Most authentic Vietnamese in the Baltimore area is unfortunately in Columbia, MD at Pho Dat Thanh. This just means city dwellers do have to get in a car to experience this great food.
Pho Dat Thanh is located just off Snowden River Prkwy in a strip mall. They have a bar and offer carry out as well. The establishment has several large round tables for family style dinning available for groups of 6-8. It is definitely one of the larger Vietnamese restaurants around. You will rarely wait for a table regardless time of day or day of the week. Service is extremely fast. Prices are slightly more expensive but still really reasonable. They do not have website but the menu can be found scanned online by various foodie sites.
The long menu is unfortunately a combination of Vietnamese specialties among what appear to be Thai, Singaporean, and some Cantonese dishes. We have never veered from the Vietnamese offerings.
Here you will find the most authentic pho broth in the area. It is not too sweet and is rather clear. The garnishes are served spilling over the plate - always fresh and clean.
They offer com (rice), bun (noodles), and hot pot dishes. Traditional fried or fresh spring rolls. Their specialties in addition to the pho include Vietnamese pancakes, crepes, and grilled shrimp paste on sugar cane. One appetizer I highly recommend is the beef in grape leaves. This is a twist on the Greek stuffed grape leaves but instead of rice picture a Vietnamese flavored beef kebab wrapped in tender grape leaves served with traditional fish sauce for dipping. YUM! If you love Vietnamese iced coffee they brew it in the traditional way at the table. They also serve various bubble teas!?
The ambiance is nothing special. No need to dress up or worry about making slurping noises here. Restaurant is clean. Service is super fast! If you order the soup, expect it to arrive in less than 5 minutes.
(410) 381-3839
9400 Snowden River PkwyColumbia, MD 21045
Baltimore City does have 2 Vietnamese restaurants Mekong Delta and Baltimore Pho.
Baltimore Pho, family run operation are really personable! It has sleek ambiance and a great bar. Their food is good don't get me wrong. The pho is tasty but the broth is slightly too sweet. I still buy their broth by the quarts to freeze for when I have an urgent pho craving! They do skimp on the garnishes. You can ask for more and they will happily serve you but know up front you will want more.
You may find yourself surprised that they serve along side the soup Siracha and Hoison sauces- this always strikes me as odd. I prefer traditional hot, raw chilies, which does come with it.
They specialize in a more modern set up and beautifully presented food. Try the whole fish with garlic and chilies. The restaurant is very clean. They can accommodate large parties. They accept credit cards and offer take out. You can find them on Open Table.
Due to their somewhat sketchy location, don't leave anything out in view in your car.
1114 Hollins Street
Baltimore, MD 21223-2554
(410) 752-4746
Mekong Delta is also a tiny family run operation. It is inexpensive and BYOB; a rarity in Baltimore.
They have very few tables, less than 10 so the wait can be long. Do not take a large party here.
Service though friendly often can take quite some time to wait on you if the place is full. They tend to serve 1 table at a time. Literally - serve 1 table until their food comes out and then will approach you for your drink order. Can be very frustrating. They do offer carry out!
The pho broth is rather dark and more meaty flavored here. The one thing you will notice is the well done brisket is like having thin pot roast in your soup. Very flavorful and tender -melts in your mouth. The Bun dishes are accurately prepared but you have to make sure you ask for bun (noodles) vs. com (rice) because sometimes it is served with com (rice). They do offer the Vietnamese pancake which I have yet to try.
Their location is also located in a tricky spot. Weekends and later evenings can make it easier to find street parking. You will have to pay to park accept possibly on Sundays.
Last time I was there they still accepted cash only and do not take reservations.
Call ahead as the owners recently took a vacation for about a month and were closed until July 14th.
105 West Saratoga Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-4208
(410) 244-8677
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