Namnam Cafe
318 Wallace Ave, St. Matthews, KY, 40207
Namnam Cafe Menu
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Address :
318 Wallace Ave
St. Matthews, KY, 40207 - Phone (502) 891-8859
- Website https://www.namnamcafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Whitney C.
Delicious food, bottom line. Their Shaking Beef is absolutely delicious (tender beef with rice and a bed of lettuce with house-made ginger dressing and citrus dressing). Chicken fried rice is also very good, with huge chunks of quality chicken. Imperial rolls and the accompanying dipping sauce are delicious. Their building is not good - I don't care about the decor so much as the temperature control - when it's cold outside, NamNam is only about 10 degrees warmer. We wore our winter coats during the entire meal recently. They do double their seating capacity whenever temperatures allow outdoor seating. Service is generally fine, but out of the 8 times we've dined there, 1 time we had terrible service. We love it; I crave it; you should go!
(4)Jodie T.
Nam Nam is num-num! Classically exceptional Vietnamese fair. Almond milk bubble tea - great way to begin! Buddha rolls - YES! Pho with brisket - YES! the essential spices that go into the broth are all present and accounted for. Vermacelli bowl with Lemongrass Chicken - YES! (I feel like an Herbal Essences commercial) Wash it all down with a Bell's holiday ale? You're killing me... YES! Will be back again and again.
(5)Andrew N.
My girlfriend and I stopped by to see what the local hype was about Namnam Cafe. This was our first time eating here but we're veteran Vietnamese food eaters from Southern California. We liked the restaurant setup, reminded us somewhat of Vietnamese places back home- only a few tables, very limited decor, grungy interior. That was a good start. We liked the limited menu, it signals to us that the place doesn't try to cover too much territory. For an appetizer, we were craving egg rolls so we ordered the imperial rolls. They arrived fresh and piping hot. The roll texture was great, but the filling of the egg rolls were weak. They reminded us of egg roll filling from Panda Express or other American-Asian food restaurants chains. I would suggest making the filling with more texture such as sliced carrots and perhaps some clear noodles. We ordered one of each banh mi, pork lemongrass and the Vietnamese special. I was very excited for these because these are some of my favorite items back home. They arrived looking great and well-made, but the problem began with the first bite. The bread buns were over-toasted, almost to the point where it was difficult to take bites of the sandwich. Furthermore, the inside of the buns tasted stale. This was hugely disappointing because the pork lemongrass itself was especially flavorful and delicious. We finished our meal thinking about how much better the sandwiches could have been.
(3)Paul D.
Very good. Very fresh. Brought my kids who love to try new food. My nine year old had the Vietnamese Tacos. He loved them so much I didn't even get to try. My eleven year old daughter had the Saigon chicken which was delicious and spicy. It was all good especially the avocado smoothies.
(5)Shal V.
Earlier this evening, I had a hankering for a Vietnamese sandwich (Banh Mi) - I got the lemongrass-grilled chicken in a warm, crispy baguette with jalapenos, scallions, carrots, cucumber, radish, cilantro and aioli. Nom nom!! Truly delicious! Next time, I want to try the banh mi with hoisin-glazed pork and the salami/pork pate. Based on some of the reviews I've read, I'd like to try their pho too.
(4)Jay W.
Small cozy in the heArt of St Matthews, Namnam Cafe provides freshly prepared Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy the Pho with four beef choices. I had the brisket, loaded with flavor. Many wonderful entrees, salads, and rolls to choose from at Namnam. If you wish to enjoy wine, it's byob but servers are happy to uncork your wine for you. We 're going back and soon to work through the wonderful variety of Vietnamese dishes at Namnam!
(4)Pam C.
My date recommended this restaurant and I'm glad he did. It's such a small place but the food is where it's at. My food was good (vermicelli bowl) but after sampling his (saigon noodles), I think I'd order the saigon noodles the next time. I'll be back!
(4)Tom R.
I've been here with my wife a few times and we've always thoroughly enjoyed it. On our most recent visit we sat at one of the outside tables on a beautiful early spring day. Granted the view here is nothing special (parking lot and commercial strips), but it's still nice to be able to eat outside on a pleasant day. Today I had the Tofu Eggplant in Claypot with Ground Pork. When it was first presented to me it seemed small, but as it turned out there was plenty of food in that bowl. It contained big, beautifully seared hunks of firm tofu and crumbles of ground pork in a delicate sauce, with a small bowl of sticky white rice. I guess if I had any complaint about it it would be that I wish there were more pieces of eggplant. Definitely try the Namnam Cafe. The place is tiny and nothing fancy, but the food is well prepared and served promptly. It's especially fun if the weather is nice, and you can eat outside.
(5)Andrea B.
One of our favorite little places in Louisville. The hours remind us of sushi places back home. We had friends visit from Chicago and decided to share this with them. We started with the Beef summer roll, yum! A newer item to the menu and the two rolls split easily to share. It was light but satisfying. I love the Saigon noodles with shrimp or tofu, my husband it with jalapenos, and my friend got it too. Her boyfriend got extra spicy Green Curry. Our male guest loves spicy food and he was sweating up a storm. We enjoy eating the leftovers. The staff is always friendly. They bring the dishes out as they're ready instead all at once, but it allows everyone to get it when it's very hot (temperature).
(5)Allison S.
five stars for food, but way less for ambience and service. I came here late last saturday night, and sat inside because there were no tables available outside. The inside is kind of dingy and small. It took almost an hour to get our food for four of us, which is a little ridiculous. Besides that the food was great! Can't wait to go back and try more! I had the buddha rolls which were a little bland and simple, but the vietnamese crepe was amazing. My friend had the cubed beef that was amazing! So tender! Really good quality vietnamese for Louisville!
(4)Stacy K.
Convenient and delicious. We've tried several dishes and they're all great! Portions are huge! Recommend the vermicelli noodles with chicken! :) restaurant is really small so you may have to wait.
(5)A L.
I was impressed to find this restaurant in a small city like Louisville! Very efficient service and great food. I wish their seating can be more comfortable.
(4)Imran Q.
Not bad, not bad at all. I was scared of this place from the looks on the outside but boy was I wrong. This is some down right awesome food. I'm stoked I found a great Vietnamese place here.
(5)tom m.
Was visiting from Austin and was recommended by our host. It was fantastic. The eggplant tofu dish was amazing. Cannot recommend highly enough.
(5)Joe S.
Nam Nam is very aptly named, because that's the sound I make the whole time I'm eating this food. NamNamNamNam! It's just so good. Love this place. It's very small and, if you dine in, you'll have to sit really close to a total stranger and you may even have to talk to them (gasp!). But, it will be worth it for this really delicious food. The pho is fantastic, and I really like the shaking beef too. Enjoy.
(4)Emma D.
Yum! Friendly service and delicious, hearty food. Try the Vietnamese crepe--so many awesome shrimp, and the shell is the perfect balance between soft, sweet and crispy.
(5)Ben W.
I had a bowl of tasty pho and it was fantastic! Service was acceptable, but not fantastic. It's a small place and the food is good so get there early. Al fresco dining when it is warm.
(4)Joe Y.
Very fun Vietnamese food. Inventive and priced right. I had Vietnamese tacos, which were excellent. My only complaint is that the bubble tea was more of a slushy and didn't have bobas. Aside from that, delightful.
(4)Frank S.
Stopped in Namnam with my wife on a recent Friday night for the first time. We were extremely happy with the food, service and prices. Very tasty.
(4)Jonathan V.
This place is the shit. I love it. The thing that makes it sing for me is not just that the food is good but that so much of it is locally sourced--at least the beef and pork and (I'm hoping) the eggs. It's a little tiny but mod joint on near Shelbyville Road and has all the feeling of a nouveau mom and pop married to an edgier, hipper kind of vibe. Definitely get the crepe. They also have a small but good beer selection.
(5)Rachel R.
Part I "What's your favorite dish, Ms. Waitress?" "Seafood Crepe. BAM!"** (((Seafood crepe? Whaaaaat?! What do you mean?))) Intermission (Ordered it. waiting in the quaint intimate restaurant) Part II "OMG AMAAAAAZING!!!" The wait is worth it!!! Get it. Eat it. Order seconds. ** I may have embellished a bit :)
(4)Heather M.
It's always a good sign when you text multiple people to exclaim about a meal. Nam Nam Cafe gave me that meal! I love Asian cuisine, but I wasn't sure exactly what to get. I started ordering one item (mi xao), but after saying I wanted it a little spicy the waiter recommended a different dish. I'm so glad he did! The Saigon Noodles definitely had a kick, but it wasn't overwhelming. I took some home and couldn't wait to heat it up in a few hours. Made my day twice! One thing to note, the restaurant is all about the food, so there isn't much atmosphere. The waitstaff is super friendly. They also get very busy during lunchtime.
(5)Renee Z.
This place has great food. I love eating lunch here with my family. Every time I have come here the service has been exceptionally well. Unfortunately, it seems as though things have recently gone downhill. I ate here a few days ago with my mother, and our server was on drugs. She mumbled her words, and her behavior was very erratic. Our drinks were never refilled, and it took us forever to receive our food. The group of people sitting near us ordered their food about 5 minutes after my mother and I ordered ours. It took them so long to get their food they had to get their orders to-go and leave. The server acted like she was insulted because of that. It was very awkward to me. Get another server. The young lady working there cannot serve worth a crap. She is giving Nam Nam's a bad name. God knows what drug she was high on while at work.
(2)Stephanie S.
I wanted Vietnamese food on a Wednesday, and since my go to is closed on Wednesdays, I thought I would give Nam Nam a try! This place is quite small compared to what I was expecting, but the staff greeted me immediately and were very much on their "A game"!! The honeydew bubble tea was to die for! Although it was the first time I've had bubble tea without the tapioca beads, I must say, this drink still had a ton of froth and sweetness to it - just how I remember it as a kid!! Because I'm gluten free, there was a limited amount of items I could safely consume. I ordered the Saigon Noodles and that dish did NOT disappoint! I like my food spicy, and on its own it had a good amount of heat to it. I still added sriracha to mine to bring it to an extra spicy level. The serving was HUGE too! It's literally enough to serve 2 people. I don't know about the rest of their food, but if all the portions are this big, this would be a great place to go split a meal for a cheap date!! This will be my go to on Wednesdays where I got a hankering for Vietnamese food, and during the month of July when the folks of Vietnam Kitchen are on vacay.
(5)David C.
Great vegetarian food choices. Try the hot pots when the weather is cold, or a cold dish for summer, they're both wonderful. Good selection of beer as well.
(5)Coco L.
Food is just ok, very slow service.... We ordered two noodle soup and it was basically nothing, large bowl with mostly just water soup. Two pieces of beef and that was it. I was still hungry after the noodle soup which never happens if they give full size.
(3)John B.
This is my first visit. I had the Imperial role. It's a fried crispy roll field with pork, shrimp and vegetable. It was very small but very delicious! I also had to Vietnamese tacos. They had carrots cilantro jalapenos and cucumbers. I decided on the lemongrass chicken filled. Overall very impressed with the taste and quality of the food! Service was good and the price was reasonable. The tacos cost me $8 and it was an additional $1.50 for the Imperial Roll.
(5)Zachary H.
Despite living really close I don't seem to go here very often. That has to change! The Bahn Mi is a great sandwich if you are looking for something a bit lighter for lunch (or dinner). The Singapore Noodles are really good if you want a bit more substance. They're a bit spicy sort of like a yellow curry but they aren't really saucy, just coated in a thick curry type sauce. A good spice level for me but I'm sure too spicy for some! The place is pretty small but never seems to be busy for some reason. If you ever go to Simply Thai and it's too crowded this is right across the street! Check it out!
(5)Shawn N.
Bamboo roll, awesome...The taro bubble tea was very good but not as many jellies I would have liked. I got the Vermicelli bowl with chicken...the flavor was good but too many noodles!!!! I prefer something a little more traditional but this place is pretty good.
(3)Margot L.
Shaking beef was delicious -- though the portion was a little on the small side. The Vietnamese tacos were yummy :) the pho was not the best I've had, noodles were a little thick. Small and intimate setting on the "patio".
(3)Victoria T.
I was a little annoyed by the curt reprimand we received when we attempted to sit in the patio area. Apparently, that area was closed and we should have known that by divination. The main dining area is small and a bit cramped. Sexy Beast ordered the Saigon Noodles. He found them edible but underwhelming. I ordered the Pho Ga and while it was abundant, it was also underwhelming. It wasn't terrible but I wouldn't make a special trip for it. The price was reasonable and the waitress was friendly (albeit a bit slow).
(2)Joe L.
Great pho and a great Bahn Mi! Loved this place. Check it out for a quick, but great meal.
(4)Sarah B.
Typically, I'm a chicken eater; however, I make an exception for beef at Nam Nam, specifically for the Vietnamese Noodle Soup Pho. If you prefer well done, get the brisket. After talking with the owner, I found that when he annually travels to Vietnam to visit family, he actually brings back fresh herbs and spices for the perfect Pho broth. On a cold, dismal winter day when you're longing for warmth, order the Pho. If you have a cold, follow these directions to cure it: call ahead of time to avoid waiting in the busy first dining room, take home said Pho, pour a glass of Shiraz, wrap yourself in a blanket, and slurp the winter blues or ills away. Or eat it while relaxing in the warm bath. You're awesome. You deserve to indulge. If you're not in the mood for soup, go for the Fish Tacos drizzled with Sriacha aioli. Get an avocado shake to balance the spice. These are by far the best fish tacos in Louisville now that Taco Punk has relocated to New Albany. newalbanian.com/nabc-joi… Tip: When arriving for dinner, you'll get the best spot in the sun room and quickly if you arrive no later than a half hour after they open. Use Spot On rewards to get free drinks, shakes, entrees, etc.
(5)Regina W.
Came here on a Sunday night around 6:30 p.m. and it was pretty bustling when I walked in. The front dining area is small and they have a carry out window straight ahead once you walk inside the door. There also seemed to be extra seating through a door on one side of the restaurant, but that door was kept closed, so I'm not sure how much more seating is back there. There was a cute table for two right by the window still available, so I decided to eat in, rather than get carry out. I seemed to be the only person who was here dining alone, but people watching the other tables was pretty interesting. I ordered the Buddha Roll (vegetarian), which was HUGE. I mean seriously these two rolls were gigantic (and also delicious). I also ordered the Vietnamese Sandwich (Banh mi) w/ tofu which was also super good...especially with this aioli they put on it. My server was also highly attentive and brought me extra napkins before I even realized that I needed them. Excellent service. Will definitely seek this place out again next time I am in Louisville.
(4)Naiying C.
Namnam is a tiny cute place tucked away in this shopping plaza. The indoor seating area is small so we opted to seat outside when we went in the warmer months, there were little plants that defined seating area. We got the thai iced coffee(of course) and taro bubble tea, both were good but I've had better taro bubble teas. Food- we had the Vietnamese taco, Pho and Shaking beef. Pho and taco were delicious! Try them! The shaking beef can't even compared next to those 2 yummy dishes.
(5)Lindsey Y.
I love this place! The food is great and the people are friendly. Very casual place. I normally get a salad and banh mi sandwich.. both are fantastic. Lots of options for vegetarians!
(5)Mark S.
Had Pho for first time. Very good and filling. Think beef broth w/ thin noodles & onions. Worth the drive over. I will be back!
(4)Pam S.
Namnam has a great selection of Vietnamese cuisine standards, and has vegan pho available among other vegan options (and of course, good choices for meat eating omnivores as well). I had the tofu vermicelli bowl after sharing some tasty spring rolls (called something different, but the vegetarian ones) -- on the menu, the banh mi looked good, but there wasn't a vegan sauce option. Still, the vermicelli bowl was of hefty size and I devoured it -- the tofu was really nicely spiced. Would come back again!
(4)Amanda W.
The food was amazing! The waitress however, was so rude and horrible we will never go back.
(4)Shelby V.
I stopped by here after it was recommended by a friend. She had leftover green curry that was delicious and on my visit I tried the lemon chicken noodle bowl. It was around $9 and very generous portions. The staff was friendly and attentive. My food was prepared quickly and was delicious. There is plenty to split with someone or take home for later. The food is full of flavor and has good presentation. I'd highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Mike A.
The place should be called Yum Yum. Loved everything we ordered and will be going back soon! Even my 9 year old loved what she ordered. Food was good and service was fast. If you need help ordering the staff is very knowledgable and has plenty of suggestions.
(4)Kathy V.
It's small. And it was freezing inside. But their strip mall, hole in the wall image should not be held against them. Meaning mostly that I expected the menus to be oily-stained paper and the staff to be in jeans and dirty shirts. But its a bit more high end than that....uniform shirts and laminated menus. (it's still strip mall-y and hole in the wall-y...but it makes the prices easier to swallow...) I got an order of the Imperial rolls. I liked them better than the Summer roll my friend shared with me (everything seemed to fall to one end of the roll, so you either got a mouthful of nothing but noodles or ALL THE PORK AND SHRIMP...though the pork in the roll....DElicious!). My friend and I both got the Saigon Noodles with shrimp (I got it on her suggestion). Boy...there was a lot of food on that plate. And it was yummy, with just enough spice for my preferences. (as I ate though, it started to taste a lot like cinnamon...I don't think I was having a stroke....it was strange, not terrible, but unexpected...) The service was prompt and pleasant. I'd love to go back some time and try something else with that pork....and maybe have some bubble tea for the first time ever....
(3)Brett W.
I recently had dinner at namnam somewhat on accident. We had planned on Havana Rumba, only to find that the restaurant was closed due to a power outage. We then headed to Simply Thai, but were much too hungry to wait 30 minutes. Across the parking lot, we eye namnam and both agreed it was time for some Vietnamese cuisine. Namnam definitely hit the spot. I had the claypot, my wife had the shaking beef, and we shared the imperial spring rolls. All of the food was quite excellent. I really enjoyed the complexity of flavor in the shaking beef and the tenderness of the meat. Also, namnam's citron iced green tea is delicious. The place is very low key, there are probably only six tables in side and another six available for outside dining. Next time your are in the St. Matthew's area cehck out namnam. The service was incredibly fast; I have yet to dine at Simply Thai, but I find it hard to imagine it is worth an extra 30 minutes of waiting over this lovely joint.
(4)Emily Y.
It was ok. Convenient for the St. Matthews area. But, I give it more like a 2 1/2 because of the prices and small portions. Everything we ordered (the standards) were tasty, but the upcharge was too much for our liking. Ex. the Pho was a good $2 more than any of the places near the airport that we've been. And the Bahn Mi was a whopping $6.50! (compared to $2.50 - $3.50).
(3)Heather W.
I love everything about NamNam Cafe, from its incredible food to its intimate dining space to its commitment to locally-sourced Kentucky Proud meats. Don't miss the Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli Bowl, the Pho, the Hue-style noodle soup, and the Imperial Rolls!!
(5)Mitch T.
Quality food. I have only done take out with Namnam. I have been there twice and have enjoyed the meal both times.
(4)Pat J.
Well people told me that it could happen. I had heard that namnam can be iffy and inconsistent. I just had that experience; kind of sad actually. Something was definitely wrong with all the sauces today. The waitstaff was new and kind of rude. Sigh. Also, if you don't want to really give SpotOn discounts then don't. Don't make your customers feel like they are bothering you with your own customer loyalty program. You agreed to it.
(3)Jodey L.
Probably the best house salad on the planet. I got mine with shrimp. It's absolutely amazing. I wish I could give 5 stars, however; I ordered carry out & they do not serve carry out w plastic cutlery. I asked & received chopsticks (no napkin). I spent $11.50 including tip for a salad (in America). I'd like to have something I don't need training to use to eat it with! I had to buy cutlery at a store nearby to eat my lunch. I find that unacceptable.
(3)Ted S.
The pork sandwiches are one of the best I've had. I can honestly compare it to SoCal Vietnamese restaurants in Westminster. Also, the fried egg rolls for you round eyes are great too. You can't go wrong with the Pho brisket. Yum, yum.
(4)James M.
One of my favorite places to stop when I'm in town for work. This place is small but the staff cares about making you happy. They have a great beer list with some of the best microbrews. Very good, quality food in a comfortable atmosphere. I've had the tenderloin pho and the Vietnamese crepe and always left impressed. The pho is always super flavorful, warm, and perfect for fall. The crepe was pretty great but intimidating when it first came out. Go and enjoy great Vietnamese food in this cozy little atmosphere!
(4)A P.
I'm not a big fan of pho but nam nam definitely has great pho! Their shaking beef and the bahn mi sandwiches are fantastic as well!
(4)Dung T.
My favorite vietnamese restaurant, it's small and intimate. The owners are very friendly, they have greeted us almost every time we are there to eat. I love that their menu isn't very big, I love their shaking beef, pho, and avocado shake, my perfect meal
(5)Joseph C.
Fantastic little gem in Louisville. I recently moved here from Los Angeles, so naturally I have pretty high standards when it comes to Asian dinning. When I first got here people recommended Vietnam Kitchen... I tried and it was Ok. Since I live in St Matthews and Nam Nam tastes way better I don't see any reason to visit VK again. Keep up the good work Nam Nam I will be coming for your rice dish soon!!
(4)Dennis M.
I would have liked to have tried this restaurant but I waited 10 minutes without service so I left
(1)Kevin M.
I don't often venture outside of the Highlands/Crescent Hill/Nulu, but I splurged and went to this hole-in-the-wall in Saint Matthews, after struggling to find a worthy place open on Sunday night. And I will be back, again and again, and again and again. Do not be afraid when you walk in that the dining room is an afterthought - it clearly is. The centerpiece of the place is a little window, where the delightful concoctions come pouring out. Look to your right, and you'll realize the treat that awaits you...a selection of bottled craft beers that apparently changes often, but is clearly from the selected by someone who spends time in either ValuMarket's beer cave or in surveying the shelves of Louisville Beer Store. A selection that portends to an interesting taste experience. So have a seat...order a beer. Relax. On the evening in question, I had the Green Curry. It's flavors were bright and inviting, with just a touch of heat. My wife ordered a banh mi which she declared perfection. It came with fresh sliced jalapenos, which I stole to add some punch to the curry - from now on, I will ask for them with the curry, it added the heat I am always searching for, without distracting from the flavors. The sandwich was perfect - flavorful meat, crunchy, chewy bread, and fresh ingredients. My daughter eats dinner in the classic Hobbit style - she eats a lot and eats more than one dinner. She found the vermicelli bowl to be delicious enough that she made a go for it - but substantial enough that she ended up surrendering and taking a portion home for second dinner. Everything here is fresh and delicious, the prices are reasonable, and we will trek out of the Highlands often to nom on some Nam Nam.
(5)Matt R.
NamNam is kind of a hole-in-the-wall, but it's cute and breezy, nicely toeing the line between casual and divey. I see one other reviewer describing it as "fusion" but I'd say the dishes are pretty straight-ahead Vietnamese, perhaps a touch Americanized in that you're not likely to get much in the way of gristle and cartilage and to some degree, spice (and they do ease off the fish sauce a bit). In fact, if I were to create a Vietnamese menu it would look a lot like what they have. The pho didn't come with mint, their bun bo hue was somehow lemongrass-free, and my crepe wasn't loaded with bean sprouts but everything we tried was solid and decidedly Vietnamese. Better still, they had a whole bunch of craft beer choices to appease the middle aged white suburbanites. Hooray! The only unpleasantness we experienced came from the pungent smell of grape bubble gum that came from the small child at the table next to us. Damn those chemists and their long-lasting flavor!
(4)Kevin O.
The food is okay, but it's not top tier. I like to support this place from time to time because the staff is friendly. The Singapore noodles are decent and portions are generous. Service is quick and if you arrive before closing, they don't seem to be in a hurry to kick you out once the time is up, at least on the weekends.
(3)Andrew W.
Pho has been a hangover remedy for me for a few years now. I just had the Pho combination this morning for take out. It was simple, tasty and got the job done. Just the way pho is suppose to.
(4)Karen R.
Namnam is a very small building with seating inside as well as outside. The first time we went, we were searching for bubble teas since 'bubble cup' had closed down. Although we were successful, the teas had more of a slushy texture. Still delicious, we came back days later for more. I recommend the thai chai ... definitely the taste of fall :) and of course, taro, which is yummy (tastes like a sugar cookie to me). We finally decided to try the food on a Saturday evening. There was a handful of people there, plenty of seats to choose from. I had the shaking beef, which was the best pieces of beef i might have ever had. It was tender and juicy (filet mignon, i might add). My mom had the special ... which was great, just haven't seen it since. and my finance got the Saigon Noodles with chicken, and holy moly ... that's what we both ended up getting the next weekend when we went :) I would also recommend the vietnamese tacos. Usually when something is sooo tasty, i get a little giggly and excited ... and these made me that way. I really give Namnam 4.5 stars because i'm just glad i don't have to drive all the way to vietnam kitchen. This is closer and better!!
(4)Henry A.
Namnam has been consistently good. I had Saigon Noodles. They have a touch of heat and curry- very tasty. Carryout is available at time promised. Eating in in this small space makes privacy not likely. Wait staff when we were there has been friendly.
(4)Trung H.
This place isn't as good. The food isn't that good as it's not authentic. I had Bun Bo Hue (Hue style noodle soup) and didn't taste like Bun Bo Hue at all. The spoon/chopsticks tray (the red tray) was dirty (sticky). However, the service was great. The waitress was very nice and helpful. Thats the reason why i gave 4 stars. In conclusion, i wouldn't recommend this place if you want to eat authentic vietnamese food.
(2)Tuan V.
A bit overpriced for Vietnamese food. $6 for Banh Mi, wow. Vietnam Kitchen and Thuy Van sell theirs for $3. Same exact deal, no difference. Shaken Beef for $16...holy moly! It ought to be half that for what you get.
(3)Suzanne B.
I just keep coming back for the pho. That and flight rewards for dining don't hurt: "Rapid Rewards Dining" for Southwest fliers and "Skymiles Dining" for Delta fliers, both through "Rewards Network". I first discovered Nam Nam while dining across the street at Simply Thai (which used to inhabit the space that Nam Nam currently uses). While living away from Louisville, I discovered how much I loved Vietnamese food, and especially a steaming bowl of pho on a cold day. Pronounced correctly, this dish sounds like you're about to say a four-letter-word, which doubles the fun of telling people why I like Nam Nam. I have dined here probably 10 times, and have done a good mix of carryout and dine in. Both have had prompt service, and I have never been disappointed in the savory mixture of hearty beef broth, meat, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs to flavor. The tiny space only adds to the appeal, giving the place a unique and cozy vibe that perfectly complements my hipster reading glasses and choice of reading material to accompany the meal. Dine in, carry out, or just swing by, I think you'll find you like NamNam as well!
(4)Abu Mus'ab A.
I came to this place by accident. It is a small place but the options are nice. I had shaking beef and I enjoyed it a lot. I still have about a two months of traveling to Louisville and I will definitely check it out again. They will make the food as spicy as you would like.
(4)Crystal E.
Asked for vegetable pho with shrimp instead of tofu. They charged me $12! There was maybe half a cup of vegetavles and four shrimp. The original dish is already $8.50 which is ridiculous. $16.50 for soup and tea? Won't be going back.
(3)Ka-Lin H.
I was expecting something better.... I knew this place wasn't going to measure up to the authentic pho places that I've been to in the east coast or the west coast, but oh man.... The pho soup had barely any flavor. The meat had this yucky meat taste. I had to triple dip the meat in hoisin and chili sauce to be able to chew and swallow. The meat was tender, it was just old or something because it was disgusting. I got their $8 beef spring roll. So disgusting. The meat was probably the same as the ones in pho. Very tender, but had a strong disgusting meat flavor. The one in the spring roll was rare so it was even more disgusting. Not to mention it had a sour aftertaste. YUCK!!!! I dunno if it's because I ordered the wrong stuff, but this place left such a bad taste in my mouth. I will NEVER come back here. Go to Saigon cafe down the street. It's so much better.
(2)Adam C.
I should probably give them another chance as my only experience was a to go order. Summer roll was better than most, pork was a little chewy and sauce could have been better. When I want a good summer/spring roll I compare all to Simply Thai, which I know is not the same but it sets a standard of what it can taste like if executed correctly. Vermicelli bowl was ok, probably better if you eat there, but hard to do with the location. I would give it another shot and try something else, definitely go in to eat next time.
(3)Matt M.
Good food only have had one dish but its great. Unfortunately I only go there by myself and their credit card limit is a dollar shy of what I eat there. $9 or $10 dollar limit... I miss it 5 stars if I could come back!
(3)Heather V.
Someday I will try the other things on the menu - I tell myself that every time I go to Namnam Cafe - but the Vietnamese Special Sandwich (Banh Mi) with extra veggies is so good, it's very difficult to order anything else. Every visit to Louisville leads to the question, "Can we get Namnam?" When it comes time for Thunder, we don't even bother with the vendors any more. We just load up on several Vietnamese Special Sandwiches to-go and munch on them throughout the day.
(4)Janice C.
Having eyed Nam Nam tucked away next to a convenience mart in an offset shopping center, I finally got the chance to eat here a few weeks ago. This tiny restaurant serves some of the usual Vietnamese fare, but also branches out to less familiar territory. I ordered the Vietnamese crepe - a thin, crisp shell filled with shrimp, pork, and the freshest bean sprouts I've ever seen, all lightly coated with a delicious sauce (nuoc mam). The portion was huge and delicious. My other dining companions got the banh mi and the vermicelli bowl, both of which looked and smelled delicious. The food and service were great here, and the beer list surprisingly extensive. This is a place you go to enjoy the food, not the atmosphere though, so if you're looking for a romantic dinner, you may have to look elsewhere. The dining space is small and cramped, so private conversation is pretty much non-existent. Personally, I don't mind the hole-in-the-wall ambiance when the food is this good!
(3)Rob D.
So glad to find this little cafe. We've been looking for a local Pho joint. Namnam delivered a tasty Pho with a delicious Banh Mi. Really enjoyed it.
(4)Oscar C.
I walked in and it smelled great. I am not sure I if it was just the fact that it was for take out but I didn't find it to be that great. I was expecting better. Also, it's a bit pricey. I got pho and the Numnum roll. The Numnum roll was decent but the pho was lacking in flavor. I asked for some saracha and hoisen sauce and received less than a tea spoon. A bit stingy don't you think? I think I will try somewhere else next time I have a craving. I don't think I would try this again.
(2)Eugene S.
I come from San Francisco where Vietnamese is almost everywhere. Even the quality Vietnamese places are not far and wide. Moving to Kentucky, I believed there would be nothing for me in terms of Asian food. Nam Nam has proved me wrong. Though expensive for what I usually pay back in San Francisco, the food here is still good. Being one of the few Vietnamese places in Louisville, I'll still pay ($14 for Bo Luc Lac is kinda steep). Now, their version of Vietnamese food isn't really the kind that I'm used to - it's got a more American feel to it... it's hard to describe in words. I love their Bo Luc Lac (still expensive though), their sandwiches, and their Bahn Xeo. I'll be frequenting this quite frequently.
(4)Becca F.
Delicious Vietnamese food! I had the combination pho beef noodle soup, and it was packed full of delicitable, melt in your mouth tender beef, and meatballs. My cohort and I also shared the spring rolls, which were enormous and very fresh. This place is a definte keeper, and better than the places I've been in California. By the way, Mamma was cooking today. We also had excellent customer service.
(5)Gregory G.
Stopped by Namnam to grab a boba (bubble/tapioca) tea for my wife. Unfortunately they don't have the typical "milk tea," so I opted for the Thai Chai (shaken with ice instead of blended). She said the actual tea was really good, but the boba was just "okay." The price was a little high -- $3.50 for a regular size tea. (She kindly didn't charge me the extra $0.50 for the boba.) I'm not sure if this will become a staple for us in terms of Vietnamese food because in general the prices are a bit high. It's conveniently close to my wife's work and my school, so I may stop by again if overwhelming cravings overtake her for boba. But, overwhelming cravings aside, I'll probably pass on Namnam in the future.
(3)Betty C.
I had the beef combination pho. The favor was good, unlike some places where the broth is watered down. The beef tenderloin and brisket were also good. However, I'm giving it only 3 stars due to the value. For $10 a bowl, I would expect a lot more noodles. Other restaurants I've been to would've charged $6-7 for a bigger bowl with more noodles.
(3)Belle C.
Went to NamNam for lunch to try out the pork bahn mi. It was quite good and the bread they used was just right. The veggies could be more pickled to make it pop and equalize the fattiness of the pork. But, it was definitely good and I would go back again. We also tried the fried spring rolls and that was a little plain for our tasting and a bit oily. We ended the meal with a green tea boba (bubble) drink. I loved the flavor of the green tea but the tapioca balls were undercooked and a bit hard in the middle. Overall, I would go back to try other dishes and most probably get another bahn mi!
(4)Mo B.
THERE WAS A LONG HAIR IN MY FOOD!! I really liked it the first two times but on the third visit I ordered the Siagon noodles which I was enjoying until I found a VERY LONG (& very disturbing) HAIR. I was so disgusted as I saw it stretch from the pile of noodles on my plate to the chopsticks in my hand. Thank goodness I saw it before I took a bite! The waitress was apologetic and offered to remake it but I was done. They still charged me $9 for my soda and spring rolls - I think it should have been comp'd but I did not feel like pushing it. I can never go back now, I'm just too grossed out - too bad :(
(1)Nicholas T.
Why this place is not on the top 10 of Yelp is beyond me. I got the Shaking Beef and it was perfect. The meat was not what I was expecting. It was like a high price steak, cut into cubes served with some lime-pepper dipping sauce. My girlfriend got the Saigon Noodles with chicken at a level 1 for spice. The curry was amazing. Great service, small and cozy like a Vietnamese restaurant should be.
(5)Brady Y.
By far the best Vietnamese restaurant in Louisville. Everything was fresh and delicious, and the service was great to boot! My lunch was so good I came back a few days later for dinner. There was plenty of veggie stuff for me. Buddha roll+Saigon noodles+avocado smoothie made a perfect dinner. I had also tried the tofu banh mi for lunch before and it was fantastic! The bread was fresh and flaky. Really nice, and I'm not usually a big bread person. I also had a taro bubble tea, which was very tasty. I love bubble tea and am glad there's a good spot for it in Louisville now. I brought my friend along for dinner and he spoke very highly of the Namnam roll and beef pho. I wish I still lived in Louisville so I could come here all the time. I'll definitely be popping in whenever I visit.
(5)Elizabeth B.
Yum, Yum! Things I like about Namnam Cafe: There are only 6 tables, you can see into the kitchen and the food is really good. The leftovers are tasty too! I kept my leftovers from here for about 4 days (A bit long in my book), but they tasted just as good as they did when I ate them fresh. This is a good thing when you are a twenty something living on a budget and do not frequent the grocery store. This small restuaurant could be a lot bigger and still have people lined up to eat there, but the exclusivity of the tiny space gives it some of it's charm. It is not a place that you will just stumble upon becuase it is tucked behind a strip mall in St. Matthew's. Now that you have the inside scoop, though, make sure you hit up Namnam next time you are in SM.
(4)Kellyo O.
I don't know the name of what I ate because it was a special and not on the menu. It was really good soup. But Expensive for soup $9 for a container.
(3)Elizabeth S.
This is my Saturday lunch go-to. I haven't had better Pho anywhere else. Beer selection is amazing, and the prices are very reasonable. Service here is genuine, you can really tell everyone has a passion for what they're cooking. I love it. Even getting takeout Pho (which I've treated myself to numerous times) is packed perfectly. It's about the details, and Namnam has it down to a science. Stick with the classics and you won't be disappointed, or settle on a sandwich or the shaking beef for something zingy.
(5)Morgan B.
Their bubble tea is pretty good. I have had better. Their spring rolls aren't very good and the sauce that came with it wasn't that great either. The Bahn Mi sandwich was okay and the Shaking Beef on the other hand, was excellent!
(3)Jasmine G.
I love this place! Wanted something new, do my friend and I wondered into nam nam, it's very small, but I liked it. Was impressed by their experts choice award for 2012 and many paper clippings of them being recognized as the great Vietnamese restaurant they are. I already want to go back! I could eat the imperial rolls all day
(5)Tracy S.
I have to admit this place holds a special place in my heart as the kind owners let me sneak in before opening one afternoon. They brought me a tall glass of water while we waited out a terrible storm the last time the area had tornadic activity. It also probably doesn't hurt that I know one of the chefs well and he has cooked at lots of other fabulous eateries around town. Tonight I had the special - Taiwanese wheat noodles cooked in butter and garlic with grilled spicy lemongrass shrimp and fresh green onions and cilantro. Yum! The noodles and shrimp were cooked perfectly! My entree came with a mini salad with house made ginger salad (and peanuts) that was fabulous... except it came after my entree. My companion had the vermicelli bowl with pork and it looked amazing... so much so that I tried to snag a bite of the tempting veggies hanging over the edge of the bowl even though I don't eat pork. He spent the rest of the meal with his arm protectively curled around his bowl while I intermittently contemplated the consequences of stabbing that elbow with my fork. (In my childhood home that move was forbidden as an indication of bad manners, but in this case, I didn't think I would be able to snag a bite even if I made the blow!) His entree came before mine, which was unfortunately what began this train of thought for me. He also had an imperial roll which looked tasty but disappeared too quickly for me to get a good look at the innards. Also, a definite bonus is they provide nice heavy chopsticks rather than balsa wood pull-aparts. Everything is absolutely fresh too. The food is absolutely worthy of a 5 rating... the last time we went it was the first week they opened, we had a large party and everything was wonderful... but the service was really slow and bad. (Let me qualify... my noodle dish may have been the best I've ever had but I was so desperately thirsty I could hardly think.) Also, in such a small space, I'd rather our entrees be slightly out of sync than have something be over or undercooked so I'm willing to let the timing issue slide to a certain extent - but although this time the service was radically improved it is still not quite there yet. The space is tiny (former home of Simply Thai), clean and the atmosphere is friendly... I would definitely recommend this restaurant and will return, but advise a bit of patience.
(4)Casey B.
The food is really high quality with fresh local ingredients. It has a great set of bottled beers. Our favorites are the pho with beef tenderloin, saigon (curry) noodles (I always order extra hot.) We get takeout very often. Food quality is everybit as good as its neighbor (Simply Thai) but you don't need to worry about the long waits. I've read some of the other reviews, and I'm shocked by how negative they are. Consider us big fans (doesn't hurt that it is within walking distance to my house ;)
(4)Amy G.
We will probably try it again as it has received a lot of great reviews. But the first experience the food was not memorable at all. We had the buddha roll which was straight-forward and fine. Then we also had the saigon noodles and fried rice. The level of grease on both of these dishes left that gross film in the mouth that I literally brushed my teeth right after...and that didn't even work. I am happy to try it again, as I love the fact that a Vietnamese restaurant is so close to my work for take-out dinner for home!
(2)Lynn L.
Solid choice if you feel like Vietnamese, but aren't close to the plethora of authentic options in the Southern Parkway area. I would consider Namnam more "fusion" than "authentic", but it is good nonetheless. The interior is very stark with a few tables and a tiny takeout window where the register is (there is waiter service). For this reason, we chose to sit outside. Service was friendly. I got the lemongrass pork banh mi and added an imperial roll. The bread was crunchy, the veggies crisp (but had to ask for more jalapenos), and the pork tasty. It was a perfect portion - I was just full after finishing. Sadly, they were out of boba (apparently a continuation from Joe Y's review when they were also out??), which was very disappointing and meant I couldn't bet my boba fix. My friend got the Vietnamese tacos, which she liked, but commented they were difficult to eat. Another friend got the meatball pho, which was good, but the broth was a tad lacking. The menu is creative and there's definitely a lot of vegetarian options; you can get tofu as the protein in almost every dish (not always the case at a more authentic Viet place). Prices are reasonable, so it's worth a stop!
(3)Day Z.
This is my second experience at namnam and first carryout experience. The first was dine-in on patio and I would give it 4 stars. This review is specifically about my carryout experience. I walked up and ordered today a banh mi with pork and fresh summer roll to go, thinking it would take 20 minutes and being fine with that. But instead of making my order after I ordered it, the proprietress decided to give me a takeout order someone had phoned in. I know this because she said that to me as she rung up my meal - that the food I was being given had been pre-ordered and had the same menu items as my order. And she wasn't incorrect - I received a pork banh mi and a summer roll. That being said - banh mi everywhere else in the world are made to order because they are sandwiches that rely on freshness and contrast of ingredients, textures and temperatures to be fantastic. And what I got was an old sandwich that had sat under a heat lamp. The bread, which is supposed to be flaky outside but tender inside, was completely dried out - literally shattering to the bite. The pork was cold. The cilantro had been "cooked" by the temperature of the meat when the herbs first touched it and the heat lamp and instead of being green and fresh was limp and black. The do chua, or pickled carrots, were warm and limp and barely pickled, instead of being crisp and lively with vinegar. The mayo on the sandwich was hot. The (one, lonely, and seeded) jalepeno slice was also limp and warm. It was a thoroughly disappointing sandwich, especially considering that banh mi typically are very inexpensive (in the $2-3 dollar range) and this one was priced according to a St. Matthew's pocketbook. The summer roll was fine - nothing to write home about, but not a disaster. If you order takeout and they say they are giving you another customer's order, refuse. I understand food costs, but that they gave me that dying-under-the-heatlamp, ruined sandwich was such a mistake, I won't be ordering takeout from namnam again. If you have never had a great banh mi and are reading this review, you might like this article from the NYT about how wonderful they can be. nytimes.com/2009/04/08/d… Just so disappointed. Was hoping for good, if not great things. Let my experience be your cautionary tale.
(2)Mike S.
Fantastic Vietnamese sandwich, a bit pricier than Vietnamese competition however the quality is higher.
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