What is your favorite Vietnamese rest. in NJ?

[scarlet knight]

Name your fave and describe it!

[Rachel Perlow]

There have actually been several threads about Vietnamese restaurants in NJ already. Perhaps you would care to continue the discussion on one of these:

Vietnamese Restaurants in NJ, much discussion of Little Saigon in Nutley, a couple of Jersey City places and a place in Atlantic City.
Saigon Republic Vietnamese Cuisine - Englewood
Saigon II - Lincroft
TC's Little Taste of Saigon - Ridgewood

[pete ganz]

Finally made it to Little Saigon in Nutley last week. Even though it was a Wednesday, it was a good thing I made reservations, since every other table was taken. There are only about 8 tables in the whole place, and the crowd was roughly 80% Vietnamese/Asian. Based on recommendations from an old CH thread (mainly from Rachel Perlow I think), we had the summer rolls, standard pho, bbq pork and Vietnamese chicken in coconut milk. The summer rolls were packed with fresh herbs and served with a peanut dipping sauce. This was my first experience with Vietnamese food, so the flavors were a bit unexpected, comparing them to spring rolls, but they were very good. The pho was nice, very hearty and filling. The pork and the chicken were both excellent. Incredibly flavorful and tender. The pork was served with little cup of fish sauce with carrots, which seemed odd, but somehow it worked. It is BYO, so I took along a 4 pack of beer. I think the check came to $26 before tax and tip . Definitley going back.

[tommy]

glad you liked it pete. you ordered well. the next time, i'd suggest trying the "egg rolls". they are fried, and are meant to be wrapped in lettuce with a bit of mint. delicious. they do them like no other place.

the fish sauce that you had was actually nuoc cham, which is a standard vietnamese condiment made of fish sauce, sugar, and probably some lime juice or vinegar. i could drink that stuff out of a glass i like it so much.

[Jason Perlow]

They do a good job over there at Little Saigon. We eat there almost every time we visit our friends in Nutley. Great pho, and as tommy says, their spring rolls are excellent.

Locally, we eat at Saigon Republic. Not a traditional Vietnamese place as the food caters primarily to non-asians but the chef is very talented and the food is excellent -- and the place gets PACKED in the evenings, so call ahead or get there early.

[pete ganz]

the fish sauce that you had was actually nuoc cham, which is a standard vietnamese condiment made of fish sauce, sugar, and probably some lime juice or vinegar

Yeah, the nuoc cham took some getting used to. I would never have imagined that going well with bbq pork....but it did!

[tommy]

the fish sauce that you had was actually nuoc cham, which is a standard vietnamese condiment made of fish sauce, sugar, and probably some lime juice or vinegar

Yeah, the nuoc cham took some getting used to. I would never have imagined that going well with bbq pork....but it did!

don't be afraid to try it at home. a bbq pork sandwich with nuoc chaum, lettuce, mint, and a smear of pate on some crusty french bread, and you're in lunch heaven.

[shawn0279]

Saigon Republic in Englewood was actually spun off by the owner's original spot in Fort Lee. It's called simply, Saigon. Located right in the parking lot of the medical arts building on Abbott Blvd. Anyway, you can get great summer rolls, grilled chicken, fried rice, curry soup, vietnamese sandwiches, you name it. It's a small little take out place, so no waiters or candle lit dinners here.

[Rachel Perlow]

It's called Saigon Gourmet and a cousin of KT's (the chef/owner of Saigon Republic) now owns and operates it. They do have a couple tables they put outside during nice weather. If we ever get any.

[Wiener]

Also have to give a thumb's up to Little Saigon in Nutley. I eat there once a week. If you can get in before 6 p.m. on a weeknight, you might get right in. After six, make a reservation. Has anyone tried their chicken entree , prepared with chestnuts and apricots, served piping hot ? I had it there a few years ago and then again, last month. This most recent time, it was prepared entirely different. More like a stew .

Great restaurant and glad to see it last.

[shawn0279]

It's called Saigon Gourmet and a cousin of KT's (the chef/owner of Saigon Republic) now owns and operates it. They do have a couple tables they put outside during nice weather. If we ever get any.

I've always known her as Kay....nice lady! My mother used to work at that medical arts building, so they kinda became friends.