spicy chilis. Tons of fresh veg and herbs to add to your noodles for that fresh, crunchy, spicy flavor explosion.
The bahn mi ($3) was pretty tasty, but I prefer my sandwiches a bit more overstuffed for better balance with the bread. Ordered two smoothies with tapioca pearls to-go - worst decision ever. Smoothies were too sweet and tapioca pearls were overcooked - but that's my fault for ordering a Taiwanese invention from a Vietnamese restaurant.
The place is small. Service is friendly. Food is good. Prices are perfect. Definitely go.
Everyone always talks about going to Tank for pho. We stopped by this place on the Sunday after St. Paddy's day for a good ol'hangover cure and I found the broth to be far superior to Tank's. The quality of the beef wasn't the greatest, though. Now if they can work on the meat quality and get it on the same level as the broth, I would give it another star. Definitely worth checking out.
Review Source:What better way to celebrate someone getting a job at "Next" than going to a place at the polar opposite end of the spectrum? Â Dinner at Nha Hang feels like a bit of a party in your friends' basement, all gussied up with lights and decorations. And hosts who feel like family or friends. And really honest and fresh food.
Jon and I brought in a growler of ale from Half Acre and asked the young man who sat us if they were BYOB. He seemed confused and said he was "a little scared," but he brought us some glasses anyway. We learned later he wasn't a regular employee but a relative visiting from Iowa. Could the "scared' have come from our view out the window of an unmarked squad car with the handcuffed young suspects draped over the trunk, and a few chubby Chicago cops in their bullet proof vests holding them down and frisking them? Bet you don't see that at Next!
The big colorful menu is a good 7-8 pages long, with all the usual Vietnamese offerings: Banh Mi, Spring rolls and other appetizers, Pho, Noodle and Rice dishes. Nothing particularly unusual, but extensive and lots of meat, seafood and poultry choices, including Duck. The owner was happy to recommend things. We decided on sharing Goi Ga (one of the best I've had spiked with fresh basil and a light lime dressing), your standard Shrimp Spring Rolls, and one Noodle entree with a mixture of vegetables, meats and seafood over soft thick noodles. The entree was not my favorite with the Chinese-like gravy, but it was brimming with flavor, and I hogged a good portion of it. All tolled, about $24.00 for two.
I have not had a favorite Vietnamese place here on Argyle since Hue closed in the late 90's. But I could see this spot taking its place. I love the small room, the corner location, the few tables, and the owners and friends out there with us, waving and smiling and inviting us to come back as we left. If I ever decide to start a "Jared"-style diet, I would just come here for Goi Ga everyday. I look forward to coming back to try some other menu items, too.
We had a craving for Pho and decided to visit Nha Hang on a recommendation from Onur U. We were blown away by the quality and freshness of the food here!
The pho was delicious with light and flavorful broth, tender flank steak, fresh Thai basil, sprouts and vegges, and plenty of vermicelli. In fact, the bowl was so big, we had a very hard time finishing our Pho.
After seeing some of the dishes being brought out, we had to order a few other items and settled on Bahn Mi and spring rolls. I usually have low expectations for spring rolls, since I feel like they are just an afterthought for most restaurants due to their simplicity and the fact that you can disguise the ingredients with a well made sauce. However, Nha Hang's spring rolls were surprising fresh, balanced, and delicious. The rolls were rolled perfectly and never fell apart. The ingredients were assembled in perfect balance and the shrimp tasted very fresh. That, to go along with a delicate sauce made these rolls worth every penny of the $3 we paid!
Again, the Bahn Mi was also delicious. The bread had a crunchy baguette-like crust with a moderately soft center. The the sauce, head cheese, and vegetables were added in just the right quantities as they didn't overwhelm the sandwich, but more importantly were not too little as some Vietnamese sandwich shops fall victim to.
Lastly, we ordered an orange juice, which was simply delightful. I knew it would be good when the owner went behind the counter and I heard him start up the juicer! 100% fresh squeezed, sweet, and delicious. If you are in the mood for orange juice, do not hesitate to order some here.
The only issue is the place is tiny (only 10 tables, so it can get full quickly). The other issue I observed (if this is even an issue) is that the staff doesn't speak English very well, and may have a problem engaging the non-Vietnamese clientele in conversation. The table behind us asked the owner how to say "ice water" in Vietnamese. When he didn't respond, they proceeded to ask him three more times! Come on people, you're here for awesome food, not a language lesson.
Overall, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at this Argyle gem. Fast and friendly service, excellent food, cheap prices, and did I mention Nha Hang is BYO? Simply 5-stars in my book!
Tired of Tank Noodle coasting on it's laurels, so tried Nha Hang Viet Nam for lunch today. Â Very friendly service, large portions and crazy cheap prices.
My combination beef pho had a nice rich broth and lots of beef, tendon, and maw.
I also had a pork and pate Banh Mi which was tasty and as well.
I can't wait to go back for a full dinner.
Finally the hidden gem I've been waiting for on Argyle. Â
I really don't understand this enclave. Â Why are there 20-some Vietnamese restaurants all next to each other, and most of them are almost always empty? Â It's really a mystery. Â And the sad thing is most of the restaurants aren't very good. Â Bad service and frozen ingredients are the hallmark of Argyle, which is completely anathema to Vietnamese cuisine.
Enter the recently opened Nha Hang. Â This is a place that typifies what I love about ethnic cuisine. Â The place is owned by the most charming, smiley, Vietnamese family complete with pet fish and their five-year-old daughter that watches cartoons on her iPhone in the corner.
The food is fantastic, across the board. Â I've probably eaten through half the extensive menu at this point and I'm consistently impressed by the brightness and depth of flavors. Â
Their soups feature rich broths that turn right to jello when stored in the refrigerator (the telltale sign of well made stock). Â The pho is spot on with soft noodles, tender cuts of beef and tendon (the best part), and an overflowing plateful of fresh herbs. Â Even better are the spicy and punchy Bun Bo Hue and the funky, fishy Bun Mam. Â The flavors are bold and authentic. Â Or if you're really feeling up for it, go for one of the hotpots. Â They are served like fondue with a big bowl of piping hot soup on a burner in the middle of the table and a plate of raw ingredients on the side to cook in the broth. Â Nothing warms you up on a cold winter day better than Vietnamese soups.
All the food has a home-cooked quality that highlights what's great about Vietnamese cuisine. Â The grilled pork is marinated in a deliciously sweet and umami sauce that makes each bite moist and flavorful. Â The fried frog legs are crispy and buttery without being greasy or heavy. Â The claypot catfish and pork belly stew is earthy and funky. Â Really everything I've had so far has been great, and I keep ordering different items.
To top it all off the food is extremely reasonably priced. Â It's remarkable how much food you can get for 15 dollars a head. Â The plates are full of fresh herbs and vegetables and everything is cooked to order. Â This is easily the best Vietnamese restaurant I've eaten at in Chicago.
I went to Nha Hang Viet Nam with a friend who had spent years living in Asia and had traveled extensively through SE Asia. Â We had one of the most phenomenal meals of our lives to the point that he has determined this is the best restaurant in all of Chicago. Â The decor is nothing, it is like eating at a cafeteria, so expect a hole in the wall. Â We ordered the vegetable eggrolls which were spectacular, the tofu spring rolls, also amazing. Â Then, we had the whole fried quails, which my friend said was the best thing he ever ate. Â I am a vegetarian so I ordered these pan fried noodles with vegetables that were possibly the most delicious thing I have ever eaten. Â I also ordered the vegetarian pho which was good. Â Very mild and nothing all that special but if you want something simple and clean tasting, very good. Â We ordered the club soda with lime, which was actually sort of a homemade Sprite. Â The waiter mottled the limes with sugar and stirred it like crazy before mixing it up with the club soda. Â So delicious and refreshing! Â And after all of that deliciousness, the bill came and it was super cheap. Â I want to go back right now.
Review Source:I went here with my fellow Vietnamese after recommendation by another Asian at work. Obviously the expectation was high, and I thought I'd be able to find my new favorite Vietnamese restaurant. But there was a big set back to this - please read on to understand.
First off, the venue. It's small, and nothing fancy. But if you're expecting fancy asian food, please turn around and head to some other area. Argyle focuses on the quality and authenticity of food, not decor. There was around 10 tables inside, perhaps a little less, and since it was a Sunday night, it was rather empty. It was clean - and that's all I would ever ask for from a Vietnamese restaurant.
Since I had recently given up meat, I opted for a rather boring choice of noodles and vegetable (Mi Rau Cai). However, the broth was sooo tasty I completely forgot about the meat that was missing - Vietnamese cuisine does not heavily focus on meat, but everything we serve consists a balanced combination of rice/noodle, vegetable and meat. So I was very hesitant to order something without meat, but yet pleasantly surprised and fulfilled by this noodles dish, and at $6.50 (or $7.50), it was perfect.
My dining companions went with Bun Mam: vermicelli noodle in a rich made from pork and fish. Sometimes called Vietnamese gumbo (I have no idea why), it is a little bit spicy, fishy and full of flavor. It does have a funky smell/taste to it, since made with a fish broth, but if you're into something with a rich taste, do try it. My friend thought it was delicious and very authentic. The waitress also said it's one of the restaurant's specialties. My other friend got a Banh Mi sandwich with cold meat, and she liked it as well.
The owner was extremely friendly and nice to us, and so was the waitress. Wonderful place! It's a must try for home-cooked VIetnamese food!
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