Nam Phuong was the last Empress of Vietnam. Perhaps, it is fitting to name the queen of the Vietnamese houses after her. She was born too late to enjoy her royalty for very long, and she was denied the privilege of living her life in her native land; dying in relative obscurity in France. Her namesake is similar to her in some ways. The restaurant is large and well run. Chandeliers suggest a palatial guise, and the servers in black are disciplined, polite and respectful, as you would expect from a royal house. The menu is diverse to appeal to a variety of guests, and the kitchen is skilled in turning out top quality dishes that satisfy those invited to the Emperor's Table. Even a solitary traveler such as I was treated with dignified homage. Though a busy night full of families and intriguing couples, I was given a nice table, plenty of time to decide my meal, and graceful delivery, checking on satisfaction, pickup and an offer to desire more before leaving. I never felt rush by the staff, although the people waiting by the door might have been less patient. My Pho with Round Steak and Tripe was excellent, with all fresh trimmings. The broth was richly complex and a filling bowl at a very reasonable price. The Summer Rolls were stuffed with fresh Shrimp and Ground Pork, and came with a very good Peanut Dipping Sauce. As I ate I watched those around me enjoying all the things I wanted to try on my next visit. I am not sure that the maxim that a Vietnamese restaurant filled with Vietnamese is a true indication of great food all the time, but it certainly was tonight. Nam Phuong, where ever her spirit is now, would be pleased that she her name is being so well cared for here in Philadelphia.
(4)
Katie H.
Ready to go back already because this is the best Viet food I've had since I've moved from California. This is the most authentic take on it yet! I attribute that to the fact that they offered more than just the usual Pho and rice dishes I've seen at other Viet places. They had Banh Hoi, which is vermicelli made into small sheets, that you end up wrapping in rice paper with various herbs, cucumbers, lettuce, pickled carrots, and your protein of choice. I ended up choosing the grilled pork balls, which is more like grilled pork strips. Nevertheless, I felt right at home. IT WAS AMAZING! After rolling up your spring roll, you dip it in some yummmmy fish sauce and it is seriously heavenly. I can't attest to how their other dishes are since I've only been once but I will happily return for more. Nam Phuong shows so much promise so I hope it doesn't disappoint next time!
(4)
Edward R.
Large and very popular with the Non Vietnamese crowd I was a bit sceptical at first as to the honesty and authenticity of the menu but all fears were gone after the first taste of their Pho....deep, rich with a incandescent surface sheen of fat accompanied by some of the most interesting greenery and honest to goodness hot Jalapenos. I've dined there now half a dozen times trying any thing the looks good on the menu and the neumerous pictures on Yelp as well and have yet to have a dissapointment. .
(4)
Joshua V.
Another notch on Philadelphia's belt of east coast supremacy in regards to Vietnamese food. For years I've been pining for Vietnamese food (up here in NYC) that is on par with that which is found in the City of Brotherly Love. Alas, it aches my heart to report that I've had no such luck in my endeavors to find one. Fortunately for me, Philadelphia is but a stone's throw (in relative and figurative terms) away from NYC; and when the desire for a decent bowl of pho shows its face, I tell my friends in Philly that "it's been too long" and that "we need to hang out soon" in order to secure appropriate and affordable (i.e. free) lodgings for a weekend sabbatical in the 'illa... from there it's easy access to cheap and delicious Vietnamese food the likes of which the Empire State can only raise an angry fist and wave it towards the south. This joint churns out a mean bowl of pho with all the fixings (flank, fatty flank, tendon, brisket, meatball, etc...). While it may not make the best bowl in Philadelphia (that honor goes to Pho Ha), it isn't overly salty and has a rich homemade quality to the taste. Additionally, the breadth and variety of the menu is impressive; if you don't want pho, you can get a combo of broken rice/vermicelli noodles with a Vietnamese protein on the side. The choice is yours, and the choices are tasty. Can we dig this place out of its little nook on Washington and 11th and put it on top of the Empire State Building? It would definitely be a quicker commute for me. If that's not a viable idea, I'm still young, the trip to Philly isn't too hard on me or my wallet; so until we have the technology to make the dreams of the initial sentence of this paragraph come true, it's still worth the time/money/energy to make sporadic visits to Philadelphia for quality Vietnamese cuisine that you'd find in places such as Nam Phuong.
(4)
Sari A.
This is my first time to experience a Vietnamese cuisine and I have to say It's not my cup of tea. I had the Beef deluxe Pho, the portion size was quite substantial but tasteless. Our server was not super friendly too. I would say it is average! Two and half Yelps!
(2)
Marie S.
Nam Phuong is reluctantly my go-to place for Vietnamese cuisine in Philly because the food is consistent and there is plenty of seating for large groups. Contrary to what other Yelpers report, I do not find any of the dishes to be extraordinary. Their banh cuon (rice roll with minced meat filling) is bland but I'll admit authentic. Growing up next to a Vietnamese supermarket, I had banh cuon for lunch every weekend until a better Chinese supermarket opened up just down the street (What disloyal customers my parents were...). Then my weekend lunches became about dim sum and rice dumplings, but let me stop digressing. What I want to say is that their banh cuon hits the spot. The best way to eat banh cuon is to pick up a roll with a slice of ham, dip in fish sauce, and eat whole. So yums. Other than the banh cuon, the only other dish that I really like is their refreshing lotus root salad. Everything else that I typically order is just to fill the table for family style. I have tried the pho, vermicelli bowls, broken rice plates, infamous claypot fish, etc...and nothing really stands out. I am still searching for a better family-style Vietnamese restaurant in Philly.
(3)
Connie C.
I came here with a boyfriend a few weeks ago since I was in the Philly area. He really wanted to show me the best restaurant pho in Philly. I should also include that he is Vietnamese. I had Three Delight which consisted of shrimp on sugar cane, beef in grape leaves, and grilled meat balls. It was delicious and fun to eat. My favorite meat was the beef wrapped in grape leaves. I sat there cutting my meat up, rolling the meat and vegetables into a spring roll and dipping it into the two sauces provided. This dish is enough for two people to share---or for one very hungry person. My boyfriend ordered pho with eye-round steak and meat balls. Apparently, having the choice of Vietnamese meatballs with pho is a factor in authenticity. I had a small bowl of it and agreed that it was tasty. You can tell the broth was tasty and not bland. Overall, I felt like the experience at the restaurant was very authentic. The prices are good. Service was okay. They knew how to keep their distance but still always stayed in the vicinity when needed.
(5)
Dennis L.
I am normally at Pho Ha for pho, so trying this restaurant with a huge menu motivated me to stray a bit from the pho path and try something new. I went with the pork skin spring rolls for an appetizer and Banh Cuon off the daily special's menu for a main course. First the spring rolls, they were okay... Basil, lettuce, vermicelli, and the shredded pork skin you get on the rice dishes. Needless to say, it was exactly what I expected. I don't really know why I was hoping for something particularly special, but it was dry and sticky, but of course made much better with the if sauce. It wasn't exactly bad, it just wasn't anything special. The Banh Cuon on the other hand, that was a total crap shoot in the dark that ended up being amazing. The description is entirely useless, it was described as something like Rice flakes with pork and beef. It's actually some sort of ham or pate type of meat on a thick rice noodle paper, very similar to the rice paper skin for shrimp or beef at dim sum.. those long rice thingies. Anyway, there was some sort of deep fried bread with meat in it and a fried shrimp on it. I wasn't sure what it was exactly. I guess if I had to describe it, I would say it was like beef/pork bread deep fried and excellent with some fish sauce. This is definitely a new favorite dish.
(4)
Solomon L.
This restaurant is five stars for food hands down. One of the best, most flavorful dishes I've had here in philadelphia, and I eat out A LOT. I had the beef cubes with watercress, and it just hit the spot. My girl got the pho, and it too was really well balanced with enough savory along with all the different spices. They use good quality meats, and know how to cook them. Great meal overall. The atmosphere and service is a bit lacking, but not bad. It's worth it to get the food. And at great prices too! I will most definitely return.
(5)
Sam E.
YOU COULD DIE FROM EATING THEIR "FOOD". There was a staple - a SHARP, SILVER, NON-EDIBLE staple - in my mouth from their noodle dish. Do you know what would've happened had I swallowed that? Well, I think I could've had some serious internal bleeding medical issues! (No! I'm not a hypochondriac - how dare you?!)
(1)
Tho P.
Set your default settings here if you're looking for solid Vietnamese food. Came here with a dinner party of 5 so it was my chance to deviate from the typical noodle or rice dishes, and go family style! We started off with some of my favorite apps to share: banh hoi (vermicelli) with shrimp and grilled pork, banh xeo (sizzling crepe), and goi du du (papaya salad). Portions were grand with the exception of the salad. Would substitute for the lotus root salad (next time) because of the additional prawn crackers that accompany well with Vietnamese salads. The crepes had an awesome balance of crispy and chewy. All the protein was tender and well-seasoned, complemented nicely with the fish sauce dressing. I would have preferred the vermicelli to be topped with more scallion relish. The entrees were not as remarkable, but nevertheless did the job. We ordered the ca kho to (claypot catfish), canh chua tom (sour soup with shrimp), and rau muong xao toi (stir-fried water spinach with garlic). Overall, we thought the entrees gave an oily impression. The claypot didn't come out sizzling (as it usually does) which means it was probably sitting out awaiting the other entrees to finish. Nevertheless, the caramelized fish was delicious, paired nicely with the sour soup and white rice - I'd be surprised if your taste buds weren't dancing in a deluge of sweet, sour, and savory. The water spinach left a nice crunch, but lacked that garlic pungency...and salt. Fortunately had some leftover fish sauce from the apps to dip it in. Stomachs left happy. Food coma commenced.
(4)
Ken P.
Wonderful experience from sitting down through bubble tea desert! Wonderful service. Excellent food! Great experience and price! Best Pho in Philly. I will keep coming back here!
(5)
Shari W.
The best Vietnamese food I have ever eaten. It made me so happy! You have to look around and see what everyone else is eating. They have make your own Nim Chow, or fresh rolls. In Vietnamese it is called Banh Hoi. They bring the rice wrappers and hot water to your table and a plate of vermicelli and lettuce and herbs and pickled carrots and diakon. We ordered it with ground beef. The ground beef came rolled up in leaves like Greek stuffed grape leaves. They were divine. You dip your rice wrapper in the water, put it on your plate, fill it accordingly, dip and eat. Additionally we got a Vietnamese vegetarian crepe to share. I had tea and my lunch mate had Vietnamese coffee (individual drip coffee with condensed milk). The staff was warm and pleasant and helpful as we were the only non Asians in the place. I can not wait to return and eat my way through the menu. What a find! After lunch we went across the parking lot to the Vietnamese grocery store to buy the ingredients to attempt to make the Banh Hoi at home. There the stock boy and some Vietnamese grandmas all helped up figure out what to buy. We had a great time!
(5)
Sam L.
I'm going to be straight with you: I'm no Vietnamese cuisine connoisseur. I gravitate toward the same simple dishes: vermicelli bowls, pho with lean meats, banh mi sandwiches. That's me, in a nutshell (well, in this case): unadventurous. But now you know... Nam Phuong delivers solid, authentic Vietnamese fare in a laid-back, frills-free space that seats a reasonable number of people. The service is ultra speedy and the waitstaff attentive. After getting lost in the trenches of South Philly during a heat wave, I found myself here and called it fate. As it was blisteringly hot, I was far from being in pho mode. I knew right away vermicelli was what I was after, so I went with 170, the House Special Rice Vermicelli, a smorgasboard of sorts: spring rolls, charbroiled chicken, meatballs, and shrimp. I ditched the spring rolls. I wish I'd asked for extra meatballs as a substitute, but I didn't know they'd be so damned delicious. The bowl was overall quite tasty, with warm meats served on cold noodles, just the way I like it. The meatballs were the authentic kind and resembled thinly sliced sausages. They were the best part of the dish. When I found a lone sliver that had gotten lost in the dregs of sauce, noodles, and lettuce at the bottom of my bowl, I went into squee-mode. The chicken had great flavor but was cooked a hair over. The shrimp was no good. I also ordered 102 to split, shrimp & pork summer rolls, and *that* shrimp was delicious. I'm not sure why the shrimp in my bowl was different, but it wasn't fresh and tasted overly briny, almost fermented, with a fishy flavor. I normally would've lamented the paltry serving (2 shrimpers???) but given the circumstances, it was a blessing. The iced coffee was as jarring as I expected it to be and the strength of its brew provided me with sufficient caffeine to get through the rest of my day. I had to add ice and a bit of water to tone it down, but it was delicious. I may return for a vermicelli meatball bowl, perhaps with a couple of spring rolls tossed in for good measure, and once fall rolls around, I might go back pho sho' (sorry, not sorry). 3.5 stars. Dear Yelp, Please add a half star option so we reviewers can review accordingly. Sincerely, Lots of People
(3)
Liza K.
Great for pick-up, although I don't think they do delivery. We wanted cheap but quality Pho and found it at Nam Phuong. Pick up was easy - plenty of street parking nearby and they had everything ready within 15 minutes. For takeout, they put all the ingredients for the pho into separate bags/containers. Great idea so that your sprouts and noodles don't get soggy, and you still have a lime wedge on the side. We had various meat (beef, etc) phos and they were VERY good! Nam Phuong makes a great broth to start, and the rest is excellent quality. Can't wait to go back for more. (Although, I'll skip the spring/summer rolls next time and just go for the pho, which in and of itself is a big portion and very filling).
(5)
Sara P.
What a great place. We are so fortunate to have a variety of food in this city, and Nam Phuong is one of the great treasures in that category. The menu is extensive so we were able to take clients there knowing we could all find something we would like. The service was quick and easy. The waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Parking is tight but we borrowed a spot from a close business nearby. If you want good vietnamese food or if you want to learn more about vietnamese food, this is a good place to go.
(5)
Vichet O.
The hell? I've never reviewed this place? Aight, here we go. Nam Phuong is a good spot. I just can't give it 4 stars because it doesn't excel in any of the dishes that I love getting at other Viet spots that I love. I feel bad writing that, but it's true. When I have their pho, I'm thinking of Choo Choo (Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai). When I have their cha gio or grilled meats, I'm thinking of Vietnam Palace. When I have their vermicelli... well, vermicelli was always just a standard for me that never really stood out anywhere, so they pass on that. They prepare their beef salad - drained raw flank steak marinated in lime juice and tossed with herbs, peanuts, and fried shallots - in the style that Cambodians do, using ample sawleaf herb and some other things I don't know the names for in English. But, even that is done better, in my opinion, at Khmer Kitchen. Don't get me wrong - if anyone suggests we go get a bite at Nam Phuong, I'm the last to shoot them down. It's a wide open pair of dining rooms separated by a low wall, you never feel crowded, and it IS authentic, genuinely good food. The service is prompt and friendly enough. And hey - cheap liquor and beer if you're so inclined. But, again, all of those things are available at other places that I tend to enjoy more. You will likely enjoy every dish you get here, and portions are heart-attack large. That makes this place solid. But, again, for me, they're in that middle space where I can't think of one thing that I prefer at Nam Phuong above other restaurants. All I can say is for you to go here and try it all yourself - you might love it.
(3)
Jerry T.
Something's going on here. For a long time we've hit this place most every Sunday for lunch. But suddenly the quality has gotten very erratic, good one week, bad the next, cold the next . . . quantities vary wildly . . . all very odd. And, I sometimes even question the freshness. The staff is still friendly and helpful . . . and I still want to like this place - but, we've gone from 4 times a month to maybe 1 now. I have to say . . . when you have a restaurant where the restroom is always disgusting it makes one wonder about the care put into cleanliness in other parts of the restaurant. On the plus side - Sundays now allow us to become introduced to a lot of great new places!
(3)
Dan D.
I wasn't extremely impressed, however, I wasn't disappointed. It was Pho. Some Pho is much better and then some Pho is just OK. The hot tea was the highlight for me. It had nice flavor. The staff was good and service was quick. I need to try some other Pho places before my return here.
(3)
Grace H.
This place has got a great family friendly vibe! Every time I've come it's been with a party of 8+, and they are more than willing to accommodate and the service is always super fast! I prefer nam phuong over some of the other vietnamese restaurants because there seems to be more variety/options and I don't feel limited to just the pho (although it's delicious). My current thing is to order the make your own spring roll platter. They bring you a water bath to dip your own rice paper, along with a plate of meat, veggies, and noodles on the side to wrap inside. Huge portion and really tasty if you don't mind working a little for your food :)
A surprisingly clean and pleasant place, we were seated quickly on a Saturday evening. Bamboo & duck noodle soup was delicious and the meat tasted fresh.
(4)
Jessie H.
I love love love the wraps here. We got the Ba Vi Platter which comes with rice wraps. They have smaller portions if you don't want the platter. So the platter comes with your own soaking station (where you dip the rice wraps to make it soft so you can make your wrap). They give you a plate with mini vermicelli noodle packets, veggies, and the meat of your choice. The beef is personally my favorite. It is super authentic. The sauce that you dip the wrap in is delicious!!! This is my favorite thing to get here. I've gotten the pho here, it was average. Will be back for the wraps!
(4)
Rob W.
Summer rolls were light and flavorful. Vegetarian phone was tasty, filling and perfect for a cold winter's day. Service was fast and friendly.
(4)
Matt D.
We recently became partial to Nam Son over on 16th due to their amazing bahn mi and #82, but after heading back to Nam Phuong after some shopping next-door, we're addicted. The #140 (noodles, dumplings, pork, and shrimp) is phenomenal and super cheap at $6.50, while the pad thai is the best I've had in a long time. Stick to the soups, summer rolls and stir-fried noodle dishes here, and you won't be disappointed. If you're feeling adventurous, order #146, which is a spicy hue style soup. Order it with "everything" when they ask. That will include flank steak, pig's blood, and peppercorn headcheese (at least that's what I think it is). Way better than it sounds!
(5)
Krystal G.
I found this place through yelp. It was busy but we barely had to wait five minutes. The service was courteous and quick. We had the grilled pork rolls with peanut sauce as our appetizer. It was quite delicious. My partner and I both had the vermicelli bowls. I have to say of all the meats we sampled the beef was the best. As a chicken bias person, I was very surprised by this. So much food, I had an entire box worth of leftovers to bring home. Side note: the make your own roll looked like a lot of fun but with such large portions I would only recommend if it's more than a mere party of 2. Also theirs parking available. Yay!!!
(4)
Akshay M.
This def is one of my favorite places to go to when i am drawing a blank on dining ideas. Lot of room to seat on busy weekends, cheap on the wallet and yummy 'pho' the tummy . I know a lot of you already go here for all the pho, but i have traversed the length of the menu and almost everything is splendid. here are a few recommendations : The vermicelli wraps, Specially the bbq pork Crab and Shrimp Soup Fried fish chilli in hot pot the drip coffee Any Congee / pho / broken rice combination.
(5)
Gina C.
Food is reliable and affordable. We usually order the beef wrapped in grapeleaves or pho. I have to say that these two are wonderful staples to our trek to Nam Phuong. Even with the other pho restaurants available in the area, the brisket and broth is top notch. Go for the food, not the service. They seat you quickly but they try to get you out just as quick!
(3)
Anita S.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia thus far. Must haves when we go: -Lotus root salad with shrimp and pork, awesome texture, crisp and light, comes with shrimp crackers -Salt and pepper calamari, I do not know how this dish is as magically light as it is, but it's light and flavorful and I dream about it The do it yourself rice paper wraps are popular here too, we've tried them once and perhaps I'm not skilled enough or something, I thought it was only alright, although the meat that came with that dish was excellently cooked and flavored.
(4)
Kimberly A.
Upon entering with my crying 9-month-old, waitstaff was generous enough to seat us in a quiet corner of the restaurant. If not to help calm and soothe the little one, but to help balance the decibel level in the expansive room. I was grateful --- large, boisterous families filled the dining room which helped in drowning out my dissatisfied infant. Ordered one of my all time favorites --- BUN CHA GIO. Extremely satisfied with portion size. Disappointed in the quality of the fried egg rolls. Left too long in a fryer that was not hot enough left greasy rolls. The filling was not as good as my mom's but usually restaurateurs can get pretty close. So bummed out... Next time I return I will try some of their other specialties.
(2)
Sang D.
5 stars. Not mind blowing amazing, but tasteful, satisfying, inexpensive with the right amount of adventure factor. This place just gets it right. Very healthy too, not too much fried, heavy platters. $4 - banh mi. Flavorful grilled meat, fresh baguette, pickled carrot, daikon, very spicy jalapeno. Fresh cilantro in bunches almost. $6 - pho. Always fresh greens, basil, flavorful broth. $7 - vermecelli or broken rice plates. Complimenting flavors, spices and textures make these dishes fun to eat and filling. Dont forget the iced coffee with condensed milk, bubble tea or hot tea (free?)... Take a date, spend well under $30 including tip and be a hero. A south philly landmark for a reason.
(5)
Ron C.
Always great reliable food. This has been out go-to Vietnamese restaurant for years. It's a big place, often crowded. Service is fine, but don't expect friendly cuddling from attentive waiters - this is a bit of a factory operation.
(4)
Nicole A.
Love the food every time. The fish hot pot is amazing, fresh, and full of flavor. Their pho is best I've ever had. The vermicelli is awesome because you wrap it yourself at the table. So fun to make your own little spring roll things! I always ask for a pot of tea with my meal because it's usually chilly in there...
(5)
Caroline V.
Parking can be a pain here on weekends as the lot for the market is insane and the street parking is just as busy. But it's worth the walk from a far spot for some cheap but good eats. Hubby loves the bo luc lac here so we ventured down here for lunch while in philly especially for that. I like their hu tieu my tho so that's my usual go to here and as filler we got the cha gio app (tasty but i prefer traditional rice paper wrap). We washed it all down with some refreshing young coconut juice and were on our way. Quick and tasty lunch. They would have gotten 5 stars if the entire staff hadn't been lined up right by our table watching the diners. Threw of the lunch vibe for me as i was facing the 8-10 people standing around waiting to serve....
(4)
Tatiana D.
Went here for the first time a few nights ago with my boyfriend and loved the food! We ordered a pho each and shared the summer rolls (our go-to order at any Vietnamese joint). We were deciding between a few Vietnamese restaurants in the area and landed at this place because 1.) the first place we had tried to go to was closed and 2.) they have an expansive food menu of more than just pho. And I sure am glad we found this gem! Love the wide-open dining room {that I imagine would never have a long wait even with a larger group} and semi-tacky but just as great array of chandeliers and lights. It's another plus that it's even cheaper than other Vietnamese places we've frequented. Since we live so close to Nam Phuong, I anticipate this will be our new go-to spot...if only we came here sooner! The only down side (potentially) is that they aren't BYOB like other Vietnamese places we've been to around the Philly area, but we don't mind (really the beer here is so reasonable that I doubt buying it in a PA beer shop is that much cheaper). Plus, we love the imported Asian beers. I also got a coconut drink that was so good! The hot tea wasn't the best I've had, but hey it's free so can't complain! Can't give it 5-stars yet until I test out some other entree items on the menu, but so far so good. All in all, we'll be back!
(4)
Tina F.
One of my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. When I feel like eating Vietnamese dishes I come here, if I want pho I hop to pho saigon. The beef cubes here are delicious and the fish pot is good too. We usually get the meatball wrap, which you can't go wrong. I usually come here with my family or just whenever I'm hungry and want something simple and laid back I love the new renovation here.
(5)
Johnny L.
The service was all around a little disorganized. We had a big party, you know you should focus on big parties, that's where your money is. We got 2 circle tables put together, which makes for a weird arrangement when seated, but whatever. Ordered softshell crab, clams, seafood pan fried noodles, and the short ribs. Softshell clam in black bean is a never again. Clams in basil were great, however was a little bland. A few more basil leaves would have made all the difference. Pan fried noodles, delicious. The noodles were tasty!! Short ribs, those needed more flavoring but the quality of meat was amazing! The service was overall so-so. Could use more attention. Especially for a big group.
(3)
Brandon K.
Nam Phuong is fantastic for large groups. We came here tonight with about 16 people, and the staff was quick to put two large tables together to accommodate us despite an almost packed house. With such a large group, we've come to expect slow service and mixed up orders, but the service was quick and efficient and they got all of the orders correct. They also provided large water glasses for refills and were quick to provide extra spoons, fish sauce, napkins, etc. The food is always delicious and cooked fresh. The beef cubes with watercress were delicious - consistently so too! Everyone was happy with their foods - from the pho (even though I think the pho is better at Pho ha) to the pork chops with rice. One of the best values is the dinner for two, which includes hot and sour soup, spring rolls, a a fish dish, beef cubes, and a dessert for less than $35. If you need to feed a large group with some delicious Vietnamese food, check out Nam Phuong! Enjoy!
(5)
Matt R.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant, hands down. Feast at this place for a surprisingly low price. Spring rolls here are the bomb, and their pho broth is amazing.
(5)
Shereen C.
Tried Nam Phuong again & it's better than I'd previously thought, in the sense that there are at least a couple of good dishes in addition to the not-so-good dishes. GOOD **** The Bo luc lac (#280 country style beef cubes) was a favourite: very flavourful beef cubes served on raw watercress. Beef was very tender and cooked perfectly. ***^ Do-it-yourself Vermicelli wraps with charbroiled pork (#121 Thit Nuong) were good & the pork was flavourful. This dish includes all the materials to make your own "summer rolls" including the wraps (& water to soften them), rice vermicelli, lettuce, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, grilled pork & dipping sauce. ***^ Dessert Flan / Egg Custard (#023 banh flan) was quite nice, with a smooth supple texture. OKAY **^ Papaya salad with shrimp & pork (#110 goi dudu tom thit) was fine, though nothing special. *** Water spinach with garlic (#265 rau muong xao toi) was not especially good, but it was okay. **^ Fried banana dessert with ice cream (#029 chuoi chien & kem) was not bad. The banana inside was soft, but the outside was thick and not very crispy. Ice cream was mostly chocolate with a bit of strawberry & not the best flavour to go with the fried banana. *** Vietnamese Coffee or Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk (#004 cafe sua da) was fine. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. NOT RECOMMENDED *^ Eggplant sauteed with lemongrass (#263 ca tim ao xa ot) was bland, but the eggplant texture was fine. The vegetables that were fried in with the eggplant didn't suit the dish. *^ Spare ribs with ginger sauce (#272 suon ram gung) were so-so. Some pieces were extremely tough and overcooked while others were more edible, though still not great. ^ Chicken sauteed with curry, lemongrass, coconut (#273 ga xao lan) was generally bland and unappetizing. Chicken breast was overcooked. Curry sauce was flavourless. SUMMARY Service was very good, quick & helpful. I'd come back for the Bo luc lac & perhaps try some new dishes. The Vermicelli wraps with chargrilled pork were also good. I'd stay away from any chicken, though, since it seems consistently bad here (see previous review). Note: I used ^ to indicate a half-star and * for a full star. So, ***^ means 3.5 stars.
(3)
Silky W.
If you want authentic. This is the best Vietnamese food on the east coast, hands down.
(5)
Alexis K.
I would say that this place is just OK. They have an extensive menu, which is a plus. I had the bun rieu and my boyfriend had the bun bo hue. We also split a bo luc lac (a beef dish). Out of the three dishes we had, we definitely liked the bo luc lac the best. The meat was tender and flavorful. Part of the reason why we didn't enjoy the noodle dishes more is because we are not fan's of coagulated pig blood. Parking is good by Philadelphia standards because the restaurant is inside of a shopping center, so you don't have to struggle to parallel park somewhere on the street. Would I go to this restaurant again? Probably not, but this does not mean we didn't have a pretty satisfactory meal.
(3)
Maria C.
This is (one of) my favorite Vietnamese restaurants for a lot of reasons - quick, parking, and affordable! They always have seats and have a lot of large tables for groups but not somewhere that I would be going for a romantic dinner but great for a large group of loud friends! The food is great and super affordable, giving you the chance to get a few things and try new items. My favorite items are their pho and any of their vietnamese bowls, but my friends have tried much more adventurous items and loved them all. The food always comes out quickly, but in standard vietnamese form - it comes out when it is ready, and therefore some people may be eating well before others.
(4)
Christina C.
5 starts for the Pho the first few times I had it... but sometimes, the flavor is off. Sadness. Other items we've tried are extremely good. Very busy little place.
(4)
Priscilla P.
A year ago I would have said this is the best Vietnamese food ever, that no other restaurant even came close. I went 2 nights ago for dinner and it's just different. I guess they did some renovations to make it a little nicer, but they've given up on the food. I ordered the family dinner for 4 and everything tasted similar... but just not the same. It's like they are using the same recipes but a different chef? The lotus salad was really wet and the shrimp crackers over-fried. The clams were a tad bigger but really difficult to remove the meat from the shell and less flavorful. Fish in the claypot was kinda similar, except blander in taste and no sauce, just a lot of oil (I used to like to scoop the sauce and eat it with my rice). Shaken beef was pretty much the same (very good). Sweet & Sour Fish soup was similar but wayyyy too much mint garnish on top. Che ba mau (3 colored bean and coconut milk dessert) was just horrible (for some reason mine looked different than another diner's... his looked like they used coconut milk and mine looked and tasted like they used half & half). Sad to see this place go downhill like this... I used to recommend this place to all of my friends but Mekong and Le Viet are definitely way better and way nicer at similar prices.
My girlfriend brought me here because a co worker of hers brought her here and she said it was phenomenal! This place is big and open, nothing fancy. Our waiter brought us tea which was nice for a change to have some tea brought to the table. We both got two orders of the, Chaû Gio spring rolls, which were the best I ever had! They are full of flavor and have a great crunch to them, even though they are deep fried, they were out of this world I high recommend! For our main course we both ordered the Buùn, she ordered the Buùn Ga Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled chicken and I ordered the Buùn Bo Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled beef. Both of these dishes were amazing and highly recommended! The one thing I liked about this place was the fact that it had the different chili sauces and red pepper flakes all set up for you to eat with your food. They come in handy when you want to give a nice spice to your dish and they compliment the dishes well! I loved this place and I plan on going back because its a great price for some great food!
(5)
Justine J.
Definitely going back to try more stuff! I am on the fence between three or four stars, only because I haven't explored the place enough. When it's my first place somewhere, I always the standard 'plain Jane / average Joe' dish. They they botch it up, I probably will not go back. We did not get much here, so I am not too sure how to formulate a decent feedback / opinion. I got the pho, which is pretty standard. I really liked the pho, but it was a standard pho. It's almost like getting steamed white rice from A,B,C... X,Y,Z. Only way to really mess it up is to burn it. All I care about is that it was tasty pho, which is was. Large portion and generous at a very low price. We also got the summer rolls, which I am not crazy about. This is not a reflection of their food - I just don't really like them. MF wanted them (hehe)!!! But I ate them just because they were there - which is a good sign. It's not all that common for me to refuse to eat something with all my might - that's when you know it's terrible. I also got the jackfruit smooothie - which was OK. It was only OK for me because it was more creamy and heavy than it was fruity. But other than that, it was perfectly fine. It's just the difference in peoples' taste profiles. I also like the staff. They are all very friendly. This was my second time here (well technically first for me). The first time I came here was to only get carry-out for my clients. I got them either fish or seafood congee (which they really enjoyed). The owner/manager was really nice and helpful in suggesting foods that would be appropriate for them (since they have problems chewing and other dietary needs). As for the overall rating, I want to give it a 4, but I have not experienced enough. What I am certain of is that it is very likely that I will go back. I say 'likely' only because I don't really live close by. There is this lemon grass beef with noodles dish I would want to get next time I go! If I already have something picked out for my next visit, you know it's at least a solid three stars.
(4)
Lianna N.
Ate here recently after not visiting for a while. Still pleased with the food quality and service. I recommend some of the set menus for 2 or 4. They are excellent, ESP if you're new to eating Vietnamese food that isn't Pho.
(5)
Nickki D.
I had heard such good things! I walked in and, unfortunately, the place smelled like body odor. Badly. Service was ok. Food left much to be desired. The tea tasted like warm Philly tapwater. I ordered vegetarian springrolls as an appetizer. They tasted very ricey, not very veggie filled. I also ordered the chicken with lemongrass, curry and coconut. I tasted no lemongrass, no coconut - lots of heat! My friend who was with me ordered the same, but with shrimp (a dish she'd ordered from Nam Phuong many times before) and had to send it back because it too was too spicy. Upside, they are open later than most Viet places on Washington Ave and they do serve beer. I won't be returning though.
(1)
Siobhan O.
This place rules. Usually busy but quick. For being enormous, full of weird decor and chandeliers it still has laid back vibe. I only eat vegetarian pho so it is badass that I can get it on Washington Ave, with vegetarian broth, for $7, and they also serve booze. Usually, I get take out but I like to sit down occasionally for a cheap filling meal and a cocktail. They have a huge menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone but if you're looking for a good place to get cheap pho in an environment that's a little more classy than the other joints in the area this is the spot.
(5)
Tim M.
Have only eaten here once, so possibly a fluke, but food ranging from mediocre to very poor, joined by decent service and dismal atmosphere, made for a forgettable dining experience. There are too many outstanding Vietnamese locations nearby to come here.
(2)
Lolly G.
Do you like good food? How about a little spice with an absurdly long menu filled with options? Welp, it's time to stop into Nam Phuong. They have plenty of meat, fish, and vegetarian options. The service is very fast, and you get a very large portion for a great price. They also have a bar, so you'll be able to have that cocktail with lunch or dinner. I tried the seafood soup which was filled with squid, crab, and shrimp. At the bottom is a giant portion of noodles. I added some chili sauce and it became the perfect soup! They also give you a plate of sprouts etc, for garnish We also shared the vegetarian spring rolls which were alright, but could be better. The service is perfect, and your glass will never be empty. They don't really interact with you much, but they do make sure you have everything you need. Even writing this review has me craving this soup! Ugh, the downside of yelp :)
(4)
Dan S.
I just moved to the neighborhood and wanted to try a local Vietnamese place with great reviews. I have to say I wasn't disappointed. Nam Puong is among a both of other restaurants in a strip mall so you'll have to walk though the lot to find it. They have an extensive menu of Vietnamese options for everyone. I had a Taro Pearl Iced Tea, which was pretty good and refreshing to drink throughout my meal. I also got the Seafood Curry which was delicious. They serve the entrees with a big bowl of rice and, of course, hot tea. The waiter and back-servers were definitely a bit standoffish throughout the meal, but I'd come back again for the food.
(4)
Stella S.
So bad that it prompted me to write this, my first review... I would go back to complain, but they're closed by now and I doubt I would get a refund or at least find somebody there who cared. Safe to say this was THE most disappointing food experience I've had in Philly. I don't go out to eat much (frugal with the $), so I decided I was going to "treat" myself to some curry. Yelp informed me that this place was open until 10, half a mile from my house, and had many favorable ratings, two high marks even from fellow vegans. I walk in to carry out around 9:30pm and scan the menu. Curries are scattered throughout, but I quickly locate the vegetarian section. I assume thus that this curry is without fish paste (1 of 3 things to watch for) but inquire still if it's coconut based or includes any dairy products (2 of 3). The man at first instantly says no, and as I rephrase the question using different examples of dairy products, he insists it's only coconut based. As I prepare to order, he points to another item on the menu, the tofu and vegs with lemongrass sauce, stating he doesn't know if the curry included milk or milk bi-products... This not only queues me in that he either doesn't understand my questions or he simply doesn't care, but it also doesn't give me time to compare this with the other possible choice I had: simple veg. spring rolls. But upon his instance that this was a popular choice, I simply agree in order to be on the safe side (after ensuring that it didn't include egg products - 3 of 3). The total came out to almost $9.00, more then I was hoping to spend, especially on something I didn't really want and hadn't really been craving. The lone star in this review is given for the wait time: approximately 5 minutes (also due to zero stars not being an option), though as I will later relay, this was certainly due to the use of old, pre-made ingredients simply being thrown in a wok with water and heated. Upon delving into this dish at home, I was completely turned off by the generic Chinese style frozen tofu wedges I see in any hole-in-the-wall Asian inspired restaurant. Many of the reviewers had touted this place's Vietnamese authenticity, but literally everything screamed "shitty Chinese". The splash of sauce--which had no doubt fallen off the peppers, onions, and tofu wedges in this dish due to its waterness--was completely tasteless... like water with red pepper flakes in it. I even went as far as to put some of the plain white rice in the small puddle of it and eat just that to test if I was missing some greater flavor; this was not the case. The vegetables literally had no flavor or crunch and had clearly been heated up from frozen 12 hours before and left sitting. Same with the generic tofu wedges, anyone who has never tried tofu before and doesn't know how to cook it knows what plain-old tofu tastes like... kind of like an airy wet sponge. This is what it tasted like, the pepper-water "sauce" only serving to make it taste spicy with no other sensations. All in all, I was so, sooooo disappointed that I spent my money on this waste of meal. I ended up with rice for dinner. I do not think I'll give this place a second chance, it's affordable but not cheap and I doubt any of their produce or add-ins are fresh and/or authentic in the slightest. Very sad...
(1)
Amy L.
My brother and I were in search for a refreshing raw beef salad on a hot summer day and we found it here. The service improved since the last time I was here. The restaurant lighting was brighter and all the tables were covered in white linens. The restaurant definitely looked a like cleaner. I can't judge the rest of the menu since I only had the salad but I must say the raw beef salad was delicious.
(3)
Kevin P.
I love this place. There are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and the prices are really inexpensive. I almost always get the vermicelli noodles with crispy tofu, mixed vegetables and lemongrass sauce. It's a huge portion for around $6.50. The service is also fast and the waiters attentive. This is one of my go-to spots for Vietnamese food.
(5)
Cynthia T.
This is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philly, but I am bias because I have been coming here for the past 10 years. They have great and quick service, and the food is good and cheap. However, parking can be horrific at times, but it's still better than going into Chinatown. Try their dinner for 2 menu, which definitely services more than 2 people, if you want a huge authentic meal. I LOVE their Canh Chua and Bo Luc Lac! If you aren't that hungry, their other usual meals are still good! (Like Pho, Com/Bun Thit Nuong, etc.) I recommend this place, especially if you don't want to deal with the parking and traffic going into Chinatown.
(4)
Robert S.
Stop reading this review and go there now. This is by far the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. I recommend the summer rolls and the Vermicelli Special (Vietnamese meatballs, egg rolls, grilled chicken, and shrimp). Also, the Pho is excellent. There is a parking lot, but due to the amazing food it is often full on weekends. I recommend going during lunch if you don't want to deal with parking issues. I almost forgot to mention the prices are cheap. About ten bucks for an amazing meal. The decor is nice but not over the top. Also, the place is filled with Vietnamese families eating, which is also a great sign that this restaurant is cooking awesome Vietnamese food!
(5)
Kelly P.
Nam phuong was able to accommodate our large party, and even offered to keep separate checks for our convenience. It was too hot for Pho so I took a chance and ordered beef vermicelli. I was so pleased with my choice and all who tried my dish agreed the beef was very well seasoned. I do not know enough about Vietnamese cuisine to determine how this ranks with the rest of them, but I loved my meal and my iced pearl coffee.
(4)
Tiffany T.
This used to be my go-to pho place. Honestly I'm always between Viet Huong and here. I think thr pice difference is like.. 50 cents. I came a few days ago, 18 minutes before closing. I hadn't eaten since noon, so I was about to die .. +1 star alone for serving my boyfriend and i , 18 minutes before closing! Thank you for that, super appreciate it. My pho was delicious, on point and served quickly. My boyfriend's broken rice was great, he loved it. He just wanted someone to cut it into little pieces.. but that's bc he's a baby haha. Thanks again guys! will not be forgotten
(4)
Belle P.
what the eff, Nam Phuong? We go here all the time and get the same couple of things.. all the time.. so we can tell when something's off We ordered: - Steak & tripe pho - Steak & flank pho - Avocado shake - Sugarcane shrimp with vermicelli wraps What came: - Steak & tripe pho - check - Steak & tendon pho - no - Avocado shake that tasted like whipped cream - sent this back and it still tastes weird but drinkable - BBQ pork over broken rice - they sent it back and we ended up with beef wrapped grape leaves ...one out of 4 ain't bad? We'll still be coming back, but maybe we'll bring a notepad and write our orders down for them.
(4)
Ashley S.
My sister lives down the street so whenever we visit, we go to Nam Phuong when we want pho, but my other sister prefers teriyaki. I always get the pho with everything in it (tendons, tripe, etc), and it's very flavorful and tasty. The last time we went, my sister, my mom, and tables around us received their pho, but mine didn't arrive until 10 minutes later, even though we ordered the same thing. Overall, a good, reliable restaurant for pho and beef teriyaki.
(4)
Yao T.
Hands down my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the US, including my mom's...and my aunt's...and my other aunt's...my uncle's...and both my cousins'. No, I'm not talking about mama's home cooking (though it is amazing) - my mom actually had a Vietnamese restaurant - and this beats it (and the rest of the family, as you can see). Just the sheer variety AND execution (food, not necessarily service - they are my peoples after all) far surpasses any I've seen. They do it all, and they do it all well - unheard of. Personal Favorites: Ba Vi Ca Kho To Bo Luc Lac Canh Chua Ca Banh Xeo And the service is actually (relatively) attentive, just not warm. A can't miss whenever I'm in Philly.
(4)
Nancy I.
$21 for 4 dishes?! Hell yeah! The salor majew yuon (Cambodian for Vietnamese sour soup) is so authentic and to die for! This came with the dinner for 2 at the back of their menu. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Benjamin M.
Thanks to my brother recently introducing me to the world of Pho, I've since expanded my periodic hunger craving horizon, which hit me unexpectedly while in Philly. Fortunately, I found Nam Phuong nearby and decided to try it out. The restaurant must do very well because the interior is huge with plenty of tables for both the lunch and dinner time crowds. That was a good sign. Upon entering, I was immediately seated at a table near the window to begin pondering the endless lunch options. I eventually decided to get the Pho Deluxe (#152), filled with a variety of beef options (and noodles, of course). After ordering, I swear it was sitting in front of me in less than three minutes. Wow! After getting over the shock and awe of their extreme efficiency, I grabbed my chopsticks and began exploring the huge bowl of deliciousness, which never seemed to end. I kept eating and eating and felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. Was it somehow multiplying or was it all in my head? At one point I literally thought, "Jesus could have left the bread and fish alone and just pulled out a bowl of this and fed the five thousand." Next time I'll wait until I'm completely famished and return to hopefully finish it all. For less the seven bucks, you certainly get your money's worth.
(5)
Bill H.
Located in the Vietnamese section of Philly, in a Vietnamese strip mall. Went with a Vietnamese friend who went to school in Philly. She claims that this is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philly and who am I to argue. The restaurant is large. We arrived early at 5:30 and when we left the place was packed with a line at the door. With an inexpensive price per entree, it's a great place to order a bunch of entrees to share and experience different flavors. Food and service was very good and you can't beat the value.
(4)
Meredith B.
Great authentic spot for some great Vietnamese dishes. I ordered my favorites 102: Summer Rolls w/ Shrimp and Pork/Chicken (2) 163: Pho w/ Slices of Eye-Round Steak and Beef Balls I might pass on the beef balls next time but all in all my meal was just what I was looking for. Nam Phuong isn't trying to be anything its not. It's authentic Vietnamese dishes with no frills. This is perfect cold weather food, warm you up and cure you when you're sick food... and cheap cheap good eats.
(4)
elyse j.
This place never ever disappoints! My daughter and I always get the special fish with vegetables in a hot pot. Delicious and stays hot for a long time, which is how long it takes to finish. So much! So good! Husband has chicken with rice noodles, not a bit left to take home.... Nice strong Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.
(5)
Quyen N.
I had high hopes for this place with its abundance of reviews but left feeling very disappointed. And this conclusion didn't result from trying one dish. It was after tasting several dishes to really sample the menu. My family and I ordered bo luc lac, banh xeo, bun rieu, banh uot. The beef was dry, the batter was old, and the broth was warm not hot as soups should be. Ufortunately, this place won't be a repeat for us.
(2)
Khanh D.
My parents treated about 20 ppl to dinner here this past weekend to celebrate my brother's graduation. We called ahead and were seated promptly. That's where the good experience stopped. The food was disgusting. We ordered many dishes and I tasted them all. The portion size were measly but the pice reflects that which is a good thing. The waitstaff were terrible. Every time we needed to order something new, they each would say we needed to order from a different staff member which led us to have to wait unnecessarily for most of the night. I'm used to bad service at Asian places but this place took the cake for worst service ever. Also...their restrooms were nasty and needed some major cleaning. Gross.
(2)
Cathy H.
Best Vietnamese I have ever had, hands down. There's always a table available (except for Christmas Day apparently) and service is lightning fast. It seems as soon as you have ordered, the waiter is already bringing out the pho and bean sprouts. My favorite dish is the rice paper platter. It is one of the most pricey things on the menu but it's WORTH it! The platter is huge, so you can share with at least 3 friends and it's so much fun to dip the rice paper in the hot water they provide and make your own rolls. My second favorite thing is their ice coffee. They serve it to you in the coffee press and use condensed milk. So yummy! Recently, on Christmas Day, I was in Princeton, NJ and I had such a craving for Nam Phuong that we drove all the way to Philly for it. Whereas there is usually no line, this time the line was out the door and the entire parking lot was completely full (probably all inside Nam Phuong). We had to wait 30 minutes for a table but it was so worth it!
(5)
Joey L.
I had a hard time finding a good Vietnamese restaurant in philly. Compared to other places I've been to, this would rank in the middle of the pack or the lower bottom. Big menu selection and food was decent.
(3)
Austin S.
I heart you Nam Phuong. No doubt, this is the best Vietnamese food that I've had. My recent visit to Philly led me back to this delicious happiness. While the location or the appearance of the restaurant may not scream 5 stars, let the food speak for the restaurant. I went with my usual and ordered pho, beef cubes, and lotus salad with shrimp crackers. Pho is always delicious with great flavor in the soup base. Beef cubes dish is a must! it's beef cubes with some kind of sprouts, served with lemon based sauce. Lotus salad (which has shrimp and pork) is served cold with shrimp crackers, and is a great addition to somewhat fatty dishes that I ordered. I always feel like vietnamese food is loaded with sodium. But I find myself with less need for a full glass of water in the middle of the night.
(5)
Ken D.
Love this place. Been going here for about a year on a regular basis. No matter how many people are with me, this place will seat any size dinner party. I once walked in with a party of 13, and within minutes we all had a table and our drinks. The staff here are always friendly and the food has never disappointed. Another bonus is the liquor license. Beers are cheap but watch out for the cocktails, they're Bartending skills need some work. Jk. Can't wait for my next visit.
(5)
Melissa P.
Go for the Pho, stay for the adorable asian children that are always there. They also have a full bar and decently priced drinks. Around Chinese New Year, you may be lucky and get a free awesome asian calendar. Extensive menu. Recently tried something new (forget what it was called but) it involved tiny rice wrappers (with your own soaking station), sausages, shrimp, noodles, veggies (carrots, cukes, radish, mint, lemongrass, basil), and little lemongrass leave wrapped beef clusters and it was SO GOOD. huge though. it says to share with two but could have easily fed 3. Cheap!
(4)
Abbie D.
My definite go to place for Pho. I have both dined in and got take out and the food is always on point. The pho is the perfect medicine for a cold or a cool night. :) love
(4)
Chau L.
It's cold outside - what do I want? P.H.O. This place can get pretty crowded in the evenings, but I don't mind bc 1) there is parking for my car and I don't have to park in an alleyway to get my grub and 2) the selection of Viet food is huge. like HUGE. Their pho broth is pretty decent, as are the summer and spring rolls, udon noodles with ham hocks, broken rice plate with grilled pork chop and sunny side egg, avocado smoothies, and taro smoothies. As you can tell, I eat a lot, and I eat a lot here. Give them a try - service is fast, and the place is spacious so the wait is never too too long.
(4)
Nina B.
The only thing I order here is Pho, Its just so good..... One thing you should know is that its pork broth. They have no other options. I went to another place and had veggie or chicken broth and its just not the same. My other half ordered summer rolls that was just ok, but the peanut sauce it came with was fantastic. FYI I do not like peanut sauce... Go and try the PHO!!!
(4)
Jay P.
I like this place
(5)
Nina S.
I had lunch here with a group of 14 people and the service was so fast and friendly! Without a reservation they were ready to seat us in just a few minutes after we walked in. This was my first time to a Vietnamese Restaurant so I didn't know what to expect but I'm glad that someone from our large party took the lead and ordered a lot of food for us to all share for the table. We split the bill 14 ways it was only $12 for lunch and I ate a lot. We started with shrimp spring rolls that were served with peanut sauce. These are very fresh and the wrap was made of a light think layer of rice. The peanut sauce was the best thing that I tasted at this restaurant. It is seriously so good that they should consider putting it in jars and selling it for people to enjoy at home! These light spring rolls were a great way to start the meal. Then to finish the meal we had two kinds of soups - Pho with beef and sweet and sour with shrimp. It was perfect for the chilly spring day. Everything I tried was very tasty. I will def. be back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)
Gabby J.
So I must say I was thoroughly enjoying my vegetable pho soup, portion size was great, exactly what I wanted. Only problem is I looked down and saw little bugs in my soup!! So disappointing. There was a lot too, I scooped out at least 6 and then just trashed the soup completely. Please double/triple clean your vegetables!! The service could have been better as well. Our waiter wasn't too friendly.
(2)
Pauline S.
I am not Vietnamese but I would have to say this is a pretty solid spot to get Vietnamese food in South Philly. Not only does it have variety, but it is affordable and tasty. On on occasion, I got thai tea, make your own rolls, and banh cuon dac biet. The make your own rolls was a filling and yummy, and we used up all the things even the greens!
(4)
Sarah S.
I've tried the Bo Luc Lac at several different places, and none of them can compare to Nam Phuong.
(4)
Christina G.
I live in the neighborhood. My boyfriend and I go to Nam Phoung on a regular basis. We have never been disappointed with the food. There isn't a menu item that we haven't liked. Pho isn't the best in the City but is still very good. I love their papaya salad- it's so refreshing. The vermicelli bowls are very good. And I love rolling up the veggies in the rice paper and dipping it in peanut sauce. It's delicious and fun. Food usually comes out pretty fast. Ingredients are fresh and you can get a lot of food for cheap here. It's not byob but their booze is pretty cheap if you are looking to drink.
(4)
Juliana K.
Good portions and friendly service. I had Beef Chow Fun and it was a bit oily, but well flavored!
(3)
Patrick H.
So I actually don't come here as often since I go elsewhere for pho, but I would have to say that Nam Phuong is very good in providing general Southeast Asian food. I won't go here for pho, but I would go here for many other things. It's a good restaurant in general, and many Philly natives come here to enjoy what they have to offer. Food Like I said, pho's average here but there are so many other dishes I think are great.Their "Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice" is one of the best I've ever had anywhere (it's not for those who cannot eat raw beef). It's just so tasty and full of flavor. Another great menu item they have are the rice paper entrees you can get to make your own rice paper wrap. It's one of the best things they have here. Their Banh Cuon is also really good, and it comes with this Fried Dough kind of thing. Finally, everything is pretty cheap! Service Kind of confusing sometimes, but the employees are great. You won't always know who's your server or how you're being sat, but once sat, they do try to take care of you as much as they can. It does tend to get quite busy here, so service will go down if they happens. Worth a Try: Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice, Vermicelli Rice Paper Wrap Entree
(4)
Kevin R.
Tonight, I learned that this is a great spot to get cha gio with pieces of wire-brush cooked into them. What's really scary is if you think a bit harder into the logic behind that. How does a piece of wire-brush get into the pork/mushroom/etc. mixture of a cha gio? Yeah, I switched it up and tried Nam Phuong for a change (I usually go next door) and they basically punished me for it.
(1)
B B.
Tit for tat, I was pressed to visit this restaurant. I knew it was situated among the indochinan strip mall in that area. Scared, I reneged the repeated requests to visit. After using Jedi mind tricks, I was worn down. Much not to my chagrin. Worth a visit or two.
(4)
O C.
The shrimp with lotus salad is the best version I had. I usually order the beef cubes with watercress and the sweet and sour soup. This is one of the best places in Philly to get Vietnamese cuisine at a very affordable price in south philly.
(5)
Derrick P.
Summer rolls and bun bo hue - that's all you need to get This is the first place that I would actually say the soup compares with the stuff in the country itself. What makes this place so special is how INCREDIBLE the broth is - no one can deny how textured, complex, and rich/flavorful yet light the broth is. I introduced 3 asian friends to their bun bo hue within a week period and all claimed that this was THE BEST noodle soup they had in their life.... I would agree. But, the other special thing about this place is how fresh and high quality their ingredients are. I really appreciate this when I taste the noodle wrapper of the summer rolls and how the fresh flavor sticks with you after you take the bite. The pork meat in the soups are so tender, and the basil leaves are huge as if they were picked off the farm that very day. This is probably the best asian soup I've had - highly recommended.
(5)
Ann V.
I'm always here yet I never review. I'm so terrible. I love Nam Phuong! There are so many food items that I could write about but I guess I'll just start with my most recent meal. - Bo Luc Lac: Yummy! One of those dishes that I order almost every single time I'm there. -Ground Shrimp - Sugarcane w/ Rice Paper: A great starter! It's just so so tasty. -Pho Tai: It was decent, but not something I would think to order here. My friend wanted it so I decided to give it a try. Come here if you want cheap authentic Viet food. Until next time...
(4)
Nicole L.
Nam Phuong serves decent pho and a decent iced coffee, but other than that, there's nothing significant that separates them from the other restaurants in the area. Maybe the tablecloths on the table, the gigantic portions, and the passable service? Hmm.
(3)
Yiwen S.
i've eaten here on several occasions and it's always been consistently good. whether it's the pho, the grilled pork chops with broken rice, or the family-style chinese dishes, this place has it all on their extensive menu. they definitely excel better in their vietnamese food than when they try to dabble in other asian flavors, but i've never had anything bad per se. all in all, a good option for a filling and cheap lunch/dinner along washington ave. the place is also huge, which almost guarantees that you'll be seated and served quickly.
(4)
Vivian B.
So let's be clear-- I'm from Brooklyn and work in Manhattan. This place is in Philly. My family and I travel 100 miles (to be exact) for their Bun Bo Hue and Bun Rieu. It's that good. My parents are your typical, finicky, OG Vietnamese peeps that make it their lively hood to find great Bun Bo Hue, Bo La Lot, and other assorted Viet dishes. (Yeah, I said Viet. :-) ) It's very hard to find a place where I don't hear both Mummy and Father complain about the food, cost, portion size, blah blah blah, etc... Thankfully, I hear no complaints about Nam Phuong as we are often postulating, during the ride to Philly, on what dishes we are to get and then devour. Needless to say, I really heart this place. Not to say I don't love me a good bowl of Pho (which they really do make a really good Pho) but obscure Vietnamese noodle soups have a special place in my heart and this establishment fulfills my craving. I hope you'll love it as much as I will!
(5)
Fred R.
While visiting family in the Philadelphia area we wound up at Nam Phuong for dinner. We were seated promptly and service was above average. The menu is huge so I would recommend taking your time to give it a good look. In terms of quality and taste, the dishes we ordered were excellent. We had a soup with beef wontons, shrimps, and scallions which was a home run. Some of the appetizers included summer rolls and Vietnamese crepes which were not only tasty but very fresh. For main courses we had the grilled beef wrapped in leaves with vermicelli, chicken with broken rice, whole fried fish in sweet and sour sauce, salt baked squid, and chinese greens with garlic.........all of which were super! We will be back on our next visit!
(5)
Kelly W.
It was sooo good!
(5)
Michael F.
In need of another pho fix and wanting to continue my quest to try every pho place on Washington Ave, I ventured to Nam Phuong. The beef salad was a great way to start things off, but arrived only a minute or two before our main courses. Again I went Deluxe Pho, #152, this time only $6.25. At first, I was disappointed in what I felt was a lack of meat in the pho... until I started to dig in. I kept being pleasantly surprised by finding more. Service started out weak but seemed to improve as the meal went on, probably the only negative experience I had at Nam Phuong. It is highly recommended.
(5)
John V.
If you know me, you realize that I enjoy well made food and quality service. The food here is OK. The service was sub-par. Tried the Vietnamese quiche, spring rolls and broken rice with ground shrimp. All were just OK. I will eat at Vietnam in Chinatown anyday over this place.
(2)
Sherri T.
Durian bubble tea! Need I say more? Awesome shrimp rolls and triple delight. I left a super happy camper. Didn't like the sweet and sour soup as much but it's just me since I am not a fan of celery in the soup. Everyone else love it though!
(5)
Jay L.
Philadelphia has a great selection of Vietnamese food, and Nam Phong is amongst the best. The service is great. The restaurant is large and is great for large parties. I would recommend the #280, the bo luc lac, or country style beef cubes. Note, the watercress is fresh/raw and thus a little bitter. The pho is always a safe bet.
(4)
Vinny P.
You have to love it when you are thrilled by the food at a restaurant and then the bill comes and you're thrilled with the price. It just leaves you feeling good all over. I dined here recently for the first time and admittedly, I had high expectations. When you look at all the very solid reviews for this place, it's hard not to get excited when coming here. What follows was just my experience. We began with the summer rolls with shrimp pork and chicken (103). They were light, bright, highly flavorful and with excellent texture. I really enjoyed the peanut based dipping sauce over the more vinegary offering. Our main meal consisted of the beef sauteed with lemongrass over vermicelli (178) and the chicken sauteed with ginger and onion (274) Both dishes were pretty awesome. The beef had such bright flavor from the lemongrass and it was served in a large bowl with hot noodles underneath it and lots of freshly shredded veggies. The chicken was served on a platter with steamed broccoli and the sauce was highly flavorful. We forgot to even specify a spice level because we were so excited by the meals themselves This place was super packed but we got a seat rather quickly on Saturday at 745. Other parties that came in after us had waits but they were minor. I'm definitely adding this place in the rotation. I can't wait to eat through more of their menu.
(4)
Sade B.
The noodles were stuck together and half done, I ordered steak Pho. I was high as a kite and the food was sub par. It's usual for food to taste amazing when I'm stoned but, nam Phoung proved they could screw this dish up. The beef stock flavor was so weak. It tasted like water and was very oily. I will never go back there.
(1)
Soyoung K.
Your pho is a win. The best hangover cure ever! I can also binge drink here with my hangover cure pho...which makes NP probably one of my fav's of philly. xoxo
(4)
John H.
The pho is awesome, but the real gem is the bo luc lac (beef cubes). We used to go all the time until we moved. Now my wife and I talk about the beef cubes regularly and always plan to make the 2 hour drive down to get them one weekend, never being able to make good on our plans. I miss you, bo luc lac. We will go down to eat you.. maybe this weekend, or next weekend, or the weekend after that.... sigh...........
(5)
Colleen M.
The first cuisine on my list when I came to Philly for a visit was Vietnamese. I miss good Vietnamese food in the Midwest! I came here for dinner. I got the vermicelli noodles with grilled shrimp and the summer rolls. Both were awesome. I will definitely come back here when I'm in the area visiting. Next time I'll try to the pho.
(5)
Ai L.
I'm Vietnamese and use to good authentic Vietnamese food in Australia, so it's been rather challenging to find a restaurant that I like. Nam Phuong is one of those that I did like! Their pho tai nam was delicious. It was a bit sweet, but I balanced it with some fish sauce and lemon and then it was perfect. I also ordered the grill pork summer rolls and the durian smoothie. The smoothie was good, but it wasn't as fruity as I expected. In addition, the service was great and the staff friendly and helpful. Overall, I enjoyed all the dishes I ordered and if I lived in Philly, I would be back :)
(4)
Judy L.
I have been going here consistently for the past year. The food is good. I have tried almost everything on their menu and I have not been disappointed yet. Unfortunately, the service has deteriorated since I have started going. If you're looking for average service, decent prices but solid Vietnamese food, this is a great restaurant to go.
(3)
Dave B.
You want Pho? Well, this is the place to come. Probably one of the most popular Viet food experience in Philly that is authentic and affordable. During the cold months, I find myself dining here multiple times per week. They are fast, delicious and reliable quality when it comes to Pho. Other dishes are just as wonderful so if you're not feeling soupy today, explore the menu. It can get a little crowded but the wait is worth it. One advice, order using the number because there's a small chance that they'll come out with a totally different dish than what you wanted.
(5)
Linda N.
Continuing on my quest to find the best pho, my boyfriend and I decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is in a Vietnamese shopping plaza, so you don't have to worry too much about paying for parking at the meters or fighting with others to get a parking spot. The place itself was huge and filled with people - so if you want to have a banquet or some sort of party, this place will be suitable. Like I've said before, I get incredibly hesitant in eating pho at restaurants because of the massive amounts of msg, but Nam Phuong's Pho Dac Biet is a serious winner. I was literally sipping every last bit of it. And guess what??? I didn't get into a deep food coma or anything. The Bun Dac Biet (grilled chicken and shrimp, nem nuong (pork patties), cha gio (fried spring rolls)) was pretty good, too. I requested for bi (shredded pork), so that was $1 extra. Everything in the bun noodle bowl was portioned so well - the meat to noodle ratio was great. Service was average. We noticed that the American-looking customers got the most attention - whereas we simply were given our food and were left alone. I actually don't mind much because I'm used to this kind of treatment from most Asian restaurants. But my boyfriend pointed that out to me and I just thought I'd write a few words about it for my fellow Asians out there who will eat at Nam Phuong. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the Thai tea boba. It was absolutely ridiculous. I mean, it wasn't that bad, but it was definitely made from powder - not the kind of tea you get at Thai places. And the boba was so bad that I didn't even touch them. I don't know what I was even thinking when I ordered a boba tea - not to mention a Thai tea boba - from a Vietnamese restaurant. My advice is to get Thai tea only from Thai restaurants and boba tea at boba tea specialty shops. Overall, I highly suggest ordering almost anything else besides the Thai tea boba or any of their boba drinks. All of the other traditional Vietnamese foods and Vietnamese drinks here at Nam Phuong surely won't disappoint. Chuc an ngon!
(4)
Lisa C.
Totally fabulous, I love this place! Great food, fast service, always reliable and it's cheap. How can you beat that?
(5)
Zashi M.
Located in a shopping center, parking was convenient compared to downtown Philly and Chinatown. Menu is extensive, which makes some dishes not so authentic. I can't tell what they specialize in so we ordered a variation od dishes. everything was good but not wow. Pho (beef noodle soup) Com suon (pork chop rice) Bun Xeo (vietnamese crepe) Bun bo hue (spicy pork feet noodles) Vietnamese congee with pig blood and liver The only thing that wasn't too good and was no where near authentic is the jicama rolls. Disappointing. Good variety with fairly good food. No wow factor worth a 4 or 5 star rating.
(3)
Penn S.
pretty decent foods..got the best Huu Tieu Xao... the only reason I give this place a 3 stars because one of the host forced me to take off my hoody...wtf? all these people around me had their HATS on and he didn't say a dam thing...this aint no dam 5 stars restaurant...
(3)
Louis D.
went with my in-law who has been here before.. it was after a baseball game and close to closing time.. I was not sure what to get so i whinged it.. everything was delish and would not be apprehensive to go back.. as some might be... go in try it..
(4)
Vuthy O.
Apparently my taste is just really really different from all of my friends and family and the rest of the reviewers on this site. The food is yummy, service - good, and my family has been coming here for years and years, but this is almost always my last choice when it comes to Vietnamese food. When I'm there, I enjoy most of what is offered, I just never want to go of my own accord - especially because the Cha Gio is made with wheat paper. (See my reviews for Vietnam Palace and Nam Son). In summary - a very decent, very low priced, albeit very average Vietnamese place complete with tacky decor. Most people love it, and I am kind of boojie, so give it a shot.
(3)
Jon Z.
My favorite vietnamese restaurant in philly! Most authentic, very delicious, fast service even when it is packed. Best deal is the Family meal for 4 package, costs less than $50 for a 6 course meal for 4 people with enough for a second meal when you take your leftovers home! Can also substitute one item for something else if you like.
(5)
Karl K.
Get the ban vi for two, and the jackfruit smoothies! -------- That about sums it up for this place. This platter (easily feeds two people, and then some) is THE THING TO GET here. Forget about the pho, forget about the beef with lemongrass... GET THIS! Tonight, we got a special appetizer called Ban Go, which was pretty awesome as well (a mix of Chinese wide rice noodle, filled with savory ground beef, topped with sliced Vietnamese sausage roll and dried onion flakes; this comes with a crispy cake of fried dough topped with a prawn). Regarding the supposed "Yelp special": Ban vi is regularly priced $23.95, so... Where is the so-called discount? (it doesn't help that the managers seemingly know nothing about this special)
(4)
Toby K.
Love the Pho! It's cheap and has a really big menu. It has a bit nicer of an interior than some of the other pho places. This past time I went, Melissa p had me try this appetizer. It basically is making your own summer roll. Deliciousness!
(5)
Enid C.
As a general rule of thumb, products of any category decrease in value when they are broken. A broken smart phone is about as "smart" as that one person who's still hoping to make his fortune on beanie babies. A broken engine turns your car into just another expensive place to store things like old magazines and sweaters you aren't going to wear. A broken spirit loses wars, and a broken heart results in the overproduction of cringe-worthy "emo" music. ...but broken rice? Broken rice is an entirely different story. With each segment that the individual grains are broken into, the light flavors are able to seep in more delicately, providing a palatable texture, almost like a sexy, Vietnamese take on cous cous. Broken rice is so much more than "just rice," and Nam Phuong has the best in the entire city. I think about it often. Almost as often as "Call Me Maybe" gets stuck in my head. Broken rice dishes are accompanied by expertly grilled meats, with a salad of pickled veggies and a splash of fish sauce to top it off. This spacious establishment is located in the centroid of Philly's Viet hub, so really all of the standard options on their extensive menu (including many for vegetarians!) are authentically solid. Whatever you order, from pho to summer rolls to beef carpaccio, your tummy and taste buds will leave happy. [But if you ever have any trouble deciding...just go with the broken rice.]
(4)
Lauren C.
I am not Vietnamese... but over the past year or so, I have become quite a fan of the food. I live in Pennsport, and thus have tons of access to the restaurants on Washington Ave. In trying a few of them, Nam Phuong has risen to the top as my trusty-go-to spot. We brought a newbie with us on Sunday night, and will thus review this experience. Walking in, the smell is certainly unique. Having eaten here on numerous occasions, I love it. It's sort of soy-saucey... or what our friend described as a mens locker room, or a wet dog. The decor is kitschy, but somehow it works! The bar you can tell was newly renovated as its AWESOME, but not a sit-down bar... more of a take out counter. We got seated at a nice sized table for 4 people by the window and were promptly given water, and asked about drinks. Beers are $3 for domestic, $3.50 for imports. YES PLEASE! As a vegetarian, my options are a bit limited (per usual). I always associate most Asian dining (Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese etc.) as being veggie friendly. They embrace tofu! What more could you ask for? You need to watch your back if you're a vegetarian at Nam Phuong though. You might as well just tell your waiter. If you order 'Veggie Pho" you will get chicken broth. The proper technique is to ask for Vegetarian Noodle Soup... which is the exact same thing with broth that is safe. I also like 253. Not sure what it is called formally, but its fried tofu in peanut sauce on rice vermicelli and shredded lettuce, pickled carrots, cucumber etc. and some steamed veggies. I like the contrast of fresh/cooked/hot/cold etc. Its delicious. Again, they bring out this fish sauce that they expect you to dump in there, so you have to be a bit wary. This specific dining experience, I went for my trusty 253, pushed the fish sauce aside, and seasoned with rooster sauce, and a bit of soy sauce. AMAZING. Per usual, i hit the bathroom before I left, and per usual, it was DISGUSTING!!! It always makes me nervous what the kitchen looks like, but I try not to think about it. the floor was soaking so I almost fell over. I literally put down paper towels to try to get traction. You are discouraged from putting toilet paper into the toilets... not sure why... as Philly plumbing can totally hang with toilet paper... but whatever. The trash cans are overflowing, the stalls are dirty etc. Better than some bars, but the decor is nice, it's just not clean! Also per usual, you have to flag down a waiter for a check. They will almost never bring it automatically. The sooner you accept that, the more pleasant your experiences will be. Once you flag them down, they bring the check promptly. Just a cultural divide I guess. While Nam Phuong may not be the fanciest, trendiest, most upscale place on earth, its a fan favorite! You almost never have to wait, the prices are reasonable, the service is fairly good, and the food is PHENOMENAL. Will be back... always... and forever.
(4)
Dredge K.
ok, this has by default become my go to place food is pretty consistent, ambiance is lacking but secondary even their pho is good, even though this is not a pho restaurant excellent for groups! strong cocktails there is something for everyone...
(4)
Anthony B.
I am new to the vietnamese food scene but wow this place is good. My girlfriend and I went and for 2 meals and an appetizer it was under $20.00. They were also extremely efficient. We were in and out in 45 minutes. I will continue to give my patronage to this establishment. Ps. Great fish/peanut sauce.
(5)
Vincent L.
Coming from nyc, I had high expectations for Vietnamese food in Philly. I had ordered Bun bo hue, and I was a lil disappointed. Everything was good except the pig feet was really tough. I had to tear it from my teeth using my hands. everything else was on the money. Ice coffee was really strong, which I liked. The restaurant itself is big compared to the vietnamese restaurants in nyc. Overall, I wasn't blown away but I was full and satisfied. 3 and a half stars.
(3)
German S.
Perfect pho kinda of weather.. yum. Can't get enough of this place. Food is great, fast service, attentive staff, clean place.
(4)
Peter K.
Maybe the best Vietnamese restaurant ever, or at least in the northeast (hard to compare to San Francisco or Eden Center in Virginia). But this place is awesome, and everything on the menu rocks! And the place is huge too. Looks like they have a stage where maybe sometimes they do performances or karaoke.
(5)
Sarah S.
excellent food, fast service! beef stew is so wonderful. vegan options as well. all meals come with a pot of hot tea. great place for groups... usually lots of families sharing large dinner dishes
(5)
Kevin C.
Of all the Viet restaurants i've tried this is definitely the best place if you want a big warm bowl of pho or a rice dish! The service isn't the best but they are very quick when it comes to serving up the food and is at a very good price.
(5)
Yohann S.
More like 3.5, but since I'm a nice guy, I'll round it to 4 -instead of 3. Good place for a big party. I never get their pho. I usually get either broken rice or vermicelli; and sometime beef cube to share. They are good. Like any regular viet restaurant, they're cheap -and filling. Parking is easy -even though it's packed most of the time, it's not that hard to be patient and get a spot. $15 min for credit card. Service is still better than some Asian restaurant out there, so no complain there. ... If you want pho, go get it somewhere else. *hint check my review for 5 stars pho place.
(4)
May T.
I sat through a terrible hour and a half drive on 76 just to get to Nam Phuong and I guess in the end it was pretty worth it. They have these awesome pre-selected dishes that can be ordered for groups of 2+ and the price isn't too shabby. For around 25 bucks, 2 people can get an order of soup, rice, springrolls and I believe 2 other dishes listed on the special. I've definitely had better cha gio in restaurants other than Nam Phuong but their pho broth is really good compared to a lot of other places I've been to. I ordered the bun dac biet which came with a ton of toppings and definitely left me very full. I could go for another round of Nam Phuong any day and on the plus side if you need to get some food shopping done, the location is ridiculously convenient.
(4)
Danny K.
Good foods lot of good noodle and Vietnamese food. I like it here lot my wife and I always come for quick good meal Nice and clean great services too.
(5)
Nhi T.
I eat here from time to time. Service is amazing and the food is fresh whenever I order in or take out. They have a lengthy menu so you have a variety of food to choose from. Very affordable and highly recommended.
(5)
Kerry B.
Ooo baby do you know what $10 is worth? Nam Phuong is a place on Earth. Ridiculously good Pho. Sit down eats, unreasonably inexpensive.You can't beat this place, its spring rolls and how can get in and out in under a hour. The total package.
(5)
Tyler R.
This used to be the go-to place for a lot of South Philadelphians, but the recent past has ushered in a more popular era for all comers from across the city. You MUST: - Try the family meals. It's the cheapest, greatest way to eat like a king or queen. From the Tom Yum soup to the fish and seafood, this is what you want right now. - Have a bowl of deluxe pho. It's so incredibly satisfying. AVOID: - Saturdays and Sundays around dinner. The place is packed, and unless you have reservations, be prepared to wait. Also, some event dinners are hosted there, and it takes up a large part of the restaurant space - When you have limited time. The servers can be slow to tend to you, and it might take some time to get your food out. Nam Phuong is a staple in the Viet food scene. It's not going away any time soon.
(3)
Li D.
First, this restaurant is really large, and parking can be a pain. But it is fairly good and VERY reasonably priced. Went for dinner, and had the pho. It was as expected. Good and satisfying. My partner had the meat (chicken, salmon, beef, etc.) on a bed of rice noodles. It was good too. The service is fast. All-in-all, a good neighborhood restaurant.
(3)
Sarah F.
A few months ago I decided to take a risk and try Vietnamese with two others also unfamiliar with the cuisine. We were all thoroughly unimpressed. Thanks to Yelp's in it to Thin It, Christina G and I needed a place to go where a: the menu was mostly healthy and b: it was easy not to drink. Since she lives in the area, it was either Vietnamese, Mexican, or Italian. Vietnamese seemed the most diet friendly. I let her choose what we ate, and I'm glad I did. The papaya salad was really delicious. I'm definitely going to get one for lunch next week. I also liked the vermicelli bowls. The lemongrass tofu (my suggestion) was a little disappointing, but only in comparison to the other dishes. I'm glad I gave the cuisine another try, because I loved it!
(4)
Alex P.
I'm so happy that I found this place! The food really is authentic Vietnamese! It's so delicious! It's very inexpensive and the hours are great! They're open 7 days a week until 10pm! And their menu is huge! It's located in what I like to refer to as Vietnamese town :) so many gems!
(5)
Bob S.
Excellent Vietnamese food with an amazing number of choices. It is a great restaurant! Parking is very easy too.
(5)
Peter D.
I am amazed at how much pho you get for $6.25. Like goddamn. The Deluxe will be one of my go-to meals from now on, despite the weather getting warmer. I had enough for two meals worth. That's what I call bang for the buck! I definitely would love to come back here with more people. The interior is kind of generic Asian family style and the location is kind of hard to get into if you are coming from west of Broad Street on foot but otherwise you don't pay for ambiance you pay for the food, and Nam Phuong does not disappoint!
(5)
Kimberly P.
Usually I'm picky with Vietnamese food since I'm so used to my parents traditional ways of cooking BUT Nam Phuong is so delicious. There's not one thing I haven't loved when coming here. I have allergies to certain things like peanuts and carrots and when I tell them, they always make sure it's clear of it all. Not only that but the service is impeccable! Everyone is so kind and helpful.
(5)
Greg Y.
I eat mad Pho and would not go back to this place. The main reason is because the place just smells bad. The stench of old cleaning rags ruined my meal during the few times I've been here. Service is poor compared to the already below-avg standard at many Pho places. The food does very little to salvage this place. Pho Saigon is 100x better.
(2)
Tala T.
I heard that Philadelphia has the best Vietnamese on the East Coast. Where are they all hiding? So far I haven't seen too many downtown. So I turned to Yelp and based on the many reviewer recommendations decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is located in a strip mall on Washington Avenue, surrounded by other Vietnamese restaurants, shops and food market. We went on a weeknight and found the place to be full of mostly Vietnamese patrons but also other foodies like us who have a deep appreciation for Vietnamese food. And so we were seated, quickly made our way through the extensive menu and ordered the: shrimp spring roll, chicken pho, barbecued quail and diced cubed beef. The shrimp roll was served first. It was good with generous amounts of shrimp in each of the two rolls. A shrimp roll is filled with diced shrimp, rice doodles and basil and wrapped in rice paper. It is usually served with peanut butter sauce and tastes fresh and healthy. This was no different but not superior to any other roll I've had. Next was the Pho Ga or Chicken Pho. It was filled with so much noodles that there was no room to mix the ingredients all in. In the end I only ended up having a few spoonfuls and moved on to the next dish. The barbecued quail was on the drier side and was not as tasty as the ones we were used to having in New Orleans. The meat was chewy and dry. Needless to say the count picked at every little tiny bone on that poor quail's fragile body. But the winner of the night was the beef cube dish or more commonly referred to as the Boc Luc Lax. It was served on a plate of watercress with a tangy salt and pepper dip on the side. It was so good that I barely touched the Pho and polished the plate clean. The best part: the entire meal cost well under $30 dollars. I found it to be en par with other Vietnamese restaurants I have visited. We both enjoyed our meal enough and saw some other delicious treats being served to other tables. So needless to say I'm sure we will become regulars unless I find a far superior local Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. Any advice on where to have the best Pho?
(4)
Emily S.
This is the place to go for Vietnamese in Philadelphia for anything other than pho. Whatever you get - banh hoi, bun bo hue, clay pot fish, thit bo luc lac - all authentic Vietnamese and the best quality I've had for the price. My favorites are the thit bo luc lac (beef cubes) served on a bed of fresh watercress and the any of the banh hoi dishes (roll it yourself spring rolls) which will surely fill a party of at least 2. My partner has been coming here for over a decade. Says the prices haven't changed in years. Beers are about $3 each and mixed drinks around $5. Prices for the food equally as reasonable. We don't come here for pho -- we either go across the street to Pho Ta or next store to Pho and cafe viet hung for pho thai (beef) or pho ga than than for pho ga (chicken) - better bang for your buck than nam phong in my opinion, though others may tell you differently. Atmosphere is nothing special, but doesn't need to be. The food is first rate -- if you are looking for some swanky atmosphere with mediocre food, this is not your place. But if you're looking for one of the top Viet restaurants in Philly, this is your spot.
(5)
Joolie T.
so- i come back 2 years later and what do i think? it's still one of the BEST Pho/Vietnamese joints i've been to on the east coast. no doubts about it. i've been craving this stuff forever and would whine, beg and cry to come back to Philly just to eat here. low and behold- it happened!!! the service is impeccable here. they make sure you have everything at your table, how your meal is, how EVERYTHING is. customer service is very important to me- and this is a restaurant who extremely cares about their customers. i've never had this kind of experience from a Vietnamese restaurant before. i know that sounds kind of a back-handed compliment, but it just means that Nam Phuong surpasses every negative thing i've thought about regarding these type of places. our spring rolls were perfection. it was so good that we ordered 3 more servings to go for Ron C.- who was arriving in Philly just 1 hour after we were. what was his verdict??? well, he finished it all. happily. lol. i can't wait for the next time i'm in Philly to satisfy my craving. until then, it's mediocre Pho for me in NYC. =(
(5)
Payal P.
I will start this review off by saying, I will give them another chance. About 2 weeks ago a group of 10 came in for dinner with a reservation. Upon arrival we were seated at 2 circle table (even though 2 large rectangles were available to accomodate us to sit together). After a little uncertainty, we weretold we could push the circles together making for an awkward infinity loop of seating. Half our party was about 10 minutes late and the staff asked us way too many times at that point if they were actually coming. They would not even take our drink and app order until they arrived, which we found weird but we rolled with it. When the other party arrived, they took the drink order of half but not the other half. Then the other half ordered before the 2nd half even got to order drinks. Let's just say it took almost an hour for everyone to get their food...the first person to receive food was about 10 mins after ordering the last person was almost an hour later. This would have been fine IF we would also have been able to get another round of drinks, which we finally were when we started receiving food. Half the people loved their food the other half did not. I got a rice noodle dish which i thought was pretty bland even after dumping on all the extra sauce they gave plus some doctoring from the condiment tray. What I won't complain about is the price, I think we got out for around $20 per person for a meal, 2 drinks and including tip. Those in our group that had been their before said we must have had a really off night and usually it is nothing like this. So I am willing to give it another try. 1 star for half the people liking the food, 1 star for price.
(2)
Kathleen D.
I like your ceiling full of SO MANY chandeliers. There are just rows and rows of em like some used-to-be banquet hall where glamour-shots type bridal photos were certainly taken...and now we eat soup and vermicelli bowls and clay-pot dishes here. This restaurant, I'd definitely use for a scene in the movie I'm making. Everybody'll be all, "What a peculiar place," when they see it. Service is speedy, family style Vietnamese foods tastes good... and it's pretty inexpensive... Yeah, the food is consistently good. Here, the last time we went to Nam Phuong it was so busy that seating was CLOSE and we were seated next to these two guys and one of them or both of them smelled like they'd spent the night in a chicken coop. I mean, ripe. AND YET... the meal still felt successful. I think that's a good testament to the good eatin here. Nam Phuong's pho and foods temporarily cure my feelings of repugnance! Yay!
(4)
Debby H.
I've been to Nam Phuong several times with my Vietnamese friends. The food is absolutely delicious! Although I cannot name the dishes I have had, since my friends always do the ordering, I can tell you that I've never had a thing I didn't like very much. The wait staff all speak English, so they will help you. I always get a Chinese beer to accompany my meal. So good! Parking is really hard, but if you if you find a spot be sure to go into the Vietnamese market next door.
(4)
Jeff H.
In the heart of the Little Saigon quarter of Philadelphia, Nam Phuong stands out above all the other eateries. It is quietly becoming known all over the east coast and rightly so. After eating at some very mediocre Vietnamese restaurants in Europe, it was a pleasure for me to get back to real Vietnamese food at Nam Phuong. Their menu is large and each time I go there I try something different. And the food doesn't disappoint. On a recent cold winter's day, I passed over the tempting Pho to indulge in the Broken Rice with a BBQ Pork Chop, Shredded Pork, Egg Quiche, and salad. This is a classic Vietnamese broken rice dish and it is prepared here to perfection. For starters, the jicama rolls delicately wrapped in rice paper really hit the spot - especially with the addition of the accompanying peanut sauce. But there are other aspects of Nam Phuong that propel it to five stars. The service for one - it is friendly and efficient. My water glass must have been filled more than five times. You are always served hot Vietnamese tea as soon as you sit down. And the condiments on the table along with the ubiquitous Vietnamese fish sauce are outstanding. You have a choice among so many different flavors to add to your dining experience. Yeah, it was def good to be back eating in Philadelphia's Vietnamese restaurants - and one of the very best ones at that!
(5)
Vy D.
The Vietnamese food here will change your life. Seriously. You'll sell all of your possessions, shave your head, and chant at random times during the day. The stuff is heaven. That being said, the dish to get at Nam Phuong is the Ba Vi Platter ($24). A large round plate assembled with crisp lettuce leaves, sprigs of mint and basil, along with cool English cucumber slices and thinly sliced, slightly pickled carrots and daikon radish. A bed of vermicelli sat on the other side topped with shrimp mousse grilled on sugarcane(1), house-made pork sausage(2) and a bundle of ground beef wrapped in grape leaves, then grilled(3). Absolutely delish. The pho, bun bo hue, goi cuon, and banh xeo are also all equally high-end compared to other Vietnamese restaurants in the city. If you have to ask about the service, you've obviously not been to a lot of authentic Vietnamese places. They shout "What you want" and if you don't have an answer within three seconds, they'll probably give you the death stare and walk away, returning fifteen minutes later, begrudgingly, to let you continue your order. Highly recommended authentic Vietnamese food.
(5)
Alice C.
Love the dinner for 2 or 4. The clay fish pot is my favorite! The customer service was perfect. Very attentive. Spacious and spread out environment. Love the traditional decor. My favorite appetizer is the ba vi. Portions are more than enough especially for the price. Would definitely go back soon
(5)
Jane H.
Everytime we think we're going to try a new place for Vietnamese food, we some how end up here! This place is great. The decor is very family friendly, and the waitstaff are nice. They let me order in Chinese (I wasn't sure how to pronounce those items!). Everything we have ever ordered has been delicious and fresh. Heck, even when we take it home to eat as left overs, the food is still super good. Also - they have a full bar if you want any alcohol with your food. YUM! It doesn't hurt that the price tag is so reasonable. When can I come back again????
(5)
Richard R.
My wife went to Nam Phuong on a cold Saturday night. We had watched Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations in Viet Nam. He had the Vietnamese crepes and thanks to Yelp, Nam Phuong came up using that search. I was also pretty excited to see the number of reviews and 4 star rating. Nam Phoung is on Washington Ave near 12th street. I have lived in the Phila area all my life and it is really awesome to see how big the Asian community has become in this part of South Philly. Nam Phoung is situated in a large Vietnamese strip mall. It is pretty cool to see with all the different stores and lights. The restaurant itself is very big with a ton of tables, It was fairly crowded being a Friday night but we were seated right away, I was not crazy about the decor of the restaurant. It sort of didn't know which way it wanted to go...on one end it wanted to be high end with the crystal chandeliers. It just seemed odd to me but it was quite clean and the service was very good. It was a mixed crowd of Asians and Non Asians. We had the crepe of course, This isn't like the French version but almost like an omelet with scallions, vegetables and shrimp inside. This was very good and we should have ordered two. We had a fried fish fillet also that was super tasty. We also had a pork chop with rice. This was just OK, the flavors were good but something was missing to make it really special. We also had salted fish fried rice with chicken. That was a strange dish. My wife is of Asian decent (Filipino) and she wasn't expecting the flavors. So we were 2 for 4 with the dishes we ordered. I guess we made some poor choices based on so many great reviews. The menu is HUGE! Nam Phuong has a full bar and beer from Viet Nam. We didn't have time to try the coffee but would have liked too. Definitely a cool and interesting place. Out tab for everything was around $40.00
(3)
Layla N.
Big, lively restaurant serving authentic, yummy grub. Only been here once but everything I tried was really good. The food came out in a timely manner and service was on point.
(4)
Amanda N.
I strayed away from the pho and finally see what all the rave is about! Hu tieu do bien (seafood vermicelli) was awesome and hit the spot as I was recuperating from a stomach virus. It was a nice big soupy bowl of rice noodle topped with shrimp, imitation crab and a piece of scallop that felt like a hidden piece of treasure upon discovery. Loved that it was super hot and came with a fresh plate of bean sprouts for me to fold into the soup (I always do this right away to get the perfect cooked bean sprout texture). I'll add the jalapeno's and lime next time for sure once my stomach can handle it. BF's plate was also really delicious looking. Can't wait to come back and try the other dishes recommended by fellow yelpers. And yes, the service is incredible for a Vietnamese restaurant. I never comment on service when reviewing Viet restaurants because it's just not worth mentioning (it's all about efficiency) but these guys are attentive, hardworking, and thoughtful. Love their humble service and hardworking ethic for such a popular restaurant. This place is a great spot for groups, too! We were surrounded by birthdays and large family gatherings.
(5)
Rich D.
The food was decent, however, there is an odd odor in the restaurant that just turned me off a bit. I had the pho dac biet which was really good. Also shared a BBQ pork with broken rice which was also decent. I'd like to go back for the food, but probably wouldn't because of the smell. Disappointed.
(3)
Caroline C.
They serve great Vietnamese food!! I have been there before a long time ago, but it wasn't that memorable, but I'm glad I was reunited again. It was convenient because I was in the area doing an errand, and decided to grab takeout for dinner. I ordered the bun bo hue (BF's favorite) and the bo luc lac based off of many Yelpers' recommendations. The bo luc lac is SO GOOD. I also tried the bun bo hue, and it is one of the best I've had! It is also great that they have parking in the lot and nearby. The prices are reasonable though I never understood why bo luc lac is always so costly compared to other rice dishes. Oh well, it is worth it!! I can't wait to try other things on the menu. The inside decor is slightly fancier than your typical vietnamese pho places. Just slightly.
(5)
Cynthia X.
Came here again just a week later. Got the 3 beef delight again, and it was delightful!
(4)
Kimberly H.
My faavorite Vietnamese restaurant. I make it a point to come here when I visit Philly, despite how far out of the way it may be. First time I came to visit, we ordered a family meal so I sampled a lot of different foods . I usually just order pho and beef skewers or summer rolls, but now there's so much more. Everything was so good...so I recommend going with more people if you can. But this time it was only four of us and half of us already ate a full Philly cheesesteak. We got seated immediately. We ordered a pho to share, this large dish to make your own rice paper wrapped rolls (says for two to share, but really was big enough for 3-4), and hot french press coffee with condensed milk. The pho was so gooood. So much better than NYC Pho places. I never tried the make your own rice paper wrapped rolls, but the grape seed and pork pieces were pretty good. There was so much leftover that we just took the rest home. The coffee was too strong for my taste, I like it with some half and half or more condensed milk. But overall the meal was great and we were completely stuffed. Prices are inexpensive and service is fast. Parking may be tough since they share a parking lot with a supermarket but if you circle around enough you'll get a tight space.
(5)
Leo G.
Good food, quickly served and hot out of the kitchen. Service is attentive and mostly impersonal. Reception is awkward (non-existent) perhaps because there are 2 entrances and the staff must see you seeking a table. We chose a table and got a brusque "wait over there" as we waited for it to be cleared. Spacious, casual, clean setting. Light background music was more appropriate for a dance exercise studio. The "wen yu" fish in clay pot was excellent, with a savory sauce similar to that used with sushi broiled eel. Only 4 pieces but high quality. The charcoal grilled pork and shrimp with broken rice was tasty and good. Vegetable lo mein was tasty, vegetables slightly too oily. Parking can be a challenge, though you might get lucky to park in the strip mall's lot.
(4)
Jen C.
I was torn on whether to give a 4 or 5 star rating and decided on 4.5 stars. Well, Yelp doesn't allow that, and 2nd grade (?) math taught me to round up to 5. What can I say about Nam Phuong that hasn't already been said? I will say that it's not the absolute best Vietnamese food in any one category but the best overall that I've had outside of Vietnam. I've had Vietnamese in cities with larger Vietnamese populations, but Nam Phuong still wins, without a doubt. NYC has nothing that comes even close. * Easy on the wallet * Plenty of variety * Larger family dinners are great * Get the banh hoi if you've never done that * It's always busy, but I've never had to wait * Food comes out at lightning speed (but freshly cooked) * Don't think they serve banh mi (but it's OK, Lee's is the best for that) * Durian smoothie WAS amazing, but they've changed the way they make it, with a loss of creaminess and flavor... but I won't judge them on this as I might be the only customer who actually orders a durian smoothie (my husband won't kiss me after I drink it) Do yourself a favor and eat here. And then again. And take others here. They'll thank you for it.
(5)
Annie N.
One of my go to Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. I usually get the shrimp wrap. The sauce is great. The vermicelli options are good too. I usually get Bun Thit Nuong. Durian shake is good if you like durian. They recent remodeled with a small bar area and small chandeliers throughout the restaurant. It doesn't really match the decor but I'm there for the food so doesn't bother me. Service is quick. Food doesn't usually take too long.
(4)
C T.
I come here often, food is always solid. Nothing too special but good enough too frequent when you have a craving.
(4)
Teresa N.
I've only had the banh cuon here (which I wasn't expecting to be great, since they seem to specialize in other dishes) but it was so surprisingly good! I'll be back to try their pho and rice dishes. Parking is a bit tight since it's in a plaza with other shops but it's so worth it if you're craving good viet food! They have a $15 minimum for card fyi.
(4)
Andrea V.
I'm not blown away by Nam Phuong, but maybe I'm not ordering the right things. I have so far had one of the noodle dishes with seafood and pho tai. I was really disappointed with the noodle dish because it contained huge nasty chunks of imitation crab instead of the real thing (unacceptable), and the squid included was incredibly tough and rubbery. The pho was middle of the road, not the best I've had but not bad. The broth didn't have as much depth, there was not much meat, and the meat provided didn't taste as fresh as some other places in the area. On the other hand, the restaurant was busy both times I went, so they must be serving SOMETHING delicious. Someone tell me what it is! And I can't say I minded my dinner costing only $6.43 tonight. Overall impression - a place with a too-large menu, causing quality to suffer in some cases, and a place that tries to cut corners for the sake of cost. I know times is hard, but...imitation crab? I don't know if I can forgive that.
(2)
Yvonne L.
Very friendly and efficient service. Not my favorite Vietnamese restaurant but I would return if I was in Philadelphia as the food was pretty good!
(3)
Michael N.
Nam Phuong was my first taste of Vietnamese food many years ago. To this day, it's still my go-to Vietnamese spot in Philadelphia. Of all the spots I tried in this area of south Philly, it still stands out. First off the food. If it's a nice cold day, go with the pho. If soup isn't your thing, the pork or the chicken vermicelli dishes are also delicious. I usually get the spring or the summer roll appetizers too. Drink wise, be adventurous and grab a bubble tea. A cold beer is also an acceptable option. Secondly, the location. Nam is in a strip mall and they actually have their own (limited ) parking lot so you don't need to hunt the streets for parking. Third, the service. The service is a little below standard for what most Americans are used to. Don't be afraid to hail down your waiter. The food comes out as it's ready, which also might bother some people. Lastly, the prices. Cheap! Overall this place in frills, but it's cheap and good. That's all that matters.
(4)
Brian M.
Little pro tip for my white friends out there looking to enjoy some quality Vietnamese food and were told by a well qualified (chubby) Vietnamese friend of theirs to get the Triple Delight here: the rice paper things you get to wrap the other stuff in? You dip it in the water. Quickly. Then put it on your plate, fill it up, wrap and eat. Delicately. Yes, we had to ask how to do this. But it is worth it, and a place I plan on going back to again for sure. Jicama rolls were awesome too and otherwise it's a huge room with a huger menu (typical) filled with friendly servers. Everything we had seemed fresh, and the price is right. Cheap beers too. Just avoid that parking lot if you know what's good for ya.
(4)
Andrea C.
This restaurant is not wheelchair accessible because they have one door that opens. There are two separate doors with a very tight transition to the next door which will not accommodate turning radius of wheelchairs. I got stuck between the two doors and it was humiliating. It took 12minutes to get the second front door open so I could back out, I could not turn around. Additionally they had a lot of crap in the area between the two doors which further complicated this fiasco. I was pretty excited to go here, and super miffed that it is not actually wheelchair accessible.
Pho with a deep herby broth and oh so al dente rice noodles and good beef balls. Not mushy broken rice with grilled pork chops with nice carmelization so tender and moist, runny fried egg (extra) and crispy pickled tart veggies. Green staff spills water on spouse, lots of apologies, but no comp. Had to call waiter over to order and get check. Could have been perfection. Still: Opens mind to possibilities of great Viet cuisine.
(4)
Patience P.
Ugggg, I hate this place. It's so dirty and the food is def not the best in Philly. I'll go to the market and then drive to Chinatown to eat because it's so ratchet.
(1)
Di P.
holy batman fast. I don't know how they did it. I asked for a noodle dish and it came out literally 5 minutes later. I had barely finished pouring tea for the table and checking in on Yelp when the steaming hot plate of food came out. I got a seafood dish which sort of expectedly had imitation crab meat and lobster in it. I gotta find myself a fancy asian restaurant that doesn't serve imitation seafood so I can finally give 5 stars to a asian restaurant. Just in general the service was attentive and they were fast to seat us, grab our orders and have us fed and happy. It's a large place so it's definitely good for good groups. Sidenote: I always swear by how "authentic" an asian restaurant is by seeing the ratio of asian peeps to non-asian peeps (is that racist? i hope not. geez. but i'm half asian so that's okay right?). Anyway, this place has a lot of non-asian peeps because it must have really peaked in popularity and word has spread. For sort of hole-in-the-wall places like this (meaning not super fancy) I like the scale tipped in the other direction... So that's my two yen. Ok no more jokes.
(4)
Chris C.
Maybe service is a cultural thing? I'm surprised that so many people make a big deal about it. I like the privacy here, and when I ask for something, the wait staff here are very gracious and speedy. The french coffee here is delicious. Try it. But the main attraction is the Pho. I drive over 60 miles just for the pho here. The fragrant smell of basil and broth welcomes me every time I set foot in this place. I'm salivating right now as I write this review. I always get the flank steak and beef ball pho. Mmm beef balls! LOL. Great value, and great atmosphere of an asian banquet hall in the heart of little Vietnam.
(5)
Jeff O.
Solid local joint for a Vietnamese food fix. Had a vegetarian meal this week, which was enjoyable but not special. They know what to do with their tofu, but they don't put enough of it in the dishes. The Vietnamese crispy crepe was solid -- rich, coconutty crepe filled with nice tofu and veggies. Always a fun interactive experience to eat with the big lettuce leaves and basil. The tofu and veggie bun (rice noodles) was good, but not enough tofu. Nice, fresh veggies though. The eggplant with lemongrass sauce was mediocre and greasy. Not much flavor, not spicy (although we requested it spicy), and way too much oil. Perhaps next time the pho is the way to go.
(3)
Erin E.
NAM PHUONG. NAM PHUONG NAM PHUONG. Everything about Nam Phuong is great--service, food, price, location, food, parking, food--even their food! Oh, everything is good here. As a mid-twenties white female who's tried AT LEAST two other pho places, I can confidently say that this is the best pho spot in the city. I love the papaya salad with shrimp and pork and the fried bananas with ice cream is so good. Also the rainbow ice is weird and good. I like the green stuff in it idk what it is. I trust Nam Phuong.
(5)
Bill M.
From tasty spring rolls and the most sacred broth of the gods that is pho, to slamming Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian dishes, Nam Phuong is a destination that delivers a well rounded assortment of vibrant dishes. I give a 4 because sometimes I have encountered a bit of a disconnect. Once when I ordered the amazing an action packed deluxe pho with slices of round steak, flank, brisket, tendon, tripe, and beef balls; I was devastated to find a bowl with just round steak due to the waiter getting the number wrong. But even with such foibles I've hardly been able to complain due to their pho being an easy contender for best in Philly at such a bargain price. But even if your not into pho you can go there and savor everything from broken rice, pan fried noodles, congee, and more. some standouts that I've enjoyed when I decided to take a break from the sacredness have included, Vietnamese crepes with tofu & vegetables, seafood curry, and the spicy chicken w/ lemongrass; as well as plenty of their specials. No matter what you go with here its a win that will leave you fulfilled.
(4)
Elliott K.
The pho broth was for real. I am choosing to skip the pho pun. You're welcome.
(4)
Chris O.
My girlfriend and I both love this place. They have a huge selection of Vietnamese dishes, all of which are reasonably priced. We've been here 9 or 10 times (despite living a few miles away) and have liked everything we ordered. Pho, vermicelli, broken rice, pork stew in claypot, chicken w/lemongrass...it's all been good. I even had the congee, and while it wasn't my favorite dish there, it wasn't bad either. The service does kinda suck, though.
(5)
Hong L.
Live Nam Phuong for their family meal. Great authentic Vietnamese food with reasonable price. It's a little disorganized but overall they are great!
(5)
Chris S.
Sorry to say but this was one of the most bland pho I ever tasted. I had the pho at 11am on a Tuesday so there should've been enough time to get the broth up to flavor if anything. I will say though that the fried egg roll was delicious. Too bad the pho was a miss for me.
(2)
Danan R.
The best Vietnamese food in the city! Our grilled chicken platter and stir fried tofu were excellent and their bun rieu is fantastic. Service is very efficient and the prices are unbeatable. This is definitely the place for authentic dishes but it does get quite crowded on nights and weekends. We came at 9 pm on a Sunday and it was still packed!
(5)
Alex s.
One of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. Extremely large and reasonably priced menu with a wide variety of options. On weekends you can expect a crowd but won't have to wait too long. Definitely try some of their grilled meat dishes over rice vermicelli (grape leaves with ground beef, charbroiled pork and lemongrass chicken). It's a huge bowl with fresh vegetables, rice vermicelli and tasty protein. There's also parking on the street or in the adjacent lot.
(5)
Antonio K.
Solid and flavorful Pho. Fried Spring rolls are terrific.
(4)
Adam L.
Well I have finally made the trek all the way to Nam Phuong's in Bella Vista. It is hidden along the back corner of the Vietnamese strip mall on 11th and Washington. Inside, Nam Phuong's looks like your pretty basic Asian restaurant, pink tiled floors, lots of red, waiters in vests, ect... Overall, the atmosphere is very laid back and very enjoyable. The menu is quite large (probably well over a hundred items), but honestly you only need to look at the pho. I ordered the basic steak pho. I have had a lot of pho that just seems like they dumped a whole shaker of salt in, but this was pretty spot on. The meat was nice and thinly sliced along with perfectly cooked noodles. There are plenty of sides to add on such as beans, basil leaves, a few different kinds of chili oils, and my personal favorite Siracha! I loved Nam Phuong's, I certainly recommend it! Just great simple pho, that is all there is to it.
(4)
Anthony N.
Was craving fish sauce and their com tam hit the spot. Portions were large enough for leftovers. Good hours compared to other Viet places in philly.
(4)
Akkeem M.
Food is really good, I went here and ordered 3 orders of shrimp and chicken summer rolls, two orders of spring rolls, a vermicelli bowl with pork and a Sapporo, I couldn't believe I finished it all! That's how good they food was, if you get there close to closing they service may not be that good but during the day they are great
(4)
Curtis L.
I came here with a large party of 8 people (all guys) and we decided to go with the family dinner for 10. Since it was Saturday night, the place was pretty crowded, but we had made a reservation so getting seated was a smooth process. Needless to say, the food was more than enough and it was delicious. We got spring rolls, lotus rootlet, shrimp soup, fish stewed in pottery pot, country style beef cubes, clam sauteed with black bean sauce, water spinach sauteed with garlic, chicken sauteed with lemongrass, salt & pepper squid, and jello cake for dessert. It was a great experience from start to finish. The spring rolls and lotus rootlet to start off were really good and we destroyed those dishes quickly. There was a little bit of a lull as we waited for the next round of food though. However, we weren't disappointed. All this food came at once, plus there was A TON of white rice. I'm a sucker for getting your money's worth, so the fact that they re-filled our rice and water/tea pretty often was awesome! I can't really complain about any of the dishes, but the ones that stood out were the shrimp soup (a really tasty mix of sweet and sour), the beef cubes, and salt & pepper squid (there was also shrimp). I wasn't the biggest fan of the dessert, but it didn't take away at all from how complete and delicious the entire meal was. It was super solid and I left full, but it didn't blow my mind which is what keeps me from giving it a 5-star rating. Since this was my first time here, I can't speak to the other dishes, but I heard that the broken rice and vermicelli is quite good; however, the Pho is just alright. I think that if you've got a big group wanting to eat family style, this place is perfect.
(4)
Peter N.
I get the Bo Luc Lac every time I go here. It's inconsistent (some times perfect, sometimes extremely salty), but it is still the best place compared to other places. The banh cuon is excellent, and the papaya salads are great. The family meals are a good deal.
(4)
Wendy C.
One of the best bowl of pho I had in my life and the service was friendly. For 7.50 for pho dac biet, you can't find that anywhere in nyc for the same size and quality. Would be a regular here if I lived in Philly!
(5)
Rosita N.
I have been going here for years. There is something for everyone here. My favs are the beef combo dish where you can wrap in rice paper. You can share this one and ask for extra shrimp sauce to dip. The fried quail is done perfect here. Not for the soft heart. It's a lil birdie fried.
(5)
Elvi T.
Amazing food, amazing service, and amazing decor. We were seated immediately and the waiter came over and took our order as soon as we made eye contact. We ordered pho, broken rice, and beef in lime and basil (appetizer). Everything came out in less than 5 minutes. Presented well and tasted great. The restaurant is nicely ventilated and decorated, the prices are fair, and the portions are good. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for good Viet food anytime.
(5)
cara v.
It was ok, not my fave in the city. The service was awful. I will not be visiting again.
(2)
Emily M.
Our favorite, go-to Vietnamese place in Philly. We've brought many of our out-of-town friends here. Can't go wrong with their broken rice, pho or summer rolls, or beef salad. And they have Thai bubble tea! Large portions, reasonable prices, big, clean dining room.. and you can usually find a spot in their cramped parking lot which adjoins a supermarket.
(5)
Christopher P.
First place I've had pho and I've since come back for it a ton. The service is a bit slow and they never seem to smile. Always waiting for a refill on water. The food is excellent though. Parking in this parking lot is a bit crazy.
(4)
Chloe R.
Best Pho around. No frills but friendly service. Love it always my go to.
I was pretty sad when my favorite pho place closed down, but now I have a new favorite pho place! I've always known about this place but never actually tried it until recently. As usual I ordered a side of summer rolls. It's the appetizer that I always get when I go to any Viet. restaurant. They were pretty average and came nicely wrapped. Some places I know do a sloppy job so the wrap falls apart easily. The roll stayed in shape while I ate. I came here wanting to try the chicken thigh pho but they were sold out. I got the chicken wing pho instead and it was just as good. I really liked the broth that it came with. It wasn't just beef broth mixed with chicken pieces. They have 1 serving size for pho and it's pretty big. I could barely finish 2/3 of the pho. It was a good meal and I will probably be back in the future
(4)
Vi L.
I love this place! First of all, it's huge! It's not very intimate since it's pretty open. It has more of a family feel to it. There are plenty of tables to host a large gathering. The menu covers a wide array of Vietnamese cuisines. The service was friendly, fast and efficient. For food, I got to try the Goi Cuon and Bo Bia spring rolls. They were fresh and tightly rolled. Entree, I had the Com Tam (broken rice) with grilled pork. The portion was HUGE and I love it! The dish came with egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin and fresh veggies. My favorite was the egg meatloaf--soft, well seasoned and the flavors just melted in my mouth. Nam Phuong is definitely the place to go for Vietnamese food. I'm super picky when it comes to Viet food, but this place definitely deserves all 5 stars!
(5)
Teresa V.
WHAT I ORDERED: #170 Bun Dac Biet (House Special Rice Vermicelli) * Reasonably priced * Heavy on the Vermicelli, and light on everything else; 1 slice of chicken cut up [1], 3 or 4 slices of nam nuong (Vietnamese beef meatballs) [2], 2 or so grilled shrimps [3], and 1 spring roll [4] * Was expecting more greens and roasted peanut topping * Not very much sauce was provided, so it was rather dry * Overall, a safe dish, but there are probably more promising ones on the menu [1] Relatively dry; not very marinated and nicely grilled like I was expecting [2] Thin slices so together they don't amount to much; overall, tasted alright [3] Small in size; grilled; slightly dry [4] Only one that met my expectations; unfortunately, I was only provided with 1 though so the joyousness did not last too long COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS: I would have to give this place a 3; falls short of other Vietnamese restaurants that I have been to where I have ordered a similar dish (Vermicelli) at. Usually the chicken is grilled at other places and there would be a nice amount of vegetables provided upon ordering this dish, however Nam Phuong sadly did not meet those expectations. COMPARED TO THE PHILLY AREA: A 4 would probably be fitting; large space so you're not cramped with the folks next to you; staff members were all very attentive; convenient location if you're looking to do some grocery errands; there's actually a parking lot! KEY POINTS * Smoothies seemed fairly authentic; not powdery tasting [5] * Great family environment * Large selections and varieties to choose from the menu * Decently priced [5] Had the durian smoothie! ALL IN ALL: If you're in the Vietnamese shopping area, then I would recommend stopping by here.
(3)
Rosy V.
Not too shabby for a Vietnamese Restaurant in the Philly area. Nam Phuong us a pretty large restaurant and can accommodate large families and groups. We went a little after lunch hours (1 or 2pm) on a Saturday and they were able to accommodate us accordingly (Wasn't busy at all during those hours, not sure about the actual lunch time rush). They have parking lots, but since this is in a shopping district and for some odd reason the parking in this shopping district is crazy competitive. Everyone fighting for a spot in every direction. Unless you're lucky and you didn't hit "grocery shopping war times" you might find parking. Other than that stalk a potential leaver and grab their parking spot! Okay so the service is normal. Nothing special or whatnot. The servers were attentive, but there was a lot of them and it wasn't at all busy. So I expect that they be attentive. Nam Phuong has a large menu to choose from that varies from fish to pork to veggies and etc. It's a very thick menu! In the end I chose #118: Bo Nuong La, Banh Hoi (Ground Pork wrapped in grape leaves; this was a "wrapping dish") and my boyfriend chose #198: Com Tam Thit Nuong Bi Cha (Broken Rice with pork and etc.) Both Dishes were great. Tasted great for it's price and I had nothing to complain about with that. The one thing for my complaint is that the bathrooms could be a little cleaner? Especially after normal lunch hours I feel like the employees should be checking their bathrooms every hour? The women's bathroom was mediocre, but my boyfriend complained that the men's bathroom was atrocious. I feel like if a restaurants bathroom falls behind par how does that represent their hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen? Just food for thought. We did order smoothies. They didn't taste powdery and tasted like it was made from real fruits. The only thing I would change about it is the amount of sugar they put into the smoothies; it was way too sweet for my preference, but it's a lot better than some restaurant's powdery nightmare. We got the coconut, strawberry, mango, avocado and 2 durian's (I'm sorry but I love the taste of durian ^^") My brothers said the coconut and mangos were delicious, my boyfriend said his strawberry smoothie was good but was too sweet. My parents liked their avocado smoothie but also complained of the sweetness and my sister and I had the durian and it was a tad bit sweet, but nothing too bad. Smoothies were $3.75 and the durian one was $4.00. Overall Nam Phuong isn't a shabby place to eat at, it's not the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to, but it definitely was a nice place. They have a large varieties, an authentic menu, food tastes accurate and good, can accommodate large or small groups, and has free parking. If you want to try Vietnamese food this is a great place to go and try it! ----------------------------------TIP-------------Â--------------------- $10 charge for BYOB (They have their own beer and wine selections) and it's a minimum $15 charge for Credit Cards!!!
(4)
Gabrielle P.
Came here for New Year's Day with a group of friends. Best hangover food you could ask for! Love the pho here it had great flavor. I got the 159 which was great. We also the summer rolls which were awesome. I got a green tea bubble tea smoothie which was great. Two of my friends had the mango smoothie which they enjoyed as well. The restaurant was huge and packed but they move quickly so we didn't have a problem getting seats quickly even though they were busy. Would highly recommend and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Mallory P.
Oh, Vietnamese food, why do you hate me? I've given Vietnamese food a try several times, and it's always against my better judgement. Since the day I got duped into going for Pho, only to find out that there's no such thing as vegetarian Pho, to the day that I went to Vietnam Palace for a friend's birthday, was given the wrong order (which had meat in it), and was overcharged... I feel like it's just not meant to be. So when my boyfriend asked if I wanted to go for Vietnamese last week, I kindly declined. It's not that I don't like the food, I just don't love it. I'm just a vegetarian-Chinese addict that eating anything else (anything at all!) seems silly. But given my past experiences, I never really had a desire for Vietnamese. He wanted it, though, so I gave in. And whaddaya know... they gave me the wrong food, and by the time I got the food I ordered, my friends were already done eating. The problem at Nam Phuong, I think, is that it's a big place, and the waiters all seem to wait on everyone. So when i realized they gave me the wrong thing, I didn't even know who to flag down, because one guy took our order, another guy brought drinks, another guy brought food... It's just one more reason for me to decline Vietnamese again. Nothing against the food, it just hasn't ever really worked in my favor.
(3)
Jing G.
Been here a couple of times with small groups. While I have not tried the pho there (I can't really have pho, anyway, except the "fake" vegetarian ones, haha) my vietnamese girlfriend really likes it there. Some of the dishes are great, others are so-so. They are not a leading restaurant in competition in their vegetarian selection section, but their seafood selection was a-ok. One time my sister was in town, we ordered the fresh whole steamed black seabass with ginger and scallions. Oh, so yummy... The prices are reasonable for what you get. They have a limited liquor and beer selection. A few downsides.. A couple of times we have been here and the service was horrible. For every thing we had to flag down a random server and not once did they stop by to refill our water or anything. They also took a long long time once to even get our order. Still, the food and the price matches in value so although I'm not a HUGE fan of this place, I wouldn't mind going back if the occasion rises.
(3)
Ben P.
Yikes. Walked in and walked out last night. The entire doorway area was so gross. It looked like someone hadn't swept in weeks. Food particles, trash, dirty foot prints. If a doorway looks like that, what does the kitchen look like? Really disappointing.
(2)
Lori E.
The Pho is delicious and the service is great. Would definitely come back here again and bring friends.
(5)
Ian Y.
met a large group of friends here this past week, we all go so many different things and then just started passing plates and bowls around. The portions were gianormous to say the least and the food was delicious ... not sure what was my favorite as yet so will have to make a few more trips back to try out an entire meal.
(4)
Rob S.
The reviews on Yelp said good things and then one of our friends who eats Vietnamese often recommended this place. It was fairly crowded on a Saturday night and they have a ton of tables that are somewhat cramped. Benefit of this is one always seems to be turning over so we were seated very quickly. This is not particularly a place you go for ambiance, but it is clean and inviting nonetheless. Mixed crowd inside. Families, older couples, etc. The service was quick at first and no-nonsense. We each got a beer. Only $3 for any beer including the well-known Asian imports like Tsing Tao, Singha, Sapporo, etc. Huge menu! Three of us shared a bunch of stuff: the vegetarian spring rolls, Pho with rib eye steak and "beef balls," Lemongrass tofu and BBQ shrimp over vermicelli. I'm not a Vietnamese expert so I don't have much to compare with but I thought the food was excellent. The Pho was great but I think the tofu was my favorite dish. The most amazing part is that all of this with one beer each came to only about $33 or $11 each. And we took a big box home too. Only qualm was our friend ended up being in a bit of a hurry and we didn't see our server for awhile and it took a bit of time to track down the check. Otherwise, very tasty, very affordable, very quick. Four stars with a chance to move up to five.
(4)
Amanda S.
My family comes here at least once or twice everytime we're in Philly. Pretty good food.
(4)
N P.
My go-to place for a quick, satisfying, and cheap meal. Too much good stuff on the menu to list them all. Always consistent and never disappoints!
(5)
Kayla C.
The pho here is my favorite that I've had in Philadelphia. The avocado smoothie is good too. I've been here four times, and the most recent time it was kinda smelly. I've always been seated quickly, no matter the size of the group, or the day/time.
(4)
Kathy L.
Nam Phuong is the best Vietnames restaurant to get delicious, authentic fresh, clean, Vietnamese dishes outside of the trinity of Pho, spring rolls, and Viet haogies. Try: - Bo Luc Lac (Beef Cubes over watercress) - Fish in clay pot - Lotus salad And the best..... - Appetizer platter (HUGE platter with shrimp, pork, beef wrapped in grape leaves and assorted veggies and herbs for you to wrap in rice paper) Parking during the weekends is pretty atrocious, as all of south philly seems to come here for lunch/dinner.
(5)
Arun R.
I've been looking for a good Vietnamese place since moving back to Philly and this one was recommended by so many other yelpers I just had to come. Also, I was eating with three vegetarians, including the wife, and selected this place based on the large vegetarian selection on the menu. I had the charcoal grilled pork chop with shrimp on broken rice, a standard Vietnamese favorite of mine, which did not disappoint. Oddly, I did have to ask for the fish sauce with the carrots and daikon, which usually comes standards. My companions had the lemongrass tofu, the vermicelli and tofu bowl and the Chinese broccoli in garlic. All were delicious and came in very large portions. Finally, this stuff is just so damn cheap! Wife tried to get me to buy extra and freeze it for the week. I don't think so... Parking was not as painful as we had thought it would be, so we'll definitely be back!
(4)
Patty T.
I am so torn between a 4.5 and a 5. I have been going here for years (back when it was on Christian St for those who remember it then). I would give this place 5 for all the authenticity of the food and trust me I am a Vietnamese food snob. I love the papaya salad with beef jerky - DELISH! I think the shrimp papaya salad would be good. But tragically I am allergic. I would also recommend the Ba Vi. What is it you ask? It is a "make your own sort of spring roll" deal, it comes with cooked meats, veggies, and rice paper. Best part is this can easily be shared between 3 people and you will be full. One down fall is their Pho isn't as good as Pho Ha but that is a whole different story. I think for good Pho you need to go to a place that only specializes in it.
(5)
Lori H.
Nom, nom, nom, nom. Need I say more? I stand by the chicken with lemongrass and curry, the fish in clay pot, BBQ pork rolls (appetizer), and today I had the eggplant with black bean sauce. The service is generally speedy (although today it was a bit slower (late lunch around 2p)), prices are right on, nicer than the pho places, and a very wide selection of menu options - including vegetarian.
(4)
Zachary G.
Great pho. Great appetizers (the ones with the make-your-own wraps). The other entrees have not always been amazing, but it doesn't really matter. Just go with what works. And what works here works really well.
(4)
Krystal G.
I found this place through yelp. It was busy but we barely had to wait five minutes. The service was courteous and quick. We had the grilled pork rolls with peanut sauce as our appetizer. It was quite delicious. My partner and I both had the vermicelli bowls. I have to say of all the meats we sampled the beef was the best. As a chicken bias person, I was very surprised by this. So much food, I had an entire box worth of leftovers to bring home. Side note: the make your own roll looked like a lot of fun but with such large portions I would only recommend if it's more than a mere party of 2. Also theirs parking available. Yay!!!
(4)
Amy L.
My brother and I were in search for a refreshing raw beef salad on a hot summer day and we found it here. The service improved since the last time I was here. The restaurant lighting was brighter and all the tables were covered in white linens. The restaurant definitely looked a like cleaner. I can't judge the rest of the menu since I only had the salad but I must say the raw beef salad was delicious.
(3)
Matt D.
We recently became partial to Nam Son over on 16th due to their amazing bahn mi and #82, but after heading back to Nam Phuong after some shopping next-door, we're addicted. The #140 (noodles, dumplings, pork, and shrimp) is phenomenal and super cheap at $6.50, while the pad thai is the best I've had in a long time. Stick to the soups, summer rolls and stir-fried noodle dishes here, and you won't be disappointed. If you're feeling adventurous, order #146, which is a spicy hue style soup. Order it with "everything" when they ask. That will include flank steak, pig's blood, and peppercorn headcheese (at least that's what I think it is). Way better than it sounds!
(5)
M N.
Great pho at great price. A family favorite for years. Courteous, fast service, takes credit cards, easy parking. Really, what's not to like?
(4)
Aaron H.
Food is great. service is good.
(4)
Grace H.
This place has got a great family friendly vibe! Every time I've come it's been with a party of 8+, and they are more than willing to accommodate and the service is always super fast! I prefer nam phuong over some of the other vietnamese restaurants because there seems to be more variety/options and I don't feel limited to just the pho (although it's delicious). My current thing is to order the make your own spring roll platter. They bring you a water bath to dip your own rice paper, along with a plate of meat, veggies, and noodles on the side to wrap inside. Huge portion and really tasty if you don't mind working a little for your food :)
(4)
Erin E.
NAM PHUONG. NAM PHUONG NAM PHUONG. Everything about Nam Phuong is great--service, food, price, location, food, parking, food--even their food! Oh, everything is good here. As a mid-twenties white female who's tried AT LEAST two other pho places, I can confidently say that this is the best pho spot in the city. I love the papaya salad with shrimp and pork and the fried bananas with ice cream is so good. Also the rainbow ice is weird and good. I like the green stuff in it idk what it is. I trust Nam Phuong.
(5)
Rob W.
Summer rolls were light and flavorful. Vegetarian phone was tasty, filling and perfect for a cold winter's day. Service was fast and friendly.
(4)
Christian L.
Today was exceptionally cold after having some 45-50 degree weather all week. My buddy, who is always down for Vietnamese food wanted some chow. So we headed over here for some Pho and Vietnamese spring rolls. The Vietnamese spring rolls aren't like your average Chinese spring rolls. They're a little thinner and come with dipping sauce with a touch of fish, vinegar, and sugar. Anyways, the Pho was delicious. I had ordered mine with chicken. They provided a side of bean sprouts, peppers, lime, and cilantro. I was fading. These guys definitely brought me back after a long ass day at work and walking in the cold. Their only downfall was the wait staff didn't ask me for water, and had to be flagged down 20 minutes after we got done eating,
(4)
Chris E.
The only reason this place would get bumped to 4 stars considering their horrible wait staff which just waits around is because of its affordable price, and good sized portions. Ok, ok, I digress. And also because its one of the few Vietnamese places that does the pork wrapped in grape leaves very well! In fact, this dish is really the main reason that I trudge my way over to Nam Phuong when I visit Philly. I did find it funny however, when I ordered the dish for take out that the owner asked me if I wanted the "smelly sauce" (fish sauce) with the dish. Granted I'm not Vietnamese; I had an awkward moment as I pondered if that was how "guai lous" would refer to nuoc mam and the owner had problems explaining to people what it was, or the fact that I knew it was fish sauce in the first place. Come for the food, but don't get high expectations about being waited on your hand and feet when visiting.
(4)
Michael G.
Best, most authentic Vietnamese food in the city. Fresh, delicious, consistently excellent. Dirt cheap, varied menu, super fast, good service. We come here all the time and have never, ever had a bad meal. Thank you, Nam Phuong, for being you.
(5)
Pinkjadez Z.
I really like the tofu lemon grass & the eggplant dish here... Would definitely like to come back, to try out some more dishes... yummy!
(4)
Elvi T.
Amazing food, amazing service, and amazing decor. We were seated immediately and the waiter came over and took our order as soon as we made eye contact. We ordered pho, broken rice, and beef in lime and basil (appetizer). Everything came out in less than 5 minutes. Presented well and tasted great. The restaurant is nicely ventilated and decorated, the prices are fair, and the portions are good. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for good Viet food anytime.
(5)
Isabel L.
A surprisingly clean and pleasant place, we were seated quickly on a Saturday evening. Bamboo & duck noodle soup was delicious and the meat tasted fresh.
(4)
Sara P.
What a great place. We are so fortunate to have a variety of food in this city, and Nam Phuong is one of the great treasures in that category. The menu is extensive so we were able to take clients there knowing we could all find something we would like. The service was quick and easy. The waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Parking is tight but we borrowed a spot from a close business nearby. If you want good vietnamese food or if you want to learn more about vietnamese food, this is a good place to go.
(5)
Kevin P.
I love this place. There are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and the prices are really inexpensive. I almost always get the vermicelli noodles with crispy tofu, mixed vegetables and lemongrass sauce. It's a huge portion for around $6.50. The service is also fast and the waiters attentive. This is one of my go-to spots for Vietnamese food.
(5)
Debby H.
I've been to Nam Phuong several times with my Vietnamese friends. The food is absolutely delicious! Although I cannot name the dishes I have had, since my friends always do the ordering, I can tell you that I've never had a thing I didn't like very much. The wait staff all speak English, so they will help you. I always get a Chinese beer to accompany my meal. So good! Parking is really hard, but if you if you find a spot be sure to go into the Vietnamese market next door.
(4)
Gina C.
Food is reliable and affordable. We usually order the beef wrapped in grapeleaves or pho. I have to say that these two are wonderful staples to our trek to Nam Phuong. Even with the other pho restaurants available in the area, the brisket and broth is top notch. Go for the food, not the service. They seat you quickly but they try to get you out just as quick!
(3)
cara v.
It was ok, not my fave in the city. The service was awful. I will not be visiting again.
(2)
Emily M.
Our favorite, go-to Vietnamese place in Philly. We've brought many of our out-of-town friends here. Can't go wrong with their broken rice, pho or summer rolls, or beef salad. And they have Thai bubble tea! Large portions, reasonable prices, big, clean dining room.. and you can usually find a spot in their cramped parking lot which adjoins a supermarket.
(5)
Christopher P.
First place I've had pho and I've since come back for it a ton. The service is a bit slow and they never seem to smile. Always waiting for a refill on water. The food is excellent though. Parking in this parking lot is a bit crazy.
(4)
Panharee T.
One of my favorite Vietnamese place to eat. Love the fact that they have a full bar inside and they also accept credit/debit cards. I have tried their pho, spring rolls, fresh summer rolls, stewed fish in a clay pot, beef salad with lime juice, hot and sour soup with shrimp and many more. Each dish has not disappointed me. They were all very delicious.
(4)
Cindy C.
One of the better Vietnamese places in Philadelphia. The broth is on the salty side. The portions are huge. I had the Vietnamese crepe and it was the size of my face. Service was alright. It does get a little crowded, but it's a decent restaurant. Worth trying!
(4)
Agatha S.
If I could give them a 3.5, I would. But I opted for the 3 because while their service is just fine, you can often find their waitress just standing around and would not come to your table unless you call them. Their food hasn't disappoint me yet. I've been here more than a dozen times and I enjoy it every single time. I wouldn't say it's the best Vietnamese food I've had, but it's decent. The pho isn't bad, but it's better else where. If you want to come here, order the beef cubes, salt pepper squid, and lemon grass tofu. Always hit the spot for me and my friends. The price is reasonable and the portion is good. I'm a satisfied customer every time I'm here (:
(3)
Wendy C.
One of the best bowl of pho I had in my life and the service was friendly. For 7.50 for pho dac biet, you can't find that anywhere in nyc for the same size and quality. Would be a regular here if I lived in Philly!
(5)
Rosita N.
I have been going here for years. There is something for everyone here. My favs are the beef combo dish where you can wrap in rice paper. You can share this one and ask for extra shrimp sauce to dip. The fried quail is done perfect here. Not for the soft heart. It's a lil birdie fried.
(5)
Cynthia T.
This is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philly, but I am bias because I have been coming here for the past 10 years. They have great and quick service, and the food is good and cheap. However, parking can be horrific at times, but it's still better than going into Chinatown. Try their dinner for 2 menu, which definitely services more than 2 people, if you want a huge authentic meal. I LOVE their Canh Chua and Bo Luc Lac! If you aren't that hungry, their other usual meals are still good! (Like Pho, Com/Bun Thit Nuong, etc.) I recommend this place, especially if you don't want to deal with the parking and traffic going into Chinatown.
I love love love the wraps here. We got the Ba Vi Platter which comes with rice wraps. They have smaller portions if you don't want the platter. So the platter comes with your own soaking station (where you dip the rice wraps to make it soft so you can make your wrap). They give you a plate with mini vermicelli noodle packets, veggies, and the meat of your choice. The beef is personally my favorite. It is super authentic. The sauce that you dip the wrap in is delicious!!! This is my favorite thing to get here. I've gotten the pho here, it was average. Will be back for the wraps!
(4)
Jenny B.
Absolutely love this place, have been going fir lunch - dinner for the past 7 years at least once a month. Food is great, authentic and non greasy. The service however can be slow/bad, but the food is so good I can put up with that. Best Vietnamese in Philly, must go!
(4)
Jessica E.
Unfortunately for my boyfriend and friends, I will never be sick of this restaurant. Every single thing that they make is delicious. Probably go there about once a week if possible (which it normally is). The pho is always great and the menu is huge for non-pho lovers. If you are a meat eater and not squeamish, try the raw beef in lime juice salad for an appetizer (#116) - lettuce, cilantro, onion, lime juice, peanuts, and meat that is only slightly cooked from the acidity of the lime juice (ceviche style). It is phenomenal. The only downside to the restaurant is the parking situation. It shares a lot with an apparently very popular Asian grocery store - on weekend afternoons, don't even bother with the lot at all, just find street parking. We have been stuck there for 20 minutes at a time with people idling with groceries and menacing each other for parking spots. I have tried tons and tons of Vietnamese restaurants and this one is by far the best.
(4)
Jeff L.
I come from a part of the US with one of the densest populations of Vietnamese-Americans in the country and a correspondingly high number of awesome Pho and Banh Mi places, but have lived for the last four years in a countries with no Pho (sort of a like a Town With No Cheer). Seriously. Zip. I touched ground in Philly, came here for the Pho based on a local friend's rec., and was not disappointed! Vermicelli w/ pork and shrimp I tried on a subsequent visit was 3/5. But uhh the Pho!!! Daaaang.
(5)
Lils N.
I'm from Southern California where amazing Vietnamese food is just around the corner in this place called Monterey Park or San Gabriel. Anyhow, I was always telling people that Vietnamese food here was aiite (not that great). I always heard rumors and urban legends about "amazing Vietnamese food" that was really far away and I was always thinking that it must have been far far far away near the Philly's stadium or something. After some indecisiveness, my boyfriend told me that we should try to drive to this "really far away place" to get amazing Vietnamese food. To our surprise, it wasn't far at all. In fact, it was only a subway ride away..... Had I known, I would have frequented Nam Phuong every single day! Anyways, to cut to the chase, I judge Vietnamese noodles by the broth of the Pho dai. The broth needs to be flavorful, not greasy, and needs to pick up the flavors of the added herbs and veggies well. The broth at Nam Phuong was FABULOUS!! I don't normally drink up the entire bowl of broth but I nearly do every time I eat it. It's just SO good.......... Additionally, the quantity is so plentiful... This applies to not only the pho but also to all the vermicelli dishes too. I will say that this is the best Vietnamese food I've ever had and everyone should venture down to Washington street to see that the "amazing vietnamese food" isn't a rumor or an urban legend but is real!!
(5)
Adrienne C.
I take it back - this place is awesome. My husband and I regularly go here every Sunday afternoon for pho.
(4)
Erin M.
Great vermicelli (with spring rolls!) and iced coffee with condensed milk. Fast service, very cheap and large portions. Love that this is walking distance to downtown and next to an excellent and large Asian grocery store. I always come here on my visits to Philadelphia! The drop ceilings with chandeliers are a plus.
(4)
Iping L.
the BEST vietnamese restaurant in philly by far! the pho is simply delicious. the broth is wonderful by itself, no need for dressing it up with siracha or hoisin. the pho ga (chicken) is wonderful as well. service is very quick, which is always a plus. spring rolls, summer roles, pineapple salad are all wonderful. my wife and i do the 1 hour trek just to eat here without hesitation. pricing is great too, and you get very good quantity as well.
(5)
John F.
Seriously good stuff here. First time here the three of us ordered the ba vi. It was awesome and the three of us had a hard time finishing it, not bad for $25. We also ordered a few Pho but it was overkill, we had to take it home. I got the spicy beef Pho and after doctoring it up, I loved it. Enjoyed a meal with a Saigon beer, a tasty accompaniment. I will say, their menu is huge so you should be able to find something you like. The place was crowded but my buddy who recommended the joint said it must be "empty" because of the people who left for the shore. It was like 90% full but we didn't have to wait in a line so I'm glad we hit it when we did. If you like Viet food, I'd check this spot out.
(5)
Ting N.
Came down to this resturant after visiting the doctors. My mom said it was great the last time she went so she took me here. We were seated and our food arrived quite fast. The price was great compared to what you get around Northeast Philadelphia. The portions are huge, it filled me up. The summer rolls were really cheap and good. Overall nice experience.
(5)
Mason L.
Nam Phoung is heaven sent. The fish stewed in pot has got to be my favorite. Typically it's a tilapia fish in a sweet and sour sauce. You can never go wrong with this dish. Ofcourse Beef Pho here is simply amazing. Cheap, filling, fresh and tasty. A fantastic meal for cheap and always hits the mark
(5)
Amy R.
Nam Phuong exists in the back corner of an unassuming shopping center on 11th and Washington Ave. It's only too easy to drive past this gem in search of more easily visible dining. - but do your stomach a favor and stop in. Though Nam Phuong was packed, we were seated immediately and given water, set ups, and menus. A few minutes later, our server greeted us warmly, and our night continued in the same tone - friendly, attentive service all-around. We both ordered Pho with Chicken - and agreed it was one of the heartiest bowls of pho we've ever had. Tender slices of white meat chicken bobbed in a rich chicken broth along with cilantro, scallions, the perfect amount of thinly sliced onion, and of course, at the bottom rested the best part: the noodles. Wait, I lied. The best part was that we paid $5.75 for each bowl of pho and about $9 for the beef and grape leaves appetizer. AND Nam Phuong is open till 10 pm every night!
(4)
Matt P.
Papaya salad was lame. Buùn Rieâu Cua did not impress me, the noodles were flat out bad, broth lacked flavor.
(2)
Naomi B.
When Nam Phuong just opened, I knew Pho 75 would lose half of their customers so me, being the curious creature that I am went in there to eat it to see if the experience was worth it, I admit it - the food was good but now? Things changed. The cook doesn't care anymore and plops anything down on your plate - the waitress/waiters are usually old men so they take time bringing your food or um, forget. Pho 75 is better. They're amazing. I never liked Nam Phuong and never will.
(2)
Joanna L.
Gigantic Vietnamese restaurant in Philly's so-called Viet-town. So many offerings for very very low prices. I give it 4 stars just because 2 of the 4 dishes that we ordered were slightly lacking. Ordered a dish that consisted of rice wrappers, vermicelli noodles and beef wrapped in grape leaves. This was by far my favorite dish, I highly recommend this and thinking about it right now makes me feel hungry. Broken rice w/ pork chop and shrimp curd. I was so curious about what broken rice was that I completely missed the point. It's just bits of rice with pork chop and a tofu-shrimp curd. The rice actually had a slightly different texture, but I probably would not order this again. My friend ordered lemongrass chicken which I felt lacked lemongrass flavor and seemed more Chinese stir-fry than vVetnamese cooking. Another dish ordered was a pork dish that was tasty, but oily. Overall, I enjoyed our meal there, especially since it totaled to $35 for 4 people. (I mean, seriously, how often does that happen?) Plus we had enough for leftovers. Will be back for Pho!
(4)
Sharlenne S.
What a great place to stuff yourself for very little money!!! Nam Phuong is an exotic dream come true. Service is great and they will even split the check if you tell them in advance. The menu is very large, so it's better to go with someone who knows a little more about vietnamese food, but I think that the servers will help out as much as possible if needed. The food tastes fresh and is presented very nicely. I craved this place for two straight weeks after eating there, and I think I'm starting to crave it again. Venture out if you want to try something new.... you won't regret it!
(4)
Ken H.
We've been to this place twice now with large groups of friends. I haven't actually had the pho yet, but I've definitely enjoyed the vermicelli dishes. Service is good, and the prices are very reasonable. The spring rolls are to die for. Prepared fresh, and highly addictive. I dare you to eat just one. Go ahead, just try!
(4)
Marla M.
I love this place, as it never disappoints. Service is always friendly and prompt, and the food is always delivered hot and fast. I always get the summer rolls (fresh instead of fried) and their Pho has the soul that many places lack. It's great to go on a date, or with a large group. It's now my go to restaurant, hands down.
(5)
Sal M.
Been going here for years. The place is nothing if not consistent. I enjoy their pho as much as any place I've had it. They are always busy, yet there is never a wait. It's big and they always have plenty of staff working. Drink prices are cheap. Last night I had the pork in clay pot for the first time. It was so good we ordered another.
(4)
Pearl H.
Nam Phuong is a staple of Philadelphia Vietnamese restaurants. everyone seems to know about it one way or another, and they also cater events and you can have parties and such inside so that probably helps get the name out there. The food is always good, and the service is always attentive, if you don't mind waving down the waiters as they are busy scurrying about, they will pay attention to you. I miss good Viet cooking and am glad that I was able to hit up Nam Phuong for a friend's baby's 1 month celebration. We had the beef wrapped in grape leaves, DELICIOUS; pickled lotus root with carrots, shrimp and shrimp crackers, YUMMY; lobster in garlic sauce, eh okay; beef cubed with greens, tender! and seafood maw soup, which is okay but it's just okay anywhere as I don't really like it too much. Overall it was good food and good times.
(4)
brad C.
Nam Phuong, a popular place on Yelp, is being subject to the new Vietnamese restaurant Checklist Manifesto: Authentic vietnamese menu - check Vietnamese people in the restaurant - check Affordable prices - check But after that, it really is just another vietnamese place. Unfortunately, every dish seemed a little bit flawed. The Pho was good, but the broth was lukewarm and the noodles clumped together (a sure sign that they just throw cold cooked noodles in with the broth and don't par cook them first!). The vermicelli came with tasty grilled chicken, shrimp, and other meats, but also an unspectacular hoisin-heavy sauce. Finally, the summer rolls were the vietnamese equivalent of cafeteria-style California rolls. Brad's rating (out of 5): Price: 5 Food: 3 Decor: 3 Service: 3 Wild card: Our waiter seemed pretty stoned - I'm noting this as a positive thing.
(3)
PJ H.
It might look like im just throwing 5 stars out easily from my last few reviews, but this place is legit. For less that 6 dollars, one can stuff one's self to the fullest on a delicious bowl of rice noodles, steak, beansprouts, basil, and whatever else is in Pho that makes it so good. Personally, i take the spicy route, but to each his own. Try this place for some awesome Pho Tai Nam ( Pho with beef and other delcious cow parts) at a very cheap price.
(5)
Christopher R.
I would rate the pho here as about average. I say that based on the flavor of the broth--the addition of sriracha, hoison & fish sauce was less purely ceremonial and more essential to flavoring the soup. I should also note that I ordered chicken pho for the first and last time in my personal pho history--the chicken was much too tough and the lack of odd, fatty cuts of beef probably contributed to the perceived blandness of the broth. I accompanied my meal with a drink made from raw egg, soda water and condensed milk. This was clearly me overcompensating for pulling a wuss move like getting chicken pho instead of tripe or something equivalent. Regardless of my motives, it was pretty good and tasted unsurprisingly like an egg cream soda.
(3)
Rich D.
The food was decent, however, there is an odd odor in the restaurant that just turned me off a bit. I had the pho dac biet which was really good. Also shared a BBQ pork with broken rice which was also decent. I'd like to go back for the food, but probably wouldn't because of the smell. Disappointed.
(3)
John V.
If you know me, you realize that I enjoy well made food and quality service. The food here is OK. The service was sub-par. Tried the Vietnamese quiche, spring rolls and broken rice with ground shrimp. All were just OK. I will eat at Vietnam in Chinatown anyday over this place.
(2)
Sherri T.
Durian bubble tea! Need I say more? Awesome shrimp rolls and triple delight. I left a super happy camper. Didn't like the sweet and sour soup as much but it's just me since I am not a fan of celery in the soup. Everyone else love it though!
(5)
Jay L.
Philadelphia has a great selection of Vietnamese food, and Nam Phong is amongst the best. The service is great. The restaurant is large and is great for large parties. I would recommend the #280, the bo luc lac, or country style beef cubes. Note, the watercress is fresh/raw and thus a little bitter. The pho is always a safe bet.
(4)
Caroline C.
They serve great Vietnamese food!! I have been there before a long time ago, but it wasn't that memorable, but I'm glad I was reunited again. It was convenient because I was in the area doing an errand, and decided to grab takeout for dinner. I ordered the bun bo hue (BF's favorite) and the bo luc lac based off of many Yelpers' recommendations. The bo luc lac is SO GOOD. I also tried the bun bo hue, and it is one of the best I've had! It is also great that they have parking in the lot and nearby. The prices are reasonable though I never understood why bo luc lac is always so costly compared to other rice dishes. Oh well, it is worth it!! I can't wait to try other things on the menu. The inside decor is slightly fancier than your typical vietnamese pho places. Just slightly.
(5)
Kimberly H.
My faavorite Vietnamese restaurant. I make it a point to come here when I visit Philly, despite how far out of the way it may be. First time I came to visit, we ordered a family meal so I sampled a lot of different foods . I usually just order pho and beef skewers or summer rolls, but now there's so much more. Everything was so good...so I recommend going with more people if you can. But this time it was only four of us and half of us already ate a full Philly cheesesteak. We got seated immediately. We ordered a pho to share, this large dish to make your own rice paper wrapped rolls (says for two to share, but really was big enough for 3-4), and hot french press coffee with condensed milk. The pho was so gooood. So much better than NYC Pho places. I never tried the make your own rice paper wrapped rolls, but the grape seed and pork pieces were pretty good. There was so much leftover that we just took the rest home. The coffee was too strong for my taste, I like it with some half and half or more condensed milk. But overall the meal was great and we were completely stuffed. Prices are inexpensive and service is fast. Parking may be tough since they share a parking lot with a supermarket but if you circle around enough you'll get a tight space.
(5)
Leo G.
Good food, quickly served and hot out of the kitchen. Service is attentive and mostly impersonal. Reception is awkward (non-existent) perhaps because there are 2 entrances and the staff must see you seeking a table. We chose a table and got a brusque "wait over there" as we waited for it to be cleared. Spacious, casual, clean setting. Light background music was more appropriate for a dance exercise studio. The "wen yu" fish in clay pot was excellent, with a savory sauce similar to that used with sushi broiled eel. Only 4 pieces but high quality. The charcoal grilled pork and shrimp with broken rice was tasty and good. Vegetable lo mein was tasty, vegetables slightly too oily. Parking can be a challenge, though you might get lucky to park in the strip mall's lot.
(4)
Jane H.
Everytime we think we're going to try a new place for Vietnamese food, we some how end up here! This place is great. The decor is very family friendly, and the waitstaff are nice. They let me order in Chinese (I wasn't sure how to pronounce those items!). Everything we have ever ordered has been delicious and fresh. Heck, even when we take it home to eat as left overs, the food is still super good. Also - they have a full bar if you want any alcohol with your food. YUM! It doesn't hurt that the price tag is so reasonable. When can I come back again????
(5)
John H.
The pho is awesome, but the real gem is the bo luc lac (beef cubes). We used to go all the time until we moved. Now my wife and I talk about the beef cubes regularly and always plan to make the 2 hour drive down to get them one weekend, never being able to make good on our plans. I miss you, bo luc lac. We will go down to eat you.. maybe this weekend, or next weekend, or the weekend after that.... sigh...........
(5)
Jen C.
I was torn on whether to give a 4 or 5 star rating and decided on 4.5 stars. Well, Yelp doesn't allow that, and 2nd grade (?) math taught me to round up to 5. What can I say about Nam Phuong that hasn't already been said? I will say that it's not the absolute best Vietnamese food in any one category but the best overall that I've had outside of Vietnam. I've had Vietnamese in cities with larger Vietnamese populations, but Nam Phuong still wins, without a doubt. NYC has nothing that comes even close. * Easy on the wallet * Plenty of variety * Larger family dinners are great * Get the banh hoi if you've never done that * It's always busy, but I've never had to wait * Food comes out at lightning speed (but freshly cooked) * Don't think they serve banh mi (but it's OK, Lee's is the best for that) * Durian smoothie WAS amazing, but they've changed the way they make it, with a loss of creaminess and flavor... but I won't judge them on this as I might be the only customer who actually orders a durian smoothie (my husband won't kiss me after I drink it) Do yourself a favor and eat here. And then again. And take others here. They'll thank you for it.
(5)
Annie N.
One of my go to Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. I usually get the shrimp wrap. The sauce is great. The vermicelli options are good too. I usually get Bun Thit Nuong. Durian shake is good if you like durian. They recent remodeled with a small bar area and small chandeliers throughout the restaurant. It doesn't really match the decor but I'm there for the food so doesn't bother me. Service is quick. Food doesn't usually take too long.
(4)
C T.
I come here often, food is always solid. Nothing too special but good enough too frequent when you have a craving.
(4)
Teresa N.
I've only had the banh cuon here (which I wasn't expecting to be great, since they seem to specialize in other dishes) but it was so surprisingly good! I'll be back to try their pho and rice dishes. Parking is a bit tight since it's in a plaza with other shops but it's so worth it if you're craving good viet food! They have a $15 minimum for card fyi.
(4)
Andrea V.
I'm not blown away by Nam Phuong, but maybe I'm not ordering the right things. I have so far had one of the noodle dishes with seafood and pho tai. I was really disappointed with the noodle dish because it contained huge nasty chunks of imitation crab instead of the real thing (unacceptable), and the squid included was incredibly tough and rubbery. The pho was middle of the road, not the best I've had but not bad. The broth didn't have as much depth, there was not much meat, and the meat provided didn't taste as fresh as some other places in the area. On the other hand, the restaurant was busy both times I went, so they must be serving SOMETHING delicious. Someone tell me what it is! And I can't say I minded my dinner costing only $6.43 tonight. Overall impression - a place with a too-large menu, causing quality to suffer in some cases, and a place that tries to cut corners for the sake of cost. I know times is hard, but...imitation crab? I don't know if I can forgive that.
(2)
Yvonne L.
Very friendly and efficient service. Not my favorite Vietnamese restaurant but I would return if I was in Philadelphia as the food was pretty good!
(3)
Michael N.
Nam Phuong was my first taste of Vietnamese food many years ago. To this day, it's still my go-to Vietnamese spot in Philadelphia. Of all the spots I tried in this area of south Philly, it still stands out. First off the food. If it's a nice cold day, go with the pho. If soup isn't your thing, the pork or the chicken vermicelli dishes are also delicious. I usually get the spring or the summer roll appetizers too. Drink wise, be adventurous and grab a bubble tea. A cold beer is also an acceptable option. Secondly, the location. Nam is in a strip mall and they actually have their own (limited ) parking lot so you don't need to hunt the streets for parking. Third, the service. The service is a little below standard for what most Americans are used to. Don't be afraid to hail down your waiter. The food comes out as it's ready, which also might bother some people. Lastly, the prices. Cheap! Overall this place in frills, but it's cheap and good. That's all that matters.
(4)
Brian M.
Little pro tip for my white friends out there looking to enjoy some quality Vietnamese food and were told by a well qualified (chubby) Vietnamese friend of theirs to get the Triple Delight here: the rice paper things you get to wrap the other stuff in? You dip it in the water. Quickly. Then put it on your plate, fill it up, wrap and eat. Delicately. Yes, we had to ask how to do this. But it is worth it, and a place I plan on going back to again for sure. Jicama rolls were awesome too and otherwise it's a huge room with a huger menu (typical) filled with friendly servers. Everything we had seemed fresh, and the price is right. Cheap beers too. Just avoid that parking lot if you know what's good for ya.
(4)
Andrea C.
This restaurant is not wheelchair accessible because they have one door that opens. There are two separate doors with a very tight transition to the next door which will not accommodate turning radius of wheelchairs. I got stuck between the two doors and it was humiliating. It took 12minutes to get the second front door open so I could back out, I could not turn around. Additionally they had a lot of crap in the area between the two doors which further complicated this fiasco. I was pretty excited to go here, and super miffed that it is not actually wheelchair accessible.
Best Pho around. No frills but friendly service. Love it always my go to.
(5)
Bill M.
From tasty spring rolls and the most sacred broth of the gods that is pho, to slamming Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian dishes, Nam Phuong is a destination that delivers a well rounded assortment of vibrant dishes. I give a 4 because sometimes I have encountered a bit of a disconnect. Once when I ordered the amazing an action packed deluxe pho with slices of round steak, flank, brisket, tendon, tripe, and beef balls; I was devastated to find a bowl with just round steak due to the waiter getting the number wrong. But even with such foibles I've hardly been able to complain due to their pho being an easy contender for best in Philly at such a bargain price. But even if your not into pho you can go there and savor everything from broken rice, pan fried noodles, congee, and more. some standouts that I've enjoyed when I decided to take a break from the sacredness have included, Vietnamese crepes with tofu & vegetables, seafood curry, and the spicy chicken w/ lemongrass; as well as plenty of their specials. No matter what you go with here its a win that will leave you fulfilled.
(4)
Elliott K.
The pho broth was for real. I am choosing to skip the pho pun. You're welcome.
(4)
Chris O.
My girlfriend and I both love this place. They have a huge selection of Vietnamese dishes, all of which are reasonably priced. We've been here 9 or 10 times (despite living a few miles away) and have liked everything we ordered. Pho, vermicelli, broken rice, pork stew in claypot, chicken w/lemongrass...it's all been good. I even had the congee, and while it wasn't my favorite dish there, it wasn't bad either. The service does kinda suck, though.
(5)
Hong L.
Live Nam Phuong for their family meal. Great authentic Vietnamese food with reasonable price. It's a little disorganized but overall they are great!
(5)
Chris S.
Sorry to say but this was one of the most bland pho I ever tasted. I had the pho at 11am on a Tuesday so there should've been enough time to get the broth up to flavor if anything. I will say though that the fried egg roll was delicious. Too bad the pho was a miss for me.
(2)
Danan R.
The best Vietnamese food in the city! Our grilled chicken platter and stir fried tofu were excellent and their bun rieu is fantastic. Service is very efficient and the prices are unbeatable. This is definitely the place for authentic dishes but it does get quite crowded on nights and weekends. We came at 9 pm on a Sunday and it was still packed!
(5)
Alex s.
One of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. Extremely large and reasonably priced menu with a wide variety of options. On weekends you can expect a crowd but won't have to wait too long. Definitely try some of their grilled meat dishes over rice vermicelli (grape leaves with ground beef, charbroiled pork and lemongrass chicken). It's a huge bowl with fresh vegetables, rice vermicelli and tasty protein. There's also parking on the street or in the adjacent lot.
(5)
Antonio K.
Solid and flavorful Pho. Fried Spring rolls are terrific.
(4)
Adam L.
Well I have finally made the trek all the way to Nam Phuong's in Bella Vista. It is hidden along the back corner of the Vietnamese strip mall on 11th and Washington. Inside, Nam Phuong's looks like your pretty basic Asian restaurant, pink tiled floors, lots of red, waiters in vests, ect... Overall, the atmosphere is very laid back and very enjoyable. The menu is quite large (probably well over a hundred items), but honestly you only need to look at the pho. I ordered the basic steak pho. I have had a lot of pho that just seems like they dumped a whole shaker of salt in, but this was pretty spot on. The meat was nice and thinly sliced along with perfectly cooked noodles. There are plenty of sides to add on such as beans, basil leaves, a few different kinds of chili oils, and my personal favorite Siracha! I loved Nam Phuong's, I certainly recommend it! Just great simple pho, that is all there is to it.
(4)
Anthony N.
Was craving fish sauce and their com tam hit the spot. Portions were large enough for leftovers. Good hours compared to other Viet places in philly.
(4)
Akkeem M.
Food is really good, I went here and ordered 3 orders of shrimp and chicken summer rolls, two orders of spring rolls, a vermicelli bowl with pork and a Sapporo, I couldn't believe I finished it all! That's how good they food was, if you get there close to closing they service may not be that good but during the day they are great
(4)
Curtis L.
I came here with a large party of 8 people (all guys) and we decided to go with the family dinner for 10. Since it was Saturday night, the place was pretty crowded, but we had made a reservation so getting seated was a smooth process. Needless to say, the food was more than enough and it was delicious. We got spring rolls, lotus rootlet, shrimp soup, fish stewed in pottery pot, country style beef cubes, clam sauteed with black bean sauce, water spinach sauteed with garlic, chicken sauteed with lemongrass, salt & pepper squid, and jello cake for dessert. It was a great experience from start to finish. The spring rolls and lotus rootlet to start off were really good and we destroyed those dishes quickly. There was a little bit of a lull as we waited for the next round of food though. However, we weren't disappointed. All this food came at once, plus there was A TON of white rice. I'm a sucker for getting your money's worth, so the fact that they re-filled our rice and water/tea pretty often was awesome! I can't really complain about any of the dishes, but the ones that stood out were the shrimp soup (a really tasty mix of sweet and sour), the beef cubes, and salt & pepper squid (there was also shrimp). I wasn't the biggest fan of the dessert, but it didn't take away at all from how complete and delicious the entire meal was. It was super solid and I left full, but it didn't blow my mind which is what keeps me from giving it a 5-star rating. Since this was my first time here, I can't speak to the other dishes, but I heard that the broken rice and vermicelli is quite good; however, the Pho is just alright. I think that if you've got a big group wanting to eat family style, this place is perfect.
(4)
Peter N.
I get the Bo Luc Lac every time I go here. It's inconsistent (some times perfect, sometimes extremely salty), but it is still the best place compared to other places. The banh cuon is excellent, and the papaya salads are great. The family meals are a good deal.
(4)
Vy D.
The Vietnamese food here will change your life. Seriously. You'll sell all of your possessions, shave your head, and chant at random times during the day. The stuff is heaven. That being said, the dish to get at Nam Phuong is the Ba Vi Platter ($24). A large round plate assembled with crisp lettuce leaves, sprigs of mint and basil, along with cool English cucumber slices and thinly sliced, slightly pickled carrots and daikon radish. A bed of vermicelli sat on the other side topped with shrimp mousse grilled on sugarcane(1), house-made pork sausage(2) and a bundle of ground beef wrapped in grape leaves, then grilled(3). Absolutely delish. The pho, bun bo hue, goi cuon, and banh xeo are also all equally high-end compared to other Vietnamese restaurants in the city. If you have to ask about the service, you've obviously not been to a lot of authentic Vietnamese places. They shout "What you want" and if you don't have an answer within three seconds, they'll probably give you the death stare and walk away, returning fifteen minutes later, begrudgingly, to let you continue your order. Highly recommended authentic Vietnamese food.
(5)
Kimberly A.
Upon entering with my crying 9-month-old, waitstaff was generous enough to seat us in a quiet corner of the restaurant. If not to help calm and soothe the little one, but to help balance the decibel level in the expansive room. I was grateful --- large, boisterous families filled the dining room which helped in drowning out my dissatisfied infant. Ordered one of my all time favorites --- BUN CHA GIO. Extremely satisfied with portion size. Disappointed in the quality of the fried egg rolls. Left too long in a fryer that was not hot enough left greasy rolls. The filling was not as good as my mom's but usually restaurateurs can get pretty close. So bummed out... Next time I return I will try some of their other specialties.
(2)
Sang D.
5 stars. Not mind blowing amazing, but tasteful, satisfying, inexpensive with the right amount of adventure factor. This place just gets it right. Very healthy too, not too much fried, heavy platters. $4 - banh mi. Flavorful grilled meat, fresh baguette, pickled carrot, daikon, very spicy jalapeno. Fresh cilantro in bunches almost. $6 - pho. Always fresh greens, basil, flavorful broth. $7 - vermecelli or broken rice plates. Complimenting flavors, spices and textures make these dishes fun to eat and filling. Dont forget the iced coffee with condensed milk, bubble tea or hot tea (free?)... Take a date, spend well under $30 including tip and be a hero. A south philly landmark for a reason.
(5)
Anita S.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia thus far. Must haves when we go: -Lotus root salad with shrimp and pork, awesome texture, crisp and light, comes with shrimp crackers -Salt and pepper calamari, I do not know how this dish is as magically light as it is, but it's light and flavorful and I dream about it The do it yourself rice paper wraps are popular here too, we've tried them once and perhaps I'm not skilled enough or something, I thought it was only alright, although the meat that came with that dish was excellently cooked and flavored.
(4)
Valentino G.
My girlfriend brought me here because a co worker of hers brought her here and she said it was phenomenal! This place is big and open, nothing fancy. Our waiter brought us tea which was nice for a change to have some tea brought to the table. We both got two orders of the, Chaû Gio spring rolls, which were the best I ever had! They are full of flavor and have a great crunch to them, even though they are deep fried, they were out of this world I high recommend! For our main course we both ordered the Buùn, she ordered the Buùn Ga Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled chicken and I ordered the Buùn Bo Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled beef. Both of these dishes were amazing and highly recommended! The one thing I liked about this place was the fact that it had the different chili sauces and red pepper flakes all set up for you to eat with your food. They come in handy when you want to give a nice spice to your dish and they compliment the dishes well! I loved this place and I plan on going back because its a great price for some great food!
(5)
Justine J.
Definitely going back to try more stuff! I am on the fence between three or four stars, only because I haven't explored the place enough. When it's my first place somewhere, I always the standard 'plain Jane / average Joe' dish. They they botch it up, I probably will not go back. We did not get much here, so I am not too sure how to formulate a decent feedback / opinion. I got the pho, which is pretty standard. I really liked the pho, but it was a standard pho. It's almost like getting steamed white rice from A,B,C... X,Y,Z. Only way to really mess it up is to burn it. All I care about is that it was tasty pho, which is was. Large portion and generous at a very low price. We also got the summer rolls, which I am not crazy about. This is not a reflection of their food - I just don't really like them. MF wanted them (hehe)!!! But I ate them just because they were there - which is a good sign. It's not all that common for me to refuse to eat something with all my might - that's when you know it's terrible. I also got the jackfruit smooothie - which was OK. It was only OK for me because it was more creamy and heavy than it was fruity. But other than that, it was perfectly fine. It's just the difference in peoples' taste profiles. I also like the staff. They are all very friendly. This was my second time here (well technically first for me). The first time I came here was to only get carry-out for my clients. I got them either fish or seafood congee (which they really enjoyed). The owner/manager was really nice and helpful in suggesting foods that would be appropriate for them (since they have problems chewing and other dietary needs). As for the overall rating, I want to give it a 4, but I have not experienced enough. What I am certain of is that it is very likely that I will go back. I say 'likely' only because I don't really live close by. There is this lemon grass beef with noodles dish I would want to get next time I go! If I already have something picked out for my next visit, you know it's at least a solid three stars.
(4)
Lianna N.
Ate here recently after not visiting for a while. Still pleased with the food quality and service. I recommend some of the set menus for 2 or 4. They are excellent, ESP if you're new to eating Vietnamese food that isn't Pho.
(5)
Nickki D.
I had heard such good things! I walked in and, unfortunately, the place smelled like body odor. Badly. Service was ok. Food left much to be desired. The tea tasted like warm Philly tapwater. I ordered vegetarian springrolls as an appetizer. They tasted very ricey, not very veggie filled. I also ordered the chicken with lemongrass, curry and coconut. I tasted no lemongrass, no coconut - lots of heat! My friend who was with me ordered the same, but with shrimp (a dish she'd ordered from Nam Phuong many times before) and had to send it back because it too was too spicy. Upside, they are open later than most Viet places on Washington Ave and they do serve beer. I won't be returning though.
(1)
Siobhan O.
This place rules. Usually busy but quick. For being enormous, full of weird decor and chandeliers it still has laid back vibe. I only eat vegetarian pho so it is badass that I can get it on Washington Ave, with vegetarian broth, for $7, and they also serve booze. Usually, I get take out but I like to sit down occasionally for a cheap filling meal and a cocktail. They have a huge menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone but if you're looking for a good place to get cheap pho in an environment that's a little more classy than the other joints in the area this is the spot.
(5)
Tim M.
Have only eaten here once, so possibly a fluke, but food ranging from mediocre to very poor, joined by decent service and dismal atmosphere, made for a forgettable dining experience. There are too many outstanding Vietnamese locations nearby to come here.
(2)
Lolly G.
Do you like good food? How about a little spice with an absurdly long menu filled with options? Welp, it's time to stop into Nam Phuong. They have plenty of meat, fish, and vegetarian options. The service is very fast, and you get a very large portion for a great price. They also have a bar, so you'll be able to have that cocktail with lunch or dinner. I tried the seafood soup which was filled with squid, crab, and shrimp. At the bottom is a giant portion of noodles. I added some chili sauce and it became the perfect soup! They also give you a plate of sprouts etc, for garnish We also shared the vegetarian spring rolls which were alright, but could be better. The service is perfect, and your glass will never be empty. They don't really interact with you much, but they do make sure you have everything you need. Even writing this review has me craving this soup! Ugh, the downside of yelp :)
(4)
Dan S.
I just moved to the neighborhood and wanted to try a local Vietnamese place with great reviews. I have to say I wasn't disappointed. Nam Puong is among a both of other restaurants in a strip mall so you'll have to walk though the lot to find it. They have an extensive menu of Vietnamese options for everyone. I had a Taro Pearl Iced Tea, which was pretty good and refreshing to drink throughout my meal. I also got the Seafood Curry which was delicious. They serve the entrees with a big bowl of rice and, of course, hot tea. The waiter and back-servers were definitely a bit standoffish throughout the meal, but I'd come back again for the food.
(4)
Stella S.
So bad that it prompted me to write this, my first review... I would go back to complain, but they're closed by now and I doubt I would get a refund or at least find somebody there who cared. Safe to say this was THE most disappointing food experience I've had in Philly. I don't go out to eat much (frugal with the $), so I decided I was going to "treat" myself to some curry. Yelp informed me that this place was open until 10, half a mile from my house, and had many favorable ratings, two high marks even from fellow vegans. I walk in to carry out around 9:30pm and scan the menu. Curries are scattered throughout, but I quickly locate the vegetarian section. I assume thus that this curry is without fish paste (1 of 3 things to watch for) but inquire still if it's coconut based or includes any dairy products (2 of 3). The man at first instantly says no, and as I rephrase the question using different examples of dairy products, he insists it's only coconut based. As I prepare to order, he points to another item on the menu, the tofu and vegs with lemongrass sauce, stating he doesn't know if the curry included milk or milk bi-products... This not only queues me in that he either doesn't understand my questions or he simply doesn't care, but it also doesn't give me time to compare this with the other possible choice I had: simple veg. spring rolls. But upon his instance that this was a popular choice, I simply agree in order to be on the safe side (after ensuring that it didn't include egg products - 3 of 3). The total came out to almost $9.00, more then I was hoping to spend, especially on something I didn't really want and hadn't really been craving. The lone star in this review is given for the wait time: approximately 5 minutes (also due to zero stars not being an option), though as I will later relay, this was certainly due to the use of old, pre-made ingredients simply being thrown in a wok with water and heated. Upon delving into this dish at home, I was completely turned off by the generic Chinese style frozen tofu wedges I see in any hole-in-the-wall Asian inspired restaurant. Many of the reviewers had touted this place's Vietnamese authenticity, but literally everything screamed "shitty Chinese". The splash of sauce--which had no doubt fallen off the peppers, onions, and tofu wedges in this dish due to its waterness--was completely tasteless... like water with red pepper flakes in it. I even went as far as to put some of the plain white rice in the small puddle of it and eat just that to test if I was missing some greater flavor; this was not the case. The vegetables literally had no flavor or crunch and had clearly been heated up from frozen 12 hours before and left sitting. Same with the generic tofu wedges, anyone who has never tried tofu before and doesn't know how to cook it knows what plain-old tofu tastes like... kind of like an airy wet sponge. This is what it tasted like, the pepper-water "sauce" only serving to make it taste spicy with no other sensations. All in all, I was so, sooooo disappointed that I spent my money on this waste of meal. I ended up with rice for dinner. I do not think I'll give this place a second chance, it's affordable but not cheap and I doubt any of their produce or add-ins are fresh and/or authentic in the slightest. Very sad...
(1)
Robert S.
Stop reading this review and go there now. This is by far the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. I recommend the summer rolls and the Vermicelli Special (Vietnamese meatballs, egg rolls, grilled chicken, and shrimp). Also, the Pho is excellent. There is a parking lot, but due to the amazing food it is often full on weekends. I recommend going during lunch if you don't want to deal with parking issues. I almost forgot to mention the prices are cheap. About ten bucks for an amazing meal. The decor is nice but not over the top. Also, the place is filled with Vietnamese families eating, which is also a great sign that this restaurant is cooking awesome Vietnamese food!
(5)
Kelly P.
Nam phuong was able to accommodate our large party, and even offered to keep separate checks for our convenience. It was too hot for Pho so I took a chance and ordered beef vermicelli. I was so pleased with my choice and all who tried my dish agreed the beef was very well seasoned. I do not know enough about Vietnamese cuisine to determine how this ranks with the rest of them, but I loved my meal and my iced pearl coffee.
(4)
Tiffany T.
This used to be my go-to pho place. Honestly I'm always between Viet Huong and here. I think thr pice difference is like.. 50 cents. I came a few days ago, 18 minutes before closing. I hadn't eaten since noon, so I was about to die .. +1 star alone for serving my boyfriend and i , 18 minutes before closing! Thank you for that, super appreciate it. My pho was delicious, on point and served quickly. My boyfriend's broken rice was great, he loved it. He just wanted someone to cut it into little pieces.. but that's bc he's a baby haha. Thanks again guys! will not be forgotten
(4)
Belle P.
what the eff, Nam Phuong? We go here all the time and get the same couple of things.. all the time.. so we can tell when something's off We ordered: - Steak & tripe pho - Steak & flank pho - Avocado shake - Sugarcane shrimp with vermicelli wraps What came: - Steak & tripe pho - check - Steak & tendon pho - no - Avocado shake that tasted like whipped cream - sent this back and it still tastes weird but drinkable - BBQ pork over broken rice - they sent it back and we ended up with beef wrapped grape leaves ...one out of 4 ain't bad? We'll still be coming back, but maybe we'll bring a notepad and write our orders down for them.
(4)
Ashley S.
My sister lives down the street so whenever we visit, we go to Nam Phuong when we want pho, but my other sister prefers teriyaki. I always get the pho with everything in it (tendons, tripe, etc), and it's very flavorful and tasty. The last time we went, my sister, my mom, and tables around us received their pho, but mine didn't arrive until 10 minutes later, even though we ordered the same thing. Overall, a good, reliable restaurant for pho and beef teriyaki.
(4)
Yao T.
Hands down my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the US, including my mom's...and my aunt's...and my other aunt's...my uncle's...and both my cousins'. No, I'm not talking about mama's home cooking (though it is amazing) - my mom actually had a Vietnamese restaurant - and this beats it (and the rest of the family, as you can see). Just the sheer variety AND execution (food, not necessarily service - they are my peoples after all) far surpasses any I've seen. They do it all, and they do it all well - unheard of. Personal Favorites: Ba Vi Ca Kho To Bo Luc Lac Canh Chua Ca Banh Xeo And the service is actually (relatively) attentive, just not warm. A can't miss whenever I'm in Philly.
(4)
Nancy I.
$21 for 4 dishes?! Hell yeah! The salor majew yuon (Cambodian for Vietnamese sour soup) is so authentic and to die for! This came with the dinner for 2 at the back of their menu. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Benjamin M.
Thanks to my brother recently introducing me to the world of Pho, I've since expanded my periodic hunger craving horizon, which hit me unexpectedly while in Philly. Fortunately, I found Nam Phuong nearby and decided to try it out. The restaurant must do very well because the interior is huge with plenty of tables for both the lunch and dinner time crowds. That was a good sign. Upon entering, I was immediately seated at a table near the window to begin pondering the endless lunch options. I eventually decided to get the Pho Deluxe (#152), filled with a variety of beef options (and noodles, of course). After ordering, I swear it was sitting in front of me in less than three minutes. Wow! After getting over the shock and awe of their extreme efficiency, I grabbed my chopsticks and began exploring the huge bowl of deliciousness, which never seemed to end. I kept eating and eating and felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. Was it somehow multiplying or was it all in my head? At one point I literally thought, "Jesus could have left the bread and fish alone and just pulled out a bowl of this and fed the five thousand." Next time I'll wait until I'm completely famished and return to hopefully finish it all. For less the seven bucks, you certainly get your money's worth.
(5)
Bill H.
Located in the Vietnamese section of Philly, in a Vietnamese strip mall. Went with a Vietnamese friend who went to school in Philly. She claims that this is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philly and who am I to argue. The restaurant is large. We arrived early at 5:30 and when we left the place was packed with a line at the door. With an inexpensive price per entree, it's a great place to order a bunch of entrees to share and experience different flavors. Food and service was very good and you can't beat the value.
(4)
Meredith B.
Great authentic spot for some great Vietnamese dishes. I ordered my favorites 102: Summer Rolls w/ Shrimp and Pork/Chicken (2) 163: Pho w/ Slices of Eye-Round Steak and Beef Balls I might pass on the beef balls next time but all in all my meal was just what I was looking for. Nam Phuong isn't trying to be anything its not. It's authentic Vietnamese dishes with no frills. This is perfect cold weather food, warm you up and cure you when you're sick food... and cheap cheap good eats.
(4)
elyse j.
This place never ever disappoints! My daughter and I always get the special fish with vegetables in a hot pot. Delicious and stays hot for a long time, which is how long it takes to finish. So much! So good! Husband has chicken with rice noodles, not a bit left to take home.... Nice strong Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.
(5)
Quyen N.
I had high hopes for this place with its abundance of reviews but left feeling very disappointed. And this conclusion didn't result from trying one dish. It was after tasting several dishes to really sample the menu. My family and I ordered bo luc lac, banh xeo, bun rieu, banh uot. The beef was dry, the batter was old, and the broth was warm not hot as soups should be. Ufortunately, this place won't be a repeat for us.
(2)
Khanh D.
My parents treated about 20 ppl to dinner here this past weekend to celebrate my brother's graduation. We called ahead and were seated promptly. That's where the good experience stopped. The food was disgusting. We ordered many dishes and I tasted them all. The portion size were measly but the pice reflects that which is a good thing. The waitstaff were terrible. Every time we needed to order something new, they each would say we needed to order from a different staff member which led us to have to wait unnecessarily for most of the night. I'm used to bad service at Asian places but this place took the cake for worst service ever. Also...their restrooms were nasty and needed some major cleaning. Gross.
(2)
Cathy H.
Best Vietnamese I have ever had, hands down. There's always a table available (except for Christmas Day apparently) and service is lightning fast. It seems as soon as you have ordered, the waiter is already bringing out the pho and bean sprouts. My favorite dish is the rice paper platter. It is one of the most pricey things on the menu but it's WORTH it! The platter is huge, so you can share with at least 3 friends and it's so much fun to dip the rice paper in the hot water they provide and make your own rolls. My second favorite thing is their ice coffee. They serve it to you in the coffee press and use condensed milk. So yummy! Recently, on Christmas Day, I was in Princeton, NJ and I had such a craving for Nam Phuong that we drove all the way to Philly for it. Whereas there is usually no line, this time the line was out the door and the entire parking lot was completely full (probably all inside Nam Phuong). We had to wait 30 minutes for a table but it was so worth it!
(5)
Joey L.
I had a hard time finding a good Vietnamese restaurant in philly. Compared to other places I've been to, this would rank in the middle of the pack or the lower bottom. Big menu selection and food was decent.
(3)
Solomon L.
This restaurant is five stars for food hands down. One of the best, most flavorful dishes I've had here in philadelphia, and I eat out A LOT. I had the beef cubes with watercress, and it just hit the spot. My girl got the pho, and it too was really well balanced with enough savory along with all the different spices. They use good quality meats, and know how to cook them. Great meal overall. The atmosphere and service is a bit lacking, but not bad. It's worth it to get the food. And at great prices too! I will most definitely return.
(5)
Austin S.
I heart you Nam Phuong. No doubt, this is the best Vietnamese food that I've had. My recent visit to Philly led me back to this delicious happiness. While the location or the appearance of the restaurant may not scream 5 stars, let the food speak for the restaurant. I went with my usual and ordered pho, beef cubes, and lotus salad with shrimp crackers. Pho is always delicious with great flavor in the soup base. Beef cubes dish is a must! it's beef cubes with some kind of sprouts, served with lemon based sauce. Lotus salad (which has shrimp and pork) is served cold with shrimp crackers, and is a great addition to somewhat fatty dishes that I ordered. I always feel like vietnamese food is loaded with sodium. But I find myself with less need for a full glass of water in the middle of the night.
(5)
Ken D.
Love this place. Been going here for about a year on a regular basis. No matter how many people are with me, this place will seat any size dinner party. I once walked in with a party of 13, and within minutes we all had a table and our drinks. The staff here are always friendly and the food has never disappointed. Another bonus is the liquor license. Beers are cheap but watch out for the cocktails, they're Bartending skills need some work. Jk. Can't wait for my next visit.
(5)
Melissa P.
Go for the Pho, stay for the adorable asian children that are always there. They also have a full bar and decently priced drinks. Around Chinese New Year, you may be lucky and get a free awesome asian calendar. Extensive menu. Recently tried something new (forget what it was called but) it involved tiny rice wrappers (with your own soaking station), sausages, shrimp, noodles, veggies (carrots, cukes, radish, mint, lemongrass, basil), and little lemongrass leave wrapped beef clusters and it was SO GOOD. huge though. it says to share with two but could have easily fed 3. Cheap!
(4)
Abbie D.
My definite go to place for Pho. I have both dined in and got take out and the food is always on point. The pho is the perfect medicine for a cold or a cool night. :) love
(4)
Chau L.
It's cold outside - what do I want? P.H.O. This place can get pretty crowded in the evenings, but I don't mind bc 1) there is parking for my car and I don't have to park in an alleyway to get my grub and 2) the selection of Viet food is huge. like HUGE. Their pho broth is pretty decent, as are the summer and spring rolls, udon noodles with ham hocks, broken rice plate with grilled pork chop and sunny side egg, avocado smoothies, and taro smoothies. As you can tell, I eat a lot, and I eat a lot here. Give them a try - service is fast, and the place is spacious so the wait is never too too long.
(4)
Sam E.
YOU COULD DIE FROM EATING THEIR "FOOD". There was a staple - a SHARP, SILVER, NON-EDIBLE staple - in my mouth from their noodle dish. Do you know what would've happened had I swallowed that? Well, I think I could've had some serious internal bleeding medical issues! (No! I'm not a hypochondriac - how dare you?!)
(1)
Nina S.
I had lunch here with a group of 14 people and the service was so fast and friendly! Without a reservation they were ready to seat us in just a few minutes after we walked in. This was my first time to a Vietnamese Restaurant so I didn't know what to expect but I'm glad that someone from our large party took the lead and ordered a lot of food for us to all share for the table. We split the bill 14 ways it was only $12 for lunch and I ate a lot. We started with shrimp spring rolls that were served with peanut sauce. These are very fresh and the wrap was made of a light think layer of rice. The peanut sauce was the best thing that I tasted at this restaurant. It is seriously so good that they should consider putting it in jars and selling it for people to enjoy at home! These light spring rolls were a great way to start the meal. Then to finish the meal we had two kinds of soups - Pho with beef and sweet and sour with shrimp. It was perfect for the chilly spring day. Everything I tried was very tasty. I will def. be back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)
Gabby J.
So I must say I was thoroughly enjoying my vegetable pho soup, portion size was great, exactly what I wanted. Only problem is I looked down and saw little bugs in my soup!! So disappointing. There was a lot too, I scooped out at least 6 and then just trashed the soup completely. Please double/triple clean your vegetables!! The service could have been better as well. Our waiter wasn't too friendly.
(2)
Colleen M.
The first cuisine on my list when I came to Philly for a visit was Vietnamese. I miss good Vietnamese food in the Midwest! I came here for dinner. I got the vermicelli noodles with grilled shrimp and the summer rolls. Both were awesome. I will definitely come back here when I'm in the area visiting. Next time I'll try to the pho.
(5)
Ai L.
I'm Vietnamese and use to good authentic Vietnamese food in Australia, so it's been rather challenging to find a restaurant that I like. Nam Phuong is one of those that I did like! Their pho tai nam was delicious. It was a bit sweet, but I balanced it with some fish sauce and lemon and then it was perfect. I also ordered the grill pork summer rolls and the durian smoothie. The smoothie was good, but it wasn't as fruity as I expected. In addition, the service was great and the staff friendly and helpful. Overall, I enjoyed all the dishes I ordered and if I lived in Philly, I would be back :)
(4)
Judy L.
I have been going here consistently for the past year. The food is good. I have tried almost everything on their menu and I have not been disappointed yet. Unfortunately, the service has deteriorated since I have started going. If you're looking for average service, decent prices but solid Vietnamese food, this is a great restaurant to go.
(3)
Alice C.
Love the dinner for 2 or 4. The clay fish pot is my favorite! The customer service was perfect. Very attentive. Spacious and spread out environment. Love the traditional decor. My favorite appetizer is the ba vi. Portions are more than enough especially for the price. Would definitely go back soon
(5)
Alexis K.
I would say that this place is just OK. They have an extensive menu, which is a plus. I had the bun rieu and my boyfriend had the bun bo hue. We also split a bo luc lac (a beef dish). Out of the three dishes we had, we definitely liked the bo luc lac the best. The meat was tender and flavorful. Part of the reason why we didn't enjoy the noodle dishes more is because we are not fan's of coagulated pig blood. Parking is good by Philadelphia standards because the restaurant is inside of a shopping center, so you don't have to struggle to parallel park somewhere on the street. Would I go to this restaurant again? Probably not, but this does not mean we didn't have a pretty satisfactory meal.
(3)
Maria C.
This is (one of) my favorite Vietnamese restaurants for a lot of reasons - quick, parking, and affordable! They always have seats and have a lot of large tables for groups but not somewhere that I would be going for a romantic dinner but great for a large group of loud friends! The food is great and super affordable, giving you the chance to get a few things and try new items. My favorite items are their pho and any of their vietnamese bowls, but my friends have tried much more adventurous items and loved them all. The food always comes out quickly, but in standard vietnamese form - it comes out when it is ready, and therefore some people may be eating well before others.
(4)
Christina C.
5 starts for the Pho the first few times I had it... but sometimes, the flavor is off. Sadness. Other items we've tried are extremely good. Very busy little place.
(4)
Priscilla P.
A year ago I would have said this is the best Vietnamese food ever, that no other restaurant even came close. I went 2 nights ago for dinner and it's just different. I guess they did some renovations to make it a little nicer, but they've given up on the food. I ordered the family dinner for 4 and everything tasted similar... but just not the same. It's like they are using the same recipes but a different chef? The lotus salad was really wet and the shrimp crackers over-fried. The clams were a tad bigger but really difficult to remove the meat from the shell and less flavorful. Fish in the claypot was kinda similar, except blander in taste and no sauce, just a lot of oil (I used to like to scoop the sauce and eat it with my rice). Shaken beef was pretty much the same (very good). Sweet & Sour Fish soup was similar but wayyyy too much mint garnish on top. Che ba mau (3 colored bean and coconut milk dessert) was just horrible (for some reason mine looked different than another diner's... his looked like they used coconut milk and mine looked and tasted like they used half & half). Sad to see this place go downhill like this... I used to recommend this place to all of my friends but Mekong and Le Viet are definitely way better and way nicer at similar prices.
Get the ban vi for two, and the jackfruit smoothies! -------- That about sums it up for this place. This platter (easily feeds two people, and then some) is THE THING TO GET here. Forget about the pho, forget about the beef with lemongrass... GET THIS! Tonight, we got a special appetizer called Ban Go, which was pretty awesome as well (a mix of Chinese wide rice noodle, filled with savory ground beef, topped with sliced Vietnamese sausage roll and dried onion flakes; this comes with a crispy cake of fried dough topped with a prawn). Regarding the supposed "Yelp special": Ban vi is regularly priced $23.95, so... Where is the so-called discount? (it doesn't help that the managers seemingly know nothing about this special)
(4)
Toby K.
Love the Pho! It's cheap and has a really big menu. It has a bit nicer of an interior than some of the other pho places. This past time I went, Melissa p had me try this appetizer. It basically is making your own summer roll. Deliciousness!
(5)
Enid C.
As a general rule of thumb, products of any category decrease in value when they are broken. A broken smart phone is about as "smart" as that one person who's still hoping to make his fortune on beanie babies. A broken engine turns your car into just another expensive place to store things like old magazines and sweaters you aren't going to wear. A broken spirit loses wars, and a broken heart results in the overproduction of cringe-worthy "emo" music. ...but broken rice? Broken rice is an entirely different story. With each segment that the individual grains are broken into, the light flavors are able to seep in more delicately, providing a palatable texture, almost like a sexy, Vietnamese take on cous cous. Broken rice is so much more than "just rice," and Nam Phuong has the best in the entire city. I think about it often. Almost as often as "Call Me Maybe" gets stuck in my head. Broken rice dishes are accompanied by expertly grilled meats, with a salad of pickled veggies and a splash of fish sauce to top it off. This spacious establishment is located in the centroid of Philly's Viet hub, so really all of the standard options on their extensive menu (including many for vegetarians!) are authentically solid. Whatever you order, from pho to summer rolls to beef carpaccio, your tummy and taste buds will leave happy. [But if you ever have any trouble deciding...just go with the broken rice.]
(4)
Lauren C.
I am not Vietnamese... but over the past year or so, I have become quite a fan of the food. I live in Pennsport, and thus have tons of access to the restaurants on Washington Ave. In trying a few of them, Nam Phuong has risen to the top as my trusty-go-to spot. We brought a newbie with us on Sunday night, and will thus review this experience. Walking in, the smell is certainly unique. Having eaten here on numerous occasions, I love it. It's sort of soy-saucey... or what our friend described as a mens locker room, or a wet dog. The decor is kitschy, but somehow it works! The bar you can tell was newly renovated as its AWESOME, but not a sit-down bar... more of a take out counter. We got seated at a nice sized table for 4 people by the window and were promptly given water, and asked about drinks. Beers are $3 for domestic, $3.50 for imports. YES PLEASE! As a vegetarian, my options are a bit limited (per usual). I always associate most Asian dining (Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese etc.) as being veggie friendly. They embrace tofu! What more could you ask for? You need to watch your back if you're a vegetarian at Nam Phuong though. You might as well just tell your waiter. If you order 'Veggie Pho" you will get chicken broth. The proper technique is to ask for Vegetarian Noodle Soup... which is the exact same thing with broth that is safe. I also like 253. Not sure what it is called formally, but its fried tofu in peanut sauce on rice vermicelli and shredded lettuce, pickled carrots, cucumber etc. and some steamed veggies. I like the contrast of fresh/cooked/hot/cold etc. Its delicious. Again, they bring out this fish sauce that they expect you to dump in there, so you have to be a bit wary. This specific dining experience, I went for my trusty 253, pushed the fish sauce aside, and seasoned with rooster sauce, and a bit of soy sauce. AMAZING. Per usual, i hit the bathroom before I left, and per usual, it was DISGUSTING!!! It always makes me nervous what the kitchen looks like, but I try not to think about it. the floor was soaking so I almost fell over. I literally put down paper towels to try to get traction. You are discouraged from putting toilet paper into the toilets... not sure why... as Philly plumbing can totally hang with toilet paper... but whatever. The trash cans are overflowing, the stalls are dirty etc. Better than some bars, but the decor is nice, it's just not clean! Also per usual, you have to flag down a waiter for a check. They will almost never bring it automatically. The sooner you accept that, the more pleasant your experiences will be. Once you flag them down, they bring the check promptly. Just a cultural divide I guess. While Nam Phuong may not be the fanciest, trendiest, most upscale place on earth, its a fan favorite! You almost never have to wait, the prices are reasonable, the service is fairly good, and the food is PHENOMENAL. Will be back... always... and forever.
(4)
Dredge K.
ok, this has by default become my go to place food is pretty consistent, ambiance is lacking but secondary even their pho is good, even though this is not a pho restaurant excellent for groups! strong cocktails there is something for everyone...
(4)
Anthony B.
I am new to the vietnamese food scene but wow this place is good. My girlfriend and I went and for 2 meals and an appetizer it was under $20.00. They were also extremely efficient. We were in and out in 45 minutes. I will continue to give my patronage to this establishment. Ps. Great fish/peanut sauce.
(5)
Vincent L.
Coming from nyc, I had high expectations for Vietnamese food in Philly. I had ordered Bun bo hue, and I was a lil disappointed. Everything was good except the pig feet was really tough. I had to tear it from my teeth using my hands. everything else was on the money. Ice coffee was really strong, which I liked. The restaurant itself is big compared to the vietnamese restaurants in nyc. Overall, I wasn't blown away but I was full and satisfied. 3 and a half stars.
(3)
German S.
Perfect pho kinda of weather.. yum. Can't get enough of this place. Food is great, fast service, attentive staff, clean place.
(4)
Peter K.
Maybe the best Vietnamese restaurant ever, or at least in the northeast (hard to compare to San Francisco or Eden Center in Virginia). But this place is awesome, and everything on the menu rocks! And the place is huge too. Looks like they have a stage where maybe sometimes they do performances or karaoke.
(5)
Sarah S.
excellent food, fast service! beef stew is so wonderful. vegan options as well. all meals come with a pot of hot tea. great place for groups... usually lots of families sharing large dinner dishes
(5)
Kevin C.
Of all the Viet restaurants i've tried this is definitely the best place if you want a big warm bowl of pho or a rice dish! The service isn't the best but they are very quick when it comes to serving up the food and is at a very good price.
(5)
Yohann S.
More like 3.5, but since I'm a nice guy, I'll round it to 4 -instead of 3. Good place for a big party. I never get their pho. I usually get either broken rice or vermicelli; and sometime beef cube to share. They are good. Like any regular viet restaurant, they're cheap -and filling. Parking is easy -even though it's packed most of the time, it's not that hard to be patient and get a spot. $15 min for credit card. Service is still better than some Asian restaurant out there, so no complain there. ... If you want pho, go get it somewhere else. *hint check my review for 5 stars pho place.
(4)
Cynthia X.
Came here again just a week later. Got the 3 beef delight again, and it was delightful!
(4)
Kimberly P.
Usually I'm picky with Vietnamese food since I'm so used to my parents traditional ways of cooking BUT Nam Phuong is so delicious. There's not one thing I haven't loved when coming here. I have allergies to certain things like peanuts and carrots and when I tell them, they always make sure it's clear of it all. Not only that but the service is impeccable! Everyone is so kind and helpful.
(5)
Greg Y.
I eat mad Pho and would not go back to this place. The main reason is because the place just smells bad. The stench of old cleaning rags ruined my meal during the few times I've been here. Service is poor compared to the already below-avg standard at many Pho places. The food does very little to salvage this place. Pho Saigon is 100x better.
(2)
Su W.
I was pretty sad when my favorite pho place closed down, but now I have a new favorite pho place! I've always known about this place but never actually tried it until recently. As usual I ordered a side of summer rolls. It's the appetizer that I always get when I go to any Viet. restaurant. They were pretty average and came nicely wrapped. Some places I know do a sloppy job so the wrap falls apart easily. The roll stayed in shape while I ate. I came here wanting to try the chicken thigh pho but they were sold out. I got the chicken wing pho instead and it was just as good. I really liked the broth that it came with. It wasn't just beef broth mixed with chicken pieces. They have 1 serving size for pho and it's pretty big. I could barely finish 2/3 of the pho. It was a good meal and I will probably be back in the future
(4)
Vi L.
I love this place! First of all, it's huge! It's not very intimate since it's pretty open. It has more of a family feel to it. There are plenty of tables to host a large gathering. The menu covers a wide array of Vietnamese cuisines. The service was friendly, fast and efficient. For food, I got to try the Goi Cuon and Bo Bia spring rolls. They were fresh and tightly rolled. Entree, I had the Com Tam (broken rice) with grilled pork. The portion was HUGE and I love it! The dish came with egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin and fresh veggies. My favorite was the egg meatloaf--soft, well seasoned and the flavors just melted in my mouth. Nam Phuong is definitely the place to go for Vietnamese food. I'm super picky when it comes to Viet food, but this place definitely deserves all 5 stars!
(5)
Teresa V.
WHAT I ORDERED: #170 Bun Dac Biet (House Special Rice Vermicelli) * Reasonably priced * Heavy on the Vermicelli, and light on everything else; 1 slice of chicken cut up [1], 3 or 4 slices of nam nuong (Vietnamese beef meatballs) [2], 2 or so grilled shrimps [3], and 1 spring roll [4] * Was expecting more greens and roasted peanut topping * Not very much sauce was provided, so it was rather dry * Overall, a safe dish, but there are probably more promising ones on the menu [1] Relatively dry; not very marinated and nicely grilled like I was expecting [2] Thin slices so together they don't amount to much; overall, tasted alright [3] Small in size; grilled; slightly dry [4] Only one that met my expectations; unfortunately, I was only provided with 1 though so the joyousness did not last too long COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS: I would have to give this place a 3; falls short of other Vietnamese restaurants that I have been to where I have ordered a similar dish (Vermicelli) at. Usually the chicken is grilled at other places and there would be a nice amount of vegetables provided upon ordering this dish, however Nam Phuong sadly did not meet those expectations. COMPARED TO THE PHILLY AREA: A 4 would probably be fitting; large space so you're not cramped with the folks next to you; staff members were all very attentive; convenient location if you're looking to do some grocery errands; there's actually a parking lot! KEY POINTS * Smoothies seemed fairly authentic; not powdery tasting [5] * Great family environment * Large selections and varieties to choose from the menu * Decently priced [5] Had the durian smoothie! ALL IN ALL: If you're in the Vietnamese shopping area, then I would recommend stopping by here.
(3)
Rosy V.
Not too shabby for a Vietnamese Restaurant in the Philly area. Nam Phuong us a pretty large restaurant and can accommodate large families and groups. We went a little after lunch hours (1 or 2pm) on a Saturday and they were able to accommodate us accordingly (Wasn't busy at all during those hours, not sure about the actual lunch time rush). They have parking lots, but since this is in a shopping district and for some odd reason the parking in this shopping district is crazy competitive. Everyone fighting for a spot in every direction. Unless you're lucky and you didn't hit "grocery shopping war times" you might find parking. Other than that stalk a potential leaver and grab their parking spot! Okay so the service is normal. Nothing special or whatnot. The servers were attentive, but there was a lot of them and it wasn't at all busy. So I expect that they be attentive. Nam Phuong has a large menu to choose from that varies from fish to pork to veggies and etc. It's a very thick menu! In the end I chose #118: Bo Nuong La, Banh Hoi (Ground Pork wrapped in grape leaves; this was a "wrapping dish") and my boyfriend chose #198: Com Tam Thit Nuong Bi Cha (Broken Rice with pork and etc.) Both Dishes were great. Tasted great for it's price and I had nothing to complain about with that. The one thing for my complaint is that the bathrooms could be a little cleaner? Especially after normal lunch hours I feel like the employees should be checking their bathrooms every hour? The women's bathroom was mediocre, but my boyfriend complained that the men's bathroom was atrocious. I feel like if a restaurants bathroom falls behind par how does that represent their hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen? Just food for thought. We did order smoothies. They didn't taste powdery and tasted like it was made from real fruits. The only thing I would change about it is the amount of sugar they put into the smoothies; it was way too sweet for my preference, but it's a lot better than some restaurant's powdery nightmare. We got the coconut, strawberry, mango, avocado and 2 durian's (I'm sorry but I love the taste of durian ^^") My brothers said the coconut and mangos were delicious, my boyfriend said his strawberry smoothie was good but was too sweet. My parents liked their avocado smoothie but also complained of the sweetness and my sister and I had the durian and it was a tad bit sweet, but nothing too bad. Smoothies were $3.75 and the durian one was $4.00. Overall Nam Phuong isn't a shabby place to eat at, it's not the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to, but it definitely was a nice place. They have a large varieties, an authentic menu, food tastes accurate and good, can accommodate large or small groups, and has free parking. If you want to try Vietnamese food this is a great place to go and try it! ----------------------------------TIP-------------Â--------------------- $10 charge for BYOB (They have their own beer and wine selections) and it's a minimum $15 charge for Credit Cards!!!
(4)
Gabrielle P.
Came here for New Year's Day with a group of friends. Best hangover food you could ask for! Love the pho here it had great flavor. I got the 159 which was great. We also the summer rolls which were awesome. I got a green tea bubble tea smoothie which was great. Two of my friends had the mango smoothie which they enjoyed as well. The restaurant was huge and packed but they move quickly so we didn't have a problem getting seats quickly even though they were busy. Would highly recommend and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Gerald S.
Nam Phuong was the last Empress of Vietnam. Perhaps, it is fitting to name the queen of the Vietnamese houses after her. She was born too late to enjoy her royalty for very long, and she was denied the privilege of living her life in her native land; dying in relative obscurity in France. Her namesake is similar to her in some ways. The restaurant is large and well run. Chandeliers suggest a palatial guise, and the servers in black are disciplined, polite and respectful, as you would expect from a royal house. The menu is diverse to appeal to a variety of guests, and the kitchen is skilled in turning out top quality dishes that satisfy those invited to the Emperor's Table. Even a solitary traveler such as I was treated with dignified homage. Though a busy night full of families and intriguing couples, I was given a nice table, plenty of time to decide my meal, and graceful delivery, checking on satisfaction, pickup and an offer to desire more before leaving. I never felt rush by the staff, although the people waiting by the door might have been less patient. My Pho with Round Steak and Tripe was excellent, with all fresh trimmings. The broth was richly complex and a filling bowl at a very reasonable price. The Summer Rolls were stuffed with fresh Shrimp and Ground Pork, and came with a very good Peanut Dipping Sauce. As I ate I watched those around me enjoying all the things I wanted to try on my next visit. I am not sure that the maxim that a Vietnamese restaurant filled with Vietnamese is a true indication of great food all the time, but it certainly was tonight. Nam Phuong, where ever her spirit is now, would be pleased that she her name is being so well cared for here in Philadelphia.
(4)
Katie H.
Ready to go back already because this is the best Viet food I've had since I've moved from California. This is the most authentic take on it yet! I attribute that to the fact that they offered more than just the usual Pho and rice dishes I've seen at other Viet places. They had Banh Hoi, which is vermicelli made into small sheets, that you end up wrapping in rice paper with various herbs, cucumbers, lettuce, pickled carrots, and your protein of choice. I ended up choosing the grilled pork balls, which is more like grilled pork strips. Nevertheless, I felt right at home. IT WAS AMAZING! After rolling up your spring roll, you dip it in some yummmmy fish sauce and it is seriously heavenly. I can't attest to how their other dishes are since I've only been once but I will happily return for more. Nam Phuong shows so much promise so I hope it doesn't disappoint next time!
(4)
Edward R.
Large and very popular with the Non Vietnamese crowd I was a bit sceptical at first as to the honesty and authenticity of the menu but all fears were gone after the first taste of their Pho....deep, rich with a incandescent surface sheen of fat accompanied by some of the most interesting greenery and honest to goodness hot Jalapenos. I've dined there now half a dozen times trying any thing the looks good on the menu and the neumerous pictures on Yelp as well and have yet to have a dissapointment. .
(4)
Joshua V.
Another notch on Philadelphia's belt of east coast supremacy in regards to Vietnamese food. For years I've been pining for Vietnamese food (up here in NYC) that is on par with that which is found in the City of Brotherly Love. Alas, it aches my heart to report that I've had no such luck in my endeavors to find one. Fortunately for me, Philadelphia is but a stone's throw (in relative and figurative terms) away from NYC; and when the desire for a decent bowl of pho shows its face, I tell my friends in Philly that "it's been too long" and that "we need to hang out soon" in order to secure appropriate and affordable (i.e. free) lodgings for a weekend sabbatical in the 'illa... from there it's easy access to cheap and delicious Vietnamese food the likes of which the Empire State can only raise an angry fist and wave it towards the south. This joint churns out a mean bowl of pho with all the fixings (flank, fatty flank, tendon, brisket, meatball, etc...). While it may not make the best bowl in Philadelphia (that honor goes to Pho Ha), it isn't overly salty and has a rich homemade quality to the taste. Additionally, the breadth and variety of the menu is impressive; if you don't want pho, you can get a combo of broken rice/vermicelli noodles with a Vietnamese protein on the side. The choice is yours, and the choices are tasty. Can we dig this place out of its little nook on Washington and 11th and put it on top of the Empire State Building? It would definitely be a quicker commute for me. If that's not a viable idea, I'm still young, the trip to Philly isn't too hard on me or my wallet; so until we have the technology to make the dreams of the initial sentence of this paragraph come true, it's still worth the time/money/energy to make sporadic visits to Philadelphia for quality Vietnamese cuisine that you'd find in places such as Nam Phuong.
(4)
Sari A.
This is my first time to experience a Vietnamese cuisine and I have to say It's not my cup of tea. I had the Beef deluxe Pho, the portion size was quite substantial but tasteless. Our server was not super friendly too. I would say it is average! Two and half Yelps!
(2)
Marie S.
Nam Phuong is reluctantly my go-to place for Vietnamese cuisine in Philly because the food is consistent and there is plenty of seating for large groups. Contrary to what other Yelpers report, I do not find any of the dishes to be extraordinary. Their banh cuon (rice roll with minced meat filling) is bland but I'll admit authentic. Growing up next to a Vietnamese supermarket, I had banh cuon for lunch every weekend until a better Chinese supermarket opened up just down the street (What disloyal customers my parents were...). Then my weekend lunches became about dim sum and rice dumplings, but let me stop digressing. What I want to say is that their banh cuon hits the spot. The best way to eat banh cuon is to pick up a roll with a slice of ham, dip in fish sauce, and eat whole. So yums. Other than the banh cuon, the only other dish that I really like is their refreshing lotus root salad. Everything else that I typically order is just to fill the table for family style. I have tried the pho, vermicelli bowls, broken rice plates, infamous claypot fish, etc...and nothing really stands out. I am still searching for a better family-style Vietnamese restaurant in Philly.
(3)
Connie C.
I came here with a boyfriend a few weeks ago since I was in the Philly area. He really wanted to show me the best restaurant pho in Philly. I should also include that he is Vietnamese. I had Three Delight which consisted of shrimp on sugar cane, beef in grape leaves, and grilled meat balls. It was delicious and fun to eat. My favorite meat was the beef wrapped in grape leaves. I sat there cutting my meat up, rolling the meat and vegetables into a spring roll and dipping it into the two sauces provided. This dish is enough for two people to share---or for one very hungry person. My boyfriend ordered pho with eye-round steak and meat balls. Apparently, having the choice of Vietnamese meatballs with pho is a factor in authenticity. I had a small bowl of it and agreed that it was tasty. You can tell the broth was tasty and not bland. Overall, I felt like the experience at the restaurant was very authentic. The prices are good. Service was okay. They knew how to keep their distance but still always stayed in the vicinity when needed.
(5)
Dennis L.
I am normally at Pho Ha for pho, so trying this restaurant with a huge menu motivated me to stray a bit from the pho path and try something new. I went with the pork skin spring rolls for an appetizer and Banh Cuon off the daily special's menu for a main course. First the spring rolls, they were okay... Basil, lettuce, vermicelli, and the shredded pork skin you get on the rice dishes. Needless to say, it was exactly what I expected. I don't really know why I was hoping for something particularly special, but it was dry and sticky, but of course made much better with the if sauce. It wasn't exactly bad, it just wasn't anything special. The Banh Cuon on the other hand, that was a total crap shoot in the dark that ended up being amazing. The description is entirely useless, it was described as something like Rice flakes with pork and beef. It's actually some sort of ham or pate type of meat on a thick rice noodle paper, very similar to the rice paper skin for shrimp or beef at dim sum.. those long rice thingies. Anyway, there was some sort of deep fried bread with meat in it and a fried shrimp on it. I wasn't sure what it was exactly. I guess if I had to describe it, I would say it was like beef/pork bread deep fried and excellent with some fish sauce. This is definitely a new favorite dish.
(4)
Dan D.
I wasn't extremely impressed, however, I wasn't disappointed. It was Pho. Some Pho is much better and then some Pho is just OK. The hot tea was the highlight for me. It had nice flavor. The staff was good and service was quick. I need to try some other Pho places before my return here.
(3)
Ron C.
Always great reliable food. This has been out go-to Vietnamese restaurant for years. It's a big place, often crowded. Service is fine, but don't expect friendly cuddling from attentive waiters - this is a bit of a factory operation.
(4)
Nicole A.
Love the food every time. The fish hot pot is amazing, fresh, and full of flavor. Their pho is best I've ever had. The vermicelli is awesome because you wrap it yourself at the table. So fun to make your own little spring roll things! I always ask for a pot of tea with my meal because it's usually chilly in there...
(5)
Tho P.
Set your default settings here if you're looking for solid Vietnamese food. Came here with a dinner party of 5 so it was my chance to deviate from the typical noodle or rice dishes, and go family style! We started off with some of my favorite apps to share: banh hoi (vermicelli) with shrimp and grilled pork, banh xeo (sizzling crepe), and goi du du (papaya salad). Portions were grand with the exception of the salad. Would substitute for the lotus root salad (next time) because of the additional prawn crackers that accompany well with Vietnamese salads. The crepes had an awesome balance of crispy and chewy. All the protein was tender and well-seasoned, complemented nicely with the fish sauce dressing. I would have preferred the vermicelli to be topped with more scallion relish. The entrees were not as remarkable, but nevertheless did the job. We ordered the ca kho to (claypot catfish), canh chua tom (sour soup with shrimp), and rau muong xao toi (stir-fried water spinach with garlic). Overall, we thought the entrees gave an oily impression. The claypot didn't come out sizzling (as it usually does) which means it was probably sitting out awaiting the other entrees to finish. Nevertheless, the caramelized fish was delicious, paired nicely with the sour soup and white rice - I'd be surprised if your taste buds weren't dancing in a deluge of sweet, sour, and savory. The water spinach left a nice crunch, but lacked that garlic pungency...and salt. Fortunately had some leftover fish sauce from the apps to dip it in. Stomachs left happy. Food coma commenced.
(4)
Ken P.
Wonderful experience from sitting down through bubble tea desert! Wonderful service. Excellent food! Great experience and price! Best Pho in Philly. I will keep coming back here!
(5)
Sam L.
I'm going to be straight with you: I'm no Vietnamese cuisine connoisseur. I gravitate toward the same simple dishes: vermicelli bowls, pho with lean meats, banh mi sandwiches. That's me, in a nutshell (well, in this case): unadventurous. But now you know... Nam Phuong delivers solid, authentic Vietnamese fare in a laid-back, frills-free space that seats a reasonable number of people. The service is ultra speedy and the waitstaff attentive. After getting lost in the trenches of South Philly during a heat wave, I found myself here and called it fate. As it was blisteringly hot, I was far from being in pho mode. I knew right away vermicelli was what I was after, so I went with 170, the House Special Rice Vermicelli, a smorgasboard of sorts: spring rolls, charbroiled chicken, meatballs, and shrimp. I ditched the spring rolls. I wish I'd asked for extra meatballs as a substitute, but I didn't know they'd be so damned delicious. The bowl was overall quite tasty, with warm meats served on cold noodles, just the way I like it. The meatballs were the authentic kind and resembled thinly sliced sausages. They were the best part of the dish. When I found a lone sliver that had gotten lost in the dregs of sauce, noodles, and lettuce at the bottom of my bowl, I went into squee-mode. The chicken had great flavor but was cooked a hair over. The shrimp was no good. I also ordered 102 to split, shrimp & pork summer rolls, and *that* shrimp was delicious. I'm not sure why the shrimp in my bowl was different, but it wasn't fresh and tasted overly briny, almost fermented, with a fishy flavor. I normally would've lamented the paltry serving (2 shrimpers???) but given the circumstances, it was a blessing. The iced coffee was as jarring as I expected it to be and the strength of its brew provided me with sufficient caffeine to get through the rest of my day. I had to add ice and a bit of water to tone it down, but it was delicious. I may return for a vermicelli meatball bowl, perhaps with a couple of spring rolls tossed in for good measure, and once fall rolls around, I might go back pho sho' (sorry, not sorry). 3.5 stars. Dear Yelp, Please add a half star option so we reviewers can review accordingly. Sincerely, Lots of People
(3)
Liza K.
Great for pick-up, although I don't think they do delivery. We wanted cheap but quality Pho and found it at Nam Phuong. Pick up was easy - plenty of street parking nearby and they had everything ready within 15 minutes. For takeout, they put all the ingredients for the pho into separate bags/containers. Great idea so that your sprouts and noodles don't get soggy, and you still have a lime wedge on the side. We had various meat (beef, etc) phos and they were VERY good! Nam Phuong makes a great broth to start, and the rest is excellent quality. Can't wait to go back for more. (Although, I'll skip the spring/summer rolls next time and just go for the pho, which in and of itself is a big portion and very filling).
(5)
Akshay M.
This def is one of my favorite places to go to when i am drawing a blank on dining ideas. Lot of room to seat on busy weekends, cheap on the wallet and yummy 'pho' the tummy . I know a lot of you already go here for all the pho, but i have traversed the length of the menu and almost everything is splendid. here are a few recommendations : The vermicelli wraps, Specially the bbq pork Crab and Shrimp Soup Fried fish chilli in hot pot the drip coffee Any Congee / pho / broken rice combination.
(5)
Shari W.
The best Vietnamese food I have ever eaten. It made me so happy! You have to look around and see what everyone else is eating. They have make your own Nim Chow, or fresh rolls. In Vietnamese it is called Banh Hoi. They bring the rice wrappers and hot water to your table and a plate of vermicelli and lettuce and herbs and pickled carrots and diakon. We ordered it with ground beef. The ground beef came rolled up in leaves like Greek stuffed grape leaves. They were divine. You dip your rice wrapper in the water, put it on your plate, fill it accordingly, dip and eat. Additionally we got a Vietnamese vegetarian crepe to share. I had tea and my lunch mate had Vietnamese coffee (individual drip coffee with condensed milk). The staff was warm and pleasant and helpful as we were the only non Asians in the place. I can not wait to return and eat my way through the menu. What a find! After lunch we went across the parking lot to the Vietnamese grocery store to buy the ingredients to attempt to make the Banh Hoi at home. There the stock boy and some Vietnamese grandmas all helped up figure out what to buy. We had a great time!
(5)
Vichet O.
The hell? I've never reviewed this place? Aight, here we go. Nam Phuong is a good spot. I just can't give it 4 stars because it doesn't excel in any of the dishes that I love getting at other Viet spots that I love. I feel bad writing that, but it's true. When I have their pho, I'm thinking of Choo Choo (Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai). When I have their cha gio or grilled meats, I'm thinking of Vietnam Palace. When I have their vermicelli... well, vermicelli was always just a standard for me that never really stood out anywhere, so they pass on that. They prepare their beef salad - drained raw flank steak marinated in lime juice and tossed with herbs, peanuts, and fried shallots - in the style that Cambodians do, using ample sawleaf herb and some other things I don't know the names for in English. But, even that is done better, in my opinion, at Khmer Kitchen. Don't get me wrong - if anyone suggests we go get a bite at Nam Phuong, I'm the last to shoot them down. It's a wide open pair of dining rooms separated by a low wall, you never feel crowded, and it IS authentic, genuinely good food. The service is prompt and friendly enough. And hey - cheap liquor and beer if you're so inclined. But, again, all of those things are available at other places that I tend to enjoy more. You will likely enjoy every dish you get here, and portions are heart-attack large. That makes this place solid. But, again, for me, they're in that middle space where I can't think of one thing that I prefer at Nam Phuong above other restaurants. All I can say is for you to go here and try it all yourself - you might love it.
(3)
Jerry T.
Something's going on here. For a long time we've hit this place most every Sunday for lunch. But suddenly the quality has gotten very erratic, good one week, bad the next, cold the next . . . quantities vary wildly . . . all very odd. And, I sometimes even question the freshness. The staff is still friendly and helpful . . . and I still want to like this place - but, we've gone from 4 times a month to maybe 1 now. I have to say . . . when you have a restaurant where the restroom is always disgusting it makes one wonder about the care put into cleanliness in other parts of the restaurant. On the plus side - Sundays now allow us to become introduced to a lot of great new places!
(3)
Caroline V.
Parking can be a pain here on weekends as the lot for the market is insane and the street parking is just as busy. But it's worth the walk from a far spot for some cheap but good eats. Hubby loves the bo luc lac here so we ventured down here for lunch while in philly especially for that. I like their hu tieu my tho so that's my usual go to here and as filler we got the cha gio app (tasty but i prefer traditional rice paper wrap). We washed it all down with some refreshing young coconut juice and were on our way. Quick and tasty lunch. They would have gotten 5 stars if the entire staff hadn't been lined up right by our table watching the diners. Threw of the lunch vibe for me as i was facing the 8-10 people standing around waiting to serve....
(4)
Tatiana D.
Went here for the first time a few nights ago with my boyfriend and loved the food! We ordered a pho each and shared the summer rolls (our go-to order at any Vietnamese joint). We were deciding between a few Vietnamese restaurants in the area and landed at this place because 1.) the first place we had tried to go to was closed and 2.) they have an expansive food menu of more than just pho. And I sure am glad we found this gem! Love the wide-open dining room {that I imagine would never have a long wait even with a larger group} and semi-tacky but just as great array of chandeliers and lights. It's another plus that it's even cheaper than other Vietnamese places we've frequented. Since we live so close to Nam Phuong, I anticipate this will be our new go-to spot...if only we came here sooner! The only down side (potentially) is that they aren't BYOB like other Vietnamese places we've been to around the Philly area, but we don't mind (really the beer here is so reasonable that I doubt buying it in a PA beer shop is that much cheaper). Plus, we love the imported Asian beers. I also got a coconut drink that was so good! The hot tea wasn't the best I've had, but hey it's free so can't complain! Can't give it 5-stars yet until I test out some other entree items on the menu, but so far so good. All in all, we'll be back!
(4)
Tina F.
One of my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. When I feel like eating Vietnamese dishes I come here, if I want pho I hop to pho saigon. The beef cubes here are delicious and the fish pot is good too. We usually get the meatball wrap, which you can't go wrong. I usually come here with my family or just whenever I'm hungry and want something simple and laid back I love the new renovation here.
(5)
Johnny L.
The service was all around a little disorganized. We had a big party, you know you should focus on big parties, that's where your money is. We got 2 circle tables put together, which makes for a weird arrangement when seated, but whatever. Ordered softshell crab, clams, seafood pan fried noodles, and the short ribs. Softshell clam in black bean is a never again. Clams in basil were great, however was a little bland. A few more basil leaves would have made all the difference. Pan fried noodles, delicious. The noodles were tasty!! Short ribs, those needed more flavoring but the quality of meat was amazing! The service was overall so-so. Could use more attention. Especially for a big group.
(3)
Brandon K.
Nam Phuong is fantastic for large groups. We came here tonight with about 16 people, and the staff was quick to put two large tables together to accommodate us despite an almost packed house. With such a large group, we've come to expect slow service and mixed up orders, but the service was quick and efficient and they got all of the orders correct. They also provided large water glasses for refills and were quick to provide extra spoons, fish sauce, napkins, etc. The food is always delicious and cooked fresh. The beef cubes with watercress were delicious - consistently so too! Everyone was happy with their foods - from the pho (even though I think the pho is better at Pho ha) to the pork chops with rice. One of the best values is the dinner for two, which includes hot and sour soup, spring rolls, a a fish dish, beef cubes, and a dessert for less than $35. If you need to feed a large group with some delicious Vietnamese food, check out Nam Phuong! Enjoy!
(5)
Matt R.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant, hands down. Feast at this place for a surprisingly low price. Spring rolls here are the bomb, and their pho broth is amazing.
(5)
Shereen C.
Tried Nam Phuong again & it's better than I'd previously thought, in the sense that there are at least a couple of good dishes in addition to the not-so-good dishes. GOOD **** The Bo luc lac (#280 country style beef cubes) was a favourite: very flavourful beef cubes served on raw watercress. Beef was very tender and cooked perfectly. ***^ Do-it-yourself Vermicelli wraps with charbroiled pork (#121 Thit Nuong) were good & the pork was flavourful. This dish includes all the materials to make your own "summer rolls" including the wraps (& water to soften them), rice vermicelli, lettuce, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, grilled pork & dipping sauce. ***^ Dessert Flan / Egg Custard (#023 banh flan) was quite nice, with a smooth supple texture. OKAY **^ Papaya salad with shrimp & pork (#110 goi dudu tom thit) was fine, though nothing special. *** Water spinach with garlic (#265 rau muong xao toi) was not especially good, but it was okay. **^ Fried banana dessert with ice cream (#029 chuoi chien & kem) was not bad. The banana inside was soft, but the outside was thick and not very crispy. Ice cream was mostly chocolate with a bit of strawberry & not the best flavour to go with the fried banana. *** Vietnamese Coffee or Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk (#004 cafe sua da) was fine. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. NOT RECOMMENDED *^ Eggplant sauteed with lemongrass (#263 ca tim ao xa ot) was bland, but the eggplant texture was fine. The vegetables that were fried in with the eggplant didn't suit the dish. *^ Spare ribs with ginger sauce (#272 suon ram gung) were so-so. Some pieces were extremely tough and overcooked while others were more edible, though still not great. ^ Chicken sauteed with curry, lemongrass, coconut (#273 ga xao lan) was generally bland and unappetizing. Chicken breast was overcooked. Curry sauce was flavourless. SUMMARY Service was very good, quick & helpful. I'd come back for the Bo luc lac & perhaps try some new dishes. The Vermicelli wraps with chargrilled pork were also good. I'd stay away from any chicken, though, since it seems consistently bad here (see previous review). Note: I used ^ to indicate a half-star and * for a full star. So, ***^ means 3.5 stars.
(3)
Silky W.
If you want authentic. This is the best Vietnamese food on the east coast, hands down.
(5)
Jeff H.
In the heart of the Little Saigon quarter of Philadelphia, Nam Phuong stands out above all the other eateries. It is quietly becoming known all over the east coast and rightly so. After eating at some very mediocre Vietnamese restaurants in Europe, it was a pleasure for me to get back to real Vietnamese food at Nam Phuong. Their menu is large and each time I go there I try something different. And the food doesn't disappoint. On a recent cold winter's day, I passed over the tempting Pho to indulge in the Broken Rice with a BBQ Pork Chop, Shredded Pork, Egg Quiche, and salad. This is a classic Vietnamese broken rice dish and it is prepared here to perfection. For starters, the jicama rolls delicately wrapped in rice paper really hit the spot - especially with the addition of the accompanying peanut sauce. But there are other aspects of Nam Phuong that propel it to five stars. The service for one - it is friendly and efficient. My water glass must have been filled more than five times. You are always served hot Vietnamese tea as soon as you sit down. And the condiments on the table along with the ubiquitous Vietnamese fish sauce are outstanding. You have a choice among so many different flavors to add to your dining experience. Yeah, it was def good to be back eating in Philadelphia's Vietnamese restaurants - and one of the very best ones at that!
(5)
Richard R.
My wife went to Nam Phuong on a cold Saturday night. We had watched Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations in Viet Nam. He had the Vietnamese crepes and thanks to Yelp, Nam Phuong came up using that search. I was also pretty excited to see the number of reviews and 4 star rating. Nam Phoung is on Washington Ave near 12th street. I have lived in the Phila area all my life and it is really awesome to see how big the Asian community has become in this part of South Philly. Nam Phoung is situated in a large Vietnamese strip mall. It is pretty cool to see with all the different stores and lights. The restaurant itself is very big with a ton of tables, It was fairly crowded being a Friday night but we were seated right away, I was not crazy about the decor of the restaurant. It sort of didn't know which way it wanted to go...on one end it wanted to be high end with the crystal chandeliers. It just seemed odd to me but it was quite clean and the service was very good. It was a mixed crowd of Asians and Non Asians. We had the crepe of course, This isn't like the French version but almost like an omelet with scallions, vegetables and shrimp inside. This was very good and we should have ordered two. We had a fried fish fillet also that was super tasty. We also had a pork chop with rice. This was just OK, the flavors were good but something was missing to make it really special. We also had salted fish fried rice with chicken. That was a strange dish. My wife is of Asian decent (Filipino) and she wasn't expecting the flavors. So we were 2 for 4 with the dishes we ordered. I guess we made some poor choices based on so many great reviews. The menu is HUGE! Nam Phuong has a full bar and beer from Viet Nam. We didn't have time to try the coffee but would have liked too. Definitely a cool and interesting place. Out tab for everything was around $40.00
(3)
Layla N.
Big, lively restaurant serving authentic, yummy grub. Only been here once but everything I tried was really good. The food came out in a timely manner and service was on point.
(4)
Amanda N.
I strayed away from the pho and finally see what all the rave is about! Hu tieu do bien (seafood vermicelli) was awesome and hit the spot as I was recuperating from a stomach virus. It was a nice big soupy bowl of rice noodle topped with shrimp, imitation crab and a piece of scallop that felt like a hidden piece of treasure upon discovery. Loved that it was super hot and came with a fresh plate of bean sprouts for me to fold into the soup (I always do this right away to get the perfect cooked bean sprout texture). I'll add the jalapeno's and lime next time for sure once my stomach can handle it. BF's plate was also really delicious looking. Can't wait to come back and try the other dishes recommended by fellow yelpers. And yes, the service is incredible for a Vietnamese restaurant. I never comment on service when reviewing Viet restaurants because it's just not worth mentioning (it's all about efficiency) but these guys are attentive, hardworking, and thoughtful. Love their humble service and hardworking ethic for such a popular restaurant. This place is a great spot for groups, too! We were surrounded by birthdays and large family gatherings.
(5)
Matt C.
Last weekend I ate here for the second time. The flavors are great and so is the service. Only things holding me back from giving 5 stars are: 1) I feel like there is SO much left on the menu to try that I can't truly judge the food yet and 2) The interior of the restaurant isn't amazing and while the wide open feel is great for big groups it wouldn't be a good atmosphere for a romantic date night. Definitely excited to visit again and try something new!
(4)
May T.
I sat through a terrible hour and a half drive on 76 just to get to Nam Phuong and I guess in the end it was pretty worth it. They have these awesome pre-selected dishes that can be ordered for groups of 2+ and the price isn't too shabby. For around 25 bucks, 2 people can get an order of soup, rice, springrolls and I believe 2 other dishes listed on the special. I've definitely had better cha gio in restaurants other than Nam Phuong but their pho broth is really good compared to a lot of other places I've been to. I ordered the bun dac biet which came with a ton of toppings and definitely left me very full. I could go for another round of Nam Phuong any day and on the plus side if you need to get some food shopping done, the location is ridiculously convenient.
(4)
Danny K.
Good foods lot of good noodle and Vietnamese food. I like it here lot my wife and I always come for quick good meal Nice and clean great services too.
(5)
Nhi T.
I eat here from time to time. Service is amazing and the food is fresh whenever I order in or take out. They have a lengthy menu so you have a variety of food to choose from. Very affordable and highly recommended.
(5)
Kerry B.
Ooo baby do you know what $10 is worth? Nam Phuong is a place on Earth. Ridiculously good Pho. Sit down eats, unreasonably inexpensive.You can't beat this place, its spring rolls and how can get in and out in under a hour. The total package.
(5)
Tyler R.
This used to be the go-to place for a lot of South Philadelphians, but the recent past has ushered in a more popular era for all comers from across the city. You MUST: - Try the family meals. It's the cheapest, greatest way to eat like a king or queen. From the Tom Yum soup to the fish and seafood, this is what you want right now. - Have a bowl of deluxe pho. It's so incredibly satisfying. AVOID: - Saturdays and Sundays around dinner. The place is packed, and unless you have reservations, be prepared to wait. Also, some event dinners are hosted there, and it takes up a large part of the restaurant space - When you have limited time. The servers can be slow to tend to you, and it might take some time to get your food out. Nam Phuong is a staple in the Viet food scene. It's not going away any time soon.
(3)
Li D.
First, this restaurant is really large, and parking can be a pain. But it is fairly good and VERY reasonably priced. Went for dinner, and had the pho. It was as expected. Good and satisfying. My partner had the meat (chicken, salmon, beef, etc.) on a bed of rice noodles. It was good too. The service is fast. All-in-all, a good neighborhood restaurant.
(3)
Sarah F.
A few months ago I decided to take a risk and try Vietnamese with two others also unfamiliar with the cuisine. We were all thoroughly unimpressed. Thanks to Yelp's in it to Thin It, Christina G and I needed a place to go where a: the menu was mostly healthy and b: it was easy not to drink. Since she lives in the area, it was either Vietnamese, Mexican, or Italian. Vietnamese seemed the most diet friendly. I let her choose what we ate, and I'm glad I did. The papaya salad was really delicious. I'm definitely going to get one for lunch next week. I also liked the vermicelli bowls. The lemongrass tofu (my suggestion) was a little disappointing, but only in comparison to the other dishes. I'm glad I gave the cuisine another try, because I loved it!
(4)
Alex P.
I'm so happy that I found this place! The food really is authentic Vietnamese! It's so delicious! It's very inexpensive and the hours are great! They're open 7 days a week until 10pm! And their menu is huge! It's located in what I like to refer to as Vietnamese town :) so many gems!
(5)
Bob S.
Excellent Vietnamese food with an amazing number of choices. It is a great restaurant! Parking is very easy too.
(5)
Peter D.
I am amazed at how much pho you get for $6.25. Like goddamn. The Deluxe will be one of my go-to meals from now on, despite the weather getting warmer. I had enough for two meals worth. That's what I call bang for the buck! I definitely would love to come back here with more people. The interior is kind of generic Asian family style and the location is kind of hard to get into if you are coming from west of Broad Street on foot but otherwise you don't pay for ambiance you pay for the food, and Nam Phuong does not disappoint!
(5)
Perry A.
Pho with a deep herby broth and oh so al dente rice noodles and good beef balls. Not mushy broken rice with grilled pork chops with nice carmelization so tender and moist, runny fried egg (extra) and crispy pickled tart veggies. Green staff spills water on spouse, lots of apologies, but no comp. Had to call waiter over to order and get check. Could have been perfection. Still: Opens mind to possibilities of great Viet cuisine.
(4)
Patience P.
Ugggg, I hate this place. It's so dirty and the food is def not the best in Philly. I'll go to the market and then drive to Chinatown to eat because it's so ratchet.
(1)
Di P.
holy batman fast. I don't know how they did it. I asked for a noodle dish and it came out literally 5 minutes later. I had barely finished pouring tea for the table and checking in on Yelp when the steaming hot plate of food came out. I got a seafood dish which sort of expectedly had imitation crab meat and lobster in it. I gotta find myself a fancy asian restaurant that doesn't serve imitation seafood so I can finally give 5 stars to a asian restaurant. Just in general the service was attentive and they were fast to seat us, grab our orders and have us fed and happy. It's a large place so it's definitely good for good groups. Sidenote: I always swear by how "authentic" an asian restaurant is by seeing the ratio of asian peeps to non-asian peeps (is that racist? i hope not. geez. but i'm half asian so that's okay right?). Anyway, this place has a lot of non-asian peeps because it must have really peaked in popularity and word has spread. For sort of hole-in-the-wall places like this (meaning not super fancy) I like the scale tipped in the other direction... So that's my two yen. Ok no more jokes.
(4)
Chris C.
Maybe service is a cultural thing? I'm surprised that so many people make a big deal about it. I like the privacy here, and when I ask for something, the wait staff here are very gracious and speedy. The french coffee here is delicious. Try it. But the main attraction is the Pho. I drive over 60 miles just for the pho here. The fragrant smell of basil and broth welcomes me every time I set foot in this place. I'm salivating right now as I write this review. I always get the flank steak and beef ball pho. Mmm beef balls! LOL. Great value, and great atmosphere of an asian banquet hall in the heart of little Vietnam.
(5)
Jeff O.
Solid local joint for a Vietnamese food fix. Had a vegetarian meal this week, which was enjoyable but not special. They know what to do with their tofu, but they don't put enough of it in the dishes. The Vietnamese crispy crepe was solid -- rich, coconutty crepe filled with nice tofu and veggies. Always a fun interactive experience to eat with the big lettuce leaves and basil. The tofu and veggie bun (rice noodles) was good, but not enough tofu. Nice, fresh veggies though. The eggplant with lemongrass sauce was mediocre and greasy. Not much flavor, not spicy (although we requested it spicy), and way too much oil. Perhaps next time the pho is the way to go.
(3)
Pauline S.
I am not Vietnamese but I would have to say this is a pretty solid spot to get Vietnamese food in South Philly. Not only does it have variety, but it is affordable and tasty. On on occasion, I got thai tea, make your own rolls, and banh cuon dac biet. The make your own rolls was a filling and yummy, and we used up all the things even the greens!
(4)
Sarah S.
I've tried the Bo Luc Lac at several different places, and none of them can compare to Nam Phuong.
(4)
Christina G.
I live in the neighborhood. My boyfriend and I go to Nam Phoung on a regular basis. We have never been disappointed with the food. There isn't a menu item that we haven't liked. Pho isn't the best in the City but is still very good. I love their papaya salad- it's so refreshing. The vermicelli bowls are very good. And I love rolling up the veggies in the rice paper and dipping it in peanut sauce. It's delicious and fun. Food usually comes out pretty fast. Ingredients are fresh and you can get a lot of food for cheap here. It's not byob but their booze is pretty cheap if you are looking to drink.
(4)
Juliana K.
Good portions and friendly service. I had Beef Chow Fun and it was a bit oily, but well flavored!
(3)
Patrick H.
So I actually don't come here as often since I go elsewhere for pho, but I would have to say that Nam Phuong is very good in providing general Southeast Asian food. I won't go here for pho, but I would go here for many other things. It's a good restaurant in general, and many Philly natives come here to enjoy what they have to offer. Food Like I said, pho's average here but there are so many other dishes I think are great.Their "Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice" is one of the best I've ever had anywhere (it's not for those who cannot eat raw beef). It's just so tasty and full of flavor. Another great menu item they have are the rice paper entrees you can get to make your own rice paper wrap. It's one of the best things they have here. Their Banh Cuon is also really good, and it comes with this Fried Dough kind of thing. Finally, everything is pretty cheap! Service Kind of confusing sometimes, but the employees are great. You won't always know who's your server or how you're being sat, but once sat, they do try to take care of you as much as they can. It does tend to get quite busy here, so service will go down if they happens. Worth a Try: Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice, Vermicelli Rice Paper Wrap Entree
(4)
Kevin R.
Tonight, I learned that this is a great spot to get cha gio with pieces of wire-brush cooked into them. What's really scary is if you think a bit harder into the logic behind that. How does a piece of wire-brush get into the pork/mushroom/etc. mixture of a cha gio? Yeah, I switched it up and tried Nam Phuong for a change (I usually go next door) and they basically punished me for it.
(1)
B B.
Tit for tat, I was pressed to visit this restaurant. I knew it was situated among the indochinan strip mall in that area. Scared, I reneged the repeated requests to visit. After using Jedi mind tricks, I was worn down. Much not to my chagrin. Worth a visit or two.
(4)
O C.
The shrimp with lotus salad is the best version I had. I usually order the beef cubes with watercress and the sweet and sour soup. This is one of the best places in Philly to get Vietnamese cuisine at a very affordable price in south philly.
(5)
Derrick P.
Summer rolls and bun bo hue - that's all you need to get This is the first place that I would actually say the soup compares with the stuff in the country itself. What makes this place so special is how INCREDIBLE the broth is - no one can deny how textured, complex, and rich/flavorful yet light the broth is. I introduced 3 asian friends to their bun bo hue within a week period and all claimed that this was THE BEST noodle soup they had in their life.... I would agree. But, the other special thing about this place is how fresh and high quality their ingredients are. I really appreciate this when I taste the noodle wrapper of the summer rolls and how the fresh flavor sticks with you after you take the bite. The pork meat in the soups are so tender, and the basil leaves are huge as if they were picked off the farm that very day. This is probably the best asian soup I've had - highly recommended.
(5)
Ann V.
I'm always here yet I never review. I'm so terrible. I love Nam Phuong! There are so many food items that I could write about but I guess I'll just start with my most recent meal. - Bo Luc Lac: Yummy! One of those dishes that I order almost every single time I'm there. -Ground Shrimp - Sugarcane w/ Rice Paper: A great starter! It's just so so tasty. -Pho Tai: It was decent, but not something I would think to order here. My friend wanted it so I decided to give it a try. Come here if you want cheap authentic Viet food. Until next time...
(4)
Nicole L.
Nam Phuong serves decent pho and a decent iced coffee, but other than that, there's nothing significant that separates them from the other restaurants in the area. Maybe the tablecloths on the table, the gigantic portions, and the passable service? Hmm.
(3)
Yiwen S.
i've eaten here on several occasions and it's always been consistently good. whether it's the pho, the grilled pork chops with broken rice, or the family-style chinese dishes, this place has it all on their extensive menu. they definitely excel better in their vietnamese food than when they try to dabble in other asian flavors, but i've never had anything bad per se. all in all, a good option for a filling and cheap lunch/dinner along washington ave. the place is also huge, which almost guarantees that you'll be seated and served quickly.
(4)
Vivian B.
So let's be clear-- I'm from Brooklyn and work in Manhattan. This place is in Philly. My family and I travel 100 miles (to be exact) for their Bun Bo Hue and Bun Rieu. It's that good. My parents are your typical, finicky, OG Vietnamese peeps that make it their lively hood to find great Bun Bo Hue, Bo La Lot, and other assorted Viet dishes. (Yeah, I said Viet. :-) ) It's very hard to find a place where I don't hear both Mummy and Father complain about the food, cost, portion size, blah blah blah, etc... Thankfully, I hear no complaints about Nam Phuong as we are often postulating, during the ride to Philly, on what dishes we are to get and then devour. Needless to say, I really heart this place. Not to say I don't love me a good bowl of Pho (which they really do make a really good Pho) but obscure Vietnamese noodle soups have a special place in my heart and this establishment fulfills my craving. I hope you'll love it as much as I will!
(5)
Fred R.
While visiting family in the Philadelphia area we wound up at Nam Phuong for dinner. We were seated promptly and service was above average. The menu is huge so I would recommend taking your time to give it a good look. In terms of quality and taste, the dishes we ordered were excellent. We had a soup with beef wontons, shrimps, and scallions which was a home run. Some of the appetizers included summer rolls and Vietnamese crepes which were not only tasty but very fresh. For main courses we had the grilled beef wrapped in leaves with vermicelli, chicken with broken rice, whole fried fish in sweet and sour sauce, salt baked squid, and chinese greens with garlic.........all of which were super! We will be back on our next visit!
(5)
Kelly W.
It was sooo good!
(5)
Michael F.
In need of another pho fix and wanting to continue my quest to try every pho place on Washington Ave, I ventured to Nam Phuong. The beef salad was a great way to start things off, but arrived only a minute or two before our main courses. Again I went Deluxe Pho, #152, this time only $6.25. At first, I was disappointed in what I felt was a lack of meat in the pho... until I started to dig in. I kept being pleasantly surprised by finding more. Service started out weak but seemed to improve as the meal went on, probably the only negative experience I had at Nam Phuong. It is highly recommended.
(5)
Nina B.
The only thing I order here is Pho, Its just so good..... One thing you should know is that its pork broth. They have no other options. I went to another place and had veggie or chicken broth and its just not the same. My other half ordered summer rolls that was just ok, but the peanut sauce it came with was fantastic. FYI I do not like peanut sauce... Go and try the PHO!!!
(4)
Jay P.
I like this place
(5)
Vinny P.
You have to love it when you are thrilled by the food at a restaurant and then the bill comes and you're thrilled with the price. It just leaves you feeling good all over. I dined here recently for the first time and admittedly, I had high expectations. When you look at all the very solid reviews for this place, it's hard not to get excited when coming here. What follows was just my experience. We began with the summer rolls with shrimp pork and chicken (103). They were light, bright, highly flavorful and with excellent texture. I really enjoyed the peanut based dipping sauce over the more vinegary offering. Our main meal consisted of the beef sauteed with lemongrass over vermicelli (178) and the chicken sauteed with ginger and onion (274) Both dishes were pretty awesome. The beef had such bright flavor from the lemongrass and it was served in a large bowl with hot noodles underneath it and lots of freshly shredded veggies. The chicken was served on a platter with steamed broccoli and the sauce was highly flavorful. We forgot to even specify a spice level because we were so excited by the meals themselves This place was super packed but we got a seat rather quickly on Saturday at 745. Other parties that came in after us had waits but they were minor. I'm definitely adding this place in the rotation. I can't wait to eat through more of their menu.
(4)
Sade B.
The noodles were stuck together and half done, I ordered steak Pho. I was high as a kite and the food was sub par. It's usual for food to taste amazing when I'm stoned but, nam Phoung proved they could screw this dish up. The beef stock flavor was so weak. It tasted like water and was very oily. I will never go back there.
(1)
Soyoung K.
Your pho is a win. The best hangover cure ever! I can also binge drink here with my hangover cure pho...which makes NP probably one of my fav's of philly. xoxo
(4)
Vuthy O.
Apparently my taste is just really really different from all of my friends and family and the rest of the reviewers on this site. The food is yummy, service - good, and my family has been coming here for years and years, but this is almost always my last choice when it comes to Vietnamese food. When I'm there, I enjoy most of what is offered, I just never want to go of my own accord - especially because the Cha Gio is made with wheat paper. (See my reviews for Vietnam Palace and Nam Son). In summary - a very decent, very low priced, albeit very average Vietnamese place complete with tacky decor. Most people love it, and I am kind of boojie, so give it a shot.
(3)
Jon Z.
My favorite vietnamese restaurant in philly! Most authentic, very delicious, fast service even when it is packed. Best deal is the Family meal for 4 package, costs less than $50 for a 6 course meal for 4 people with enough for a second meal when you take your leftovers home! Can also substitute one item for something else if you like.
(5)
Tala T.
I heard that Philadelphia has the best Vietnamese on the East Coast. Where are they all hiding? So far I haven't seen too many downtown. So I turned to Yelp and based on the many reviewer recommendations decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is located in a strip mall on Washington Avenue, surrounded by other Vietnamese restaurants, shops and food market. We went on a weeknight and found the place to be full of mostly Vietnamese patrons but also other foodies like us who have a deep appreciation for Vietnamese food. And so we were seated, quickly made our way through the extensive menu and ordered the: shrimp spring roll, chicken pho, barbecued quail and diced cubed beef. The shrimp roll was served first. It was good with generous amounts of shrimp in each of the two rolls. A shrimp roll is filled with diced shrimp, rice doodles and basil and wrapped in rice paper. It is usually served with peanut butter sauce and tastes fresh and healthy. This was no different but not superior to any other roll I've had. Next was the Pho Ga or Chicken Pho. It was filled with so much noodles that there was no room to mix the ingredients all in. In the end I only ended up having a few spoonfuls and moved on to the next dish. The barbecued quail was on the drier side and was not as tasty as the ones we were used to having in New Orleans. The meat was chewy and dry. Needless to say the count picked at every little tiny bone on that poor quail's fragile body. But the winner of the night was the beef cube dish or more commonly referred to as the Boc Luc Lax. It was served on a plate of watercress with a tangy salt and pepper dip on the side. It was so good that I barely touched the Pho and polished the plate clean. The best part: the entire meal cost well under $30 dollars. I found it to be en par with other Vietnamese restaurants I have visited. We both enjoyed our meal enough and saw some other delicious treats being served to other tables. So needless to say I'm sure we will become regulars unless I find a far superior local Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. Any advice on where to have the best Pho?
(4)
Emily S.
This is the place to go for Vietnamese in Philadelphia for anything other than pho. Whatever you get - banh hoi, bun bo hue, clay pot fish, thit bo luc lac - all authentic Vietnamese and the best quality I've had for the price. My favorites are the thit bo luc lac (beef cubes) served on a bed of fresh watercress and the any of the banh hoi dishes (roll it yourself spring rolls) which will surely fill a party of at least 2. My partner has been coming here for over a decade. Says the prices haven't changed in years. Beers are about $3 each and mixed drinks around $5. Prices for the food equally as reasonable. We don't come here for pho -- we either go across the street to Pho Ta or next store to Pho and cafe viet hung for pho thai (beef) or pho ga than than for pho ga (chicken) - better bang for your buck than nam phong in my opinion, though others may tell you differently. Atmosphere is nothing special, but doesn't need to be. The food is first rate -- if you are looking for some swanky atmosphere with mediocre food, this is not your place. But if you're looking for one of the top Viet restaurants in Philly, this is your spot.
(5)
Joolie T.
so- i come back 2 years later and what do i think? it's still one of the BEST Pho/Vietnamese joints i've been to on the east coast. no doubts about it. i've been craving this stuff forever and would whine, beg and cry to come back to Philly just to eat here. low and behold- it happened!!! the service is impeccable here. they make sure you have everything at your table, how your meal is, how EVERYTHING is. customer service is very important to me- and this is a restaurant who extremely cares about their customers. i've never had this kind of experience from a Vietnamese restaurant before. i know that sounds kind of a back-handed compliment, but it just means that Nam Phuong surpasses every negative thing i've thought about regarding these type of places. our spring rolls were perfection. it was so good that we ordered 3 more servings to go for Ron C.- who was arriving in Philly just 1 hour after we were. what was his verdict??? well, he finished it all. happily. lol. i can't wait for the next time i'm in Philly to satisfy my craving. until then, it's mediocre Pho for me in NYC. =(
(5)
Payal P.
I will start this review off by saying, I will give them another chance. About 2 weeks ago a group of 10 came in for dinner with a reservation. Upon arrival we were seated at 2 circle table (even though 2 large rectangles were available to accomodate us to sit together). After a little uncertainty, we weretold we could push the circles together making for an awkward infinity loop of seating. Half our party was about 10 minutes late and the staff asked us way too many times at that point if they were actually coming. They would not even take our drink and app order until they arrived, which we found weird but we rolled with it. When the other party arrived, they took the drink order of half but not the other half. Then the other half ordered before the 2nd half even got to order drinks. Let's just say it took almost an hour for everyone to get their food...the first person to receive food was about 10 mins after ordering the last person was almost an hour later. This would have been fine IF we would also have been able to get another round of drinks, which we finally were when we started receiving food. Half the people loved their food the other half did not. I got a rice noodle dish which i thought was pretty bland even after dumping on all the extra sauce they gave plus some doctoring from the condiment tray. What I won't complain about is the price, I think we got out for around $20 per person for a meal, 2 drinks and including tip. Those in our group that had been their before said we must have had a really off night and usually it is nothing like this. So I am willing to give it another try. 1 star for half the people liking the food, 1 star for price.
(2)
Dave B.
You want Pho? Well, this is the place to come. Probably one of the most popular Viet food experience in Philly that is authentic and affordable. During the cold months, I find myself dining here multiple times per week. They are fast, delicious and reliable quality when it comes to Pho. Other dishes are just as wonderful so if you're not feeling soupy today, explore the menu. It can get a little crowded but the wait is worth it. One advice, order using the number because there's a small chance that they'll come out with a totally different dish than what you wanted.
(5)
Linda N.
Continuing on my quest to find the best pho, my boyfriend and I decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is in a Vietnamese shopping plaza, so you don't have to worry too much about paying for parking at the meters or fighting with others to get a parking spot. The place itself was huge and filled with people - so if you want to have a banquet or some sort of party, this place will be suitable. Like I've said before, I get incredibly hesitant in eating pho at restaurants because of the massive amounts of msg, but Nam Phuong's Pho Dac Biet is a serious winner. I was literally sipping every last bit of it. And guess what??? I didn't get into a deep food coma or anything. The Bun Dac Biet (grilled chicken and shrimp, nem nuong (pork patties), cha gio (fried spring rolls)) was pretty good, too. I requested for bi (shredded pork), so that was $1 extra. Everything in the bun noodle bowl was portioned so well - the meat to noodle ratio was great. Service was average. We noticed that the American-looking customers got the most attention - whereas we simply were given our food and were left alone. I actually don't mind much because I'm used to this kind of treatment from most Asian restaurants. But my boyfriend pointed that out to me and I just thought I'd write a few words about it for my fellow Asians out there who will eat at Nam Phuong. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the Thai tea boba. It was absolutely ridiculous. I mean, it wasn't that bad, but it was definitely made from powder - not the kind of tea you get at Thai places. And the boba was so bad that I didn't even touch them. I don't know what I was even thinking when I ordered a boba tea - not to mention a Thai tea boba - from a Vietnamese restaurant. My advice is to get Thai tea only from Thai restaurants and boba tea at boba tea specialty shops. Overall, I highly suggest ordering almost anything else besides the Thai tea boba or any of their boba drinks. All of the other traditional Vietnamese foods and Vietnamese drinks here at Nam Phuong surely won't disappoint. Chuc an ngon!
(4)
Lisa C.
Totally fabulous, I love this place! Great food, fast service, always reliable and it's cheap. How can you beat that?
(5)
Zashi M.
Located in a shopping center, parking was convenient compared to downtown Philly and Chinatown. Menu is extensive, which makes some dishes not so authentic. I can't tell what they specialize in so we ordered a variation od dishes. everything was good but not wow. Pho (beef noodle soup) Com suon (pork chop rice) Bun Xeo (vietnamese crepe) Bun bo hue (spicy pork feet noodles) Vietnamese congee with pig blood and liver The only thing that wasn't too good and was no where near authentic is the jicama rolls. Disappointing. Good variety with fairly good food. No wow factor worth a 4 or 5 star rating.
(3)
Penn S.
pretty decent foods..got the best Huu Tieu Xao... the only reason I give this place a 3 stars because one of the host forced me to take off my hoody...wtf? all these people around me had their HATS on and he didn't say a dam thing...this aint no dam 5 stars restaurant...
(3)
Louis D.
went with my in-law who has been here before.. it was after a baseball game and close to closing time.. I was not sure what to get so i whinged it.. everything was delish and would not be apprehensive to go back.. as some might be... go in try it..
(4)
Kathleen D.
I like your ceiling full of SO MANY chandeliers. There are just rows and rows of em like some used-to-be banquet hall where glamour-shots type bridal photos were certainly taken...and now we eat soup and vermicelli bowls and clay-pot dishes here. This restaurant, I'd definitely use for a scene in the movie I'm making. Everybody'll be all, "What a peculiar place," when they see it. Service is speedy, family style Vietnamese foods tastes good... and it's pretty inexpensive... Yeah, the food is consistently good. Here, the last time we went to Nam Phuong it was so busy that seating was CLOSE and we were seated next to these two guys and one of them or both of them smelled like they'd spent the night in a chicken coop. I mean, ripe. AND YET... the meal still felt successful. I think that's a good testament to the good eatin here. Nam Phuong's pho and foods temporarily cure my feelings of repugnance! Yay!
(4)
Captain G.
Best Vietnamese restaurant in Philly! I highly recommend you get one of the Vietnamese BBQ platters so you can sample everything. The platter is good for at least 2 people to share. Their pho is also phenomenal.
(4)
David T.
I'm Vietnamese so I definitely think I'm a good judge of Vietnamese food, and this place is awesome. I've gotten mostly everything on the menu and it's delicious and affordable. The beef wrapped in grape leaves is bangin, but I would absolutely recommend the dinner for 4 if you come in groups. The pho is below par, not surprisingly though because it's not a pho restaurant. The fish/beef stewed in the clay pot is awesome and a well liked dish by many friends who come to visit me in Philadelphia. Great place to start out your Vietnamese cuisine adventure. I'd recommend maybe something traditional like a Com tam suon dac biet-broken rice with marinated pork and egg. A good appetizer would be banh xeo, although better made at home, nam phuong does a great job representing the dish. I'd also order the chao tom - sugar cane shrimp. Just order everything. Vietnamese food is light, healthy and refreshing, unlike the other asian food.
(4)
Tue T.
Ate at this place multiple times with my family. Great food, great services at an affordable price, what more can a person ask for? Their canh chua (sweet sour soup) is probably one of the best soup out there. Their ca kho to(fish simmered in caramel sauce) is amazing. Their food are filled with flavors and will no doubt satisfy you. You won't regret coming to this place. My family tend to be very loud and expects food to fly out of the kitchen instantly or something. Despite that, they were very fast to send out our ridiculously large dinner style food and were very friendly about it. Great atmosphere where families can enjoy their food without being rushed and have casual conversations without waiters coming in every 5 minutes to ask if everything is okay.
(5)
Stef A.
At the suggestion of fellow Yelpers, I went here to try Pho for the first time with a couple of friends (I've been having dreams about it ever since a friend posted a picture of Pho on his facebook page. Don't judge me). Delicious. Ordered the spring rolls and at the suggestion of our waiter, got #159 (Pho w/ Slices of Eye-Round Steak & Well Done Flank). He did not steer me wrong. I wasn't feeling too well so the hot steam from the big bowl of pho and numerous cups of tea put me in a way better mood. Good for groups and cheap as hell. Go now.
(4)
Hankering f.
I like to come here once a week and would eat here every day if I could. The food if fresh, flavorful, and easy on the wallet. The service is quick and dependable. I've been to Vietnam and eaten lots of Vietnamese states-side, and this place blows everywhere else away. Here's the skinny: the menu is huge, but we've found a few gems: We ALWAYS order #123 (It is a wrap your own spring rolls) AND one of the following: papaya salad, beef salad, lotus salad, pho, but we've been turned onto the pork chops recently. Nothing is bad, but the vermicelli is a little boring, I mean, what do you expect from Bun? The Pad Thai is always the special, and we had it for the first time last night, surprisingly good even for Nam Phuong standards. Oh, ask for hot tea. We often finish with a Taro shake. mmmm.... I hope you love this place as much as I do. I'm pretty sure you will.
(5)
Vince C.
The place was great. Seated right away. Once we ordered food came out quick. We got a bunch of stuff. Everything was really good, the spring rolls, the Pho Deluxe, fish pot, pad Thai, broken rice (my least favorite but still very good), some other really good cool roll, they had a Vietnamese crepe that was incredible. Beers only $3. Can't go wrong here
(4)
Prasath S.
Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. Need I say more....AMAZING....
(4)
Justin F.
This is the spot, really good food at really low prices. You can literally order a few entrees and appetizers and walk out with a bill under $30. I continuously head back for their broken rice plus pork/steak combos. The meat is heavily marinated and their rice is pretty darn good as well. I also enjoy their crispy pork spring rolls. My fiance tends to always get pho when we are their and absolutely loves it. So it your into Vietnamese food and don't mind getting through one of the worst parking lots known to man, I'd recommend checking this place out.
(4)
Scott F.
My new favorite place for Pho in the city. Delicious and cheap!
(5)
elle m.
God, I want to give this place 6 stars. Not too much on decor here. It is your standard eatery with cheesy floral appointments and soothing elevator music versions of today's hits and yesterday's favorites. But... the food. is. bizangin! We've been going to Nam Phuong for a couple of years and I almost hesitate to review it because I don't want it trampled over by the hipsterrazi. For about 11 bucks a person, you can get a lovely appetizer and delicious entree from almost anywhere on the menu. Their bowl of Pho is perfectly hot and never greasy. My favorite dish is Bun Thit Nuong - a vermicelli salad combo with pork. It's light, tangy and so delicious, I will have to have it for dinner because I can't write about it and not get it! My favorite waiter likes to try his English out on us and sometimes dances a jig table side to get us to laugh. TL;DR It's really a great place and if you're comfortable going somewhere new in your search for dinner, this is the place to off-road. Interestingly delicious dishes priced for everyone to add adventure to your plate.
(5)
Hank C.
Large Vietnamese / Chinese restaurant along Washington, this place has two entrances, one from the plaza, another from 11th. The eggplant - tasty, and garlic sauce wasn't bad at all. The duck shredded in noodle soup - skip it. The special pho was okay, although lacked much flavor in the broth. The Chinese water spinach with garlic was good, albeit everything was really oily...
(2)
Brittini S.
Best Pho in town! Great for large groups and friendly service. You don't go for the atmosphere but the people are nice and the food is consistent and always delicious. I always order Pho #162, the summer rolls, and the triple delight. Building the rolls with the triple delight was especially fun for my friends and I. You cannot beat the price either! The roasted quail was delicious too!
(5)
Josh K.
Nam Phuong, conveniently located right on Washington Avenue nearby the somewhat dirty but very useful supermarket, delivers a really fantastic, reasonably priced meal in a comfortable, family style setting. The entire layout is open with long tables and eight to ten person rounds, and it's not uncommon to be seated at the same table as a few strangers. Vietnamese food is always a nice, fresh change of pace, and Nam Phuong's charbroiled pork with vegetables is a favorite of mine along with their lemongrass squid. Each time I've ordered squid here, it comes out perfectly cooked: not too tough and rubbery and not at all mushy, just the right consistency. Also, the food has never taken an inordinate amount of time to come out, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. Since my house is nearby, I occasionally get takeout, and even that is prepared fresh and done well. I'd highly recommend it for any casual, satisfying dining experience.
(4)
Eric B.
Best Vietnamese food I've had in Philadelphia so far. Any other place so far as been a disappointment, in taste or price. This place has good taste and cheap prices. This is coming from a person who lived next to Westminster (Little Saigon), California for most of his life. Check it out!
(4)
Kate J.
Nam Phuong is my favorite place to get takeout in Philly, so much that I'll bike there in 20-degree weather just to pick it up (they don't deliver). Love love love the Goi Ga (chicken and cabbage salad), which I haven't been able to find at some other Vietnamese restaurants. The service is always helpful and accurate, and the decor makes me so happy in its old-schoolness: a huge bustling room with chandeliers and big round tables.
(5)
Lam Ngan L.
If there was a half star I would give it to this place too. None of the foods we ordered tasted good. We ordered a variety of different things and all of the dishes were just WRONG. The waiter came over after we paid our bill and asked why we had so much food left, did we want a to go box. If I were the owner and saw that guests are leaving with a lot of unfinished food. I'd be VERY CONCERNED.
(1)
Teresa L.
Great food! Love how this place is so big and you get your food fast. And the Vietnamese waiters seem friendly enough. We had the grape leaves/beef dish, wrap-your-own-shrimp-roll plate, two bowls of pho, and, this I regret, a plate of mussels/clams. Everything was delish except for the mussels/clams which were ~$11 and just...slimy, gross, and sorry but the BELGIAN/PUB VERSION KICKS ASS. Even though our table was all the envy and our eyes were all googly, I couldn't help but eye the Vietnamese crepes this elderly couple had next to us. So large were the egg/rice flour beauties that you could have wrapped a baby in it. I salivate. My dining experience is defined by the pho soup, however, and it was lovely. I will definitely be back after I have tried other places to deliver a final verdict.
(4)
Jenny L.
Favorites here are the triple delight, sauteed beef cubes and salt & pepper squid. And of course the ice coffee with condensed milk! And for some reason, I really like the tea here too. The pho and other dishes we've tried has been so so....nothing out of the ordinary and on par with other viet restaurants. Mainly it's fast, cheap and has been consistent. A staple for me and the S.O, especially if you're hungry and looking to get in and out quick!
(4)
Jennifer T.
The interior is familiar and cozy, with funny wall art, and everyone is so darn NICE. Just like at my parents' house! Everything here is tasty and authentic. One of the few places in the city to get the trio appetizer platter (grilled beef wrapped in grape leaves, shrimp on sugarcane sticks, and vietnamese meatballs) to wrap in DIY rice papers & veggies or various types of congee. The thit kho or ca kho (pork or fish in a claypot) is bangin, as is any of the crispy noodle dishes. Lots of vegetarian options too! Don't come here for pho, it's better at Viet Huong or Pho Hoa. Bonus: they serve booze on the cheap!
(4)
Karen C.
I love their Papaya and lotus salad. Best I've had in the city. That the only think I really care for.
(3)
laura k.
This is basically my benchmark for what good Vietnamese food is. Ridiculously fresh ingredients, cheap, lightning fast. It is clean but it is not the ritz so far as decor but I go for the Mouth Party not for the chandeliers and grandeur. I've tried a pretty wide range of traditional dishes, including the Bánh Hi (make your own rice paper wraps with vermicelli/herbs/lettuce/pork/shrimp/pickled carrots/cukes/etc), bún (vermicelli salad bowls), and broken rice platters, plus their amazing crepes and spring rolls for appetizers. Somehow I have not tried any of their soups yet, which is baffling, considering how many times I've been here. To be amended when the weather chills out a bit. Service is always fast and without issue, though rarely the same single person takes care of us from beginning to end of the meal. And since it is huge inside, there is never a wait. I am guilty of spying on other people's platters trying to figure out what they've ordered. Inevitably it looks like nothing described on the menu. Must learn more! Must eat more! There is still time!
(5)
chase m.
Surprisingly legit but then again look at their reviews! I am a huge fan of Southeast Asian food, especially Vietnamese...this place didn't disappoint! Price: $-$$ Service: good Ambiance: casual, although they are oddly set up like an Asian banquet restaurant (i.e.,a big stage w/ a red back drop and gaudy gold phoenixes hung on the wall) but the rest of the restaurant looked like a typical Vietnamese restaurant (unmatching tables & chairs, randomly hung cheesy Southeast Asian inspired art, dull floors, fake plants, Chinese calendars hung behind the cash register area....) Groups: yes, it's a huge space! So bring your family, friends, neighbors, village... Would I come back? Yah!
(4)
Mimi L.
I've eatin at Nam Phuong's numerous times. The food is always good. I've had almost everything on the menu and never had a complaint. The price is fair. The food is authentic and good. The only thing is the waiters sometime do forget your order. But it's always resolved and the dish always comes out later. Good Vietnamese food.
(4)
Christopher S.
This place is a gem in South Philly. Good Vietnamese options for C H E A P. Nice vegetarian selection too. The eggplant dish is good, good stuff. Staff is nice and very helpful. Definitely worth checking out if you happen to get the munchies while on 12th & Washington.
(4)
Kate J.
OK I gave four stars because they have the best pho in Philly but dont' wander too far around the menu. I was served a completely inedible meal there - some chicken dish with curry, coconut and peanuts that sounded wonderful but looked and tastes like vomit. What was I thinking?
(4)
Thor T.
Brought a large group of friends back to this restaurant for dinner and it turned out to be a disappointment. Most of the plates we ordered were reminiscent of mediocre Chinese restaurants - smell of oil that had been used way too many times, thick, insipid sauces. Even the usual Vietnamese appetizers were carelessly prepared and uninspiring. The service was scattered and inattentive. The most distinct part of the evening was our feeling that no one really cared much whether we were there or not. A noticeable decline from earlier visits to Nam Phuong, especially when compared to recent meals at Viet Huong, the place next door.
(2)
L. K.
Very good food at a decent price with great service in a friendly environment -- always packed but never much of a wait. Good spot to bring a baby. Quick and with just enough noise to make a few cries no big deal. An old standby.
(4)
Alex X.
I like Vietnamese food but for some reason I only come in here when someone else wants to come here. It isn't my Vietnamese place of choice. I have no idea why. Food here doesn't grab my taste buds. I can eat it no complaints. But honestly, I come only for their pineapple shakes which I love.
(3)
Ash Z.
The food is fantastic & so are the drinks. It's hands down our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the city.
(5)
Stephanie Y.
CHEAP, FILLING AND SATISFYING!!!! Perfect on a cold day for a BIG bowl of pho, or perfect on a hot day for a vermicelli dish along with the 100 items they offer on the menu. My faves are the pho with everything except meatball, crab noodle soup, and beef wrapped with grape leaves. If it were closer to my apt, I'd go almost everday. Try not to park in the parking lot, since it's always chaotic and these asians are rude. Park on the street next to the restaurant. It's also easier to leave and away from these asians.
(5)
Dee M.
The parking is challenging here on weekends but well worth the 4 or r5x drive around the block. Food is fantasitc, service just as good. Easily accomodated our party of 20,-50 something diners. Was that what a previous review referred to as senior citizens? Hope not because we had a blast and thats a demographic that spends . Entree after entree was presented, sodas were flowing and the price was right. Our group for sure will be back and spending. Its good during the week too.
(5)
Neil B.
Went there for the pho. Very tasty and inexpensive. I don't to that part of town very often, but it is definitely worth the trip. Should have tried the summer rolls. Definitely will next time
(4)
Lan H.
Hearty and scrumptious Vietnamese food at Nam Phuong = a blessing :-) There is about as much love that goes into the making of the chao tom, bo tai chanh, and the goi ngo sen as there can be found in my beautiful mother's cooking. These are my and my family's must-have dishes at Nam Phuong. Our most recent meal was a 3-course meal for 4 that Nam Phuong generously offers when a dinner party just can't decide what to get or when everyone just wants a well-rounded Vietnamese dinner. Well-rounded means soup and sides that include hearty vegetables and amazing flavors, rice/noodles, meat/poultry/fish, and a cool and refreshing dessert. Check it out!
(5)
Stephanie S.
I first tried this place during high school, since my school was just down the block from there, so it was pretty convenient. My friend and I went here for Pho. I was skeptical at first because it wasn't a "Pho" place, but I immediately fell in love with it. The broth was flavorful and decadent and the noodles were perfect. The staff came out with our food pretty fast and they were polite and helpful. The customer service is great.
(5)
Bang T.
Nam Phuong has barely ever let me down. its food and service are always consistent. I suggest: Vietnamese spring rolls. Ca Kho Tho (Fish in Clay Pot) Bo Luc Lac (Beef with Watercress) Sweet and Sour Soup Soda Chanh Those are my usuals. If i ever have a hard time thinking of a place to eat on Washington avenue i can always rely on Nam Phuong!
(4)
Hong L.
5 stars for the Bun Bo Hue. I didn't try anything else. It's very difficult to have delicious, authentic tasting (whatever that might mean to you) Bun Bo Hue. This is my one of my favorite places in all of the country (the other one is in shockingly in St. Louis, the other in Westminster, CA) for BBH, oh that looks so cool! When it has blood, I know I'll like it!
(5)
Kal T.
Very good food if you wanna never tried Vietnamese food. Also is a good regular if you have. I give 4 stars because it's a bit dirty and the bathroom is also disgusting. Food isn't too expensive either. The food is very authentic.
(4)
Don B.
Best Pho soup, for the very best price. I've eaten here many times and my daughters who are 14 and 13 keep asking me hen we can go back. So much to choose from.
(5)
Lauren B.
I have no idea what has taken me so long to write this review! I LOVE this place. I've been going here for the past 4 years and every time I enjoy it like the first. My usual go-to's are chicken with vermicelli or char-boiled pork with broken rice. The pho is really good too. I've been to a bunch of Vietnamese places in the city, and Nam Phuong is always my favorite. The service is fast and I have never waited more than 5 minutes to get my food and I'm thankful for that because I'm usually salivating while waiting. This place is PACKED on Saturday's and Sunday's and don't even try to park in that parking lot on weekends. Just a heads up...I've made the mistake and literally sat stuck in traffic in the parking lot for 45 minutes before. Luckily I live within walking distance now, so I can just detour on foot through all the madness.
(5)
Victor C.
I've been here like 20 times (Thanks, Sarah B.). I love the food here. The atmosphere is casual. The service is fast. I noticed a change in their Family Dinner for 2. Old: $30 Goi Cuon (Summer Rolls) x 2 - Good Canh Chua Ca (Sweet and Sour Fish Soup) - Good Bo Luc Lac (Country Style Beef Cubes) - Great Ca Kho To (Fish Stew) - Great Gelatin Dessert (I forget what it's called) - Okay New: $27 Goi Cuon x 2 Canh Chua Ca ++Sauteed Beef (with something)++ Ca Kho To Gelatin Dessert Can anyone confirm this for me? Don't forget to get a Vietnamese Iced Coffee (cafe sua da)!
(4)
Zoe P.
We've slowly started to see that Philly's ethnic food options are indeed diverse and, if you know where to look, quite tasty and pretty close to authentic - IF you know where to go. CENTER Center City holds few good options if you're used to the breadth that NYC encompasses. But if you go just slightly further out of dead-center of Philly, you quickly encounter little neighborhoods packed with what your stomach truly desires. Such was the case with Nam Phuong, which my bf's parents discovered and then took us to after having what they considered an amazing Vietnamese meal. We went to the restaurant, which is GIGANTIC, during the week for dinner so it wasn't as packed as they are definitely prepared for. However, despite that, the service was somewhat lacking that evening. It seemed like few of the servers spoke/understood English, and the food came out very sporadically and not in any sort of order - some appetizers arrived first, but then a few entrees did, and only after reminding the waiter who understood English did the last appetizers arrive at our table. Don't even get me started on trying to get hot tea at our table, which involved attempting to wave over the entire staff and having to ask four times - and we needed it because it was FREEZING in there! But the food was good. Not amazing, oh my god this is the most authentic Vietnamese cuisine I've had, but tasty and well cooked. We had a variety of different dishes, from spring rolls and roasted quail to pho and vermicelli, and are were very good. His parents are obsessed with this place (and almost regularly get take out from them now), but we weren't blown away. The real reason Nam Phuong is so great is that its CHEAP. Seriously. If you have a LARGE group to feed, you can easily do so without breaking the bank. Portions are huge, too, since you're really expected to share with the whole table. I'll have to try a few other Vietnamese places to get a better sense of overall quality, but it's great knowing that Nam Phuong can provide a very good meal on the cheap at the last minute.
(3)
Jennifer T.
I would probably give this place more of a 3.5 stars. Their food isn't bad but it's not spectacular either. The top 2 dishes from this place (for me at least) would have to be their large appetizer tray (Ba Vi) which consists of a variety of grilled meats (beef wrapped in grape leaves, sugar cane shrimp and Viet pork sausage) that can be wrapped into summer rolls, and also their beef and wide rice noodle stir fry...you can really taste the wok (dragon's breath) in this dish. Other than that, this is place is a solid go-to place for Viet food. Oh, and other incentive to going to this place is the available parking lot (except for daytime weekends..which can be be pretty crowded from the supermarket).
(4)
Chris J.
Sub-par everything. There's much better Vietnamese food in south philly. As a matter of fact, there's much better Vietnamese food in the same strip mall. Floors are dirty too.
(2)
Dave H.
Nam Phuong personifies good Vietnamese food on the east coast. Family and I brunched here some time ago. This is a popular Vietnamese restaurant in - surprise, surprise - South Philadelphia, with decent parking lot (street parking too), large seating capacity, and a conservatively tacky decor. It's not refined, but their true claim to fame is their delicious food, not their interior design. Service was fast and efficient, taking our orders without issue. They sure dished out a tasty bowl of pho and the we enjoyed the rest of the dishes (shared family-style), including a plate of lotus root salad (totally killer) and a beef cube dish with lettuce and a sweet sauce - the bo luc lac. Recommended if you need a Vietnamese fix!
(4)
Jan H.
Possible the best Vietnamese food in Philadelphia! Also great service! I still have so many more dishes to try, everything is very tasty.
(5)
Steve S.
I definitely think I have a new go to place in Philly. Went there for the first time yesterday. We used Yelp to find the place since we were in the area and in the mood to try something different. The wife and I sampled the summer roll with shrimp and chicken, I had the egg noodle soup with wonton, pork, and shrimp (which was a meal in itself), and the wife chose the Chicken Sauteed w/ Bell Pepper, Onion & Satay Sauce. Everything was fresh and tasty, it came out promptly, and the whole meal was under 20 bucks. And, you can park for free. The cheapskate in me was very happy.
(4)
Rachel S.
A friend - who is Nam Phuong's biggest fan - brought me here last night for dinner. We shared 2 orders of spring rolls and Mai Tai's which is not my typical drink, but when it Vietnam... Next we shared this awesome roll-it-yourself platter where you cook your own meat in a vinegar-y broth, and roll it inside lettuce with lots of fillings to choose from. So good! The fillings included cucumber, carrots, mint, rice noodles, basil (which I think was a lemon basil), fish sauce, and the proteins we chose were beef and shrimp. The broth sits on a portable gas grill on top of your table. We also asked for peanut sauce on the side which really brought all the flavors together. I loved the experience and the food and I will definitely be back!
(4)
Kimmy S.
This place is incredible. I have never had a bad meal here and the service is always fast and friendly. The drinks aren't as strong as you'd like them to be, but the food makes up for it ten fold. The menu is encredibly large and comprehensive, so if someone at your table says they can't find something they like, they might be dead. If you only have a week to spend in the city, I'd say this would be a restaurant you'd have to make a point to go to.
(5)
Fransisca M.
I first went here when I was only a sophomore in high school with a whole bunch of Vietnamese friends. It seemed like they always went here to hang out. My new Vietnamese friends I knew from college also like to hang out here. So I'm assuming they make the best pho around. Their service isn't bad either.
(4)
Whitney R.
So, I walked in Nam Phuong really skeptical because I'm a huge Pho Hoa fan (across the street). I really wanted to try something different so I journeyed in, sat down and looked at the menu- cheaper than Pho Hoa (about $2 less on some meals). So, I ordered the chicken rice vermicelli bowl (with broccoli added) and I must say it was surprisingly good! I wouldn't say it's any better or worse than the same dish from Pho Hoa but it was very tasty. I also decided to get a Vietnamese iced coffee and that was just as delicious! I was talking to 2 ladies eating at the table next to us and they told us that their dishes were outstanding, I'm not sure what exactly they were eating but it's good to know that others enjoy their food as much as I did. The only reason I didn't give this restaurant 5 stars is because some of the servers could have been a little nicer, they could have cranked the heat up a little and their free hot tea had NO flavor. Overall I'd recommend this place to anyone in the philadelphia area looking for some good, authentic Vietnamese food!
(4)
Brent K.
What a great alternative to Vietnam Restaurant. All of the same great flavor you can expect at HALF the price.... literally half the price of what you'd spend at Vietnam Restaurant in China Town. Let me just give my top three choices for viewnamese food and how tasty they are at Nam Phuong: 1. Spring Rolls -- VERY fresh tasting, although I wouldn't suggest taking these home as left-overs, you're best bet is to eat them same day. Just a preference. 2. Wonton Soup -- This isn't your typical wonton soup. The wontons look like carefully crafted dumplings and are fantastic. There is also shrimp and fresh wild onion. I can totally see this being my go-to soup when I'm not feeling well or for cold days. 3. House Special Rice Vermicelli -- This is what I usually get at Vietnam Restaurant, except it's less than $8 at Nam Phuong. This dish is exactly what you'd expect elsewhere in terms of quality. It gets pretty busy there so you may just want to grab takeout.
(4)
Alexa R.
I like pho. I like it a lot. That said, I am not wild about the red meat they put in it. I am always pleased that Nam Phuong offers veggie pho! The thing that always surprises me about pho is 1) how much sriacha I can tolerate 2) how full it makes me. Located in a strip mall on Washington Avenue, this is a no-frills approach to Vietnamese. It is constantly packed and the servers are so nice. I love it!
(3)
Hilary W.
I know everyone goes to what I lovingly refer to as "Little Vietnam" to get soul warming bowls of Pho, but I go to Nam Phuong with a mission for Salt and Pepper Softshell Crabs. The summer rolls are awesome for an app, but if you're willing to do a little more work for your meat and want to try something different go for the quail. Be careful for the little bones as they can pop up when you least expect it, but it's so worth it. Don't get me wrong, the Pho is good. The broth is flavorful although the beef can sometimes be way more on the fatty side than usual. The greens are fresh and the noodles are always perfect. I honestly don't go the way of the tripe but my more adventurous friends have assured me it's great. The coconut drink is a curious bright purple, but who cares? It's amazing! With the cold season coming up head down to Nam Phuong for a bowl of Vietnamese penicillin upon your first sniffle or sneeze. You'll be amazed how one steaming bowl can clear up your winter funk!
(4)
Kristin H.
I crave Nam Phuong. We probably go here once a month. Two people can eat for less than $15 and the service is fast. I'm obsessed with the vermicelli bowls. I've tried them at other places in the neighborhood but none are as good as Nam Phuong.
(5)
Ol A.
I've been coming to Nam Phuong at least one or twice a month for over a year and it never disappoints. The papaya salad is excellent, and I love the vegetarian spring rolls on rice vermicelli. So good! I just wish they had wifi.
(4)
Stephen C.
Wow this place is great for cheap and really good food! The three trio appetizer of grapes leaves, sugarcane shrimp balls and grilled meatballs are worth it alone. Plus that will fill you up without eating anything else. There's enough food for 4 people. Grape leaves with grilled beef is banging! Yes I said Banging! LOL! Our table also order the pork chop rice combo platter. That's a feast for 2 lol. I have tried the wonton soup there, stay away from that lol, it was the worst I ever had, couldn't tell you what it was or looked like, it wasn't right lol. Another dish to try is the cubed beef with watercress, fresh and flavorful. Make sure your hungry when you come, you'll have a feast for cheap. And if your not hungry go for the grape leaves, you'll come back just for that. Happy Eatings!!
(5)
Julie T.
I used to frequent here before I moved to California, and when I'm in town, I make it a point to have lunch here. I'm addiced to their beef wrapped in grape leaves and their beef cubes! Their iced coffee is also pretty good! My family and I would drive all the way down from northeast down to this little place in south philly for dinner somtimes.
(4)
Thomas L.
Horrible service and horrendous wait times. I would never come here again. Food quality does not make up for it.
(1)
Dee C.
Will come here time and time again. Hot steaming pho with side of sprouts, basil and lime. Yummy. Quick and cheap. Why only four stars? Their bathrooms are messy. Mop, bucket etc being "stored" in disabled toilet stall and spider webs cover lights and walls. But I don't go there to use their restrooms, only for the yummy pho.
(4)
Jumi Y.
Yum, yum, yum. This place is always hopping, and the clientele includes people of many different backgrounds. The decor reminds me a little bit of a Chinese restaurant, but don't let it fool you. There's so many things I could go and and on about. I'll start with the pho. I was a convert to pho about 10 years ago, and I really like it here. The broth is clean and not oily. They are generous with the sides that go in it as well. And today, I got a free bowl because they brought someone the at my table the wrong type of pho. Score. They also have this vermicelli dish where you can essentially make your own spring rolls. This process was a huge learning curve for me. But once I got the hang of dipping my rice paper into the hot water without making it too soggy, I had these little rolls of deliciousness filled with pork, shrimp, and mint.. There is a funky leaf thing they put in that dish that I usually remove that tastes and smells like raw meat. (Don't worry, it's just leafy stuff that doesn't affect the taste of the food as long as you don't eat it.) And how could I write about this place without mentioning the Country Style Beef Cubes. They're cubes of beef on a bed of leafy greens with a lime/salt concoction for dipping. You gotta try it. In addition to the delicious food, the wait staff is courteous and efficient. Plus, the food is affordable. I have yet to be disappointed with this place.
(5)
Iman R.
My all time favorite restaurant of any kind (at the moment). It first of all, and most importantly serves what many Vietnamese folks I know attest to being among the most authentic Vietnamese food in Philly. Now that isnt exactly hard to get these days especially on Washington ave, which is basically little Vietnam. Heck, renowned traveling cheif Anthony Bourdain went to Pho 75 across the lot from Nam Phuong when he finally came to Philly on his show...he knows his Vietnamese and he approved. But I like Nam Phuong better. It first of all serves more than just Pho (the signature Vietnamese dish: distilled heaven in a bowl). Its a large banquet hall type space with a decent bar. Plus it has cordial and American freindly, uniformed staff. And theyre friiggin fast. This place is a well oiled machine. It can be packed, but never "feels" packed if you know what I mean. Nothing ruins my appetite more than being stressed out and eyed to get moving cause of the hungry disgruntled hoard at the door. Ive never had to wait to be seated at this place...though im sure it happens on Saturdays I bet. Oh and even though there is ample parking in the adjoining lot, it gets packed quick so parking can (on weekends) become a bitch, but nothing compared to like South Street. I dont want to sound like a judgmental snob but the place is real clean, including the bathroom. What else can I say...actuall Vietnamese eat here, in large extended family units of like 6 or more...which I find charming and is a big reason why I love it here. Their tables are always eye catchingly brimming with like the entire menu. Talk about feasts! And I don't want to stereotype but these folks are always so skinny, dont know how they do it...its probably because Vietnamese food is relatively healthy with all the fresh greens and general ungreasiness compared to say Chinese American food. Oh and its really affordable. So if you live in Philly and don't go here, enjoy that hole you have your head stuck in! ;)
(5)
Patty M.
Our go to place for chicken pho, it is delicious! We sre not big fans of the fried egg rolls but the pho is great. We will be exploring more of the menu on our next trip. We go at least one a week or bi-weekly =)
(5)
Kinnari A.
Cheap good Vietnamese food. Service can be an issue sometimes, but so worth it. Especially the summer rolls.
(4)
Ling C.
I went here for my friends birthday get-together and we(7 people) all ordered a rice dish of some sort. The price for my rice/pork w/ scallion and vegetable was around 7-8$. The dish was really tasty. The only bad side about the dishes they gave out were the vegetables. The vegetables filled about 1/3 of the plate and its obviously where they cheap out on. However the pork was delicious and the rice was normal Asian rice(maybe a bit softer than the everyday rice we eat at home.) Overall I would probably go there again to eat, but order something else that gives me more meat for the money. The place was designed nice and furniture had a smoothe finish to it, and not filthy like Pho Hoa. Also, the waiters were neither polite nor rude.
(4)
Rachel A.
I go here whenever I have a craving for good, cheap Vietnamese food. The parking can be a bit of an issue, as I feel like pulling into the parking lot in that section where all the markets are can be a bit of a death trap, but the food is just so darn good, I'll look past the parking. I always get the same thing, either the Papaya salad or the summer rolls with shrimp and chicken to start, then the chicken with vermicelli. All of the food tastes so good and fresh, and the herbs they use in everything make it that much better since they are fresh as well. The wait staff there is really nice, but when they get busy it may be hard to get a refill of your water glass or someone's attention in case you need something else. Again, something I'll overlook because of the quality of the food, but a full water glass is definitely an important thing in my book. The broken rice dishes are also very good, as is the entrees you can get when you roll your own wrap with the rice papers. I always like a DIY meal :) Definitely a place you need to check out if you haven't done so already.
(5)
Jake M.
PROS: Great food (my favorite PHO spot), great prices. CONS: Slow service (forgets drink orders or water a lot) I love Nam Phuong's food especially their PHO and Char Broiled Pork Broken Rice. However, on a busy day the services often forgets drink orders and you can go 15-20min before you get a glass of water. Overall great food, decent service, cheap prices.
(4)
Ck P.
Near 'the Italian Market' (9th & Washington St.). Wanted to try Vietnamese food again and had heart good things about this place. 2-hr non metered street parking around this area. Had lunch there today. Comfortable decor and tables full of local Asians and others. The menu has something for everyone....lotsa choices! The spring rolls were the best. The wonton soup (VERY tasty!) had 4 large shrimp in it (surprise) and was sharable. Service is QUICK! You might want to order the 1st courses, eat part of it and then order the rest to keep from getting all your food around the same time. The portions are large and definitely sharable. We enjoyed the new flavors, prompt service and will go back with friends that love Vietnamese food!
(4)
Devalina G.
This is the perfect place for family-style meals. They have a variety of seating options and although they are always busy, they always find a place for you to sit. The food is super fresh and tasty, and the service is super fast. The price is unbeatable for the quality and freshness of the food. Some of my favorites are the summer rolls and vietnamese crepes for appetizers. The papaya salads and pho is great too. The portions are HUGE! So I always end up packing half for lunch/dinner the next day.
(4)
Jenna S.
Dear Nam Phuong: I love you... or I guess I should say loved you. For a good two years, I swore by your place & raved about it to other people. But suddenly, it has come to a screeching halt. Last time, I had a rock in one of my spring rolls. Yes, a ROCK. Not a tiny one either. And tonight, you forgot my peanut sauce and meatballs (which made up half the dish I ordered). You do have quick takeout service, but the dine-in service is a little slow. Your guy behind the counter is so amazingly sweet (he let me use my credit card without realizing there is a $15 minimum needed). PLEASE make me come back & bump you up another star (or even two!) because I want to love you so much again. I will give you another chance... but only one. Then I will start going back to Vietnam in Center City.
(3)
Irina L.
This is our favorite stand-by for when we need guaranteed delicious food! We come here often by ourselves, family, friends -- even had a Chinese New Year banquet with a group of 24 [yes, in a Vietnamese restaurant!] The pho IS the best around -- and we tried a number of places. Their summer rolls are always fresh, and a quick delivery to the table. Papaya salad is our fave, as well. Everything on the menu [cubed beef, whole fried fish, soft shell crab, cury chicken, bird's nest, spicy seafood soup] is absolutely fabulous! Never had a single bad dish at Nam Phuong. The only thing they are missing is a delicious dessert.
(4)
Matthew S.
simply the best Vietnamese around. My wife and i eat here almost weekly.
(5)
Big D.
EEK! A mouse! This is my first review here and the incident that prompted it was not a good one. I have eaten here several times and the food is generally quite good but tonight as I was in there celebrating a friends birthday a big mouse went running across the floor. I kid you not. I told the guy at the counter and he seemed less than impressed. He told me he would catch it later. I will never eat there again, no doubt.
(1)
Caitlin V.
Came in here for a date night last night craving vietnamese, especially some banh mi. i was sort of disappointed to not see it on the menu but i took this as an opportunity to try something new. i got a starter to split of the vegetarian spring rolls and i got the tofu and mixed veggies in a vietnamese crepe for my entree. the crepe was sort of weird, but then again, i never had a vietnamese one before. i wasn't a big fan personally, but it was probably just my own tastes. the tofu and mixed veggies weren't super flavorful but the tofu was cooked just right. they overcrowded our plates with so many greens i felt sort of like i was wasting an entire garden because i didnt want to eat them. the spring rolls though were super delicious and just perfect and i don't know what sauce they came with but that complimented it perfectly. they have really cheap beer here (good brands, too. heineken is only $3). your soda will come in a can if you order that (of course they give you a glass to pour it in but i assume that "free refills" don't exist here). service was spotty. i tend to find this the case at most vietnamese places i've been to. not sure why. we were seated immediately. the waiters seemed to only want to take our orders sort of robotically but they certainly weren't rude. we were confused on whether or not our check was brought to us but after waiting forever it was finally brought to the table when a different server came to clear our table away and i had to ask him. it was alright here. i think i would choose some of the other places around the corner first next time, though.
(3)
Ernest M.
While the decor isn't much to write home about, adn the food is not fancy, it is about the best meal yuo can get for under $10 a person. Great summer rolls, spring rolls, stir frys and more. good vegetarian dishes if yuo like them. I have probably been there 30 times, and have never been disapointed
(5)
Thom K.
There's a reason why I am overweight... I live near such great places like Nam Phuong. I was introduced by my vegan and vegetarian friends Kathy and Chris, so there is something for all of us :) I found this crazy value to be full of flavor, well-priced, fresh and with lots of choices. May I recommend the chicken sauteed with lemongrass, curry & coconut sauce. MMMM good! Vietnamese Chow the way I like it: simple, spicy and savory....pho REAL!
(4)
Anthony Y.
The vietnamese crepes were amazing! I've never had them before but they are good. I was with a Thai girl, and apparently it is Americanized but I still think it was delicious. I also had a platter of 1. bbq pork chops 2. egg quiche, 3 shredded pork with broken rice...it was absolutely an amazing bargain and great value. I'm definately going there again. The platters are huge, the quality of the food is good, and it's really cheap. My only gripe is that the parking is horrendous. I waited for half an hour and the people in my car were getting really upset.
(4)
Cat N.
I can't stop eating here!!! I originally gave Nam Phuong 4 stars, but I find myself eating here and recommending it constantly. I know it's not perfect service and the decor... well, it has no decor. But the food just keeps me coming back. My (Vietnamese) family has been eating here almost weekly for years and years. When my mom doesn't feel like making it at home, we make the drive for what we consider some of the most authentic Vietnamese food around - for a down-home Vietnamese dinner, get the claypot fish and pork paired with the hot and sour soup with shrimp or fish (it's a lot of fish, but a map of Vietnam explains it all). I just wanted to add that people should not come here expecting the best PHO they ever had. The best Pho is found in a PHO place. Places like Nam Phuong are known for - and focus their energies on - their rice and vermicelli dishes, which are reliable and authentic. Definitely try the papaya salad with pork/shrimp and the broken rice / vermicelli with charred pork, egg quiche, and pickled veggies. YUM.
(5)
Cindy T.
My favorite dish here is the Banh Canh Cua.
(4)
Anne H.
This place is always crowded. I mean, PACKED. I have never been to this place at a time when it was not absolutely TEEMING with people. I think this is a good sign. First of all, the noise from the crowd covers up the really cheesy synth music they always have playing in the background. Second of all, I think this place is always busy because the food is GOOD. The spring rolls, summer rolls, sauteed green beans, chicken with lemongrass and curry and PHO, oh the pho, are all excellent! I am a sucker for pho, and this place has some of the best I've tasted. I always take people here when they come to visit me.
(4)
J L.
Service was absolutely HORRIBLE! There was a leak in the ceiling and the water was dripping onto my father's head and table. When we told them they thought it was funny...they didn't offer to replace any of our dishes (even though they threw some out) , a discount, or anything. No one even came over to apologize.
(1)
Dee V. S.
DELICIOUS authentic Vietnamese food! Everything is fresh, fast and to top it off - at a great price. The wait staff are enjoyably animated and friendly. I highly recommend their pho & can't wait to go back. I must cut this review short because I am getting hungry thinking about this place!
(5)
Jane V.
Nothing can EVERY compare to my momma's food, but this place is pretty darn good. Atmosphere: (B) Nothing special, feels like I'm at a diner, slightly more elegant... heh. My biggest gripe is the parking situation!! I told my cousin I would never meet her down here on a Sunday EVER AGAIN!! Last time I think we made up our own parking spot... Food: (A) Delicious! Everything, from the rice dishes to the family style meals, even the pho wasn't so bad. Service: (A) Not sure if they are pretty fast with everyone, but there are certainly no complaints here... Overall: (A-) If you can make it here on a weekday instead of the weekend, I'd say Nam Phuong is a good alternative to home cooked viet food.
(4)
Lynne M.
Delicious. Great to eat in or carry out. Serves alcohol.
(4)
J B.
Nam Phuong has become, for me, the reassuring favorite "Jersey diner" of my life in Philly. I live not far away, and eat there at least once a week. It is the best casual Vietnamese food in the city. [And infinitely better than the inexplicably popular Vietnam and Vietnam Cafe.] The food is consistently great, but even better is the atmosphere. Thronging at all hours with big tables of all kinds of people, abuzz with the comings and goings of the friendly servers, I always feel at home and part of my community in this restaurant. Vietnamese families, couples on dates, south philly hipsters, aging hippies, center city business folks, church groups, everybody just enjoying a great, healthy, affordable meal. I don't know what I'd do without this place.
(5)
Elizabeth S.
Nam Phuong is really great. I am fortunate enough to live in an area with a high concentration of Vietnamese restaurants and this one is my favorite thus far. Quick, fairly priced, extensive menu, delicious pho.
(4)
Viviane T.
My first time here was during my second year in college and I fell in love! The food is authentic Vietnamese; from their bun bo hue, pho ga, bun rieu, to their rice dishes, everything is delish and divine! If you go during the spring season, they have sugar cane drinks (something you will not find at other Vietnamese places), and that alone is worth the trip. I also adore their appetizer! I don't know what else I can say, great food, I mean it's good enough for people to have their weddings there. Don't order their Pho, it's not that great...it's blah actually. Service wise, it is good but during Saturdays and Sundays, you might have to wait for about twenty minutes. Warning though, parking is a pain in the *beep* during the weekends. If you're want a place with ambiance, this isn't the place. It's typical Vietnamese setting, nothing fancy. You come, you eat, you pay and leave. That's all folks. So if you're in south Philly and want Vietnamese, come here, don't go next door, food can't compare!
(4)
Danielle K.
This place used to be great but has gone down hill. The vegetarian curry had no salt and was inedible. The summer rolls (my old time favorite) were mediocre. The service is totally awful. It seemed as though our server hated his life. I suggest Pho-Cali or vietnam in chinatown. Or if you are in the neighborhood choose cafe de Laos right across the street. I was super disappointed since I used to go here all the time. I will not be back.
(2)
Vicki M.
Admittedly, I haven't hit everything Wash has to offer, but I can't imagine it could get much better than Nam Phuong. Both their vegetarian and meaty dishes are delicious and always priced right. (I don't understand how they make money with how much food you get there.) My food has never been greasy, always spiced just right and all around bangin'. My recommendations: * Bun Bo Hoe (spicy beef noodle soup) - I could have eaten the entire bowl * Com Tam Thit Nuong Bi Cha (pork broken rice combo) * Veggie summer rolls * Banh Xeo Chay (Vietnamese crepe) - crunchy but almost creamy. So so good Aside from inconsistent service, Nam Phuong is totally worth the trip. (And if you're like me, the food more than makes up for it.)
(4)
Sputnik S.
This is a family favorite of ours, good, filling, Vietnamese food that won't break the budget.
(4)
lena n.
Nam Phuong is definitely the best place I've ever had for authentic gourmet home made vietnamese food. Being viet myself, this place definitely got all the viet dishes that i've grown up to eat for a very affordable cheap price and same taste and quality in their food. The service is great and they seat you right away. there's always plenty of room. Their Thai tea is the best i've ever had there for a great affordable price. I would go there everyday for viet food because it is just that good. lol. But I would recommend everybody to go there to have great vietnamese food, plus they have an overwhelming selections to choose from, so you can definitely try a lil bit of everything everyday. I heart this place for viet food, and the only place ill go to eat for viet food, everywhere else is kinda crappy and overcrowded.
(5)
Joe W.
Ok I like this place! My friends always order but that's cool cuz they get everything I like anyways... Can't comment on pricing because some steals the check before we see it. the rice paper dish with all the veggies and meat is hella good... Well it's all I really eat. I like going here when I'm in philly beats eating cheesesteaks all day long!
(4)
SC W.
Delicious authentic Vietnamese food here, and the price is awesome too, only bad thing about this place is that' it's always packed lol. Please don't go across the street to fancy Le viet, this is where it's at!
(4)
P Y.
cheap, delicious, authentic, and spacious. my mom and i came here at about 5pm on a sunday evening and was surprised to see that a bunch of tables were filled already! the service is no-frills but totally fine, and the food was fresh and enjoyable. they got a healthy dinner rush too, so the place was pleasantly bumbling throughout our meal.
(4)
Tina N.
Just in case no one has caught on yet, Nam Phuong has switched owners some time in the past few months. I didn't think there would be such a noticeable decline in their food so soon after the change. The original Nam Phuong team has permantly moved to the other smaller Nam Phuong, now renamed Nam Son. (16th and Washington) I never thought the smaller Nam Phuong/ Nam Son was that great but since the change, the food there has gotten a lot better. They have Vietnamese hoagies there, which is a definite plus. Actually, the menu is almost the same as the Original NP with a few more items. However, it is a smaller restaurant, in a shadier neighborhood, with no liquor license. But hey....it could be the Vietnamese Tiffin. I guess it depends on your priorties, better food or bigger restaurant. The service in both places is spotty however. Neither the new owners nor the old owners have figured out how to correct this issue. You get what you pay for I suppose.
(2)
Nina A.
This is easily without question the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to in Philly. Came here for lunch and got the summer rolls and the Pho Tai (thinly sliced flank steak) and we were not disappointed! Everything tasted delicious and came out in record speed. The place is huge and it was so clean. The wait staff is like a well oiled machine - when someone saw us walk in, we were immediately sat, a big pot of (complimentary) tea was placed down and our orders were taken. From there, the food came out like clockwork - the summer rolls first, then as soon as we finished, the plates were cleared and our soup came out hot and perfectly cooked. The noodles were amazing and not soggy (as I've had at other places - where you can tell they have been sitting too long in the broth). The Pho soup broth is fantastic and flavorful - you can tell that they take a long time to make this with care. As we were leaving, we got the thai tea bubble tea to go. I don't think it was made with sweetened condensed milk or cream because while it was creamy, it didn't coat my mouth like other teas I've had. The only downside is that the tapioca bubbles were a little on the soft side - I usually like mine a little more chewy and some of these were falling apart. Not bad enough though to warrant downgrading a star. Also - it's worth mentioning that our whole bill was $22 (not including tip) - this place gave us so much food for barely any money! This place is a wonderful gem and I will be back at least once a month!
(5)
Tam P.
Very unaspiring food that lacks passion from the cooks , definitely on the decline in recent years , if ever in a situation that brings me back here the only thing worth ordering to me besides a brewsky is the beef three way aka Bo ba vi
(3)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :1100 Washington Ave
Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Gerald S.
Nam Phuong was the last Empress of Vietnam. Perhaps, it is fitting to name the queen of the Vietnamese houses after her. She was born too late to enjoy her royalty for very long, and she was denied the privilege of living her life in her native land; dying in relative obscurity in France. Her namesake is similar to her in some ways. The restaurant is large and well run. Chandeliers suggest a palatial guise, and the servers in black are disciplined, polite and respectful, as you would expect from a royal house. The menu is diverse to appeal to a variety of guests, and the kitchen is skilled in turning out top quality dishes that satisfy those invited to the Emperor's Table. Even a solitary traveler such as I was treated with dignified homage. Though a busy night full of families and intriguing couples, I was given a nice table, plenty of time to decide my meal, and graceful delivery, checking on satisfaction, pickup and an offer to desire more before leaving. I never felt rush by the staff, although the people waiting by the door might have been less patient. My Pho with Round Steak and Tripe was excellent, with all fresh trimmings. The broth was richly complex and a filling bowl at a very reasonable price. The Summer Rolls were stuffed with fresh Shrimp and Ground Pork, and came with a very good Peanut Dipping Sauce. As I ate I watched those around me enjoying all the things I wanted to try on my next visit. I am not sure that the maxim that a Vietnamese restaurant filled with Vietnamese is a true indication of great food all the time, but it certainly was tonight. Nam Phuong, where ever her spirit is now, would be pleased that she her name is being so well cared for here in Philadelphia.
(4)Katie H.
Ready to go back already because this is the best Viet food I've had since I've moved from California. This is the most authentic take on it yet! I attribute that to the fact that they offered more than just the usual Pho and rice dishes I've seen at other Viet places. They had Banh Hoi, which is vermicelli made into small sheets, that you end up wrapping in rice paper with various herbs, cucumbers, lettuce, pickled carrots, and your protein of choice. I ended up choosing the grilled pork balls, which is more like grilled pork strips. Nevertheless, I felt right at home. IT WAS AMAZING! After rolling up your spring roll, you dip it in some yummmmy fish sauce and it is seriously heavenly. I can't attest to how their other dishes are since I've only been once but I will happily return for more. Nam Phuong shows so much promise so I hope it doesn't disappoint next time!
(4)Edward R.
Large and very popular with the Non Vietnamese crowd I was a bit sceptical at first as to the honesty and authenticity of the menu but all fears were gone after the first taste of their Pho....deep, rich with a incandescent surface sheen of fat accompanied by some of the most interesting greenery and honest to goodness hot Jalapenos. I've dined there now half a dozen times trying any thing the looks good on the menu and the neumerous pictures on Yelp as well and have yet to have a dissapointment. .
(4)Joshua V.
Another notch on Philadelphia's belt of east coast supremacy in regards to Vietnamese food. For years I've been pining for Vietnamese food (up here in NYC) that is on par with that which is found in the City of Brotherly Love. Alas, it aches my heart to report that I've had no such luck in my endeavors to find one. Fortunately for me, Philadelphia is but a stone's throw (in relative and figurative terms) away from NYC; and when the desire for a decent bowl of pho shows its face, I tell my friends in Philly that "it's been too long" and that "we need to hang out soon" in order to secure appropriate and affordable (i.e. free) lodgings for a weekend sabbatical in the 'illa... from there it's easy access to cheap and delicious Vietnamese food the likes of which the Empire State can only raise an angry fist and wave it towards the south. This joint churns out a mean bowl of pho with all the fixings (flank, fatty flank, tendon, brisket, meatball, etc...). While it may not make the best bowl in Philadelphia (that honor goes to Pho Ha), it isn't overly salty and has a rich homemade quality to the taste. Additionally, the breadth and variety of the menu is impressive; if you don't want pho, you can get a combo of broken rice/vermicelli noodles with a Vietnamese protein on the side. The choice is yours, and the choices are tasty. Can we dig this place out of its little nook on Washington and 11th and put it on top of the Empire State Building? It would definitely be a quicker commute for me. If that's not a viable idea, I'm still young, the trip to Philly isn't too hard on me or my wallet; so until we have the technology to make the dreams of the initial sentence of this paragraph come true, it's still worth the time/money/energy to make sporadic visits to Philadelphia for quality Vietnamese cuisine that you'd find in places such as Nam Phuong.
(4)Sari A.
This is my first time to experience a Vietnamese cuisine and I have to say It's not my cup of tea. I had the Beef deluxe Pho, the portion size was quite substantial but tasteless. Our server was not super friendly too. I would say it is average! Two and half Yelps!
(2)Marie S.
Nam Phuong is reluctantly my go-to place for Vietnamese cuisine in Philly because the food is consistent and there is plenty of seating for large groups. Contrary to what other Yelpers report, I do not find any of the dishes to be extraordinary. Their banh cuon (rice roll with minced meat filling) is bland but I'll admit authentic. Growing up next to a Vietnamese supermarket, I had banh cuon for lunch every weekend until a better Chinese supermarket opened up just down the street (What disloyal customers my parents were...). Then my weekend lunches became about dim sum and rice dumplings, but let me stop digressing. What I want to say is that their banh cuon hits the spot. The best way to eat banh cuon is to pick up a roll with a slice of ham, dip in fish sauce, and eat whole. So yums. Other than the banh cuon, the only other dish that I really like is their refreshing lotus root salad. Everything else that I typically order is just to fill the table for family style. I have tried the pho, vermicelli bowls, broken rice plates, infamous claypot fish, etc...and nothing really stands out. I am still searching for a better family-style Vietnamese restaurant in Philly.
(3)Connie C.
I came here with a boyfriend a few weeks ago since I was in the Philly area. He really wanted to show me the best restaurant pho in Philly. I should also include that he is Vietnamese. I had Three Delight which consisted of shrimp on sugar cane, beef in grape leaves, and grilled meat balls. It was delicious and fun to eat. My favorite meat was the beef wrapped in grape leaves. I sat there cutting my meat up, rolling the meat and vegetables into a spring roll and dipping it into the two sauces provided. This dish is enough for two people to share---or for one very hungry person. My boyfriend ordered pho with eye-round steak and meat balls. Apparently, having the choice of Vietnamese meatballs with pho is a factor in authenticity. I had a small bowl of it and agreed that it was tasty. You can tell the broth was tasty and not bland. Overall, I felt like the experience at the restaurant was very authentic. The prices are good. Service was okay. They knew how to keep their distance but still always stayed in the vicinity when needed.
(5)Dennis L.
I am normally at Pho Ha for pho, so trying this restaurant with a huge menu motivated me to stray a bit from the pho path and try something new. I went with the pork skin spring rolls for an appetizer and Banh Cuon off the daily special's menu for a main course. First the spring rolls, they were okay... Basil, lettuce, vermicelli, and the shredded pork skin you get on the rice dishes. Needless to say, it was exactly what I expected. I don't really know why I was hoping for something particularly special, but it was dry and sticky, but of course made much better with the if sauce. It wasn't exactly bad, it just wasn't anything special. The Banh Cuon on the other hand, that was a total crap shoot in the dark that ended up being amazing. The description is entirely useless, it was described as something like Rice flakes with pork and beef. It's actually some sort of ham or pate type of meat on a thick rice noodle paper, very similar to the rice paper skin for shrimp or beef at dim sum.. those long rice thingies. Anyway, there was some sort of deep fried bread with meat in it and a fried shrimp on it. I wasn't sure what it was exactly. I guess if I had to describe it, I would say it was like beef/pork bread deep fried and excellent with some fish sauce. This is definitely a new favorite dish.
(4)Solomon L.
This restaurant is five stars for food hands down. One of the best, most flavorful dishes I've had here in philadelphia, and I eat out A LOT. I had the beef cubes with watercress, and it just hit the spot. My girl got the pho, and it too was really well balanced with enough savory along with all the different spices. They use good quality meats, and know how to cook them. Great meal overall. The atmosphere and service is a bit lacking, but not bad. It's worth it to get the food. And at great prices too! I will most definitely return.
(5)Sam E.
YOU COULD DIE FROM EATING THEIR "FOOD". There was a staple - a SHARP, SILVER, NON-EDIBLE staple - in my mouth from their noodle dish. Do you know what would've happened had I swallowed that? Well, I think I could've had some serious internal bleeding medical issues! (No! I'm not a hypochondriac - how dare you?!)
(1)Tho P.
Set your default settings here if you're looking for solid Vietnamese food. Came here with a dinner party of 5 so it was my chance to deviate from the typical noodle or rice dishes, and go family style! We started off with some of my favorite apps to share: banh hoi (vermicelli) with shrimp and grilled pork, banh xeo (sizzling crepe), and goi du du (papaya salad). Portions were grand with the exception of the salad. Would substitute for the lotus root salad (next time) because of the additional prawn crackers that accompany well with Vietnamese salads. The crepes had an awesome balance of crispy and chewy. All the protein was tender and well-seasoned, complemented nicely with the fish sauce dressing. I would have preferred the vermicelli to be topped with more scallion relish. The entrees were not as remarkable, but nevertheless did the job. We ordered the ca kho to (claypot catfish), canh chua tom (sour soup with shrimp), and rau muong xao toi (stir-fried water spinach with garlic). Overall, we thought the entrees gave an oily impression. The claypot didn't come out sizzling (as it usually does) which means it was probably sitting out awaiting the other entrees to finish. Nevertheless, the caramelized fish was delicious, paired nicely with the sour soup and white rice - I'd be surprised if your taste buds weren't dancing in a deluge of sweet, sour, and savory. The water spinach left a nice crunch, but lacked that garlic pungency...and salt. Fortunately had some leftover fish sauce from the apps to dip it in. Stomachs left happy. Food coma commenced.
(4)Ken P.
Wonderful experience from sitting down through bubble tea desert! Wonderful service. Excellent food! Great experience and price! Best Pho in Philly. I will keep coming back here!
(5)Shari W.
The best Vietnamese food I have ever eaten. It made me so happy! You have to look around and see what everyone else is eating. They have make your own Nim Chow, or fresh rolls. In Vietnamese it is called Banh Hoi. They bring the rice wrappers and hot water to your table and a plate of vermicelli and lettuce and herbs and pickled carrots and diakon. We ordered it with ground beef. The ground beef came rolled up in leaves like Greek stuffed grape leaves. They were divine. You dip your rice wrapper in the water, put it on your plate, fill it accordingly, dip and eat. Additionally we got a Vietnamese vegetarian crepe to share. I had tea and my lunch mate had Vietnamese coffee (individual drip coffee with condensed milk). The staff was warm and pleasant and helpful as we were the only non Asians in the place. I can not wait to return and eat my way through the menu. What a find! After lunch we went across the parking lot to the Vietnamese grocery store to buy the ingredients to attempt to make the Banh Hoi at home. There the stock boy and some Vietnamese grandmas all helped up figure out what to buy. We had a great time!
(5)Sam L.
I'm going to be straight with you: I'm no Vietnamese cuisine connoisseur. I gravitate toward the same simple dishes: vermicelli bowls, pho with lean meats, banh mi sandwiches. That's me, in a nutshell (well, in this case): unadventurous. But now you know... Nam Phuong delivers solid, authentic Vietnamese fare in a laid-back, frills-free space that seats a reasonable number of people. The service is ultra speedy and the waitstaff attentive. After getting lost in the trenches of South Philly during a heat wave, I found myself here and called it fate. As it was blisteringly hot, I was far from being in pho mode. I knew right away vermicelli was what I was after, so I went with 170, the House Special Rice Vermicelli, a smorgasboard of sorts: spring rolls, charbroiled chicken, meatballs, and shrimp. I ditched the spring rolls. I wish I'd asked for extra meatballs as a substitute, but I didn't know they'd be so damned delicious. The bowl was overall quite tasty, with warm meats served on cold noodles, just the way I like it. The meatballs were the authentic kind and resembled thinly sliced sausages. They were the best part of the dish. When I found a lone sliver that had gotten lost in the dregs of sauce, noodles, and lettuce at the bottom of my bowl, I went into squee-mode. The chicken had great flavor but was cooked a hair over. The shrimp was no good. I also ordered 102 to split, shrimp & pork summer rolls, and *that* shrimp was delicious. I'm not sure why the shrimp in my bowl was different, but it wasn't fresh and tasted overly briny, almost fermented, with a fishy flavor. I normally would've lamented the paltry serving (2 shrimpers???) but given the circumstances, it was a blessing. The iced coffee was as jarring as I expected it to be and the strength of its brew provided me with sufficient caffeine to get through the rest of my day. I had to add ice and a bit of water to tone it down, but it was delicious. I may return for a vermicelli meatball bowl, perhaps with a couple of spring rolls tossed in for good measure, and once fall rolls around, I might go back pho sho' (sorry, not sorry). 3.5 stars. Dear Yelp, Please add a half star option so we reviewers can review accordingly. Sincerely, Lots of People
(3)Liza K.
Great for pick-up, although I don't think they do delivery. We wanted cheap but quality Pho and found it at Nam Phuong. Pick up was easy - plenty of street parking nearby and they had everything ready within 15 minutes. For takeout, they put all the ingredients for the pho into separate bags/containers. Great idea so that your sprouts and noodles don't get soggy, and you still have a lime wedge on the side. We had various meat (beef, etc) phos and they were VERY good! Nam Phuong makes a great broth to start, and the rest is excellent quality. Can't wait to go back for more. (Although, I'll skip the spring/summer rolls next time and just go for the pho, which in and of itself is a big portion and very filling).
(5)Sara P.
What a great place. We are so fortunate to have a variety of food in this city, and Nam Phuong is one of the great treasures in that category. The menu is extensive so we were able to take clients there knowing we could all find something we would like. The service was quick and easy. The waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Parking is tight but we borrowed a spot from a close business nearby. If you want good vietnamese food or if you want to learn more about vietnamese food, this is a good place to go.
(5)Vichet O.
The hell? I've never reviewed this place? Aight, here we go. Nam Phuong is a good spot. I just can't give it 4 stars because it doesn't excel in any of the dishes that I love getting at other Viet spots that I love. I feel bad writing that, but it's true. When I have their pho, I'm thinking of Choo Choo (Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai). When I have their cha gio or grilled meats, I'm thinking of Vietnam Palace. When I have their vermicelli... well, vermicelli was always just a standard for me that never really stood out anywhere, so they pass on that. They prepare their beef salad - drained raw flank steak marinated in lime juice and tossed with herbs, peanuts, and fried shallots - in the style that Cambodians do, using ample sawleaf herb and some other things I don't know the names for in English. But, even that is done better, in my opinion, at Khmer Kitchen. Don't get me wrong - if anyone suggests we go get a bite at Nam Phuong, I'm the last to shoot them down. It's a wide open pair of dining rooms separated by a low wall, you never feel crowded, and it IS authentic, genuinely good food. The service is prompt and friendly enough. And hey - cheap liquor and beer if you're so inclined. But, again, all of those things are available at other places that I tend to enjoy more. You will likely enjoy every dish you get here, and portions are heart-attack large. That makes this place solid. But, again, for me, they're in that middle space where I can't think of one thing that I prefer at Nam Phuong above other restaurants. All I can say is for you to go here and try it all yourself - you might love it.
(3)Jerry T.
Something's going on here. For a long time we've hit this place most every Sunday for lunch. But suddenly the quality has gotten very erratic, good one week, bad the next, cold the next . . . quantities vary wildly . . . all very odd. And, I sometimes even question the freshness. The staff is still friendly and helpful . . . and I still want to like this place - but, we've gone from 4 times a month to maybe 1 now. I have to say . . . when you have a restaurant where the restroom is always disgusting it makes one wonder about the care put into cleanliness in other parts of the restaurant. On the plus side - Sundays now allow us to become introduced to a lot of great new places!
(3)Dan D.
I wasn't extremely impressed, however, I wasn't disappointed. It was Pho. Some Pho is much better and then some Pho is just OK. The hot tea was the highlight for me. It had nice flavor. The staff was good and service was quick. I need to try some other Pho places before my return here.
(3)Grace H.
This place has got a great family friendly vibe! Every time I've come it's been with a party of 8+, and they are more than willing to accommodate and the service is always super fast! I prefer nam phuong over some of the other vietnamese restaurants because there seems to be more variety/options and I don't feel limited to just the pho (although it's delicious). My current thing is to order the make your own spring roll platter. They bring you a water bath to dip your own rice paper, along with a plate of meat, veggies, and noodles on the side to wrap inside. Huge portion and really tasty if you don't mind working a little for your food :)
(4)Buck W.
My first Vietnamese dining experience was a success! Not sure why it took me so long. Apparently, my friend took me to the right spot, and it is in her 'hood, so no parking dilemmas. The decor and atmosphere leave much to be desired. Who cares? It has a bar! However, I didn't take advantage of it, as I had an after dinner "mint" planned. Complimentary hot tea served immediately was tasty and welcome. Began with shrimp summer rolls. That peanut sauce is the bomb! My friend had a beef vermicelli dish. Delish. I had mussels (10+ fresh and well prepared) sautéed with curry and plenty of fresh veg. Awesome. I ate all of it. :) I'll be back.
(4)Isabel L.
A surprisingly clean and pleasant place, we were seated quickly on a Saturday evening. Bamboo & duck noodle soup was delicious and the meat tasted fresh.
(4)Jessie H.
I love love love the wraps here. We got the Ba Vi Platter which comes with rice wraps. They have smaller portions if you don't want the platter. So the platter comes with your own soaking station (where you dip the rice wraps to make it soft so you can make your wrap). They give you a plate with mini vermicelli noodle packets, veggies, and the meat of your choice. The beef is personally my favorite. It is super authentic. The sauce that you dip the wrap in is delicious!!! This is my favorite thing to get here. I've gotten the pho here, it was average. Will be back for the wraps!
(4)Rob W.
Summer rolls were light and flavorful. Vegetarian phone was tasty, filling and perfect for a cold winter's day. Service was fast and friendly.
(4)Matt D.
We recently became partial to Nam Son over on 16th due to their amazing bahn mi and #82, but after heading back to Nam Phuong after some shopping next-door, we're addicted. The #140 (noodles, dumplings, pork, and shrimp) is phenomenal and super cheap at $6.50, while the pad thai is the best I've had in a long time. Stick to the soups, summer rolls and stir-fried noodle dishes here, and you won't be disappointed. If you're feeling adventurous, order #146, which is a spicy hue style soup. Order it with "everything" when they ask. That will include flank steak, pig's blood, and peppercorn headcheese (at least that's what I think it is). Way better than it sounds!
(5)Krystal G.
I found this place through yelp. It was busy but we barely had to wait five minutes. The service was courteous and quick. We had the grilled pork rolls with peanut sauce as our appetizer. It was quite delicious. My partner and I both had the vermicelli bowls. I have to say of all the meats we sampled the beef was the best. As a chicken bias person, I was very surprised by this. So much food, I had an entire box worth of leftovers to bring home. Side note: the make your own roll looked like a lot of fun but with such large portions I would only recommend if it's more than a mere party of 2. Also theirs parking available. Yay!!!
(4)Akshay M.
This def is one of my favorite places to go to when i am drawing a blank on dining ideas. Lot of room to seat on busy weekends, cheap on the wallet and yummy 'pho' the tummy . I know a lot of you already go here for all the pho, but i have traversed the length of the menu and almost everything is splendid. here are a few recommendations : The vermicelli wraps, Specially the bbq pork Crab and Shrimp Soup Fried fish chilli in hot pot the drip coffee Any Congee / pho / broken rice combination.
(5)Gina C.
Food is reliable and affordable. We usually order the beef wrapped in grapeleaves or pho. I have to say that these two are wonderful staples to our trek to Nam Phuong. Even with the other pho restaurants available in the area, the brisket and broth is top notch. Go for the food, not the service. They seat you quickly but they try to get you out just as quick!
(3)Anita S.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia thus far. Must haves when we go: -Lotus root salad with shrimp and pork, awesome texture, crisp and light, comes with shrimp crackers -Salt and pepper calamari, I do not know how this dish is as magically light as it is, but it's light and flavorful and I dream about it The do it yourself rice paper wraps are popular here too, we've tried them once and perhaps I'm not skilled enough or something, I thought it was only alright, although the meat that came with that dish was excellently cooked and flavored.
(4)Kimberly A.
Upon entering with my crying 9-month-old, waitstaff was generous enough to seat us in a quiet corner of the restaurant. If not to help calm and soothe the little one, but to help balance the decibel level in the expansive room. I was grateful --- large, boisterous families filled the dining room which helped in drowning out my dissatisfied infant. Ordered one of my all time favorites --- BUN CHA GIO. Extremely satisfied with portion size. Disappointed in the quality of the fried egg rolls. Left too long in a fryer that was not hot enough left greasy rolls. The filling was not as good as my mom's but usually restaurateurs can get pretty close. So bummed out... Next time I return I will try some of their other specialties.
(2)Sang D.
5 stars. Not mind blowing amazing, but tasteful, satisfying, inexpensive with the right amount of adventure factor. This place just gets it right. Very healthy too, not too much fried, heavy platters. $4 - banh mi. Flavorful grilled meat, fresh baguette, pickled carrot, daikon, very spicy jalapeno. Fresh cilantro in bunches almost. $6 - pho. Always fresh greens, basil, flavorful broth. $7 - vermecelli or broken rice plates. Complimenting flavors, spices and textures make these dishes fun to eat and filling. Dont forget the iced coffee with condensed milk, bubble tea or hot tea (free?)... Take a date, spend well under $30 including tip and be a hero. A south philly landmark for a reason.
(5)Ron C.
Always great reliable food. This has been out go-to Vietnamese restaurant for years. It's a big place, often crowded. Service is fine, but don't expect friendly cuddling from attentive waiters - this is a bit of a factory operation.
(4)Nicole A.
Love the food every time. The fish hot pot is amazing, fresh, and full of flavor. Their pho is best I've ever had. The vermicelli is awesome because you wrap it yourself at the table. So fun to make your own little spring roll things! I always ask for a pot of tea with my meal because it's usually chilly in there...
(5)Caroline V.
Parking can be a pain here on weekends as the lot for the market is insane and the street parking is just as busy. But it's worth the walk from a far spot for some cheap but good eats. Hubby loves the bo luc lac here so we ventured down here for lunch while in philly especially for that. I like their hu tieu my tho so that's my usual go to here and as filler we got the cha gio app (tasty but i prefer traditional rice paper wrap). We washed it all down with some refreshing young coconut juice and were on our way. Quick and tasty lunch. They would have gotten 5 stars if the entire staff hadn't been lined up right by our table watching the diners. Threw of the lunch vibe for me as i was facing the 8-10 people standing around waiting to serve....
(4)Tatiana D.
Went here for the first time a few nights ago with my boyfriend and loved the food! We ordered a pho each and shared the summer rolls (our go-to order at any Vietnamese joint). We were deciding between a few Vietnamese restaurants in the area and landed at this place because 1.) the first place we had tried to go to was closed and 2.) they have an expansive food menu of more than just pho. And I sure am glad we found this gem! Love the wide-open dining room {that I imagine would never have a long wait even with a larger group} and semi-tacky but just as great array of chandeliers and lights. It's another plus that it's even cheaper than other Vietnamese places we've frequented. Since we live so close to Nam Phuong, I anticipate this will be our new go-to spot...if only we came here sooner! The only down side (potentially) is that they aren't BYOB like other Vietnamese places we've been to around the Philly area, but we don't mind (really the beer here is so reasonable that I doubt buying it in a PA beer shop is that much cheaper). Plus, we love the imported Asian beers. I also got a coconut drink that was so good! The hot tea wasn't the best I've had, but hey it's free so can't complain! Can't give it 5-stars yet until I test out some other entree items on the menu, but so far so good. All in all, we'll be back!
(4)Tina F.
One of my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. When I feel like eating Vietnamese dishes I come here, if I want pho I hop to pho saigon. The beef cubes here are delicious and the fish pot is good too. We usually get the meatball wrap, which you can't go wrong. I usually come here with my family or just whenever I'm hungry and want something simple and laid back I love the new renovation here.
(5)Johnny L.
The service was all around a little disorganized. We had a big party, you know you should focus on big parties, that's where your money is. We got 2 circle tables put together, which makes for a weird arrangement when seated, but whatever. Ordered softshell crab, clams, seafood pan fried noodles, and the short ribs. Softshell clam in black bean is a never again. Clams in basil were great, however was a little bland. A few more basil leaves would have made all the difference. Pan fried noodles, delicious. The noodles were tasty!! Short ribs, those needed more flavoring but the quality of meat was amazing! The service was overall so-so. Could use more attention. Especially for a big group.
(3)Brandon K.
Nam Phuong is fantastic for large groups. We came here tonight with about 16 people, and the staff was quick to put two large tables together to accommodate us despite an almost packed house. With such a large group, we've come to expect slow service and mixed up orders, but the service was quick and efficient and they got all of the orders correct. They also provided large water glasses for refills and were quick to provide extra spoons, fish sauce, napkins, etc. The food is always delicious and cooked fresh. The beef cubes with watercress were delicious - consistently so too! Everyone was happy with their foods - from the pho (even though I think the pho is better at Pho ha) to the pork chops with rice. One of the best values is the dinner for two, which includes hot and sour soup, spring rolls, a a fish dish, beef cubes, and a dessert for less than $35. If you need to feed a large group with some delicious Vietnamese food, check out Nam Phuong! Enjoy!
(5)Matt R.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant, hands down. Feast at this place for a surprisingly low price. Spring rolls here are the bomb, and their pho broth is amazing.
(5)Shereen C.
Tried Nam Phuong again & it's better than I'd previously thought, in the sense that there are at least a couple of good dishes in addition to the not-so-good dishes. GOOD **** The Bo luc lac (#280 country style beef cubes) was a favourite: very flavourful beef cubes served on raw watercress. Beef was very tender and cooked perfectly. ***^ Do-it-yourself Vermicelli wraps with charbroiled pork (#121 Thit Nuong) were good & the pork was flavourful. This dish includes all the materials to make your own "summer rolls" including the wraps (& water to soften them), rice vermicelli, lettuce, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, grilled pork & dipping sauce. ***^ Dessert Flan / Egg Custard (#023 banh flan) was quite nice, with a smooth supple texture. OKAY **^ Papaya salad with shrimp & pork (#110 goi dudu tom thit) was fine, though nothing special. *** Water spinach with garlic (#265 rau muong xao toi) was not especially good, but it was okay. **^ Fried banana dessert with ice cream (#029 chuoi chien & kem) was not bad. The banana inside was soft, but the outside was thick and not very crispy. Ice cream was mostly chocolate with a bit of strawberry & not the best flavour to go with the fried banana. *** Vietnamese Coffee or Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk (#004 cafe sua da) was fine. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. NOT RECOMMENDED *^ Eggplant sauteed with lemongrass (#263 ca tim ao xa ot) was bland, but the eggplant texture was fine. The vegetables that were fried in with the eggplant didn't suit the dish. *^ Spare ribs with ginger sauce (#272 suon ram gung) were so-so. Some pieces were extremely tough and overcooked while others were more edible, though still not great. ^ Chicken sauteed with curry, lemongrass, coconut (#273 ga xao lan) was generally bland and unappetizing. Chicken breast was overcooked. Curry sauce was flavourless. SUMMARY Service was very good, quick & helpful. I'd come back for the Bo luc lac & perhaps try some new dishes. The Vermicelli wraps with chargrilled pork were also good. I'd stay away from any chicken, though, since it seems consistently bad here (see previous review). Note: I used ^ to indicate a half-star and * for a full star. So, ***^ means 3.5 stars.
(3)Silky W.
If you want authentic. This is the best Vietnamese food on the east coast, hands down.
(5)Alexis K.
I would say that this place is just OK. They have an extensive menu, which is a plus. I had the bun rieu and my boyfriend had the bun bo hue. We also split a bo luc lac (a beef dish). Out of the three dishes we had, we definitely liked the bo luc lac the best. The meat was tender and flavorful. Part of the reason why we didn't enjoy the noodle dishes more is because we are not fan's of coagulated pig blood. Parking is good by Philadelphia standards because the restaurant is inside of a shopping center, so you don't have to struggle to parallel park somewhere on the street. Would I go to this restaurant again? Probably not, but this does not mean we didn't have a pretty satisfactory meal.
(3)Maria C.
This is (one of) my favorite Vietnamese restaurants for a lot of reasons - quick, parking, and affordable! They always have seats and have a lot of large tables for groups but not somewhere that I would be going for a romantic dinner but great for a large group of loud friends! The food is great and super affordable, giving you the chance to get a few things and try new items. My favorite items are their pho and any of their vietnamese bowls, but my friends have tried much more adventurous items and loved them all. The food always comes out quickly, but in standard vietnamese form - it comes out when it is ready, and therefore some people may be eating well before others.
(4)Christina C.
5 starts for the Pho the first few times I had it... but sometimes, the flavor is off. Sadness. Other items we've tried are extremely good. Very busy little place.
(4)Priscilla P.
A year ago I would have said this is the best Vietnamese food ever, that no other restaurant even came close. I went 2 nights ago for dinner and it's just different. I guess they did some renovations to make it a little nicer, but they've given up on the food. I ordered the family dinner for 4 and everything tasted similar... but just not the same. It's like they are using the same recipes but a different chef? The lotus salad was really wet and the shrimp crackers over-fried. The clams were a tad bigger but really difficult to remove the meat from the shell and less flavorful. Fish in the claypot was kinda similar, except blander in taste and no sauce, just a lot of oil (I used to like to scoop the sauce and eat it with my rice). Shaken beef was pretty much the same (very good). Sweet & Sour Fish soup was similar but wayyyy too much mint garnish on top. Che ba mau (3 colored bean and coconut milk dessert) was just horrible (for some reason mine looked different than another diner's... his looked like they used coconut milk and mine looked and tasted like they used half & half). Sad to see this place go downhill like this... I used to recommend this place to all of my friends but Mekong and Le Viet are definitely way better and way nicer at similar prices.
(3)Katie C.
This place is one of my favorite restaurants in Philly when I'm short on time and in need of some yummy comfort food. I went there for lunch today and had chicken sautéed with lemongrass over vermicelli and it tasted great. The portions are quite large so with the leftovers I now have lunch for tomorrow as well! My friend ordered the broken rice with shrimp but was a little disappointed that the shrimp weren't deveined. Overall we were both quite happy with our meals. For the price and convenience (there's a parking lot!) the food here is great!
(4)Valentino G.
My girlfriend brought me here because a co worker of hers brought her here and she said it was phenomenal! This place is big and open, nothing fancy. Our waiter brought us tea which was nice for a change to have some tea brought to the table. We both got two orders of the, Chaû Gio spring rolls, which were the best I ever had! They are full of flavor and have a great crunch to them, even though they are deep fried, they were out of this world I high recommend! For our main course we both ordered the Buùn, she ordered the Buùn Ga Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled chicken and I ordered the Buùn Bo Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled beef. Both of these dishes were amazing and highly recommended! The one thing I liked about this place was the fact that it had the different chili sauces and red pepper flakes all set up for you to eat with your food. They come in handy when you want to give a nice spice to your dish and they compliment the dishes well! I loved this place and I plan on going back because its a great price for some great food!
(5)Justine J.
Definitely going back to try more stuff! I am on the fence between three or four stars, only because I haven't explored the place enough. When it's my first place somewhere, I always the standard 'plain Jane / average Joe' dish. They they botch it up, I probably will not go back. We did not get much here, so I am not too sure how to formulate a decent feedback / opinion. I got the pho, which is pretty standard. I really liked the pho, but it was a standard pho. It's almost like getting steamed white rice from A,B,C... X,Y,Z. Only way to really mess it up is to burn it. All I care about is that it was tasty pho, which is was. Large portion and generous at a very low price. We also got the summer rolls, which I am not crazy about. This is not a reflection of their food - I just don't really like them. MF wanted them (hehe)!!! But I ate them just because they were there - which is a good sign. It's not all that common for me to refuse to eat something with all my might - that's when you know it's terrible. I also got the jackfruit smooothie - which was OK. It was only OK for me because it was more creamy and heavy than it was fruity. But other than that, it was perfectly fine. It's just the difference in peoples' taste profiles. I also like the staff. They are all very friendly. This was my second time here (well technically first for me). The first time I came here was to only get carry-out for my clients. I got them either fish or seafood congee (which they really enjoyed). The owner/manager was really nice and helpful in suggesting foods that would be appropriate for them (since they have problems chewing and other dietary needs). As for the overall rating, I want to give it a 4, but I have not experienced enough. What I am certain of is that it is very likely that I will go back. I say 'likely' only because I don't really live close by. There is this lemon grass beef with noodles dish I would want to get next time I go! If I already have something picked out for my next visit, you know it's at least a solid three stars.
(4)Lianna N.
Ate here recently after not visiting for a while. Still pleased with the food quality and service. I recommend some of the set menus for 2 or 4. They are excellent, ESP if you're new to eating Vietnamese food that isn't Pho.
(5)Nickki D.
I had heard such good things! I walked in and, unfortunately, the place smelled like body odor. Badly. Service was ok. Food left much to be desired. The tea tasted like warm Philly tapwater. I ordered vegetarian springrolls as an appetizer. They tasted very ricey, not very veggie filled. I also ordered the chicken with lemongrass, curry and coconut. I tasted no lemongrass, no coconut - lots of heat! My friend who was with me ordered the same, but with shrimp (a dish she'd ordered from Nam Phuong many times before) and had to send it back because it too was too spicy. Upside, they are open later than most Viet places on Washington Ave and they do serve beer. I won't be returning though.
(1)Siobhan O.
This place rules. Usually busy but quick. For being enormous, full of weird decor and chandeliers it still has laid back vibe. I only eat vegetarian pho so it is badass that I can get it on Washington Ave, with vegetarian broth, for $7, and they also serve booze. Usually, I get take out but I like to sit down occasionally for a cheap filling meal and a cocktail. They have a huge menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone but if you're looking for a good place to get cheap pho in an environment that's a little more classy than the other joints in the area this is the spot.
(5)Tim M.
Have only eaten here once, so possibly a fluke, but food ranging from mediocre to very poor, joined by decent service and dismal atmosphere, made for a forgettable dining experience. There are too many outstanding Vietnamese locations nearby to come here.
(2)Lolly G.
Do you like good food? How about a little spice with an absurdly long menu filled with options? Welp, it's time to stop into Nam Phuong. They have plenty of meat, fish, and vegetarian options. The service is very fast, and you get a very large portion for a great price. They also have a bar, so you'll be able to have that cocktail with lunch or dinner. I tried the seafood soup which was filled with squid, crab, and shrimp. At the bottom is a giant portion of noodles. I added some chili sauce and it became the perfect soup! They also give you a plate of sprouts etc, for garnish We also shared the vegetarian spring rolls which were alright, but could be better. The service is perfect, and your glass will never be empty. They don't really interact with you much, but they do make sure you have everything you need. Even writing this review has me craving this soup! Ugh, the downside of yelp :)
(4)Dan S.
I just moved to the neighborhood and wanted to try a local Vietnamese place with great reviews. I have to say I wasn't disappointed. Nam Puong is among a both of other restaurants in a strip mall so you'll have to walk though the lot to find it. They have an extensive menu of Vietnamese options for everyone. I had a Taro Pearl Iced Tea, which was pretty good and refreshing to drink throughout my meal. I also got the Seafood Curry which was delicious. They serve the entrees with a big bowl of rice and, of course, hot tea. The waiter and back-servers were definitely a bit standoffish throughout the meal, but I'd come back again for the food.
(4)Stella S.
So bad that it prompted me to write this, my first review... I would go back to complain, but they're closed by now and I doubt I would get a refund or at least find somebody there who cared. Safe to say this was THE most disappointing food experience I've had in Philly. I don't go out to eat much (frugal with the $), so I decided I was going to "treat" myself to some curry. Yelp informed me that this place was open until 10, half a mile from my house, and had many favorable ratings, two high marks even from fellow vegans. I walk in to carry out around 9:30pm and scan the menu. Curries are scattered throughout, but I quickly locate the vegetarian section. I assume thus that this curry is without fish paste (1 of 3 things to watch for) but inquire still if it's coconut based or includes any dairy products (2 of 3). The man at first instantly says no, and as I rephrase the question using different examples of dairy products, he insists it's only coconut based. As I prepare to order, he points to another item on the menu, the tofu and vegs with lemongrass sauce, stating he doesn't know if the curry included milk or milk bi-products... This not only queues me in that he either doesn't understand my questions or he simply doesn't care, but it also doesn't give me time to compare this with the other possible choice I had: simple veg. spring rolls. But upon his instance that this was a popular choice, I simply agree in order to be on the safe side (after ensuring that it didn't include egg products - 3 of 3). The total came out to almost $9.00, more then I was hoping to spend, especially on something I didn't really want and hadn't really been craving. The lone star in this review is given for the wait time: approximately 5 minutes (also due to zero stars not being an option), though as I will later relay, this was certainly due to the use of old, pre-made ingredients simply being thrown in a wok with water and heated. Upon delving into this dish at home, I was completely turned off by the generic Chinese style frozen tofu wedges I see in any hole-in-the-wall Asian inspired restaurant. Many of the reviewers had touted this place's Vietnamese authenticity, but literally everything screamed "shitty Chinese". The splash of sauce--which had no doubt fallen off the peppers, onions, and tofu wedges in this dish due to its waterness--was completely tasteless... like water with red pepper flakes in it. I even went as far as to put some of the plain white rice in the small puddle of it and eat just that to test if I was missing some greater flavor; this was not the case. The vegetables literally had no flavor or crunch and had clearly been heated up from frozen 12 hours before and left sitting. Same with the generic tofu wedges, anyone who has never tried tofu before and doesn't know how to cook it knows what plain-old tofu tastes like... kind of like an airy wet sponge. This is what it tasted like, the pepper-water "sauce" only serving to make it taste spicy with no other sensations. All in all, I was so, sooooo disappointed that I spent my money on this waste of meal. I ended up with rice for dinner. I do not think I'll give this place a second chance, it's affordable but not cheap and I doubt any of their produce or add-ins are fresh and/or authentic in the slightest. Very sad...
(1)Amy L.
My brother and I were in search for a refreshing raw beef salad on a hot summer day and we found it here. The service improved since the last time I was here. The restaurant lighting was brighter and all the tables were covered in white linens. The restaurant definitely looked a like cleaner. I can't judge the rest of the menu since I only had the salad but I must say the raw beef salad was delicious.
(3)Kevin P.
I love this place. There are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and the prices are really inexpensive. I almost always get the vermicelli noodles with crispy tofu, mixed vegetables and lemongrass sauce. It's a huge portion for around $6.50. The service is also fast and the waiters attentive. This is one of my go-to spots for Vietnamese food.
(5)Cynthia T.
This is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philly, but I am bias because I have been coming here for the past 10 years. They have great and quick service, and the food is good and cheap. However, parking can be horrific at times, but it's still better than going into Chinatown. Try their dinner for 2 menu, which definitely services more than 2 people, if you want a huge authentic meal. I LOVE their Canh Chua and Bo Luc Lac! If you aren't that hungry, their other usual meals are still good! (Like Pho, Com/Bun Thit Nuong, etc.) I recommend this place, especially if you don't want to deal with the parking and traffic going into Chinatown.
(4)Robert S.
Stop reading this review and go there now. This is by far the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. I recommend the summer rolls and the Vermicelli Special (Vietnamese meatballs, egg rolls, grilled chicken, and shrimp). Also, the Pho is excellent. There is a parking lot, but due to the amazing food it is often full on weekends. I recommend going during lunch if you don't want to deal with parking issues. I almost forgot to mention the prices are cheap. About ten bucks for an amazing meal. The decor is nice but not over the top. Also, the place is filled with Vietnamese families eating, which is also a great sign that this restaurant is cooking awesome Vietnamese food!
(5)Kelly P.
Nam phuong was able to accommodate our large party, and even offered to keep separate checks for our convenience. It was too hot for Pho so I took a chance and ordered beef vermicelli. I was so pleased with my choice and all who tried my dish agreed the beef was very well seasoned. I do not know enough about Vietnamese cuisine to determine how this ranks with the rest of them, but I loved my meal and my iced pearl coffee.
(4)Tiffany T.
This used to be my go-to pho place. Honestly I'm always between Viet Huong and here. I think thr pice difference is like.. 50 cents. I came a few days ago, 18 minutes before closing. I hadn't eaten since noon, so I was about to die .. +1 star alone for serving my boyfriend and i , 18 minutes before closing! Thank you for that, super appreciate it. My pho was delicious, on point and served quickly. My boyfriend's broken rice was great, he loved it. He just wanted someone to cut it into little pieces.. but that's bc he's a baby haha. Thanks again guys! will not be forgotten
(4)Belle P.
what the eff, Nam Phuong? We go here all the time and get the same couple of things.. all the time.. so we can tell when something's off We ordered: - Steak & tripe pho - Steak & flank pho - Avocado shake - Sugarcane shrimp with vermicelli wraps What came: - Steak & tripe pho - check - Steak & tendon pho - no - Avocado shake that tasted like whipped cream - sent this back and it still tastes weird but drinkable - BBQ pork over broken rice - they sent it back and we ended up with beef wrapped grape leaves ...one out of 4 ain't bad? We'll still be coming back, but maybe we'll bring a notepad and write our orders down for them.
(4)Ashley S.
My sister lives down the street so whenever we visit, we go to Nam Phuong when we want pho, but my other sister prefers teriyaki. I always get the pho with everything in it (tendons, tripe, etc), and it's very flavorful and tasty. The last time we went, my sister, my mom, and tables around us received their pho, but mine didn't arrive until 10 minutes later, even though we ordered the same thing. Overall, a good, reliable restaurant for pho and beef teriyaki.
(4)Yao T.
Hands down my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the US, including my mom's...and my aunt's...and my other aunt's...my uncle's...and both my cousins'. No, I'm not talking about mama's home cooking (though it is amazing) - my mom actually had a Vietnamese restaurant - and this beats it (and the rest of the family, as you can see). Just the sheer variety AND execution (food, not necessarily service - they are my peoples after all) far surpasses any I've seen. They do it all, and they do it all well - unheard of. Personal Favorites: Ba Vi Ca Kho To Bo Luc Lac Canh Chua Ca Banh Xeo And the service is actually (relatively) attentive, just not warm. A can't miss whenever I'm in Philly.
(4)Nancy I.
$21 for 4 dishes?! Hell yeah! The salor majew yuon (Cambodian for Vietnamese sour soup) is so authentic and to die for! This came with the dinner for 2 at the back of their menu. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Benjamin M.
Thanks to my brother recently introducing me to the world of Pho, I've since expanded my periodic hunger craving horizon, which hit me unexpectedly while in Philly. Fortunately, I found Nam Phuong nearby and decided to try it out. The restaurant must do very well because the interior is huge with plenty of tables for both the lunch and dinner time crowds. That was a good sign. Upon entering, I was immediately seated at a table near the window to begin pondering the endless lunch options. I eventually decided to get the Pho Deluxe (#152), filled with a variety of beef options (and noodles, of course). After ordering, I swear it was sitting in front of me in less than three minutes. Wow! After getting over the shock and awe of their extreme efficiency, I grabbed my chopsticks and began exploring the huge bowl of deliciousness, which never seemed to end. I kept eating and eating and felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. Was it somehow multiplying or was it all in my head? At one point I literally thought, "Jesus could have left the bread and fish alone and just pulled out a bowl of this and fed the five thousand." Next time I'll wait until I'm completely famished and return to hopefully finish it all. For less the seven bucks, you certainly get your money's worth.
(5)Bill H.
Located in the Vietnamese section of Philly, in a Vietnamese strip mall. Went with a Vietnamese friend who went to school in Philly. She claims that this is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philly and who am I to argue. The restaurant is large. We arrived early at 5:30 and when we left the place was packed with a line at the door. With an inexpensive price per entree, it's a great place to order a bunch of entrees to share and experience different flavors. Food and service was very good and you can't beat the value.
(4)Meredith B.
Great authentic spot for some great Vietnamese dishes. I ordered my favorites 102: Summer Rolls w/ Shrimp and Pork/Chicken (2) 163: Pho w/ Slices of Eye-Round Steak and Beef Balls I might pass on the beef balls next time but all in all my meal was just what I was looking for. Nam Phuong isn't trying to be anything its not. It's authentic Vietnamese dishes with no frills. This is perfect cold weather food, warm you up and cure you when you're sick food... and cheap cheap good eats.
(4)elyse j.
This place never ever disappoints! My daughter and I always get the special fish with vegetables in a hot pot. Delicious and stays hot for a long time, which is how long it takes to finish. So much! So good! Husband has chicken with rice noodles, not a bit left to take home.... Nice strong Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.
(5)Quyen N.
I had high hopes for this place with its abundance of reviews but left feeling very disappointed. And this conclusion didn't result from trying one dish. It was after tasting several dishes to really sample the menu. My family and I ordered bo luc lac, banh xeo, bun rieu, banh uot. The beef was dry, the batter was old, and the broth was warm not hot as soups should be. Ufortunately, this place won't be a repeat for us.
(2)Khanh D.
My parents treated about 20 ppl to dinner here this past weekend to celebrate my brother's graduation. We called ahead and were seated promptly. That's where the good experience stopped. The food was disgusting. We ordered many dishes and I tasted them all. The portion size were measly but the pice reflects that which is a good thing. The waitstaff were terrible. Every time we needed to order something new, they each would say we needed to order from a different staff member which led us to have to wait unnecessarily for most of the night. I'm used to bad service at Asian places but this place took the cake for worst service ever. Also...their restrooms were nasty and needed some major cleaning. Gross.
(2)Cathy H.
Best Vietnamese I have ever had, hands down. There's always a table available (except for Christmas Day apparently) and service is lightning fast. It seems as soon as you have ordered, the waiter is already bringing out the pho and bean sprouts. My favorite dish is the rice paper platter. It is one of the most pricey things on the menu but it's WORTH it! The platter is huge, so you can share with at least 3 friends and it's so much fun to dip the rice paper in the hot water they provide and make your own rolls. My second favorite thing is their ice coffee. They serve it to you in the coffee press and use condensed milk. So yummy! Recently, on Christmas Day, I was in Princeton, NJ and I had such a craving for Nam Phuong that we drove all the way to Philly for it. Whereas there is usually no line, this time the line was out the door and the entire parking lot was completely full (probably all inside Nam Phuong). We had to wait 30 minutes for a table but it was so worth it!
(5)Joey L.
I had a hard time finding a good Vietnamese restaurant in philly. Compared to other places I've been to, this would rank in the middle of the pack or the lower bottom. Big menu selection and food was decent.
(3)Austin S.
I heart you Nam Phuong. No doubt, this is the best Vietnamese food that I've had. My recent visit to Philly led me back to this delicious happiness. While the location or the appearance of the restaurant may not scream 5 stars, let the food speak for the restaurant. I went with my usual and ordered pho, beef cubes, and lotus salad with shrimp crackers. Pho is always delicious with great flavor in the soup base. Beef cubes dish is a must! it's beef cubes with some kind of sprouts, served with lemon based sauce. Lotus salad (which has shrimp and pork) is served cold with shrimp crackers, and is a great addition to somewhat fatty dishes that I ordered. I always feel like vietnamese food is loaded with sodium. But I find myself with less need for a full glass of water in the middle of the night.
(5)Ken D.
Love this place. Been going here for about a year on a regular basis. No matter how many people are with me, this place will seat any size dinner party. I once walked in with a party of 13, and within minutes we all had a table and our drinks. The staff here are always friendly and the food has never disappointed. Another bonus is the liquor license. Beers are cheap but watch out for the cocktails, they're Bartending skills need some work. Jk. Can't wait for my next visit.
(5)Melissa P.
Go for the Pho, stay for the adorable asian children that are always there. They also have a full bar and decently priced drinks. Around Chinese New Year, you may be lucky and get a free awesome asian calendar. Extensive menu. Recently tried something new (forget what it was called but) it involved tiny rice wrappers (with your own soaking station), sausages, shrimp, noodles, veggies (carrots, cukes, radish, mint, lemongrass, basil), and little lemongrass leave wrapped beef clusters and it was SO GOOD. huge though. it says to share with two but could have easily fed 3. Cheap!
(4)Abbie D.
My definite go to place for Pho. I have both dined in and got take out and the food is always on point. The pho is the perfect medicine for a cold or a cool night. :) love
(4)Chau L.
It's cold outside - what do I want? P.H.O. This place can get pretty crowded in the evenings, but I don't mind bc 1) there is parking for my car and I don't have to park in an alleyway to get my grub and 2) the selection of Viet food is huge. like HUGE. Their pho broth is pretty decent, as are the summer and spring rolls, udon noodles with ham hocks, broken rice plate with grilled pork chop and sunny side egg, avocado smoothies, and taro smoothies. As you can tell, I eat a lot, and I eat a lot here. Give them a try - service is fast, and the place is spacious so the wait is never too too long.
(4)Nina B.
The only thing I order here is Pho, Its just so good..... One thing you should know is that its pork broth. They have no other options. I went to another place and had veggie or chicken broth and its just not the same. My other half ordered summer rolls that was just ok, but the peanut sauce it came with was fantastic. FYI I do not like peanut sauce... Go and try the PHO!!!
(4)Jay P.
I like this place
(5)Nina S.
I had lunch here with a group of 14 people and the service was so fast and friendly! Without a reservation they were ready to seat us in just a few minutes after we walked in. This was my first time to a Vietnamese Restaurant so I didn't know what to expect but I'm glad that someone from our large party took the lead and ordered a lot of food for us to all share for the table. We split the bill 14 ways it was only $12 for lunch and I ate a lot. We started with shrimp spring rolls that were served with peanut sauce. These are very fresh and the wrap was made of a light think layer of rice. The peanut sauce was the best thing that I tasted at this restaurant. It is seriously so good that they should consider putting it in jars and selling it for people to enjoy at home! These light spring rolls were a great way to start the meal. Then to finish the meal we had two kinds of soups - Pho with beef and sweet and sour with shrimp. It was perfect for the chilly spring day. Everything I tried was very tasty. I will def. be back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)Gabby J.
So I must say I was thoroughly enjoying my vegetable pho soup, portion size was great, exactly what I wanted. Only problem is I looked down and saw little bugs in my soup!! So disappointing. There was a lot too, I scooped out at least 6 and then just trashed the soup completely. Please double/triple clean your vegetables!! The service could have been better as well. Our waiter wasn't too friendly.
(2)Pauline S.
I am not Vietnamese but I would have to say this is a pretty solid spot to get Vietnamese food in South Philly. Not only does it have variety, but it is affordable and tasty. On on occasion, I got thai tea, make your own rolls, and banh cuon dac biet. The make your own rolls was a filling and yummy, and we used up all the things even the greens!
(4)Sarah S.
I've tried the Bo Luc Lac at several different places, and none of them can compare to Nam Phuong.
(4)Christina G.
I live in the neighborhood. My boyfriend and I go to Nam Phoung on a regular basis. We have never been disappointed with the food. There isn't a menu item that we haven't liked. Pho isn't the best in the City but is still very good. I love their papaya salad- it's so refreshing. The vermicelli bowls are very good. And I love rolling up the veggies in the rice paper and dipping it in peanut sauce. It's delicious and fun. Food usually comes out pretty fast. Ingredients are fresh and you can get a lot of food for cheap here. It's not byob but their booze is pretty cheap if you are looking to drink.
(4)Juliana K.
Good portions and friendly service. I had Beef Chow Fun and it was a bit oily, but well flavored!
(3)Patrick H.
So I actually don't come here as often since I go elsewhere for pho, but I would have to say that Nam Phuong is very good in providing general Southeast Asian food. I won't go here for pho, but I would go here for many other things. It's a good restaurant in general, and many Philly natives come here to enjoy what they have to offer. Food Like I said, pho's average here but there are so many other dishes I think are great.Their "Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice" is one of the best I've ever had anywhere (it's not for those who cannot eat raw beef). It's just so tasty and full of flavor. Another great menu item they have are the rice paper entrees you can get to make your own rice paper wrap. It's one of the best things they have here. Their Banh Cuon is also really good, and it comes with this Fried Dough kind of thing. Finally, everything is pretty cheap! Service Kind of confusing sometimes, but the employees are great. You won't always know who's your server or how you're being sat, but once sat, they do try to take care of you as much as they can. It does tend to get quite busy here, so service will go down if they happens. Worth a Try: Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice, Vermicelli Rice Paper Wrap Entree
(4)Kevin R.
Tonight, I learned that this is a great spot to get cha gio with pieces of wire-brush cooked into them. What's really scary is if you think a bit harder into the logic behind that. How does a piece of wire-brush get into the pork/mushroom/etc. mixture of a cha gio? Yeah, I switched it up and tried Nam Phuong for a change (I usually go next door) and they basically punished me for it.
(1)B B.
Tit for tat, I was pressed to visit this restaurant. I knew it was situated among the indochinan strip mall in that area. Scared, I reneged the repeated requests to visit. After using Jedi mind tricks, I was worn down. Much not to my chagrin. Worth a visit or two.
(4)O C.
The shrimp with lotus salad is the best version I had. I usually order the beef cubes with watercress and the sweet and sour soup. This is one of the best places in Philly to get Vietnamese cuisine at a very affordable price in south philly.
(5)Derrick P.
Summer rolls and bun bo hue - that's all you need to get This is the first place that I would actually say the soup compares with the stuff in the country itself. What makes this place so special is how INCREDIBLE the broth is - no one can deny how textured, complex, and rich/flavorful yet light the broth is. I introduced 3 asian friends to their bun bo hue within a week period and all claimed that this was THE BEST noodle soup they had in their life.... I would agree. But, the other special thing about this place is how fresh and high quality their ingredients are. I really appreciate this when I taste the noodle wrapper of the summer rolls and how the fresh flavor sticks with you after you take the bite. The pork meat in the soups are so tender, and the basil leaves are huge as if they were picked off the farm that very day. This is probably the best asian soup I've had - highly recommended.
(5)Ann V.
I'm always here yet I never review. I'm so terrible. I love Nam Phuong! There are so many food items that I could write about but I guess I'll just start with my most recent meal. - Bo Luc Lac: Yummy! One of those dishes that I order almost every single time I'm there. -Ground Shrimp - Sugarcane w/ Rice Paper: A great starter! It's just so so tasty. -Pho Tai: It was decent, but not something I would think to order here. My friend wanted it so I decided to give it a try. Come here if you want cheap authentic Viet food. Until next time...
(4)Nicole L.
Nam Phuong serves decent pho and a decent iced coffee, but other than that, there's nothing significant that separates them from the other restaurants in the area. Maybe the tablecloths on the table, the gigantic portions, and the passable service? Hmm.
(3)Yiwen S.
i've eaten here on several occasions and it's always been consistently good. whether it's the pho, the grilled pork chops with broken rice, or the family-style chinese dishes, this place has it all on their extensive menu. they definitely excel better in their vietnamese food than when they try to dabble in other asian flavors, but i've never had anything bad per se. all in all, a good option for a filling and cheap lunch/dinner along washington ave. the place is also huge, which almost guarantees that you'll be seated and served quickly.
(4)Vivian B.
So let's be clear-- I'm from Brooklyn and work in Manhattan. This place is in Philly. My family and I travel 100 miles (to be exact) for their Bun Bo Hue and Bun Rieu. It's that good. My parents are your typical, finicky, OG Vietnamese peeps that make it their lively hood to find great Bun Bo Hue, Bo La Lot, and other assorted Viet dishes. (Yeah, I said Viet. :-) ) It's very hard to find a place where I don't hear both Mummy and Father complain about the food, cost, portion size, blah blah blah, etc... Thankfully, I hear no complaints about Nam Phuong as we are often postulating, during the ride to Philly, on what dishes we are to get and then devour. Needless to say, I really heart this place. Not to say I don't love me a good bowl of Pho (which they really do make a really good Pho) but obscure Vietnamese noodle soups have a special place in my heart and this establishment fulfills my craving. I hope you'll love it as much as I will!
(5)Fred R.
While visiting family in the Philadelphia area we wound up at Nam Phuong for dinner. We were seated promptly and service was above average. The menu is huge so I would recommend taking your time to give it a good look. In terms of quality and taste, the dishes we ordered were excellent. We had a soup with beef wontons, shrimps, and scallions which was a home run. Some of the appetizers included summer rolls and Vietnamese crepes which were not only tasty but very fresh. For main courses we had the grilled beef wrapped in leaves with vermicelli, chicken with broken rice, whole fried fish in sweet and sour sauce, salt baked squid, and chinese greens with garlic.........all of which were super! We will be back on our next visit!
(5)Kelly W.
It was sooo good!
(5)Michael F.
In need of another pho fix and wanting to continue my quest to try every pho place on Washington Ave, I ventured to Nam Phuong. The beef salad was a great way to start things off, but arrived only a minute or two before our main courses. Again I went Deluxe Pho, #152, this time only $6.25. At first, I was disappointed in what I felt was a lack of meat in the pho... until I started to dig in. I kept being pleasantly surprised by finding more. Service started out weak but seemed to improve as the meal went on, probably the only negative experience I had at Nam Phuong. It is highly recommended.
(5)John V.
If you know me, you realize that I enjoy well made food and quality service. The food here is OK. The service was sub-par. Tried the Vietnamese quiche, spring rolls and broken rice with ground shrimp. All were just OK. I will eat at Vietnam in Chinatown anyday over this place.
(2)Sherri T.
Durian bubble tea! Need I say more? Awesome shrimp rolls and triple delight. I left a super happy camper. Didn't like the sweet and sour soup as much but it's just me since I am not a fan of celery in the soup. Everyone else love it though!
(5)Jay L.
Philadelphia has a great selection of Vietnamese food, and Nam Phong is amongst the best. The service is great. The restaurant is large and is great for large parties. I would recommend the #280, the bo luc lac, or country style beef cubes. Note, the watercress is fresh/raw and thus a little bitter. The pho is always a safe bet.
(4)Vinny P.
You have to love it when you are thrilled by the food at a restaurant and then the bill comes and you're thrilled with the price. It just leaves you feeling good all over. I dined here recently for the first time and admittedly, I had high expectations. When you look at all the very solid reviews for this place, it's hard not to get excited when coming here. What follows was just my experience. We began with the summer rolls with shrimp pork and chicken (103). They were light, bright, highly flavorful and with excellent texture. I really enjoyed the peanut based dipping sauce over the more vinegary offering. Our main meal consisted of the beef sauteed with lemongrass over vermicelli (178) and the chicken sauteed with ginger and onion (274) Both dishes were pretty awesome. The beef had such bright flavor from the lemongrass and it was served in a large bowl with hot noodles underneath it and lots of freshly shredded veggies. The chicken was served on a platter with steamed broccoli and the sauce was highly flavorful. We forgot to even specify a spice level because we were so excited by the meals themselves This place was super packed but we got a seat rather quickly on Saturday at 745. Other parties that came in after us had waits but they were minor. I'm definitely adding this place in the rotation. I can't wait to eat through more of their menu.
(4)Sade B.
The noodles were stuck together and half done, I ordered steak Pho. I was high as a kite and the food was sub par. It's usual for food to taste amazing when I'm stoned but, nam Phoung proved they could screw this dish up. The beef stock flavor was so weak. It tasted like water and was very oily. I will never go back there.
(1)Soyoung K.
Your pho is a win. The best hangover cure ever! I can also binge drink here with my hangover cure pho...which makes NP probably one of my fav's of philly. xoxo
(4)John H.
The pho is awesome, but the real gem is the bo luc lac (beef cubes). We used to go all the time until we moved. Now my wife and I talk about the beef cubes regularly and always plan to make the 2 hour drive down to get them one weekend, never being able to make good on our plans. I miss you, bo luc lac. We will go down to eat you.. maybe this weekend, or next weekend, or the weekend after that.... sigh...........
(5)Colleen M.
The first cuisine on my list when I came to Philly for a visit was Vietnamese. I miss good Vietnamese food in the Midwest! I came here for dinner. I got the vermicelli noodles with grilled shrimp and the summer rolls. Both were awesome. I will definitely come back here when I'm in the area visiting. Next time I'll try to the pho.
(5)Ai L.
I'm Vietnamese and use to good authentic Vietnamese food in Australia, so it's been rather challenging to find a restaurant that I like. Nam Phuong is one of those that I did like! Their pho tai nam was delicious. It was a bit sweet, but I balanced it with some fish sauce and lemon and then it was perfect. I also ordered the grill pork summer rolls and the durian smoothie. The smoothie was good, but it wasn't as fruity as I expected. In addition, the service was great and the staff friendly and helpful. Overall, I enjoyed all the dishes I ordered and if I lived in Philly, I would be back :)
(4)Judy L.
I have been going here consistently for the past year. The food is good. I have tried almost everything on their menu and I have not been disappointed yet. Unfortunately, the service has deteriorated since I have started going. If you're looking for average service, decent prices but solid Vietnamese food, this is a great restaurant to go.
(3)Dave B.
You want Pho? Well, this is the place to come. Probably one of the most popular Viet food experience in Philly that is authentic and affordable. During the cold months, I find myself dining here multiple times per week. They are fast, delicious and reliable quality when it comes to Pho. Other dishes are just as wonderful so if you're not feeling soupy today, explore the menu. It can get a little crowded but the wait is worth it. One advice, order using the number because there's a small chance that they'll come out with a totally different dish than what you wanted.
(5)Linda N.
Continuing on my quest to find the best pho, my boyfriend and I decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is in a Vietnamese shopping plaza, so you don't have to worry too much about paying for parking at the meters or fighting with others to get a parking spot. The place itself was huge and filled with people - so if you want to have a banquet or some sort of party, this place will be suitable. Like I've said before, I get incredibly hesitant in eating pho at restaurants because of the massive amounts of msg, but Nam Phuong's Pho Dac Biet is a serious winner. I was literally sipping every last bit of it. And guess what??? I didn't get into a deep food coma or anything. The Bun Dac Biet (grilled chicken and shrimp, nem nuong (pork patties), cha gio (fried spring rolls)) was pretty good, too. I requested for bi (shredded pork), so that was $1 extra. Everything in the bun noodle bowl was portioned so well - the meat to noodle ratio was great. Service was average. We noticed that the American-looking customers got the most attention - whereas we simply were given our food and were left alone. I actually don't mind much because I'm used to this kind of treatment from most Asian restaurants. But my boyfriend pointed that out to me and I just thought I'd write a few words about it for my fellow Asians out there who will eat at Nam Phuong. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the Thai tea boba. It was absolutely ridiculous. I mean, it wasn't that bad, but it was definitely made from powder - not the kind of tea you get at Thai places. And the boba was so bad that I didn't even touch them. I don't know what I was even thinking when I ordered a boba tea - not to mention a Thai tea boba - from a Vietnamese restaurant. My advice is to get Thai tea only from Thai restaurants and boba tea at boba tea specialty shops. Overall, I highly suggest ordering almost anything else besides the Thai tea boba or any of their boba drinks. All of the other traditional Vietnamese foods and Vietnamese drinks here at Nam Phuong surely won't disappoint. Chuc an ngon!
(4)Lisa C.
Totally fabulous, I love this place! Great food, fast service, always reliable and it's cheap. How can you beat that?
(5)Zashi M.
Located in a shopping center, parking was convenient compared to downtown Philly and Chinatown. Menu is extensive, which makes some dishes not so authentic. I can't tell what they specialize in so we ordered a variation od dishes. everything was good but not wow. Pho (beef noodle soup) Com suon (pork chop rice) Bun Xeo (vietnamese crepe) Bun bo hue (spicy pork feet noodles) Vietnamese congee with pig blood and liver The only thing that wasn't too good and was no where near authentic is the jicama rolls. Disappointing. Good variety with fairly good food. No wow factor worth a 4 or 5 star rating.
(3)Penn S.
pretty decent foods..got the best Huu Tieu Xao... the only reason I give this place a 3 stars because one of the host forced me to take off my hoody...wtf? all these people around me had their HATS on and he didn't say a dam thing...this aint no dam 5 stars restaurant...
(3)Louis D.
went with my in-law who has been here before.. it was after a baseball game and close to closing time.. I was not sure what to get so i whinged it.. everything was delish and would not be apprehensive to go back.. as some might be... go in try it..
(4)Vuthy O.
Apparently my taste is just really really different from all of my friends and family and the rest of the reviewers on this site. The food is yummy, service - good, and my family has been coming here for years and years, but this is almost always my last choice when it comes to Vietnamese food. When I'm there, I enjoy most of what is offered, I just never want to go of my own accord - especially because the Cha Gio is made with wheat paper. (See my reviews for Vietnam Palace and Nam Son). In summary - a very decent, very low priced, albeit very average Vietnamese place complete with tacky decor. Most people love it, and I am kind of boojie, so give it a shot.
(3)Jon Z.
My favorite vietnamese restaurant in philly! Most authentic, very delicious, fast service even when it is packed. Best deal is the Family meal for 4 package, costs less than $50 for a 6 course meal for 4 people with enough for a second meal when you take your leftovers home! Can also substitute one item for something else if you like.
(5)Karl K.
Get the ban vi for two, and the jackfruit smoothies! -------- That about sums it up for this place. This platter (easily feeds two people, and then some) is THE THING TO GET here. Forget about the pho, forget about the beef with lemongrass... GET THIS! Tonight, we got a special appetizer called Ban Go, which was pretty awesome as well (a mix of Chinese wide rice noodle, filled with savory ground beef, topped with sliced Vietnamese sausage roll and dried onion flakes; this comes with a crispy cake of fried dough topped with a prawn). Regarding the supposed "Yelp special": Ban vi is regularly priced $23.95, so... Where is the so-called discount? (it doesn't help that the managers seemingly know nothing about this special)
(4)Toby K.
Love the Pho! It's cheap and has a really big menu. It has a bit nicer of an interior than some of the other pho places. This past time I went, Melissa p had me try this appetizer. It basically is making your own summer roll. Deliciousness!
(5)Enid C.
As a general rule of thumb, products of any category decrease in value when they are broken. A broken smart phone is about as "smart" as that one person who's still hoping to make his fortune on beanie babies. A broken engine turns your car into just another expensive place to store things like old magazines and sweaters you aren't going to wear. A broken spirit loses wars, and a broken heart results in the overproduction of cringe-worthy "emo" music. ...but broken rice? Broken rice is an entirely different story. With each segment that the individual grains are broken into, the light flavors are able to seep in more delicately, providing a palatable texture, almost like a sexy, Vietnamese take on cous cous. Broken rice is so much more than "just rice," and Nam Phuong has the best in the entire city. I think about it often. Almost as often as "Call Me Maybe" gets stuck in my head. Broken rice dishes are accompanied by expertly grilled meats, with a salad of pickled veggies and a splash of fish sauce to top it off. This spacious establishment is located in the centroid of Philly's Viet hub, so really all of the standard options on their extensive menu (including many for vegetarians!) are authentically solid. Whatever you order, from pho to summer rolls to beef carpaccio, your tummy and taste buds will leave happy. [But if you ever have any trouble deciding...just go with the broken rice.]
(4)Lauren C.
I am not Vietnamese... but over the past year or so, I have become quite a fan of the food. I live in Pennsport, and thus have tons of access to the restaurants on Washington Ave. In trying a few of them, Nam Phuong has risen to the top as my trusty-go-to spot. We brought a newbie with us on Sunday night, and will thus review this experience. Walking in, the smell is certainly unique. Having eaten here on numerous occasions, I love it. It's sort of soy-saucey... or what our friend described as a mens locker room, or a wet dog. The decor is kitschy, but somehow it works! The bar you can tell was newly renovated as its AWESOME, but not a sit-down bar... more of a take out counter. We got seated at a nice sized table for 4 people by the window and were promptly given water, and asked about drinks. Beers are $3 for domestic, $3.50 for imports. YES PLEASE! As a vegetarian, my options are a bit limited (per usual). I always associate most Asian dining (Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese etc.) as being veggie friendly. They embrace tofu! What more could you ask for? You need to watch your back if you're a vegetarian at Nam Phuong though. You might as well just tell your waiter. If you order 'Veggie Pho" you will get chicken broth. The proper technique is to ask for Vegetarian Noodle Soup... which is the exact same thing with broth that is safe. I also like 253. Not sure what it is called formally, but its fried tofu in peanut sauce on rice vermicelli and shredded lettuce, pickled carrots, cucumber etc. and some steamed veggies. I like the contrast of fresh/cooked/hot/cold etc. Its delicious. Again, they bring out this fish sauce that they expect you to dump in there, so you have to be a bit wary. This specific dining experience, I went for my trusty 253, pushed the fish sauce aside, and seasoned with rooster sauce, and a bit of soy sauce. AMAZING. Per usual, i hit the bathroom before I left, and per usual, it was DISGUSTING!!! It always makes me nervous what the kitchen looks like, but I try not to think about it. the floor was soaking so I almost fell over. I literally put down paper towels to try to get traction. You are discouraged from putting toilet paper into the toilets... not sure why... as Philly plumbing can totally hang with toilet paper... but whatever. The trash cans are overflowing, the stalls are dirty etc. Better than some bars, but the decor is nice, it's just not clean! Also per usual, you have to flag down a waiter for a check. They will almost never bring it automatically. The sooner you accept that, the more pleasant your experiences will be. Once you flag them down, they bring the check promptly. Just a cultural divide I guess. While Nam Phuong may not be the fanciest, trendiest, most upscale place on earth, its a fan favorite! You almost never have to wait, the prices are reasonable, the service is fairly good, and the food is PHENOMENAL. Will be back... always... and forever.
(4)Dredge K.
ok, this has by default become my go to place food is pretty consistent, ambiance is lacking but secondary even their pho is good, even though this is not a pho restaurant excellent for groups! strong cocktails there is something for everyone...
(4)Anthony B.
I am new to the vietnamese food scene but wow this place is good. My girlfriend and I went and for 2 meals and an appetizer it was under $20.00. They were also extremely efficient. We were in and out in 45 minutes. I will continue to give my patronage to this establishment. Ps. Great fish/peanut sauce.
(5)Vincent L.
Coming from nyc, I had high expectations for Vietnamese food in Philly. I had ordered Bun bo hue, and I was a lil disappointed. Everything was good except the pig feet was really tough. I had to tear it from my teeth using my hands. everything else was on the money. Ice coffee was really strong, which I liked. The restaurant itself is big compared to the vietnamese restaurants in nyc. Overall, I wasn't blown away but I was full and satisfied. 3 and a half stars.
(3)German S.
Perfect pho kinda of weather.. yum. Can't get enough of this place. Food is great, fast service, attentive staff, clean place.
(4)Peter K.
Maybe the best Vietnamese restaurant ever, or at least in the northeast (hard to compare to San Francisco or Eden Center in Virginia). But this place is awesome, and everything on the menu rocks! And the place is huge too. Looks like they have a stage where maybe sometimes they do performances or karaoke.
(5)Sarah S.
excellent food, fast service! beef stew is so wonderful. vegan options as well. all meals come with a pot of hot tea. great place for groups... usually lots of families sharing large dinner dishes
(5)Kevin C.
Of all the Viet restaurants i've tried this is definitely the best place if you want a big warm bowl of pho or a rice dish! The service isn't the best but they are very quick when it comes to serving up the food and is at a very good price.
(5)Yohann S.
More like 3.5, but since I'm a nice guy, I'll round it to 4 -instead of 3. Good place for a big party. I never get their pho. I usually get either broken rice or vermicelli; and sometime beef cube to share. They are good. Like any regular viet restaurant, they're cheap -and filling. Parking is easy -even though it's packed most of the time, it's not that hard to be patient and get a spot. $15 min for credit card. Service is still better than some Asian restaurant out there, so no complain there. ... If you want pho, go get it somewhere else. *hint check my review for 5 stars pho place.
(4)May T.
I sat through a terrible hour and a half drive on 76 just to get to Nam Phuong and I guess in the end it was pretty worth it. They have these awesome pre-selected dishes that can be ordered for groups of 2+ and the price isn't too shabby. For around 25 bucks, 2 people can get an order of soup, rice, springrolls and I believe 2 other dishes listed on the special. I've definitely had better cha gio in restaurants other than Nam Phuong but their pho broth is really good compared to a lot of other places I've been to. I ordered the bun dac biet which came with a ton of toppings and definitely left me very full. I could go for another round of Nam Phuong any day and on the plus side if you need to get some food shopping done, the location is ridiculously convenient.
(4)Danny K.
Good foods lot of good noodle and Vietnamese food. I like it here lot my wife and I always come for quick good meal Nice and clean great services too.
(5)Nhi T.
I eat here from time to time. Service is amazing and the food is fresh whenever I order in or take out. They have a lengthy menu so you have a variety of food to choose from. Very affordable and highly recommended.
(5)Kerry B.
Ooo baby do you know what $10 is worth? Nam Phuong is a place on Earth. Ridiculously good Pho. Sit down eats, unreasonably inexpensive.You can't beat this place, its spring rolls and how can get in and out in under a hour. The total package.
(5)Tyler R.
This used to be the go-to place for a lot of South Philadelphians, but the recent past has ushered in a more popular era for all comers from across the city. You MUST: - Try the family meals. It's the cheapest, greatest way to eat like a king or queen. From the Tom Yum soup to the fish and seafood, this is what you want right now. - Have a bowl of deluxe pho. It's so incredibly satisfying. AVOID: - Saturdays and Sundays around dinner. The place is packed, and unless you have reservations, be prepared to wait. Also, some event dinners are hosted there, and it takes up a large part of the restaurant space - When you have limited time. The servers can be slow to tend to you, and it might take some time to get your food out. Nam Phuong is a staple in the Viet food scene. It's not going away any time soon.
(3)Li D.
First, this restaurant is really large, and parking can be a pain. But it is fairly good and VERY reasonably priced. Went for dinner, and had the pho. It was as expected. Good and satisfying. My partner had the meat (chicken, salmon, beef, etc.) on a bed of rice noodles. It was good too. The service is fast. All-in-all, a good neighborhood restaurant.
(3)Sarah F.
A few months ago I decided to take a risk and try Vietnamese with two others also unfamiliar with the cuisine. We were all thoroughly unimpressed. Thanks to Yelp's in it to Thin It, Christina G and I needed a place to go where a: the menu was mostly healthy and b: it was easy not to drink. Since she lives in the area, it was either Vietnamese, Mexican, or Italian. Vietnamese seemed the most diet friendly. I let her choose what we ate, and I'm glad I did. The papaya salad was really delicious. I'm definitely going to get one for lunch next week. I also liked the vermicelli bowls. The lemongrass tofu (my suggestion) was a little disappointing, but only in comparison to the other dishes. I'm glad I gave the cuisine another try, because I loved it!
(4)Alex P.
I'm so happy that I found this place! The food really is authentic Vietnamese! It's so delicious! It's very inexpensive and the hours are great! They're open 7 days a week until 10pm! And their menu is huge! It's located in what I like to refer to as Vietnamese town :) so many gems!
(5)Bob S.
Excellent Vietnamese food with an amazing number of choices. It is a great restaurant! Parking is very easy too.
(5)Peter D.
I am amazed at how much pho you get for $6.25. Like goddamn. The Deluxe will be one of my go-to meals from now on, despite the weather getting warmer. I had enough for two meals worth. That's what I call bang for the buck! I definitely would love to come back here with more people. The interior is kind of generic Asian family style and the location is kind of hard to get into if you are coming from west of Broad Street on foot but otherwise you don't pay for ambiance you pay for the food, and Nam Phuong does not disappoint!
(5)Kimberly P.
Usually I'm picky with Vietnamese food since I'm so used to my parents traditional ways of cooking BUT Nam Phuong is so delicious. There's not one thing I haven't loved when coming here. I have allergies to certain things like peanuts and carrots and when I tell them, they always make sure it's clear of it all. Not only that but the service is impeccable! Everyone is so kind and helpful.
(5)Greg Y.
I eat mad Pho and would not go back to this place. The main reason is because the place just smells bad. The stench of old cleaning rags ruined my meal during the few times I've been here. Service is poor compared to the already below-avg standard at many Pho places. The food does very little to salvage this place. Pho Saigon is 100x better.
(2)Tala T.
I heard that Philadelphia has the best Vietnamese on the East Coast. Where are they all hiding? So far I haven't seen too many downtown. So I turned to Yelp and based on the many reviewer recommendations decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is located in a strip mall on Washington Avenue, surrounded by other Vietnamese restaurants, shops and food market. We went on a weeknight and found the place to be full of mostly Vietnamese patrons but also other foodies like us who have a deep appreciation for Vietnamese food. And so we were seated, quickly made our way through the extensive menu and ordered the: shrimp spring roll, chicken pho, barbecued quail and diced cubed beef. The shrimp roll was served first. It was good with generous amounts of shrimp in each of the two rolls. A shrimp roll is filled with diced shrimp, rice doodles and basil and wrapped in rice paper. It is usually served with peanut butter sauce and tastes fresh and healthy. This was no different but not superior to any other roll I've had. Next was the Pho Ga or Chicken Pho. It was filled with so much noodles that there was no room to mix the ingredients all in. In the end I only ended up having a few spoonfuls and moved on to the next dish. The barbecued quail was on the drier side and was not as tasty as the ones we were used to having in New Orleans. The meat was chewy and dry. Needless to say the count picked at every little tiny bone on that poor quail's fragile body. But the winner of the night was the beef cube dish or more commonly referred to as the Boc Luc Lax. It was served on a plate of watercress with a tangy salt and pepper dip on the side. It was so good that I barely touched the Pho and polished the plate clean. The best part: the entire meal cost well under $30 dollars. I found it to be en par with other Vietnamese restaurants I have visited. We both enjoyed our meal enough and saw some other delicious treats being served to other tables. So needless to say I'm sure we will become regulars unless I find a far superior local Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. Any advice on where to have the best Pho?
(4)Emily S.
This is the place to go for Vietnamese in Philadelphia for anything other than pho. Whatever you get - banh hoi, bun bo hue, clay pot fish, thit bo luc lac - all authentic Vietnamese and the best quality I've had for the price. My favorites are the thit bo luc lac (beef cubes) served on a bed of fresh watercress and the any of the banh hoi dishes (roll it yourself spring rolls) which will surely fill a party of at least 2. My partner has been coming here for over a decade. Says the prices haven't changed in years. Beers are about $3 each and mixed drinks around $5. Prices for the food equally as reasonable. We don't come here for pho -- we either go across the street to Pho Ta or next store to Pho and cafe viet hung for pho thai (beef) or pho ga than than for pho ga (chicken) - better bang for your buck than nam phong in my opinion, though others may tell you differently. Atmosphere is nothing special, but doesn't need to be. The food is first rate -- if you are looking for some swanky atmosphere with mediocre food, this is not your place. But if you're looking for one of the top Viet restaurants in Philly, this is your spot.
(5)Joolie T.
so- i come back 2 years later and what do i think? it's still one of the BEST Pho/Vietnamese joints i've been to on the east coast. no doubts about it. i've been craving this stuff forever and would whine, beg and cry to come back to Philly just to eat here. low and behold- it happened!!! the service is impeccable here. they make sure you have everything at your table, how your meal is, how EVERYTHING is. customer service is very important to me- and this is a restaurant who extremely cares about their customers. i've never had this kind of experience from a Vietnamese restaurant before. i know that sounds kind of a back-handed compliment, but it just means that Nam Phuong surpasses every negative thing i've thought about regarding these type of places. our spring rolls were perfection. it was so good that we ordered 3 more servings to go for Ron C.- who was arriving in Philly just 1 hour after we were. what was his verdict??? well, he finished it all. happily. lol. i can't wait for the next time i'm in Philly to satisfy my craving. until then, it's mediocre Pho for me in NYC. =(
(5)Payal P.
I will start this review off by saying, I will give them another chance. About 2 weeks ago a group of 10 came in for dinner with a reservation. Upon arrival we were seated at 2 circle table (even though 2 large rectangles were available to accomodate us to sit together). After a little uncertainty, we weretold we could push the circles together making for an awkward infinity loop of seating. Half our party was about 10 minutes late and the staff asked us way too many times at that point if they were actually coming. They would not even take our drink and app order until they arrived, which we found weird but we rolled with it. When the other party arrived, they took the drink order of half but not the other half. Then the other half ordered before the 2nd half even got to order drinks. Let's just say it took almost an hour for everyone to get their food...the first person to receive food was about 10 mins after ordering the last person was almost an hour later. This would have been fine IF we would also have been able to get another round of drinks, which we finally were when we started receiving food. Half the people loved their food the other half did not. I got a rice noodle dish which i thought was pretty bland even after dumping on all the extra sauce they gave plus some doctoring from the condiment tray. What I won't complain about is the price, I think we got out for around $20 per person for a meal, 2 drinks and including tip. Those in our group that had been their before said we must have had a really off night and usually it is nothing like this. So I am willing to give it another try. 1 star for half the people liking the food, 1 star for price.
(2)Kathleen D.
I like your ceiling full of SO MANY chandeliers. There are just rows and rows of em like some used-to-be banquet hall where glamour-shots type bridal photos were certainly taken...and now we eat soup and vermicelli bowls and clay-pot dishes here. This restaurant, I'd definitely use for a scene in the movie I'm making. Everybody'll be all, "What a peculiar place," when they see it. Service is speedy, family style Vietnamese foods tastes good... and it's pretty inexpensive... Yeah, the food is consistently good. Here, the last time we went to Nam Phuong it was so busy that seating was CLOSE and we were seated next to these two guys and one of them or both of them smelled like they'd spent the night in a chicken coop. I mean, ripe. AND YET... the meal still felt successful. I think that's a good testament to the good eatin here. Nam Phuong's pho and foods temporarily cure my feelings of repugnance! Yay!
(4)Debby H.
I've been to Nam Phuong several times with my Vietnamese friends. The food is absolutely delicious! Although I cannot name the dishes I have had, since my friends always do the ordering, I can tell you that I've never had a thing I didn't like very much. The wait staff all speak English, so they will help you. I always get a Chinese beer to accompany my meal. So good! Parking is really hard, but if you if you find a spot be sure to go into the Vietnamese market next door.
(4)Jeff H.
In the heart of the Little Saigon quarter of Philadelphia, Nam Phuong stands out above all the other eateries. It is quietly becoming known all over the east coast and rightly so. After eating at some very mediocre Vietnamese restaurants in Europe, it was a pleasure for me to get back to real Vietnamese food at Nam Phuong. Their menu is large and each time I go there I try something different. And the food doesn't disappoint. On a recent cold winter's day, I passed over the tempting Pho to indulge in the Broken Rice with a BBQ Pork Chop, Shredded Pork, Egg Quiche, and salad. This is a classic Vietnamese broken rice dish and it is prepared here to perfection. For starters, the jicama rolls delicately wrapped in rice paper really hit the spot - especially with the addition of the accompanying peanut sauce. But there are other aspects of Nam Phuong that propel it to five stars. The service for one - it is friendly and efficient. My water glass must have been filled more than five times. You are always served hot Vietnamese tea as soon as you sit down. And the condiments on the table along with the ubiquitous Vietnamese fish sauce are outstanding. You have a choice among so many different flavors to add to your dining experience. Yeah, it was def good to be back eating in Philadelphia's Vietnamese restaurants - and one of the very best ones at that!
(5)Vy D.
The Vietnamese food here will change your life. Seriously. You'll sell all of your possessions, shave your head, and chant at random times during the day. The stuff is heaven. That being said, the dish to get at Nam Phuong is the Ba Vi Platter ($24). A large round plate assembled with crisp lettuce leaves, sprigs of mint and basil, along with cool English cucumber slices and thinly sliced, slightly pickled carrots and daikon radish. A bed of vermicelli sat on the other side topped with shrimp mousse grilled on sugarcane(1), house-made pork sausage(2) and a bundle of ground beef wrapped in grape leaves, then grilled(3). Absolutely delish. The pho, bun bo hue, goi cuon, and banh xeo are also all equally high-end compared to other Vietnamese restaurants in the city. If you have to ask about the service, you've obviously not been to a lot of authentic Vietnamese places. They shout "What you want" and if you don't have an answer within three seconds, they'll probably give you the death stare and walk away, returning fifteen minutes later, begrudgingly, to let you continue your order. Highly recommended authentic Vietnamese food.
(5)Alice C.
Love the dinner for 2 or 4. The clay fish pot is my favorite! The customer service was perfect. Very attentive. Spacious and spread out environment. Love the traditional decor. My favorite appetizer is the ba vi. Portions are more than enough especially for the price. Would definitely go back soon
(5)Jane H.
Everytime we think we're going to try a new place for Vietnamese food, we some how end up here! This place is great. The decor is very family friendly, and the waitstaff are nice. They let me order in Chinese (I wasn't sure how to pronounce those items!). Everything we have ever ordered has been delicious and fresh. Heck, even when we take it home to eat as left overs, the food is still super good. Also - they have a full bar if you want any alcohol with your food. YUM! It doesn't hurt that the price tag is so reasonable. When can I come back again????
(5)Richard R.
My wife went to Nam Phuong on a cold Saturday night. We had watched Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations in Viet Nam. He had the Vietnamese crepes and thanks to Yelp, Nam Phuong came up using that search. I was also pretty excited to see the number of reviews and 4 star rating. Nam Phoung is on Washington Ave near 12th street. I have lived in the Phila area all my life and it is really awesome to see how big the Asian community has become in this part of South Philly. Nam Phoung is situated in a large Vietnamese strip mall. It is pretty cool to see with all the different stores and lights. The restaurant itself is very big with a ton of tables, It was fairly crowded being a Friday night but we were seated right away, I was not crazy about the decor of the restaurant. It sort of didn't know which way it wanted to go...on one end it wanted to be high end with the crystal chandeliers. It just seemed odd to me but it was quite clean and the service was very good. It was a mixed crowd of Asians and Non Asians. We had the crepe of course, This isn't like the French version but almost like an omelet with scallions, vegetables and shrimp inside. This was very good and we should have ordered two. We had a fried fish fillet also that was super tasty. We also had a pork chop with rice. This was just OK, the flavors were good but something was missing to make it really special. We also had salted fish fried rice with chicken. That was a strange dish. My wife is of Asian decent (Filipino) and she wasn't expecting the flavors. So we were 2 for 4 with the dishes we ordered. I guess we made some poor choices based on so many great reviews. The menu is HUGE! Nam Phuong has a full bar and beer from Viet Nam. We didn't have time to try the coffee but would have liked too. Definitely a cool and interesting place. Out tab for everything was around $40.00
(3)Layla N.
Big, lively restaurant serving authentic, yummy grub. Only been here once but everything I tried was really good. The food came out in a timely manner and service was on point.
(4)Amanda N.
I strayed away from the pho and finally see what all the rave is about! Hu tieu do bien (seafood vermicelli) was awesome and hit the spot as I was recuperating from a stomach virus. It was a nice big soupy bowl of rice noodle topped with shrimp, imitation crab and a piece of scallop that felt like a hidden piece of treasure upon discovery. Loved that it was super hot and came with a fresh plate of bean sprouts for me to fold into the soup (I always do this right away to get the perfect cooked bean sprout texture). I'll add the jalapeno's and lime next time for sure once my stomach can handle it. BF's plate was also really delicious looking. Can't wait to come back and try the other dishes recommended by fellow yelpers. And yes, the service is incredible for a Vietnamese restaurant. I never comment on service when reviewing Viet restaurants because it's just not worth mentioning (it's all about efficiency) but these guys are attentive, hardworking, and thoughtful. Love their humble service and hardworking ethic for such a popular restaurant. This place is a great spot for groups, too! We were surrounded by birthdays and large family gatherings.
(5)Rich D.
The food was decent, however, there is an odd odor in the restaurant that just turned me off a bit. I had the pho dac biet which was really good. Also shared a BBQ pork with broken rice which was also decent. I'd like to go back for the food, but probably wouldn't because of the smell. Disappointed.
(3)Caroline C.
They serve great Vietnamese food!! I have been there before a long time ago, but it wasn't that memorable, but I'm glad I was reunited again. It was convenient because I was in the area doing an errand, and decided to grab takeout for dinner. I ordered the bun bo hue (BF's favorite) and the bo luc lac based off of many Yelpers' recommendations. The bo luc lac is SO GOOD. I also tried the bun bo hue, and it is one of the best I've had! It is also great that they have parking in the lot and nearby. The prices are reasonable though I never understood why bo luc lac is always so costly compared to other rice dishes. Oh well, it is worth it!! I can't wait to try other things on the menu. The inside decor is slightly fancier than your typical vietnamese pho places. Just slightly.
(5)Cynthia X.
Came here again just a week later. Got the 3 beef delight again, and it was delightful!
(4)Kimberly H.
My faavorite Vietnamese restaurant. I make it a point to come here when I visit Philly, despite how far out of the way it may be. First time I came to visit, we ordered a family meal so I sampled a lot of different foods . I usually just order pho and beef skewers or summer rolls, but now there's so much more. Everything was so good...so I recommend going with more people if you can. But this time it was only four of us and half of us already ate a full Philly cheesesteak. We got seated immediately. We ordered a pho to share, this large dish to make your own rice paper wrapped rolls (says for two to share, but really was big enough for 3-4), and hot french press coffee with condensed milk. The pho was so gooood. So much better than NYC Pho places. I never tried the make your own rice paper wrapped rolls, but the grape seed and pork pieces were pretty good. There was so much leftover that we just took the rest home. The coffee was too strong for my taste, I like it with some half and half or more condensed milk. But overall the meal was great and we were completely stuffed. Prices are inexpensive and service is fast. Parking may be tough since they share a parking lot with a supermarket but if you circle around enough you'll get a tight space.
(5)Leo G.
Good food, quickly served and hot out of the kitchen. Service is attentive and mostly impersonal. Reception is awkward (non-existent) perhaps because there are 2 entrances and the staff must see you seeking a table. We chose a table and got a brusque "wait over there" as we waited for it to be cleared. Spacious, casual, clean setting. Light background music was more appropriate for a dance exercise studio. The "wen yu" fish in clay pot was excellent, with a savory sauce similar to that used with sushi broiled eel. Only 4 pieces but high quality. The charcoal grilled pork and shrimp with broken rice was tasty and good. Vegetable lo mein was tasty, vegetables slightly too oily. Parking can be a challenge, though you might get lucky to park in the strip mall's lot.
(4)Jen C.
I was torn on whether to give a 4 or 5 star rating and decided on 4.5 stars. Well, Yelp doesn't allow that, and 2nd grade (?) math taught me to round up to 5. What can I say about Nam Phuong that hasn't already been said? I will say that it's not the absolute best Vietnamese food in any one category but the best overall that I've had outside of Vietnam. I've had Vietnamese in cities with larger Vietnamese populations, but Nam Phuong still wins, without a doubt. NYC has nothing that comes even close. * Easy on the wallet * Plenty of variety * Larger family dinners are great * Get the banh hoi if you've never done that * It's always busy, but I've never had to wait * Food comes out at lightning speed (but freshly cooked) * Don't think they serve banh mi (but it's OK, Lee's is the best for that) * Durian smoothie WAS amazing, but they've changed the way they make it, with a loss of creaminess and flavor... but I won't judge them on this as I might be the only customer who actually orders a durian smoothie (my husband won't kiss me after I drink it) Do yourself a favor and eat here. And then again. And take others here. They'll thank you for it.
(5)Annie N.
One of my go to Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. I usually get the shrimp wrap. The sauce is great. The vermicelli options are good too. I usually get Bun Thit Nuong. Durian shake is good if you like durian. They recent remodeled with a small bar area and small chandeliers throughout the restaurant. It doesn't really match the decor but I'm there for the food so doesn't bother me. Service is quick. Food doesn't usually take too long.
(4)C T.
I come here often, food is always solid. Nothing too special but good enough too frequent when you have a craving.
(4)Teresa N.
I've only had the banh cuon here (which I wasn't expecting to be great, since they seem to specialize in other dishes) but it was so surprisingly good! I'll be back to try their pho and rice dishes. Parking is a bit tight since it's in a plaza with other shops but it's so worth it if you're craving good viet food! They have a $15 minimum for card fyi.
(4)Andrea V.
I'm not blown away by Nam Phuong, but maybe I'm not ordering the right things. I have so far had one of the noodle dishes with seafood and pho tai. I was really disappointed with the noodle dish because it contained huge nasty chunks of imitation crab instead of the real thing (unacceptable), and the squid included was incredibly tough and rubbery. The pho was middle of the road, not the best I've had but not bad. The broth didn't have as much depth, there was not much meat, and the meat provided didn't taste as fresh as some other places in the area. On the other hand, the restaurant was busy both times I went, so they must be serving SOMETHING delicious. Someone tell me what it is! And I can't say I minded my dinner costing only $6.43 tonight. Overall impression - a place with a too-large menu, causing quality to suffer in some cases, and a place that tries to cut corners for the sake of cost. I know times is hard, but...imitation crab? I don't know if I can forgive that.
(2)Yvonne L.
Very friendly and efficient service. Not my favorite Vietnamese restaurant but I would return if I was in Philadelphia as the food was pretty good!
(3)Michael N.
Nam Phuong was my first taste of Vietnamese food many years ago. To this day, it's still my go-to Vietnamese spot in Philadelphia. Of all the spots I tried in this area of south Philly, it still stands out. First off the food. If it's a nice cold day, go with the pho. If soup isn't your thing, the pork or the chicken vermicelli dishes are also delicious. I usually get the spring or the summer roll appetizers too. Drink wise, be adventurous and grab a bubble tea. A cold beer is also an acceptable option. Secondly, the location. Nam is in a strip mall and they actually have their own (limited ) parking lot so you don't need to hunt the streets for parking. Third, the service. The service is a little below standard for what most Americans are used to. Don't be afraid to hail down your waiter. The food comes out as it's ready, which also might bother some people. Lastly, the prices. Cheap! Overall this place in frills, but it's cheap and good. That's all that matters.
(4)Brian M.
Little pro tip for my white friends out there looking to enjoy some quality Vietnamese food and were told by a well qualified (chubby) Vietnamese friend of theirs to get the Triple Delight here: the rice paper things you get to wrap the other stuff in? You dip it in the water. Quickly. Then put it on your plate, fill it up, wrap and eat. Delicately. Yes, we had to ask how to do this. But it is worth it, and a place I plan on going back to again for sure. Jicama rolls were awesome too and otherwise it's a huge room with a huger menu (typical) filled with friendly servers. Everything we had seemed fresh, and the price is right. Cheap beers too. Just avoid that parking lot if you know what's good for ya.
(4)Andrea C.
This restaurant is not wheelchair accessible because they have one door that opens. There are two separate doors with a very tight transition to the next door which will not accommodate turning radius of wheelchairs. I got stuck between the two doors and it was humiliating. It took 12minutes to get the second front door open so I could back out, I could not turn around. Additionally they had a lot of crap in the area between the two doors which further complicated this fiasco. I was pretty excited to go here, and super miffed that it is not actually wheelchair accessible.
(1)Ilana R.
I come here all the time and really try my best to like it, and usually chose to come here because they accept credit cards, and have a wider menu than just pho and summer rolls. Usually other people on my party are not all into pho like I am and could seriously eat it five nights a week! Alas, the bris métis always too fatty and I end up getting. Rid of most of it on a separate plate away from my broth and the summer rolls have the scallion too thick in it...I still prefer pho ha and am finally expanding my horizons and moving up Washington avenue to try some other locations.
(3)Perry A.
Pho with a deep herby broth and oh so al dente rice noodles and good beef balls. Not mushy broken rice with grilled pork chops with nice carmelization so tender and moist, runny fried egg (extra) and crispy pickled tart veggies. Green staff spills water on spouse, lots of apologies, but no comp. Had to call waiter over to order and get check. Could have been perfection. Still: Opens mind to possibilities of great Viet cuisine.
(4)Patience P.
Ugggg, I hate this place. It's so dirty and the food is def not the best in Philly. I'll go to the market and then drive to Chinatown to eat because it's so ratchet.
(1)Di P.
holy batman fast. I don't know how they did it. I asked for a noodle dish and it came out literally 5 minutes later. I had barely finished pouring tea for the table and checking in on Yelp when the steaming hot plate of food came out. I got a seafood dish which sort of expectedly had imitation crab meat and lobster in it. I gotta find myself a fancy asian restaurant that doesn't serve imitation seafood so I can finally give 5 stars to a asian restaurant. Just in general the service was attentive and they were fast to seat us, grab our orders and have us fed and happy. It's a large place so it's definitely good for good groups. Sidenote: I always swear by how "authentic" an asian restaurant is by seeing the ratio of asian peeps to non-asian peeps (is that racist? i hope not. geez. but i'm half asian so that's okay right?). Anyway, this place has a lot of non-asian peeps because it must have really peaked in popularity and word has spread. For sort of hole-in-the-wall places like this (meaning not super fancy) I like the scale tipped in the other direction... So that's my two yen. Ok no more jokes.
(4)Chris C.
Maybe service is a cultural thing? I'm surprised that so many people make a big deal about it. I like the privacy here, and when I ask for something, the wait staff here are very gracious and speedy. The french coffee here is delicious. Try it. But the main attraction is the Pho. I drive over 60 miles just for the pho here. The fragrant smell of basil and broth welcomes me every time I set foot in this place. I'm salivating right now as I write this review. I always get the flank steak and beef ball pho. Mmm beef balls! LOL. Great value, and great atmosphere of an asian banquet hall in the heart of little Vietnam.
(5)Jeff O.
Solid local joint for a Vietnamese food fix. Had a vegetarian meal this week, which was enjoyable but not special. They know what to do with their tofu, but they don't put enough of it in the dishes. The Vietnamese crispy crepe was solid -- rich, coconutty crepe filled with nice tofu and veggies. Always a fun interactive experience to eat with the big lettuce leaves and basil. The tofu and veggie bun (rice noodles) was good, but not enough tofu. Nice, fresh veggies though. The eggplant with lemongrass sauce was mediocre and greasy. Not much flavor, not spicy (although we requested it spicy), and way too much oil. Perhaps next time the pho is the way to go.
(3)Erin E.
NAM PHUONG. NAM PHUONG NAM PHUONG. Everything about Nam Phuong is great--service, food, price, location, food, parking, food--even their food! Oh, everything is good here. As a mid-twenties white female who's tried AT LEAST two other pho places, I can confidently say that this is the best pho spot in the city. I love the papaya salad with shrimp and pork and the fried bananas with ice cream is so good. Also the rainbow ice is weird and good. I like the green stuff in it idk what it is. I trust Nam Phuong.
(5)Bill M.
From tasty spring rolls and the most sacred broth of the gods that is pho, to slamming Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian dishes, Nam Phuong is a destination that delivers a well rounded assortment of vibrant dishes. I give a 4 because sometimes I have encountered a bit of a disconnect. Once when I ordered the amazing an action packed deluxe pho with slices of round steak, flank, brisket, tendon, tripe, and beef balls; I was devastated to find a bowl with just round steak due to the waiter getting the number wrong. But even with such foibles I've hardly been able to complain due to their pho being an easy contender for best in Philly at such a bargain price. But even if your not into pho you can go there and savor everything from broken rice, pan fried noodles, congee, and more. some standouts that I've enjoyed when I decided to take a break from the sacredness have included, Vietnamese crepes with tofu & vegetables, seafood curry, and the spicy chicken w/ lemongrass; as well as plenty of their specials. No matter what you go with here its a win that will leave you fulfilled.
(4)Elliott K.
The pho broth was for real. I am choosing to skip the pho pun. You're welcome.
(4)Chris O.
My girlfriend and I both love this place. They have a huge selection of Vietnamese dishes, all of which are reasonably priced. We've been here 9 or 10 times (despite living a few miles away) and have liked everything we ordered. Pho, vermicelli, broken rice, pork stew in claypot, chicken w/lemongrass...it's all been good. I even had the congee, and while it wasn't my favorite dish there, it wasn't bad either. The service does kinda suck, though.
(5)Hong L.
Live Nam Phuong for their family meal. Great authentic Vietnamese food with reasonable price. It's a little disorganized but overall they are great!
(5)Chris S.
Sorry to say but this was one of the most bland pho I ever tasted. I had the pho at 11am on a Tuesday so there should've been enough time to get the broth up to flavor if anything. I will say though that the fried egg roll was delicious. Too bad the pho was a miss for me.
(2)Danan R.
The best Vietnamese food in the city! Our grilled chicken platter and stir fried tofu were excellent and their bun rieu is fantastic. Service is very efficient and the prices are unbeatable. This is definitely the place for authentic dishes but it does get quite crowded on nights and weekends. We came at 9 pm on a Sunday and it was still packed!
(5)Alex s.
One of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. Extremely large and reasonably priced menu with a wide variety of options. On weekends you can expect a crowd but won't have to wait too long. Definitely try some of their grilled meat dishes over rice vermicelli (grape leaves with ground beef, charbroiled pork and lemongrass chicken). It's a huge bowl with fresh vegetables, rice vermicelli and tasty protein. There's also parking on the street or in the adjacent lot.
(5)Antonio K.
Solid and flavorful Pho. Fried Spring rolls are terrific.
(4)Adam L.
Well I have finally made the trek all the way to Nam Phuong's in Bella Vista. It is hidden along the back corner of the Vietnamese strip mall on 11th and Washington. Inside, Nam Phuong's looks like your pretty basic Asian restaurant, pink tiled floors, lots of red, waiters in vests, ect... Overall, the atmosphere is very laid back and very enjoyable. The menu is quite large (probably well over a hundred items), but honestly you only need to look at the pho. I ordered the basic steak pho. I have had a lot of pho that just seems like they dumped a whole shaker of salt in, but this was pretty spot on. The meat was nice and thinly sliced along with perfectly cooked noodles. There are plenty of sides to add on such as beans, basil leaves, a few different kinds of chili oils, and my personal favorite Siracha! I loved Nam Phuong's, I certainly recommend it! Just great simple pho, that is all there is to it.
(4)Anthony N.
Was craving fish sauce and their com tam hit the spot. Portions were large enough for leftovers. Good hours compared to other Viet places in philly.
(4)Akkeem M.
Food is really good, I went here and ordered 3 orders of shrimp and chicken summer rolls, two orders of spring rolls, a vermicelli bowl with pork and a Sapporo, I couldn't believe I finished it all! That's how good they food was, if you get there close to closing they service may not be that good but during the day they are great
(4)Curtis L.
I came here with a large party of 8 people (all guys) and we decided to go with the family dinner for 10. Since it was Saturday night, the place was pretty crowded, but we had made a reservation so getting seated was a smooth process. Needless to say, the food was more than enough and it was delicious. We got spring rolls, lotus rootlet, shrimp soup, fish stewed in pottery pot, country style beef cubes, clam sauteed with black bean sauce, water spinach sauteed with garlic, chicken sauteed with lemongrass, salt & pepper squid, and jello cake for dessert. It was a great experience from start to finish. The spring rolls and lotus rootlet to start off were really good and we destroyed those dishes quickly. There was a little bit of a lull as we waited for the next round of food though. However, we weren't disappointed. All this food came at once, plus there was A TON of white rice. I'm a sucker for getting your money's worth, so the fact that they re-filled our rice and water/tea pretty often was awesome! I can't really complain about any of the dishes, but the ones that stood out were the shrimp soup (a really tasty mix of sweet and sour), the beef cubes, and salt & pepper squid (there was also shrimp). I wasn't the biggest fan of the dessert, but it didn't take away at all from how complete and delicious the entire meal was. It was super solid and I left full, but it didn't blow my mind which is what keeps me from giving it a 5-star rating. Since this was my first time here, I can't speak to the other dishes, but I heard that the broken rice and vermicelli is quite good; however, the Pho is just alright. I think that if you've got a big group wanting to eat family style, this place is perfect.
(4)Peter N.
I get the Bo Luc Lac every time I go here. It's inconsistent (some times perfect, sometimes extremely salty), but it is still the best place compared to other places. The banh cuon is excellent, and the papaya salads are great. The family meals are a good deal.
(4)Wendy C.
One of the best bowl of pho I had in my life and the service was friendly. For 7.50 for pho dac biet, you can't find that anywhere in nyc for the same size and quality. Would be a regular here if I lived in Philly!
(5)Rosita N.
I have been going here for years. There is something for everyone here. My favs are the beef combo dish where you can wrap in rice paper. You can share this one and ask for extra shrimp sauce to dip. The fried quail is done perfect here. Not for the soft heart. It's a lil birdie fried.
(5)Elvi T.
Amazing food, amazing service, and amazing decor. We were seated immediately and the waiter came over and took our order as soon as we made eye contact. We ordered pho, broken rice, and beef in lime and basil (appetizer). Everything came out in less than 5 minutes. Presented well and tasted great. The restaurant is nicely ventilated and decorated, the prices are fair, and the portions are good. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for good Viet food anytime.
(5)cara v.
It was ok, not my fave in the city. The service was awful. I will not be visiting again.
(2)Emily M.
Our favorite, go-to Vietnamese place in Philly. We've brought many of our out-of-town friends here. Can't go wrong with their broken rice, pho or summer rolls, or beef salad. And they have Thai bubble tea! Large portions, reasonable prices, big, clean dining room.. and you can usually find a spot in their cramped parking lot which adjoins a supermarket.
(5)Christopher P.
First place I've had pho and I've since come back for it a ton. The service is a bit slow and they never seem to smile. Always waiting for a refill on water. The food is excellent though. Parking in this parking lot is a bit crazy.
(4)Chloe R.
Best Pho around. No frills but friendly service. Love it always my go to.
(5)Huamei Y.
Just came here for dinner. Nam phuong never fails in my book. Service is like the speed of lightning, food comes quickly, the prices are reasonable and parking is always available. My favorite is the country style beef cubes that come with watercress. It comes with a salt and pepper vinegar that you can dip it in. Add a bit of Sriracha and rice and you're great. We also got the sautéed chicken with coconut curry & peanut topping surrounded by bright green broccoli. These waiters are on point!
(4)Su W.
I was pretty sad when my favorite pho place closed down, but now I have a new favorite pho place! I've always known about this place but never actually tried it until recently. As usual I ordered a side of summer rolls. It's the appetizer that I always get when I go to any Viet. restaurant. They were pretty average and came nicely wrapped. Some places I know do a sloppy job so the wrap falls apart easily. The roll stayed in shape while I ate. I came here wanting to try the chicken thigh pho but they were sold out. I got the chicken wing pho instead and it was just as good. I really liked the broth that it came with. It wasn't just beef broth mixed with chicken pieces. They have 1 serving size for pho and it's pretty big. I could barely finish 2/3 of the pho. It was a good meal and I will probably be back in the future
(4)Vi L.
I love this place! First of all, it's huge! It's not very intimate since it's pretty open. It has more of a family feel to it. There are plenty of tables to host a large gathering. The menu covers a wide array of Vietnamese cuisines. The service was friendly, fast and efficient. For food, I got to try the Goi Cuon and Bo Bia spring rolls. They were fresh and tightly rolled. Entree, I had the Com Tam (broken rice) with grilled pork. The portion was HUGE and I love it! The dish came with egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin and fresh veggies. My favorite was the egg meatloaf--soft, well seasoned and the flavors just melted in my mouth. Nam Phuong is definitely the place to go for Vietnamese food. I'm super picky when it comes to Viet food, but this place definitely deserves all 5 stars!
(5)Teresa V.
WHAT I ORDERED: #170 Bun Dac Biet (House Special Rice Vermicelli) * Reasonably priced * Heavy on the Vermicelli, and light on everything else; 1 slice of chicken cut up [1], 3 or 4 slices of nam nuong (Vietnamese beef meatballs) [2], 2 or so grilled shrimps [3], and 1 spring roll [4] * Was expecting more greens and roasted peanut topping * Not very much sauce was provided, so it was rather dry * Overall, a safe dish, but there are probably more promising ones on the menu [1] Relatively dry; not very marinated and nicely grilled like I was expecting [2] Thin slices so together they don't amount to much; overall, tasted alright [3] Small in size; grilled; slightly dry [4] Only one that met my expectations; unfortunately, I was only provided with 1 though so the joyousness did not last too long COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS: I would have to give this place a 3; falls short of other Vietnamese restaurants that I have been to where I have ordered a similar dish (Vermicelli) at. Usually the chicken is grilled at other places and there would be a nice amount of vegetables provided upon ordering this dish, however Nam Phuong sadly did not meet those expectations. COMPARED TO THE PHILLY AREA: A 4 would probably be fitting; large space so you're not cramped with the folks next to you; staff members were all very attentive; convenient location if you're looking to do some grocery errands; there's actually a parking lot! KEY POINTS * Smoothies seemed fairly authentic; not powdery tasting [5] * Great family environment * Large selections and varieties to choose from the menu * Decently priced [5] Had the durian smoothie! ALL IN ALL: If you're in the Vietnamese shopping area, then I would recommend stopping by here.
(3)Rosy V.
Not too shabby for a Vietnamese Restaurant in the Philly area. Nam Phuong us a pretty large restaurant and can accommodate large families and groups. We went a little after lunch hours (1 or 2pm) on a Saturday and they were able to accommodate us accordingly (Wasn't busy at all during those hours, not sure about the actual lunch time rush). They have parking lots, but since this is in a shopping district and for some odd reason the parking in this shopping district is crazy competitive. Everyone fighting for a spot in every direction. Unless you're lucky and you didn't hit "grocery shopping war times" you might find parking. Other than that stalk a potential leaver and grab their parking spot! Okay so the service is normal. Nothing special or whatnot. The servers were attentive, but there was a lot of them and it wasn't at all busy. So I expect that they be attentive. Nam Phuong has a large menu to choose from that varies from fish to pork to veggies and etc. It's a very thick menu! In the end I chose #118: Bo Nuong La, Banh Hoi (Ground Pork wrapped in grape leaves; this was a "wrapping dish") and my boyfriend chose #198: Com Tam Thit Nuong Bi Cha (Broken Rice with pork and etc.) Both Dishes were great. Tasted great for it's price and I had nothing to complain about with that. The one thing for my complaint is that the bathrooms could be a little cleaner? Especially after normal lunch hours I feel like the employees should be checking their bathrooms every hour? The women's bathroom was mediocre, but my boyfriend complained that the men's bathroom was atrocious. I feel like if a restaurants bathroom falls behind par how does that represent their hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen? Just food for thought. We did order smoothies. They didn't taste powdery and tasted like it was made from real fruits. The only thing I would change about it is the amount of sugar they put into the smoothies; it was way too sweet for my preference, but it's a lot better than some restaurant's powdery nightmare. We got the coconut, strawberry, mango, avocado and 2 durian's (I'm sorry but I love the taste of durian ^^") My brothers said the coconut and mangos were delicious, my boyfriend said his strawberry smoothie was good but was too sweet. My parents liked their avocado smoothie but also complained of the sweetness and my sister and I had the durian and it was a tad bit sweet, but nothing too bad. Smoothies were $3.75 and the durian one was $4.00. Overall Nam Phuong isn't a shabby place to eat at, it's not the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to, but it definitely was a nice place. They have a large varieties, an authentic menu, food tastes accurate and good, can accommodate large or small groups, and has free parking. If you want to try Vietnamese food this is a great place to go and try it! ----------------------------------TIP-------------Â--------------------- $10 charge for BYOB (They have their own beer and wine selections) and it's a minimum $15 charge for Credit Cards!!!
(4)Gabrielle P.
Came here for New Year's Day with a group of friends. Best hangover food you could ask for! Love the pho here it had great flavor. I got the 159 which was great. We also the summer rolls which were awesome. I got a green tea bubble tea smoothie which was great. Two of my friends had the mango smoothie which they enjoyed as well. The restaurant was huge and packed but they move quickly so we didn't have a problem getting seats quickly even though they were busy. Would highly recommend and can't wait to go back!
(5)Mallory P.
Oh, Vietnamese food, why do you hate me? I've given Vietnamese food a try several times, and it's always against my better judgement. Since the day I got duped into going for Pho, only to find out that there's no such thing as vegetarian Pho, to the day that I went to Vietnam Palace for a friend's birthday, was given the wrong order (which had meat in it), and was overcharged... I feel like it's just not meant to be. So when my boyfriend asked if I wanted to go for Vietnamese last week, I kindly declined. It's not that I don't like the food, I just don't love it. I'm just a vegetarian-Chinese addict that eating anything else (anything at all!) seems silly. But given my past experiences, I never really had a desire for Vietnamese. He wanted it, though, so I gave in. And whaddaya know... they gave me the wrong food, and by the time I got the food I ordered, my friends were already done eating. The problem at Nam Phuong, I think, is that it's a big place, and the waiters all seem to wait on everyone. So when i realized they gave me the wrong thing, I didn't even know who to flag down, because one guy took our order, another guy brought drinks, another guy brought food... It's just one more reason for me to decline Vietnamese again. Nothing against the food, it just hasn't ever really worked in my favor.
(3)Jing G.
Been here a couple of times with small groups. While I have not tried the pho there (I can't really have pho, anyway, except the "fake" vegetarian ones, haha) my vietnamese girlfriend really likes it there. Some of the dishes are great, others are so-so. They are not a leading restaurant in competition in their vegetarian selection section, but their seafood selection was a-ok. One time my sister was in town, we ordered the fresh whole steamed black seabass with ginger and scallions. Oh, so yummy... The prices are reasonable for what you get. They have a limited liquor and beer selection. A few downsides.. A couple of times we have been here and the service was horrible. For every thing we had to flag down a random server and not once did they stop by to refill our water or anything. They also took a long long time once to even get our order. Still, the food and the price matches in value so although I'm not a HUGE fan of this place, I wouldn't mind going back if the occasion rises.
(3)Ben P.
Yikes. Walked in and walked out last night. The entire doorway area was so gross. It looked like someone hadn't swept in weeks. Food particles, trash, dirty foot prints. If a doorway looks like that, what does the kitchen look like? Really disappointing.
(2)Lori E.
The Pho is delicious and the service is great. Would definitely come back here again and bring friends.
(5)Ian Y.
met a large group of friends here this past week, we all go so many different things and then just started passing plates and bowls around. The portions were gianormous to say the least and the food was delicious ... not sure what was my favorite as yet so will have to make a few more trips back to try out an entire meal.
(4)Rob S.
The reviews on Yelp said good things and then one of our friends who eats Vietnamese often recommended this place. It was fairly crowded on a Saturday night and they have a ton of tables that are somewhat cramped. Benefit of this is one always seems to be turning over so we were seated very quickly. This is not particularly a place you go for ambiance, but it is clean and inviting nonetheless. Mixed crowd inside. Families, older couples, etc. The service was quick at first and no-nonsense. We each got a beer. Only $3 for any beer including the well-known Asian imports like Tsing Tao, Singha, Sapporo, etc. Huge menu! Three of us shared a bunch of stuff: the vegetarian spring rolls, Pho with rib eye steak and "beef balls," Lemongrass tofu and BBQ shrimp over vermicelli. I'm not a Vietnamese expert so I don't have much to compare with but I thought the food was excellent. The Pho was great but I think the tofu was my favorite dish. The most amazing part is that all of this with one beer each came to only about $33 or $11 each. And we took a big box home too. Only qualm was our friend ended up being in a bit of a hurry and we didn't see our server for awhile and it took a bit of time to track down the check. Otherwise, very tasty, very affordable, very quick. Four stars with a chance to move up to five.
(4)Amanda S.
My family comes here at least once or twice everytime we're in Philly. Pretty good food.
(4)N P.
My go-to place for a quick, satisfying, and cheap meal. Too much good stuff on the menu to list them all. Always consistent and never disappoints!
(5)Kayla C.
The pho here is my favorite that I've had in Philadelphia. The avocado smoothie is good too. I've been here four times, and the most recent time it was kinda smelly. I've always been seated quickly, no matter the size of the group, or the day/time.
(4)Kathy L.
Nam Phuong is the best Vietnames restaurant to get delicious, authentic fresh, clean, Vietnamese dishes outside of the trinity of Pho, spring rolls, and Viet haogies. Try: - Bo Luc Lac (Beef Cubes over watercress) - Fish in clay pot - Lotus salad And the best..... - Appetizer platter (HUGE platter with shrimp, pork, beef wrapped in grape leaves and assorted veggies and herbs for you to wrap in rice paper) Parking during the weekends is pretty atrocious, as all of south philly seems to come here for lunch/dinner.
(5)Arun R.
I've been looking for a good Vietnamese place since moving back to Philly and this one was recommended by so many other yelpers I just had to come. Also, I was eating with three vegetarians, including the wife, and selected this place based on the large vegetarian selection on the menu. I had the charcoal grilled pork chop with shrimp on broken rice, a standard Vietnamese favorite of mine, which did not disappoint. Oddly, I did have to ask for the fish sauce with the carrots and daikon, which usually comes standards. My companions had the lemongrass tofu, the vermicelli and tofu bowl and the Chinese broccoli in garlic. All were delicious and came in very large portions. Finally, this stuff is just so damn cheap! Wife tried to get me to buy extra and freeze it for the week. I don't think so... Parking was not as painful as we had thought it would be, so we'll definitely be back!
(4)Patty T.
I am so torn between a 4.5 and a 5. I have been going here for years (back when it was on Christian St for those who remember it then). I would give this place 5 for all the authenticity of the food and trust me I am a Vietnamese food snob. I love the papaya salad with beef jerky - DELISH! I think the shrimp papaya salad would be good. But tragically I am allergic. I would also recommend the Ba Vi. What is it you ask? It is a "make your own sort of spring roll" deal, it comes with cooked meats, veggies, and rice paper. Best part is this can easily be shared between 3 people and you will be full. One down fall is their Pho isn't as good as Pho Ha but that is a whole different story. I think for good Pho you need to go to a place that only specializes in it.
(5)Lori H.
Nom, nom, nom, nom. Need I say more? I stand by the chicken with lemongrass and curry, the fish in clay pot, BBQ pork rolls (appetizer), and today I had the eggplant with black bean sauce. The service is generally speedy (although today it was a bit slower (late lunch around 2p)), prices are right on, nicer than the pho places, and a very wide selection of menu options - including vegetarian.
(4)Zachary G.
Great pho. Great appetizers (the ones with the make-your-own wraps). The other entrees have not always been amazing, but it doesn't really matter. Just go with what works. And what works here works really well.
(4)Krystal G.
I found this place through yelp. It was busy but we barely had to wait five minutes. The service was courteous and quick. We had the grilled pork rolls with peanut sauce as our appetizer. It was quite delicious. My partner and I both had the vermicelli bowls. I have to say of all the meats we sampled the beef was the best. As a chicken bias person, I was very surprised by this. So much food, I had an entire box worth of leftovers to bring home. Side note: the make your own roll looked like a lot of fun but with such large portions I would only recommend if it's more than a mere party of 2. Also theirs parking available. Yay!!!
(4)Amy L.
My brother and I were in search for a refreshing raw beef salad on a hot summer day and we found it here. The service improved since the last time I was here. The restaurant lighting was brighter and all the tables were covered in white linens. The restaurant definitely looked a like cleaner. I can't judge the rest of the menu since I only had the salad but I must say the raw beef salad was delicious.
(3)Matt D.
We recently became partial to Nam Son over on 16th due to their amazing bahn mi and #82, but after heading back to Nam Phuong after some shopping next-door, we're addicted. The #140 (noodles, dumplings, pork, and shrimp) is phenomenal and super cheap at $6.50, while the pad thai is the best I've had in a long time. Stick to the soups, summer rolls and stir-fried noodle dishes here, and you won't be disappointed. If you're feeling adventurous, order #146, which is a spicy hue style soup. Order it with "everything" when they ask. That will include flank steak, pig's blood, and peppercorn headcheese (at least that's what I think it is). Way better than it sounds!
(5)M N.
Great pho at great price. A family favorite for years. Courteous, fast service, takes credit cards, easy parking. Really, what's not to like?
(4)Aaron H.
Food is great. service is good.
(4)Grace H.
This place has got a great family friendly vibe! Every time I've come it's been with a party of 8+, and they are more than willing to accommodate and the service is always super fast! I prefer nam phuong over some of the other vietnamese restaurants because there seems to be more variety/options and I don't feel limited to just the pho (although it's delicious). My current thing is to order the make your own spring roll platter. They bring you a water bath to dip your own rice paper, along with a plate of meat, veggies, and noodles on the side to wrap inside. Huge portion and really tasty if you don't mind working a little for your food :)
(4)Erin E.
NAM PHUONG. NAM PHUONG NAM PHUONG. Everything about Nam Phuong is great--service, food, price, location, food, parking, food--even their food! Oh, everything is good here. As a mid-twenties white female who's tried AT LEAST two other pho places, I can confidently say that this is the best pho spot in the city. I love the papaya salad with shrimp and pork and the fried bananas with ice cream is so good. Also the rainbow ice is weird and good. I like the green stuff in it idk what it is. I trust Nam Phuong.
(5)Rob W.
Summer rolls were light and flavorful. Vegetarian phone was tasty, filling and perfect for a cold winter's day. Service was fast and friendly.
(4)Christian L.
Today was exceptionally cold after having some 45-50 degree weather all week. My buddy, who is always down for Vietnamese food wanted some chow. So we headed over here for some Pho and Vietnamese spring rolls. The Vietnamese spring rolls aren't like your average Chinese spring rolls. They're a little thinner and come with dipping sauce with a touch of fish, vinegar, and sugar. Anyways, the Pho was delicious. I had ordered mine with chicken. They provided a side of bean sprouts, peppers, lime, and cilantro. I was fading. These guys definitely brought me back after a long ass day at work and walking in the cold. Their only downfall was the wait staff didn't ask me for water, and had to be flagged down 20 minutes after we got done eating,
(4)Chris E.
The only reason this place would get bumped to 4 stars considering their horrible wait staff which just waits around is because of its affordable price, and good sized portions. Ok, ok, I digress. And also because its one of the few Vietnamese places that does the pork wrapped in grape leaves very well! In fact, this dish is really the main reason that I trudge my way over to Nam Phuong when I visit Philly. I did find it funny however, when I ordered the dish for take out that the owner asked me if I wanted the "smelly sauce" (fish sauce) with the dish. Granted I'm not Vietnamese; I had an awkward moment as I pondered if that was how "guai lous" would refer to nuoc mam and the owner had problems explaining to people what it was, or the fact that I knew it was fish sauce in the first place. Come for the food, but don't get high expectations about being waited on your hand and feet when visiting.
(4)Michael G.
Best, most authentic Vietnamese food in the city. Fresh, delicious, consistently excellent. Dirt cheap, varied menu, super fast, good service. We come here all the time and have never, ever had a bad meal. Thank you, Nam Phuong, for being you.
(5)Pinkjadez Z.
I really like the tofu lemon grass & the eggplant dish here... Would definitely like to come back, to try out some more dishes... yummy!
(4)Elvi T.
Amazing food, amazing service, and amazing decor. We were seated immediately and the waiter came over and took our order as soon as we made eye contact. We ordered pho, broken rice, and beef in lime and basil (appetizer). Everything came out in less than 5 minutes. Presented well and tasted great. The restaurant is nicely ventilated and decorated, the prices are fair, and the portions are good. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for good Viet food anytime.
(5)Isabel L.
A surprisingly clean and pleasant place, we were seated quickly on a Saturday evening. Bamboo & duck noodle soup was delicious and the meat tasted fresh.
(4)Sara P.
What a great place. We are so fortunate to have a variety of food in this city, and Nam Phuong is one of the great treasures in that category. The menu is extensive so we were able to take clients there knowing we could all find something we would like. The service was quick and easy. The waiter was knowledgeable and helpful. Parking is tight but we borrowed a spot from a close business nearby. If you want good vietnamese food or if you want to learn more about vietnamese food, this is a good place to go.
(5)Kevin P.
I love this place. There are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu and the prices are really inexpensive. I almost always get the vermicelli noodles with crispy tofu, mixed vegetables and lemongrass sauce. It's a huge portion for around $6.50. The service is also fast and the waiters attentive. This is one of my go-to spots for Vietnamese food.
(5)Debby H.
I've been to Nam Phuong several times with my Vietnamese friends. The food is absolutely delicious! Although I cannot name the dishes I have had, since my friends always do the ordering, I can tell you that I've never had a thing I didn't like very much. The wait staff all speak English, so they will help you. I always get a Chinese beer to accompany my meal. So good! Parking is really hard, but if you if you find a spot be sure to go into the Vietnamese market next door.
(4)Gina C.
Food is reliable and affordable. We usually order the beef wrapped in grapeleaves or pho. I have to say that these two are wonderful staples to our trek to Nam Phuong. Even with the other pho restaurants available in the area, the brisket and broth is top notch. Go for the food, not the service. They seat you quickly but they try to get you out just as quick!
(3)cara v.
It was ok, not my fave in the city. The service was awful. I will not be visiting again.
(2)Emily M.
Our favorite, go-to Vietnamese place in Philly. We've brought many of our out-of-town friends here. Can't go wrong with their broken rice, pho or summer rolls, or beef salad. And they have Thai bubble tea! Large portions, reasonable prices, big, clean dining room.. and you can usually find a spot in their cramped parking lot which adjoins a supermarket.
(5)Christopher P.
First place I've had pho and I've since come back for it a ton. The service is a bit slow and they never seem to smile. Always waiting for a refill on water. The food is excellent though. Parking in this parking lot is a bit crazy.
(4)Panharee T.
One of my favorite Vietnamese place to eat. Love the fact that they have a full bar inside and they also accept credit/debit cards. I have tried their pho, spring rolls, fresh summer rolls, stewed fish in a clay pot, beef salad with lime juice, hot and sour soup with shrimp and many more. Each dish has not disappointed me. They were all very delicious.
(4)Cindy C.
One of the better Vietnamese places in Philadelphia. The broth is on the salty side. The portions are huge. I had the Vietnamese crepe and it was the size of my face. Service was alright. It does get a little crowded, but it's a decent restaurant. Worth trying!
(4)Agatha S.
If I could give them a 3.5, I would. But I opted for the 3 because while their service is just fine, you can often find their waitress just standing around and would not come to your table unless you call them. Their food hasn't disappoint me yet. I've been here more than a dozen times and I enjoy it every single time. I wouldn't say it's the best Vietnamese food I've had, but it's decent. The pho isn't bad, but it's better else where. If you want to come here, order the beef cubes, salt pepper squid, and lemon grass tofu. Always hit the spot for me and my friends. The price is reasonable and the portion is good. I'm a satisfied customer every time I'm here (:
(3)Wendy C.
One of the best bowl of pho I had in my life and the service was friendly. For 7.50 for pho dac biet, you can't find that anywhere in nyc for the same size and quality. Would be a regular here if I lived in Philly!
(5)Rosita N.
I have been going here for years. There is something for everyone here. My favs are the beef combo dish where you can wrap in rice paper. You can share this one and ask for extra shrimp sauce to dip. The fried quail is done perfect here. Not for the soft heart. It's a lil birdie fried.
(5)Cynthia T.
This is my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philly, but I am bias because I have been coming here for the past 10 years. They have great and quick service, and the food is good and cheap. However, parking can be horrific at times, but it's still better than going into Chinatown. Try their dinner for 2 menu, which definitely services more than 2 people, if you want a huge authentic meal. I LOVE their Canh Chua and Bo Luc Lac! If you aren't that hungry, their other usual meals are still good! (Like Pho, Com/Bun Thit Nuong, etc.) I recommend this place, especially if you don't want to deal with the parking and traffic going into Chinatown.
(4)Huamei Y.
Just came here for dinner. Nam phuong never fails in my book. Service is like the speed of lightning, food comes quickly, the prices are reasonable and parking is always available. My favorite is the country style beef cubes that come with watercress. It comes with a salt and pepper vinegar that you can dip it in. Add a bit of Sriracha and rice and you're great. We also got the sautéed chicken with coconut curry & peanut topping surrounded by bright green broccoli. These waiters are on point!
(4)Jessie H.
I love love love the wraps here. We got the Ba Vi Platter which comes with rice wraps. They have smaller portions if you don't want the platter. So the platter comes with your own soaking station (where you dip the rice wraps to make it soft so you can make your wrap). They give you a plate with mini vermicelli noodle packets, veggies, and the meat of your choice. The beef is personally my favorite. It is super authentic. The sauce that you dip the wrap in is delicious!!! This is my favorite thing to get here. I've gotten the pho here, it was average. Will be back for the wraps!
(4)Jenny B.
Absolutely love this place, have been going fir lunch - dinner for the past 7 years at least once a month. Food is great, authentic and non greasy. The service however can be slow/bad, but the food is so good I can put up with that. Best Vietnamese in Philly, must go!
(4)Jessica E.
Unfortunately for my boyfriend and friends, I will never be sick of this restaurant. Every single thing that they make is delicious. Probably go there about once a week if possible (which it normally is). The pho is always great and the menu is huge for non-pho lovers. If you are a meat eater and not squeamish, try the raw beef in lime juice salad for an appetizer (#116) - lettuce, cilantro, onion, lime juice, peanuts, and meat that is only slightly cooked from the acidity of the lime juice (ceviche style). It is phenomenal. The only downside to the restaurant is the parking situation. It shares a lot with an apparently very popular Asian grocery store - on weekend afternoons, don't even bother with the lot at all, just find street parking. We have been stuck there for 20 minutes at a time with people idling with groceries and menacing each other for parking spots. I have tried tons and tons of Vietnamese restaurants and this one is by far the best.
(4)Jeff L.
I come from a part of the US with one of the densest populations of Vietnamese-Americans in the country and a correspondingly high number of awesome Pho and Banh Mi places, but have lived for the last four years in a countries with no Pho (sort of a like a Town With No Cheer). Seriously. Zip. I touched ground in Philly, came here for the Pho based on a local friend's rec., and was not disappointed! Vermicelli w/ pork and shrimp I tried on a subsequent visit was 3/5. But uhh the Pho!!! Daaaang.
(5)Lils N.
I'm from Southern California where amazing Vietnamese food is just around the corner in this place called Monterey Park or San Gabriel. Anyhow, I was always telling people that Vietnamese food here was aiite (not that great). I always heard rumors and urban legends about "amazing Vietnamese food" that was really far away and I was always thinking that it must have been far far far away near the Philly's stadium or something. After some indecisiveness, my boyfriend told me that we should try to drive to this "really far away place" to get amazing Vietnamese food. To our surprise, it wasn't far at all. In fact, it was only a subway ride away..... Had I known, I would have frequented Nam Phuong every single day! Anyways, to cut to the chase, I judge Vietnamese noodles by the broth of the Pho dai. The broth needs to be flavorful, not greasy, and needs to pick up the flavors of the added herbs and veggies well. The broth at Nam Phuong was FABULOUS!! I don't normally drink up the entire bowl of broth but I nearly do every time I eat it. It's just SO good.......... Additionally, the quantity is so plentiful... This applies to not only the pho but also to all the vermicelli dishes too. I will say that this is the best Vietnamese food I've ever had and everyone should venture down to Washington street to see that the "amazing vietnamese food" isn't a rumor or an urban legend but is real!!
(5)Adrienne C.
I take it back - this place is awesome. My husband and I regularly go here every Sunday afternoon for pho.
(4)Erin M.
Great vermicelli (with spring rolls!) and iced coffee with condensed milk. Fast service, very cheap and large portions. Love that this is walking distance to downtown and next to an excellent and large Asian grocery store. I always come here on my visits to Philadelphia! The drop ceilings with chandeliers are a plus.
(4)Iping L.
the BEST vietnamese restaurant in philly by far! the pho is simply delicious. the broth is wonderful by itself, no need for dressing it up with siracha or hoisin. the pho ga (chicken) is wonderful as well. service is very quick, which is always a plus. spring rolls, summer roles, pineapple salad are all wonderful. my wife and i do the 1 hour trek just to eat here without hesitation. pricing is great too, and you get very good quantity as well.
(5)John F.
Seriously good stuff here. First time here the three of us ordered the ba vi. It was awesome and the three of us had a hard time finishing it, not bad for $25. We also ordered a few Pho but it was overkill, we had to take it home. I got the spicy beef Pho and after doctoring it up, I loved it. Enjoyed a meal with a Saigon beer, a tasty accompaniment. I will say, their menu is huge so you should be able to find something you like. The place was crowded but my buddy who recommended the joint said it must be "empty" because of the people who left for the shore. It was like 90% full but we didn't have to wait in a line so I'm glad we hit it when we did. If you like Viet food, I'd check this spot out.
(5)Ting N.
Came down to this resturant after visiting the doctors. My mom said it was great the last time she went so she took me here. We were seated and our food arrived quite fast. The price was great compared to what you get around Northeast Philadelphia. The portions are huge, it filled me up. The summer rolls were really cheap and good. Overall nice experience.
(5)Mason L.
Nam Phoung is heaven sent. The fish stewed in pot has got to be my favorite. Typically it's a tilapia fish in a sweet and sour sauce. You can never go wrong with this dish. Ofcourse Beef Pho here is simply amazing. Cheap, filling, fresh and tasty. A fantastic meal for cheap and always hits the mark
(5)Amy R.
Nam Phuong exists in the back corner of an unassuming shopping center on 11th and Washington Ave. It's only too easy to drive past this gem in search of more easily visible dining. - but do your stomach a favor and stop in. Though Nam Phuong was packed, we were seated immediately and given water, set ups, and menus. A few minutes later, our server greeted us warmly, and our night continued in the same tone - friendly, attentive service all-around. We both ordered Pho with Chicken - and agreed it was one of the heartiest bowls of pho we've ever had. Tender slices of white meat chicken bobbed in a rich chicken broth along with cilantro, scallions, the perfect amount of thinly sliced onion, and of course, at the bottom rested the best part: the noodles. Wait, I lied. The best part was that we paid $5.75 for each bowl of pho and about $9 for the beef and grape leaves appetizer. AND Nam Phuong is open till 10 pm every night!
(4)Matt P.
Papaya salad was lame. Buùn Rieâu Cua did not impress me, the noodles were flat out bad, broth lacked flavor.
(2)Naomi B.
When Nam Phuong just opened, I knew Pho 75 would lose half of their customers so me, being the curious creature that I am went in there to eat it to see if the experience was worth it, I admit it - the food was good but now? Things changed. The cook doesn't care anymore and plops anything down on your plate - the waitress/waiters are usually old men so they take time bringing your food or um, forget. Pho 75 is better. They're amazing. I never liked Nam Phuong and never will.
(2)Joanna L.
Gigantic Vietnamese restaurant in Philly's so-called Viet-town. So many offerings for very very low prices. I give it 4 stars just because 2 of the 4 dishes that we ordered were slightly lacking. Ordered a dish that consisted of rice wrappers, vermicelli noodles and beef wrapped in grape leaves. This was by far my favorite dish, I highly recommend this and thinking about it right now makes me feel hungry. Broken rice w/ pork chop and shrimp curd. I was so curious about what broken rice was that I completely missed the point. It's just bits of rice with pork chop and a tofu-shrimp curd. The rice actually had a slightly different texture, but I probably would not order this again. My friend ordered lemongrass chicken which I felt lacked lemongrass flavor and seemed more Chinese stir-fry than vVetnamese cooking. Another dish ordered was a pork dish that was tasty, but oily. Overall, I enjoyed our meal there, especially since it totaled to $35 for 4 people. (I mean, seriously, how often does that happen?) Plus we had enough for leftovers. Will be back for Pho!
(4)Sharlenne S.
What a great place to stuff yourself for very little money!!! Nam Phuong is an exotic dream come true. Service is great and they will even split the check if you tell them in advance. The menu is very large, so it's better to go with someone who knows a little more about vietnamese food, but I think that the servers will help out as much as possible if needed. The food tastes fresh and is presented very nicely. I craved this place for two straight weeks after eating there, and I think I'm starting to crave it again. Venture out if you want to try something new.... you won't regret it!
(4)Ken H.
We've been to this place twice now with large groups of friends. I haven't actually had the pho yet, but I've definitely enjoyed the vermicelli dishes. Service is good, and the prices are very reasonable. The spring rolls are to die for. Prepared fresh, and highly addictive. I dare you to eat just one. Go ahead, just try!
(4)Marla M.
I love this place, as it never disappoints. Service is always friendly and prompt, and the food is always delivered hot and fast. I always get the summer rolls (fresh instead of fried) and their Pho has the soul that many places lack. It's great to go on a date, or with a large group. It's now my go to restaurant, hands down.
(5)Sal M.
Been going here for years. The place is nothing if not consistent. I enjoy their pho as much as any place I've had it. They are always busy, yet there is never a wait. It's big and they always have plenty of staff working. Drink prices are cheap. Last night I had the pork in clay pot for the first time. It was so good we ordered another.
(4)Pearl H.
Nam Phuong is a staple of Philadelphia Vietnamese restaurants. everyone seems to know about it one way or another, and they also cater events and you can have parties and such inside so that probably helps get the name out there. The food is always good, and the service is always attentive, if you don't mind waving down the waiters as they are busy scurrying about, they will pay attention to you. I miss good Viet cooking and am glad that I was able to hit up Nam Phuong for a friend's baby's 1 month celebration. We had the beef wrapped in grape leaves, DELICIOUS; pickled lotus root with carrots, shrimp and shrimp crackers, YUMMY; lobster in garlic sauce, eh okay; beef cubed with greens, tender! and seafood maw soup, which is okay but it's just okay anywhere as I don't really like it too much. Overall it was good food and good times.
(4)brad C.
Nam Phuong, a popular place on Yelp, is being subject to the new Vietnamese restaurant Checklist Manifesto: Authentic vietnamese menu - check Vietnamese people in the restaurant - check Affordable prices - check But after that, it really is just another vietnamese place. Unfortunately, every dish seemed a little bit flawed. The Pho was good, but the broth was lukewarm and the noodles clumped together (a sure sign that they just throw cold cooked noodles in with the broth and don't par cook them first!). The vermicelli came with tasty grilled chicken, shrimp, and other meats, but also an unspectacular hoisin-heavy sauce. Finally, the summer rolls were the vietnamese equivalent of cafeteria-style California rolls. Brad's rating (out of 5): Price: 5 Food: 3 Decor: 3 Service: 3 Wild card: Our waiter seemed pretty stoned - I'm noting this as a positive thing.
(3)PJ H.
It might look like im just throwing 5 stars out easily from my last few reviews, but this place is legit. For less that 6 dollars, one can stuff one's self to the fullest on a delicious bowl of rice noodles, steak, beansprouts, basil, and whatever else is in Pho that makes it so good. Personally, i take the spicy route, but to each his own. Try this place for some awesome Pho Tai Nam ( Pho with beef and other delcious cow parts) at a very cheap price.
(5)Christopher R.
I would rate the pho here as about average. I say that based on the flavor of the broth--the addition of sriracha, hoison & fish sauce was less purely ceremonial and more essential to flavoring the soup. I should also note that I ordered chicken pho for the first and last time in my personal pho history--the chicken was much too tough and the lack of odd, fatty cuts of beef probably contributed to the perceived blandness of the broth. I accompanied my meal with a drink made from raw egg, soda water and condensed milk. This was clearly me overcompensating for pulling a wuss move like getting chicken pho instead of tripe or something equivalent. Regardless of my motives, it was pretty good and tasted unsurprisingly like an egg cream soda.
(3)Rich D.
The food was decent, however, there is an odd odor in the restaurant that just turned me off a bit. I had the pho dac biet which was really good. Also shared a BBQ pork with broken rice which was also decent. I'd like to go back for the food, but probably wouldn't because of the smell. Disappointed.
(3)John V.
If you know me, you realize that I enjoy well made food and quality service. The food here is OK. The service was sub-par. Tried the Vietnamese quiche, spring rolls and broken rice with ground shrimp. All were just OK. I will eat at Vietnam in Chinatown anyday over this place.
(2)Sherri T.
Durian bubble tea! Need I say more? Awesome shrimp rolls and triple delight. I left a super happy camper. Didn't like the sweet and sour soup as much but it's just me since I am not a fan of celery in the soup. Everyone else love it though!
(5)Jay L.
Philadelphia has a great selection of Vietnamese food, and Nam Phong is amongst the best. The service is great. The restaurant is large and is great for large parties. I would recommend the #280, the bo luc lac, or country style beef cubes. Note, the watercress is fresh/raw and thus a little bitter. The pho is always a safe bet.
(4)Caroline C.
They serve great Vietnamese food!! I have been there before a long time ago, but it wasn't that memorable, but I'm glad I was reunited again. It was convenient because I was in the area doing an errand, and decided to grab takeout for dinner. I ordered the bun bo hue (BF's favorite) and the bo luc lac based off of many Yelpers' recommendations. The bo luc lac is SO GOOD. I also tried the bun bo hue, and it is one of the best I've had! It is also great that they have parking in the lot and nearby. The prices are reasonable though I never understood why bo luc lac is always so costly compared to other rice dishes. Oh well, it is worth it!! I can't wait to try other things on the menu. The inside decor is slightly fancier than your typical vietnamese pho places. Just slightly.
(5)Kimberly H.
My faavorite Vietnamese restaurant. I make it a point to come here when I visit Philly, despite how far out of the way it may be. First time I came to visit, we ordered a family meal so I sampled a lot of different foods . I usually just order pho and beef skewers or summer rolls, but now there's so much more. Everything was so good...so I recommend going with more people if you can. But this time it was only four of us and half of us already ate a full Philly cheesesteak. We got seated immediately. We ordered a pho to share, this large dish to make your own rice paper wrapped rolls (says for two to share, but really was big enough for 3-4), and hot french press coffee with condensed milk. The pho was so gooood. So much better than NYC Pho places. I never tried the make your own rice paper wrapped rolls, but the grape seed and pork pieces were pretty good. There was so much leftover that we just took the rest home. The coffee was too strong for my taste, I like it with some half and half or more condensed milk. But overall the meal was great and we were completely stuffed. Prices are inexpensive and service is fast. Parking may be tough since they share a parking lot with a supermarket but if you circle around enough you'll get a tight space.
(5)Leo G.
Good food, quickly served and hot out of the kitchen. Service is attentive and mostly impersonal. Reception is awkward (non-existent) perhaps because there are 2 entrances and the staff must see you seeking a table. We chose a table and got a brusque "wait over there" as we waited for it to be cleared. Spacious, casual, clean setting. Light background music was more appropriate for a dance exercise studio. The "wen yu" fish in clay pot was excellent, with a savory sauce similar to that used with sushi broiled eel. Only 4 pieces but high quality. The charcoal grilled pork and shrimp with broken rice was tasty and good. Vegetable lo mein was tasty, vegetables slightly too oily. Parking can be a challenge, though you might get lucky to park in the strip mall's lot.
(4)Jane H.
Everytime we think we're going to try a new place for Vietnamese food, we some how end up here! This place is great. The decor is very family friendly, and the waitstaff are nice. They let me order in Chinese (I wasn't sure how to pronounce those items!). Everything we have ever ordered has been delicious and fresh. Heck, even when we take it home to eat as left overs, the food is still super good. Also - they have a full bar if you want any alcohol with your food. YUM! It doesn't hurt that the price tag is so reasonable. When can I come back again????
(5)John H.
The pho is awesome, but the real gem is the bo luc lac (beef cubes). We used to go all the time until we moved. Now my wife and I talk about the beef cubes regularly and always plan to make the 2 hour drive down to get them one weekend, never being able to make good on our plans. I miss you, bo luc lac. We will go down to eat you.. maybe this weekend, or next weekend, or the weekend after that.... sigh...........
(5)Jen C.
I was torn on whether to give a 4 or 5 star rating and decided on 4.5 stars. Well, Yelp doesn't allow that, and 2nd grade (?) math taught me to round up to 5. What can I say about Nam Phuong that hasn't already been said? I will say that it's not the absolute best Vietnamese food in any one category but the best overall that I've had outside of Vietnam. I've had Vietnamese in cities with larger Vietnamese populations, but Nam Phuong still wins, without a doubt. NYC has nothing that comes even close. * Easy on the wallet * Plenty of variety * Larger family dinners are great * Get the banh hoi if you've never done that * It's always busy, but I've never had to wait * Food comes out at lightning speed (but freshly cooked) * Don't think they serve banh mi (but it's OK, Lee's is the best for that) * Durian smoothie WAS amazing, but they've changed the way they make it, with a loss of creaminess and flavor... but I won't judge them on this as I might be the only customer who actually orders a durian smoothie (my husband won't kiss me after I drink it) Do yourself a favor and eat here. And then again. And take others here. They'll thank you for it.
(5)Annie N.
One of my go to Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. I usually get the shrimp wrap. The sauce is great. The vermicelli options are good too. I usually get Bun Thit Nuong. Durian shake is good if you like durian. They recent remodeled with a small bar area and small chandeliers throughout the restaurant. It doesn't really match the decor but I'm there for the food so doesn't bother me. Service is quick. Food doesn't usually take too long.
(4)C T.
I come here often, food is always solid. Nothing too special but good enough too frequent when you have a craving.
(4)Teresa N.
I've only had the banh cuon here (which I wasn't expecting to be great, since they seem to specialize in other dishes) but it was so surprisingly good! I'll be back to try their pho and rice dishes. Parking is a bit tight since it's in a plaza with other shops but it's so worth it if you're craving good viet food! They have a $15 minimum for card fyi.
(4)Andrea V.
I'm not blown away by Nam Phuong, but maybe I'm not ordering the right things. I have so far had one of the noodle dishes with seafood and pho tai. I was really disappointed with the noodle dish because it contained huge nasty chunks of imitation crab instead of the real thing (unacceptable), and the squid included was incredibly tough and rubbery. The pho was middle of the road, not the best I've had but not bad. The broth didn't have as much depth, there was not much meat, and the meat provided didn't taste as fresh as some other places in the area. On the other hand, the restaurant was busy both times I went, so they must be serving SOMETHING delicious. Someone tell me what it is! And I can't say I minded my dinner costing only $6.43 tonight. Overall impression - a place with a too-large menu, causing quality to suffer in some cases, and a place that tries to cut corners for the sake of cost. I know times is hard, but...imitation crab? I don't know if I can forgive that.
(2)Yvonne L.
Very friendly and efficient service. Not my favorite Vietnamese restaurant but I would return if I was in Philadelphia as the food was pretty good!
(3)Michael N.
Nam Phuong was my first taste of Vietnamese food many years ago. To this day, it's still my go-to Vietnamese spot in Philadelphia. Of all the spots I tried in this area of south Philly, it still stands out. First off the food. If it's a nice cold day, go with the pho. If soup isn't your thing, the pork or the chicken vermicelli dishes are also delicious. I usually get the spring or the summer roll appetizers too. Drink wise, be adventurous and grab a bubble tea. A cold beer is also an acceptable option. Secondly, the location. Nam is in a strip mall and they actually have their own (limited ) parking lot so you don't need to hunt the streets for parking. Third, the service. The service is a little below standard for what most Americans are used to. Don't be afraid to hail down your waiter. The food comes out as it's ready, which also might bother some people. Lastly, the prices. Cheap! Overall this place in frills, but it's cheap and good. That's all that matters.
(4)Brian M.
Little pro tip for my white friends out there looking to enjoy some quality Vietnamese food and were told by a well qualified (chubby) Vietnamese friend of theirs to get the Triple Delight here: the rice paper things you get to wrap the other stuff in? You dip it in the water. Quickly. Then put it on your plate, fill it up, wrap and eat. Delicately. Yes, we had to ask how to do this. But it is worth it, and a place I plan on going back to again for sure. Jicama rolls were awesome too and otherwise it's a huge room with a huger menu (typical) filled with friendly servers. Everything we had seemed fresh, and the price is right. Cheap beers too. Just avoid that parking lot if you know what's good for ya.
(4)Andrea C.
This restaurant is not wheelchair accessible because they have one door that opens. There are two separate doors with a very tight transition to the next door which will not accommodate turning radius of wheelchairs. I got stuck between the two doors and it was humiliating. It took 12minutes to get the second front door open so I could back out, I could not turn around. Additionally they had a lot of crap in the area between the two doors which further complicated this fiasco. I was pretty excited to go here, and super miffed that it is not actually wheelchair accessible.
(1)Ilana R.
I come here all the time and really try my best to like it, and usually chose to come here because they accept credit cards, and have a wider menu than just pho and summer rolls. Usually other people on my party are not all into pho like I am and could seriously eat it five nights a week! Alas, the bris métis always too fatty and I end up getting. Rid of most of it on a separate plate away from my broth and the summer rolls have the scallion too thick in it...I still prefer pho ha and am finally expanding my horizons and moving up Washington avenue to try some other locations.
(3)Chloe R.
Best Pho around. No frills but friendly service. Love it always my go to.
(5)Bill M.
From tasty spring rolls and the most sacred broth of the gods that is pho, to slamming Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian dishes, Nam Phuong is a destination that delivers a well rounded assortment of vibrant dishes. I give a 4 because sometimes I have encountered a bit of a disconnect. Once when I ordered the amazing an action packed deluxe pho with slices of round steak, flank, brisket, tendon, tripe, and beef balls; I was devastated to find a bowl with just round steak due to the waiter getting the number wrong. But even with such foibles I've hardly been able to complain due to their pho being an easy contender for best in Philly at such a bargain price. But even if your not into pho you can go there and savor everything from broken rice, pan fried noodles, congee, and more. some standouts that I've enjoyed when I decided to take a break from the sacredness have included, Vietnamese crepes with tofu & vegetables, seafood curry, and the spicy chicken w/ lemongrass; as well as plenty of their specials. No matter what you go with here its a win that will leave you fulfilled.
(4)Elliott K.
The pho broth was for real. I am choosing to skip the pho pun. You're welcome.
(4)Chris O.
My girlfriend and I both love this place. They have a huge selection of Vietnamese dishes, all of which are reasonably priced. We've been here 9 or 10 times (despite living a few miles away) and have liked everything we ordered. Pho, vermicelli, broken rice, pork stew in claypot, chicken w/lemongrass...it's all been good. I even had the congee, and while it wasn't my favorite dish there, it wasn't bad either. The service does kinda suck, though.
(5)Hong L.
Live Nam Phuong for their family meal. Great authentic Vietnamese food with reasonable price. It's a little disorganized but overall they are great!
(5)Chris S.
Sorry to say but this was one of the most bland pho I ever tasted. I had the pho at 11am on a Tuesday so there should've been enough time to get the broth up to flavor if anything. I will say though that the fried egg roll was delicious. Too bad the pho was a miss for me.
(2)Danan R.
The best Vietnamese food in the city! Our grilled chicken platter and stir fried tofu were excellent and their bun rieu is fantastic. Service is very efficient and the prices are unbeatable. This is definitely the place for authentic dishes but it does get quite crowded on nights and weekends. We came at 9 pm on a Sunday and it was still packed!
(5)Alex s.
One of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Philly. Extremely large and reasonably priced menu with a wide variety of options. On weekends you can expect a crowd but won't have to wait too long. Definitely try some of their grilled meat dishes over rice vermicelli (grape leaves with ground beef, charbroiled pork and lemongrass chicken). It's a huge bowl with fresh vegetables, rice vermicelli and tasty protein. There's also parking on the street or in the adjacent lot.
(5)Antonio K.
Solid and flavorful Pho. Fried Spring rolls are terrific.
(4)Adam L.
Well I have finally made the trek all the way to Nam Phuong's in Bella Vista. It is hidden along the back corner of the Vietnamese strip mall on 11th and Washington. Inside, Nam Phuong's looks like your pretty basic Asian restaurant, pink tiled floors, lots of red, waiters in vests, ect... Overall, the atmosphere is very laid back and very enjoyable. The menu is quite large (probably well over a hundred items), but honestly you only need to look at the pho. I ordered the basic steak pho. I have had a lot of pho that just seems like they dumped a whole shaker of salt in, but this was pretty spot on. The meat was nice and thinly sliced along with perfectly cooked noodles. There are plenty of sides to add on such as beans, basil leaves, a few different kinds of chili oils, and my personal favorite Siracha! I loved Nam Phuong's, I certainly recommend it! Just great simple pho, that is all there is to it.
(4)Anthony N.
Was craving fish sauce and their com tam hit the spot. Portions were large enough for leftovers. Good hours compared to other Viet places in philly.
(4)Akkeem M.
Food is really good, I went here and ordered 3 orders of shrimp and chicken summer rolls, two orders of spring rolls, a vermicelli bowl with pork and a Sapporo, I couldn't believe I finished it all! That's how good they food was, if you get there close to closing they service may not be that good but during the day they are great
(4)Curtis L.
I came here with a large party of 8 people (all guys) and we decided to go with the family dinner for 10. Since it was Saturday night, the place was pretty crowded, but we had made a reservation so getting seated was a smooth process. Needless to say, the food was more than enough and it was delicious. We got spring rolls, lotus rootlet, shrimp soup, fish stewed in pottery pot, country style beef cubes, clam sauteed with black bean sauce, water spinach sauteed with garlic, chicken sauteed with lemongrass, salt & pepper squid, and jello cake for dessert. It was a great experience from start to finish. The spring rolls and lotus rootlet to start off were really good and we destroyed those dishes quickly. There was a little bit of a lull as we waited for the next round of food though. However, we weren't disappointed. All this food came at once, plus there was A TON of white rice. I'm a sucker for getting your money's worth, so the fact that they re-filled our rice and water/tea pretty often was awesome! I can't really complain about any of the dishes, but the ones that stood out were the shrimp soup (a really tasty mix of sweet and sour), the beef cubes, and salt & pepper squid (there was also shrimp). I wasn't the biggest fan of the dessert, but it didn't take away at all from how complete and delicious the entire meal was. It was super solid and I left full, but it didn't blow my mind which is what keeps me from giving it a 5-star rating. Since this was my first time here, I can't speak to the other dishes, but I heard that the broken rice and vermicelli is quite good; however, the Pho is just alright. I think that if you've got a big group wanting to eat family style, this place is perfect.
(4)Peter N.
I get the Bo Luc Lac every time I go here. It's inconsistent (some times perfect, sometimes extremely salty), but it is still the best place compared to other places. The banh cuon is excellent, and the papaya salads are great. The family meals are a good deal.
(4)Vy D.
The Vietnamese food here will change your life. Seriously. You'll sell all of your possessions, shave your head, and chant at random times during the day. The stuff is heaven. That being said, the dish to get at Nam Phuong is the Ba Vi Platter ($24). A large round plate assembled with crisp lettuce leaves, sprigs of mint and basil, along with cool English cucumber slices and thinly sliced, slightly pickled carrots and daikon radish. A bed of vermicelli sat on the other side topped with shrimp mousse grilled on sugarcane(1), house-made pork sausage(2) and a bundle of ground beef wrapped in grape leaves, then grilled(3). Absolutely delish. The pho, bun bo hue, goi cuon, and banh xeo are also all equally high-end compared to other Vietnamese restaurants in the city. If you have to ask about the service, you've obviously not been to a lot of authentic Vietnamese places. They shout "What you want" and if you don't have an answer within three seconds, they'll probably give you the death stare and walk away, returning fifteen minutes later, begrudgingly, to let you continue your order. Highly recommended authentic Vietnamese food.
(5)Kimberly A.
Upon entering with my crying 9-month-old, waitstaff was generous enough to seat us in a quiet corner of the restaurant. If not to help calm and soothe the little one, but to help balance the decibel level in the expansive room. I was grateful --- large, boisterous families filled the dining room which helped in drowning out my dissatisfied infant. Ordered one of my all time favorites --- BUN CHA GIO. Extremely satisfied with portion size. Disappointed in the quality of the fried egg rolls. Left too long in a fryer that was not hot enough left greasy rolls. The filling was not as good as my mom's but usually restaurateurs can get pretty close. So bummed out... Next time I return I will try some of their other specialties.
(2)Sang D.
5 stars. Not mind blowing amazing, but tasteful, satisfying, inexpensive with the right amount of adventure factor. This place just gets it right. Very healthy too, not too much fried, heavy platters. $4 - banh mi. Flavorful grilled meat, fresh baguette, pickled carrot, daikon, very spicy jalapeno. Fresh cilantro in bunches almost. $6 - pho. Always fresh greens, basil, flavorful broth. $7 - vermecelli or broken rice plates. Complimenting flavors, spices and textures make these dishes fun to eat and filling. Dont forget the iced coffee with condensed milk, bubble tea or hot tea (free?)... Take a date, spend well under $30 including tip and be a hero. A south philly landmark for a reason.
(5)Anita S.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia thus far. Must haves when we go: -Lotus root salad with shrimp and pork, awesome texture, crisp and light, comes with shrimp crackers -Salt and pepper calamari, I do not know how this dish is as magically light as it is, but it's light and flavorful and I dream about it The do it yourself rice paper wraps are popular here too, we've tried them once and perhaps I'm not skilled enough or something, I thought it was only alright, although the meat that came with that dish was excellently cooked and flavored.
(4)Valentino G.
My girlfriend brought me here because a co worker of hers brought her here and she said it was phenomenal! This place is big and open, nothing fancy. Our waiter brought us tea which was nice for a change to have some tea brought to the table. We both got two orders of the, Chaû Gio spring rolls, which were the best I ever had! They are full of flavor and have a great crunch to them, even though they are deep fried, they were out of this world I high recommend! For our main course we both ordered the Buùn, she ordered the Buùn Ga Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled chicken and I ordered the Buùn Bo Nöôùng vermicelli with grilled beef. Both of these dishes were amazing and highly recommended! The one thing I liked about this place was the fact that it had the different chili sauces and red pepper flakes all set up for you to eat with your food. They come in handy when you want to give a nice spice to your dish and they compliment the dishes well! I loved this place and I plan on going back because its a great price for some great food!
(5)Justine J.
Definitely going back to try more stuff! I am on the fence between three or four stars, only because I haven't explored the place enough. When it's my first place somewhere, I always the standard 'plain Jane / average Joe' dish. They they botch it up, I probably will not go back. We did not get much here, so I am not too sure how to formulate a decent feedback / opinion. I got the pho, which is pretty standard. I really liked the pho, but it was a standard pho. It's almost like getting steamed white rice from A,B,C... X,Y,Z. Only way to really mess it up is to burn it. All I care about is that it was tasty pho, which is was. Large portion and generous at a very low price. We also got the summer rolls, which I am not crazy about. This is not a reflection of their food - I just don't really like them. MF wanted them (hehe)!!! But I ate them just because they were there - which is a good sign. It's not all that common for me to refuse to eat something with all my might - that's when you know it's terrible. I also got the jackfruit smooothie - which was OK. It was only OK for me because it was more creamy and heavy than it was fruity. But other than that, it was perfectly fine. It's just the difference in peoples' taste profiles. I also like the staff. They are all very friendly. This was my second time here (well technically first for me). The first time I came here was to only get carry-out for my clients. I got them either fish or seafood congee (which they really enjoyed). The owner/manager was really nice and helpful in suggesting foods that would be appropriate for them (since they have problems chewing and other dietary needs). As for the overall rating, I want to give it a 4, but I have not experienced enough. What I am certain of is that it is very likely that I will go back. I say 'likely' only because I don't really live close by. There is this lemon grass beef with noodles dish I would want to get next time I go! If I already have something picked out for my next visit, you know it's at least a solid three stars.
(4)Lianna N.
Ate here recently after not visiting for a while. Still pleased with the food quality and service. I recommend some of the set menus for 2 or 4. They are excellent, ESP if you're new to eating Vietnamese food that isn't Pho.
(5)Nickki D.
I had heard such good things! I walked in and, unfortunately, the place smelled like body odor. Badly. Service was ok. Food left much to be desired. The tea tasted like warm Philly tapwater. I ordered vegetarian springrolls as an appetizer. They tasted very ricey, not very veggie filled. I also ordered the chicken with lemongrass, curry and coconut. I tasted no lemongrass, no coconut - lots of heat! My friend who was with me ordered the same, but with shrimp (a dish she'd ordered from Nam Phuong many times before) and had to send it back because it too was too spicy. Upside, they are open later than most Viet places on Washington Ave and they do serve beer. I won't be returning though.
(1)Siobhan O.
This place rules. Usually busy but quick. For being enormous, full of weird decor and chandeliers it still has laid back vibe. I only eat vegetarian pho so it is badass that I can get it on Washington Ave, with vegetarian broth, for $7, and they also serve booze. Usually, I get take out but I like to sit down occasionally for a cheap filling meal and a cocktail. They have a huge menu, so I'm sure there's something for everyone but if you're looking for a good place to get cheap pho in an environment that's a little more classy than the other joints in the area this is the spot.
(5)Tim M.
Have only eaten here once, so possibly a fluke, but food ranging from mediocre to very poor, joined by decent service and dismal atmosphere, made for a forgettable dining experience. There are too many outstanding Vietnamese locations nearby to come here.
(2)Lolly G.
Do you like good food? How about a little spice with an absurdly long menu filled with options? Welp, it's time to stop into Nam Phuong. They have plenty of meat, fish, and vegetarian options. The service is very fast, and you get a very large portion for a great price. They also have a bar, so you'll be able to have that cocktail with lunch or dinner. I tried the seafood soup which was filled with squid, crab, and shrimp. At the bottom is a giant portion of noodles. I added some chili sauce and it became the perfect soup! They also give you a plate of sprouts etc, for garnish We also shared the vegetarian spring rolls which were alright, but could be better. The service is perfect, and your glass will never be empty. They don't really interact with you much, but they do make sure you have everything you need. Even writing this review has me craving this soup! Ugh, the downside of yelp :)
(4)Dan S.
I just moved to the neighborhood and wanted to try a local Vietnamese place with great reviews. I have to say I wasn't disappointed. Nam Puong is among a both of other restaurants in a strip mall so you'll have to walk though the lot to find it. They have an extensive menu of Vietnamese options for everyone. I had a Taro Pearl Iced Tea, which was pretty good and refreshing to drink throughout my meal. I also got the Seafood Curry which was delicious. They serve the entrees with a big bowl of rice and, of course, hot tea. The waiter and back-servers were definitely a bit standoffish throughout the meal, but I'd come back again for the food.
(4)Stella S.
So bad that it prompted me to write this, my first review... I would go back to complain, but they're closed by now and I doubt I would get a refund or at least find somebody there who cared. Safe to say this was THE most disappointing food experience I've had in Philly. I don't go out to eat much (frugal with the $), so I decided I was going to "treat" myself to some curry. Yelp informed me that this place was open until 10, half a mile from my house, and had many favorable ratings, two high marks even from fellow vegans. I walk in to carry out around 9:30pm and scan the menu. Curries are scattered throughout, but I quickly locate the vegetarian section. I assume thus that this curry is without fish paste (1 of 3 things to watch for) but inquire still if it's coconut based or includes any dairy products (2 of 3). The man at first instantly says no, and as I rephrase the question using different examples of dairy products, he insists it's only coconut based. As I prepare to order, he points to another item on the menu, the tofu and vegs with lemongrass sauce, stating he doesn't know if the curry included milk or milk bi-products... This not only queues me in that he either doesn't understand my questions or he simply doesn't care, but it also doesn't give me time to compare this with the other possible choice I had: simple veg. spring rolls. But upon his instance that this was a popular choice, I simply agree in order to be on the safe side (after ensuring that it didn't include egg products - 3 of 3). The total came out to almost $9.00, more then I was hoping to spend, especially on something I didn't really want and hadn't really been craving. The lone star in this review is given for the wait time: approximately 5 minutes (also due to zero stars not being an option), though as I will later relay, this was certainly due to the use of old, pre-made ingredients simply being thrown in a wok with water and heated. Upon delving into this dish at home, I was completely turned off by the generic Chinese style frozen tofu wedges I see in any hole-in-the-wall Asian inspired restaurant. Many of the reviewers had touted this place's Vietnamese authenticity, but literally everything screamed "shitty Chinese". The splash of sauce--which had no doubt fallen off the peppers, onions, and tofu wedges in this dish due to its waterness--was completely tasteless... like water with red pepper flakes in it. I even went as far as to put some of the plain white rice in the small puddle of it and eat just that to test if I was missing some greater flavor; this was not the case. The vegetables literally had no flavor or crunch and had clearly been heated up from frozen 12 hours before and left sitting. Same with the generic tofu wedges, anyone who has never tried tofu before and doesn't know how to cook it knows what plain-old tofu tastes like... kind of like an airy wet sponge. This is what it tasted like, the pepper-water "sauce" only serving to make it taste spicy with no other sensations. All in all, I was so, sooooo disappointed that I spent my money on this waste of meal. I ended up with rice for dinner. I do not think I'll give this place a second chance, it's affordable but not cheap and I doubt any of their produce or add-ins are fresh and/or authentic in the slightest. Very sad...
(1)Robert S.
Stop reading this review and go there now. This is by far the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. I recommend the summer rolls and the Vermicelli Special (Vietnamese meatballs, egg rolls, grilled chicken, and shrimp). Also, the Pho is excellent. There is a parking lot, but due to the amazing food it is often full on weekends. I recommend going during lunch if you don't want to deal with parking issues. I almost forgot to mention the prices are cheap. About ten bucks for an amazing meal. The decor is nice but not over the top. Also, the place is filled with Vietnamese families eating, which is also a great sign that this restaurant is cooking awesome Vietnamese food!
(5)Kelly P.
Nam phuong was able to accommodate our large party, and even offered to keep separate checks for our convenience. It was too hot for Pho so I took a chance and ordered beef vermicelli. I was so pleased with my choice and all who tried my dish agreed the beef was very well seasoned. I do not know enough about Vietnamese cuisine to determine how this ranks with the rest of them, but I loved my meal and my iced pearl coffee.
(4)Tiffany T.
This used to be my go-to pho place. Honestly I'm always between Viet Huong and here. I think thr pice difference is like.. 50 cents. I came a few days ago, 18 minutes before closing. I hadn't eaten since noon, so I was about to die .. +1 star alone for serving my boyfriend and i , 18 minutes before closing! Thank you for that, super appreciate it. My pho was delicious, on point and served quickly. My boyfriend's broken rice was great, he loved it. He just wanted someone to cut it into little pieces.. but that's bc he's a baby haha. Thanks again guys! will not be forgotten
(4)Belle P.
what the eff, Nam Phuong? We go here all the time and get the same couple of things.. all the time.. so we can tell when something's off We ordered: - Steak & tripe pho - Steak & flank pho - Avocado shake - Sugarcane shrimp with vermicelli wraps What came: - Steak & tripe pho - check - Steak & tendon pho - no - Avocado shake that tasted like whipped cream - sent this back and it still tastes weird but drinkable - BBQ pork over broken rice - they sent it back and we ended up with beef wrapped grape leaves ...one out of 4 ain't bad? We'll still be coming back, but maybe we'll bring a notepad and write our orders down for them.
(4)Ashley S.
My sister lives down the street so whenever we visit, we go to Nam Phuong when we want pho, but my other sister prefers teriyaki. I always get the pho with everything in it (tendons, tripe, etc), and it's very flavorful and tasty. The last time we went, my sister, my mom, and tables around us received their pho, but mine didn't arrive until 10 minutes later, even though we ordered the same thing. Overall, a good, reliable restaurant for pho and beef teriyaki.
(4)Yao T.
Hands down my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the US, including my mom's...and my aunt's...and my other aunt's...my uncle's...and both my cousins'. No, I'm not talking about mama's home cooking (though it is amazing) - my mom actually had a Vietnamese restaurant - and this beats it (and the rest of the family, as you can see). Just the sheer variety AND execution (food, not necessarily service - they are my peoples after all) far surpasses any I've seen. They do it all, and they do it all well - unheard of. Personal Favorites: Ba Vi Ca Kho To Bo Luc Lac Canh Chua Ca Banh Xeo And the service is actually (relatively) attentive, just not warm. A can't miss whenever I'm in Philly.
(4)Nancy I.
$21 for 4 dishes?! Hell yeah! The salor majew yuon (Cambodian for Vietnamese sour soup) is so authentic and to die for! This came with the dinner for 2 at the back of their menu. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Benjamin M.
Thanks to my brother recently introducing me to the world of Pho, I've since expanded my periodic hunger craving horizon, which hit me unexpectedly while in Philly. Fortunately, I found Nam Phuong nearby and decided to try it out. The restaurant must do very well because the interior is huge with plenty of tables for both the lunch and dinner time crowds. That was a good sign. Upon entering, I was immediately seated at a table near the window to begin pondering the endless lunch options. I eventually decided to get the Pho Deluxe (#152), filled with a variety of beef options (and noodles, of course). After ordering, I swear it was sitting in front of me in less than three minutes. Wow! After getting over the shock and awe of their extreme efficiency, I grabbed my chopsticks and began exploring the huge bowl of deliciousness, which never seemed to end. I kept eating and eating and felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. Was it somehow multiplying or was it all in my head? At one point I literally thought, "Jesus could have left the bread and fish alone and just pulled out a bowl of this and fed the five thousand." Next time I'll wait until I'm completely famished and return to hopefully finish it all. For less the seven bucks, you certainly get your money's worth.
(5)Bill H.
Located in the Vietnamese section of Philly, in a Vietnamese strip mall. Went with a Vietnamese friend who went to school in Philly. She claims that this is the best Vietnamese restaurant in Philly and who am I to argue. The restaurant is large. We arrived early at 5:30 and when we left the place was packed with a line at the door. With an inexpensive price per entree, it's a great place to order a bunch of entrees to share and experience different flavors. Food and service was very good and you can't beat the value.
(4)Meredith B.
Great authentic spot for some great Vietnamese dishes. I ordered my favorites 102: Summer Rolls w/ Shrimp and Pork/Chicken (2) 163: Pho w/ Slices of Eye-Round Steak and Beef Balls I might pass on the beef balls next time but all in all my meal was just what I was looking for. Nam Phuong isn't trying to be anything its not. It's authentic Vietnamese dishes with no frills. This is perfect cold weather food, warm you up and cure you when you're sick food... and cheap cheap good eats.
(4)elyse j.
This place never ever disappoints! My daughter and I always get the special fish with vegetables in a hot pot. Delicious and stays hot for a long time, which is how long it takes to finish. So much! So good! Husband has chicken with rice noodles, not a bit left to take home.... Nice strong Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk.
(5)Quyen N.
I had high hopes for this place with its abundance of reviews but left feeling very disappointed. And this conclusion didn't result from trying one dish. It was after tasting several dishes to really sample the menu. My family and I ordered bo luc lac, banh xeo, bun rieu, banh uot. The beef was dry, the batter was old, and the broth was warm not hot as soups should be. Ufortunately, this place won't be a repeat for us.
(2)Khanh D.
My parents treated about 20 ppl to dinner here this past weekend to celebrate my brother's graduation. We called ahead and were seated promptly. That's where the good experience stopped. The food was disgusting. We ordered many dishes and I tasted them all. The portion size were measly but the pice reflects that which is a good thing. The waitstaff were terrible. Every time we needed to order something new, they each would say we needed to order from a different staff member which led us to have to wait unnecessarily for most of the night. I'm used to bad service at Asian places but this place took the cake for worst service ever. Also...their restrooms were nasty and needed some major cleaning. Gross.
(2)Cathy H.
Best Vietnamese I have ever had, hands down. There's always a table available (except for Christmas Day apparently) and service is lightning fast. It seems as soon as you have ordered, the waiter is already bringing out the pho and bean sprouts. My favorite dish is the rice paper platter. It is one of the most pricey things on the menu but it's WORTH it! The platter is huge, so you can share with at least 3 friends and it's so much fun to dip the rice paper in the hot water they provide and make your own rolls. My second favorite thing is their ice coffee. They serve it to you in the coffee press and use condensed milk. So yummy! Recently, on Christmas Day, I was in Princeton, NJ and I had such a craving for Nam Phuong that we drove all the way to Philly for it. Whereas there is usually no line, this time the line was out the door and the entire parking lot was completely full (probably all inside Nam Phuong). We had to wait 30 minutes for a table but it was so worth it!
(5)Joey L.
I had a hard time finding a good Vietnamese restaurant in philly. Compared to other places I've been to, this would rank in the middle of the pack or the lower bottom. Big menu selection and food was decent.
(3)Solomon L.
This restaurant is five stars for food hands down. One of the best, most flavorful dishes I've had here in philadelphia, and I eat out A LOT. I had the beef cubes with watercress, and it just hit the spot. My girl got the pho, and it too was really well balanced with enough savory along with all the different spices. They use good quality meats, and know how to cook them. Great meal overall. The atmosphere and service is a bit lacking, but not bad. It's worth it to get the food. And at great prices too! I will most definitely return.
(5)Austin S.
I heart you Nam Phuong. No doubt, this is the best Vietnamese food that I've had. My recent visit to Philly led me back to this delicious happiness. While the location or the appearance of the restaurant may not scream 5 stars, let the food speak for the restaurant. I went with my usual and ordered pho, beef cubes, and lotus salad with shrimp crackers. Pho is always delicious with great flavor in the soup base. Beef cubes dish is a must! it's beef cubes with some kind of sprouts, served with lemon based sauce. Lotus salad (which has shrimp and pork) is served cold with shrimp crackers, and is a great addition to somewhat fatty dishes that I ordered. I always feel like vietnamese food is loaded with sodium. But I find myself with less need for a full glass of water in the middle of the night.
(5)Ken D.
Love this place. Been going here for about a year on a regular basis. No matter how many people are with me, this place will seat any size dinner party. I once walked in with a party of 13, and within minutes we all had a table and our drinks. The staff here are always friendly and the food has never disappointed. Another bonus is the liquor license. Beers are cheap but watch out for the cocktails, they're Bartending skills need some work. Jk. Can't wait for my next visit.
(5)Melissa P.
Go for the Pho, stay for the adorable asian children that are always there. They also have a full bar and decently priced drinks. Around Chinese New Year, you may be lucky and get a free awesome asian calendar. Extensive menu. Recently tried something new (forget what it was called but) it involved tiny rice wrappers (with your own soaking station), sausages, shrimp, noodles, veggies (carrots, cukes, radish, mint, lemongrass, basil), and little lemongrass leave wrapped beef clusters and it was SO GOOD. huge though. it says to share with two but could have easily fed 3. Cheap!
(4)Abbie D.
My definite go to place for Pho. I have both dined in and got take out and the food is always on point. The pho is the perfect medicine for a cold or a cool night. :) love
(4)Chau L.
It's cold outside - what do I want? P.H.O. This place can get pretty crowded in the evenings, but I don't mind bc 1) there is parking for my car and I don't have to park in an alleyway to get my grub and 2) the selection of Viet food is huge. like HUGE. Their pho broth is pretty decent, as are the summer and spring rolls, udon noodles with ham hocks, broken rice plate with grilled pork chop and sunny side egg, avocado smoothies, and taro smoothies. As you can tell, I eat a lot, and I eat a lot here. Give them a try - service is fast, and the place is spacious so the wait is never too too long.
(4)Sam E.
YOU COULD DIE FROM EATING THEIR "FOOD". There was a staple - a SHARP, SILVER, NON-EDIBLE staple - in my mouth from their noodle dish. Do you know what would've happened had I swallowed that? Well, I think I could've had some serious internal bleeding medical issues! (No! I'm not a hypochondriac - how dare you?!)
(1)Nina S.
I had lunch here with a group of 14 people and the service was so fast and friendly! Without a reservation they were ready to seat us in just a few minutes after we walked in. This was my first time to a Vietnamese Restaurant so I didn't know what to expect but I'm glad that someone from our large party took the lead and ordered a lot of food for us to all share for the table. We split the bill 14 ways it was only $12 for lunch and I ate a lot. We started with shrimp spring rolls that were served with peanut sauce. These are very fresh and the wrap was made of a light think layer of rice. The peanut sauce was the best thing that I tasted at this restaurant. It is seriously so good that they should consider putting it in jars and selling it for people to enjoy at home! These light spring rolls were a great way to start the meal. Then to finish the meal we had two kinds of soups - Pho with beef and sweet and sour with shrimp. It was perfect for the chilly spring day. Everything I tried was very tasty. I will def. be back next time I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)Gabby J.
So I must say I was thoroughly enjoying my vegetable pho soup, portion size was great, exactly what I wanted. Only problem is I looked down and saw little bugs in my soup!! So disappointing. There was a lot too, I scooped out at least 6 and then just trashed the soup completely. Please double/triple clean your vegetables!! The service could have been better as well. Our waiter wasn't too friendly.
(2)Colleen M.
The first cuisine on my list when I came to Philly for a visit was Vietnamese. I miss good Vietnamese food in the Midwest! I came here for dinner. I got the vermicelli noodles with grilled shrimp and the summer rolls. Both were awesome. I will definitely come back here when I'm in the area visiting. Next time I'll try to the pho.
(5)Ai L.
I'm Vietnamese and use to good authentic Vietnamese food in Australia, so it's been rather challenging to find a restaurant that I like. Nam Phuong is one of those that I did like! Their pho tai nam was delicious. It was a bit sweet, but I balanced it with some fish sauce and lemon and then it was perfect. I also ordered the grill pork summer rolls and the durian smoothie. The smoothie was good, but it wasn't as fruity as I expected. In addition, the service was great and the staff friendly and helpful. Overall, I enjoyed all the dishes I ordered and if I lived in Philly, I would be back :)
(4)Judy L.
I have been going here consistently for the past year. The food is good. I have tried almost everything on their menu and I have not been disappointed yet. Unfortunately, the service has deteriorated since I have started going. If you're looking for average service, decent prices but solid Vietnamese food, this is a great restaurant to go.
(3)Alice C.
Love the dinner for 2 or 4. The clay fish pot is my favorite! The customer service was perfect. Very attentive. Spacious and spread out environment. Love the traditional decor. My favorite appetizer is the ba vi. Portions are more than enough especially for the price. Would definitely go back soon
(5)Alexis K.
I would say that this place is just OK. They have an extensive menu, which is a plus. I had the bun rieu and my boyfriend had the bun bo hue. We also split a bo luc lac (a beef dish). Out of the three dishes we had, we definitely liked the bo luc lac the best. The meat was tender and flavorful. Part of the reason why we didn't enjoy the noodle dishes more is because we are not fan's of coagulated pig blood. Parking is good by Philadelphia standards because the restaurant is inside of a shopping center, so you don't have to struggle to parallel park somewhere on the street. Would I go to this restaurant again? Probably not, but this does not mean we didn't have a pretty satisfactory meal.
(3)Maria C.
This is (one of) my favorite Vietnamese restaurants for a lot of reasons - quick, parking, and affordable! They always have seats and have a lot of large tables for groups but not somewhere that I would be going for a romantic dinner but great for a large group of loud friends! The food is great and super affordable, giving you the chance to get a few things and try new items. My favorite items are their pho and any of their vietnamese bowls, but my friends have tried much more adventurous items and loved them all. The food always comes out quickly, but in standard vietnamese form - it comes out when it is ready, and therefore some people may be eating well before others.
(4)Christina C.
5 starts for the Pho the first few times I had it... but sometimes, the flavor is off. Sadness. Other items we've tried are extremely good. Very busy little place.
(4)Priscilla P.
A year ago I would have said this is the best Vietnamese food ever, that no other restaurant even came close. I went 2 nights ago for dinner and it's just different. I guess they did some renovations to make it a little nicer, but they've given up on the food. I ordered the family dinner for 4 and everything tasted similar... but just not the same. It's like they are using the same recipes but a different chef? The lotus salad was really wet and the shrimp crackers over-fried. The clams were a tad bigger but really difficult to remove the meat from the shell and less flavorful. Fish in the claypot was kinda similar, except blander in taste and no sauce, just a lot of oil (I used to like to scoop the sauce and eat it with my rice). Shaken beef was pretty much the same (very good). Sweet & Sour Fish soup was similar but wayyyy too much mint garnish on top. Che ba mau (3 colored bean and coconut milk dessert) was just horrible (for some reason mine looked different than another diner's... his looked like they used coconut milk and mine looked and tasted like they used half & half). Sad to see this place go downhill like this... I used to recommend this place to all of my friends but Mekong and Le Viet are definitely way better and way nicer at similar prices.
(3)Katie C.
This place is one of my favorite restaurants in Philly when I'm short on time and in need of some yummy comfort food. I went there for lunch today and had chicken sautéed with lemongrass over vermicelli and it tasted great. The portions are quite large so with the leftovers I now have lunch for tomorrow as well! My friend ordered the broken rice with shrimp but was a little disappointed that the shrimp weren't deveined. Overall we were both quite happy with our meals. For the price and convenience (there's a parking lot!) the food here is great!
(4)Buck W.
My first Vietnamese dining experience was a success! Not sure why it took me so long. Apparently, my friend took me to the right spot, and it is in her 'hood, so no parking dilemmas. The decor and atmosphere leave much to be desired. Who cares? It has a bar! However, I didn't take advantage of it, as I had an after dinner "mint" planned. Complimentary hot tea served immediately was tasty and welcome. Began with shrimp summer rolls. That peanut sauce is the bomb! My friend had a beef vermicelli dish. Delish. I had mussels (10+ fresh and well prepared) sautéed with curry and plenty of fresh veg. Awesome. I ate all of it. :) I'll be back.
(4)Karl K.
Get the ban vi for two, and the jackfruit smoothies! -------- That about sums it up for this place. This platter (easily feeds two people, and then some) is THE THING TO GET here. Forget about the pho, forget about the beef with lemongrass... GET THIS! Tonight, we got a special appetizer called Ban Go, which was pretty awesome as well (a mix of Chinese wide rice noodle, filled with savory ground beef, topped with sliced Vietnamese sausage roll and dried onion flakes; this comes with a crispy cake of fried dough topped with a prawn). Regarding the supposed "Yelp special": Ban vi is regularly priced $23.95, so... Where is the so-called discount? (it doesn't help that the managers seemingly know nothing about this special)
(4)Toby K.
Love the Pho! It's cheap and has a really big menu. It has a bit nicer of an interior than some of the other pho places. This past time I went, Melissa p had me try this appetizer. It basically is making your own summer roll. Deliciousness!
(5)Enid C.
As a general rule of thumb, products of any category decrease in value when they are broken. A broken smart phone is about as "smart" as that one person who's still hoping to make his fortune on beanie babies. A broken engine turns your car into just another expensive place to store things like old magazines and sweaters you aren't going to wear. A broken spirit loses wars, and a broken heart results in the overproduction of cringe-worthy "emo" music. ...but broken rice? Broken rice is an entirely different story. With each segment that the individual grains are broken into, the light flavors are able to seep in more delicately, providing a palatable texture, almost like a sexy, Vietnamese take on cous cous. Broken rice is so much more than "just rice," and Nam Phuong has the best in the entire city. I think about it often. Almost as often as "Call Me Maybe" gets stuck in my head. Broken rice dishes are accompanied by expertly grilled meats, with a salad of pickled veggies and a splash of fish sauce to top it off. This spacious establishment is located in the centroid of Philly's Viet hub, so really all of the standard options on their extensive menu (including many for vegetarians!) are authentically solid. Whatever you order, from pho to summer rolls to beef carpaccio, your tummy and taste buds will leave happy. [But if you ever have any trouble deciding...just go with the broken rice.]
(4)Lauren C.
I am not Vietnamese... but over the past year or so, I have become quite a fan of the food. I live in Pennsport, and thus have tons of access to the restaurants on Washington Ave. In trying a few of them, Nam Phuong has risen to the top as my trusty-go-to spot. We brought a newbie with us on Sunday night, and will thus review this experience. Walking in, the smell is certainly unique. Having eaten here on numerous occasions, I love it. It's sort of soy-saucey... or what our friend described as a mens locker room, or a wet dog. The decor is kitschy, but somehow it works! The bar you can tell was newly renovated as its AWESOME, but not a sit-down bar... more of a take out counter. We got seated at a nice sized table for 4 people by the window and were promptly given water, and asked about drinks. Beers are $3 for domestic, $3.50 for imports. YES PLEASE! As a vegetarian, my options are a bit limited (per usual). I always associate most Asian dining (Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese etc.) as being veggie friendly. They embrace tofu! What more could you ask for? You need to watch your back if you're a vegetarian at Nam Phuong though. You might as well just tell your waiter. If you order 'Veggie Pho" you will get chicken broth. The proper technique is to ask for Vegetarian Noodle Soup... which is the exact same thing with broth that is safe. I also like 253. Not sure what it is called formally, but its fried tofu in peanut sauce on rice vermicelli and shredded lettuce, pickled carrots, cucumber etc. and some steamed veggies. I like the contrast of fresh/cooked/hot/cold etc. Its delicious. Again, they bring out this fish sauce that they expect you to dump in there, so you have to be a bit wary. This specific dining experience, I went for my trusty 253, pushed the fish sauce aside, and seasoned with rooster sauce, and a bit of soy sauce. AMAZING. Per usual, i hit the bathroom before I left, and per usual, it was DISGUSTING!!! It always makes me nervous what the kitchen looks like, but I try not to think about it. the floor was soaking so I almost fell over. I literally put down paper towels to try to get traction. You are discouraged from putting toilet paper into the toilets... not sure why... as Philly plumbing can totally hang with toilet paper... but whatever. The trash cans are overflowing, the stalls are dirty etc. Better than some bars, but the decor is nice, it's just not clean! Also per usual, you have to flag down a waiter for a check. They will almost never bring it automatically. The sooner you accept that, the more pleasant your experiences will be. Once you flag them down, they bring the check promptly. Just a cultural divide I guess. While Nam Phuong may not be the fanciest, trendiest, most upscale place on earth, its a fan favorite! You almost never have to wait, the prices are reasonable, the service is fairly good, and the food is PHENOMENAL. Will be back... always... and forever.
(4)Dredge K.
ok, this has by default become my go to place food is pretty consistent, ambiance is lacking but secondary even their pho is good, even though this is not a pho restaurant excellent for groups! strong cocktails there is something for everyone...
(4)Anthony B.
I am new to the vietnamese food scene but wow this place is good. My girlfriend and I went and for 2 meals and an appetizer it was under $20.00. They were also extremely efficient. We were in and out in 45 minutes. I will continue to give my patronage to this establishment. Ps. Great fish/peanut sauce.
(5)Vincent L.
Coming from nyc, I had high expectations for Vietnamese food in Philly. I had ordered Bun bo hue, and I was a lil disappointed. Everything was good except the pig feet was really tough. I had to tear it from my teeth using my hands. everything else was on the money. Ice coffee was really strong, which I liked. The restaurant itself is big compared to the vietnamese restaurants in nyc. Overall, I wasn't blown away but I was full and satisfied. 3 and a half stars.
(3)German S.
Perfect pho kinda of weather.. yum. Can't get enough of this place. Food is great, fast service, attentive staff, clean place.
(4)Peter K.
Maybe the best Vietnamese restaurant ever, or at least in the northeast (hard to compare to San Francisco or Eden Center in Virginia). But this place is awesome, and everything on the menu rocks! And the place is huge too. Looks like they have a stage where maybe sometimes they do performances or karaoke.
(5)Sarah S.
excellent food, fast service! beef stew is so wonderful. vegan options as well. all meals come with a pot of hot tea. great place for groups... usually lots of families sharing large dinner dishes
(5)Kevin C.
Of all the Viet restaurants i've tried this is definitely the best place if you want a big warm bowl of pho or a rice dish! The service isn't the best but they are very quick when it comes to serving up the food and is at a very good price.
(5)Yohann S.
More like 3.5, but since I'm a nice guy, I'll round it to 4 -instead of 3. Good place for a big party. I never get their pho. I usually get either broken rice or vermicelli; and sometime beef cube to share. They are good. Like any regular viet restaurant, they're cheap -and filling. Parking is easy -even though it's packed most of the time, it's not that hard to be patient and get a spot. $15 min for credit card. Service is still better than some Asian restaurant out there, so no complain there. ... If you want pho, go get it somewhere else. *hint check my review for 5 stars pho place.
(4)Cynthia X.
Came here again just a week later. Got the 3 beef delight again, and it was delightful!
(4)Kimberly P.
Usually I'm picky with Vietnamese food since I'm so used to my parents traditional ways of cooking BUT Nam Phuong is so delicious. There's not one thing I haven't loved when coming here. I have allergies to certain things like peanuts and carrots and when I tell them, they always make sure it's clear of it all. Not only that but the service is impeccable! Everyone is so kind and helpful.
(5)Greg Y.
I eat mad Pho and would not go back to this place. The main reason is because the place just smells bad. The stench of old cleaning rags ruined my meal during the few times I've been here. Service is poor compared to the already below-avg standard at many Pho places. The food does very little to salvage this place. Pho Saigon is 100x better.
(2)Su W.
I was pretty sad when my favorite pho place closed down, but now I have a new favorite pho place! I've always known about this place but never actually tried it until recently. As usual I ordered a side of summer rolls. It's the appetizer that I always get when I go to any Viet. restaurant. They were pretty average and came nicely wrapped. Some places I know do a sloppy job so the wrap falls apart easily. The roll stayed in shape while I ate. I came here wanting to try the chicken thigh pho but they were sold out. I got the chicken wing pho instead and it was just as good. I really liked the broth that it came with. It wasn't just beef broth mixed with chicken pieces. They have 1 serving size for pho and it's pretty big. I could barely finish 2/3 of the pho. It was a good meal and I will probably be back in the future
(4)Vi L.
I love this place! First of all, it's huge! It's not very intimate since it's pretty open. It has more of a family feel to it. There are plenty of tables to host a large gathering. The menu covers a wide array of Vietnamese cuisines. The service was friendly, fast and efficient. For food, I got to try the Goi Cuon and Bo Bia spring rolls. They were fresh and tightly rolled. Entree, I had the Com Tam (broken rice) with grilled pork. The portion was HUGE and I love it! The dish came with egg meatloaf, shredded pork skin and fresh veggies. My favorite was the egg meatloaf--soft, well seasoned and the flavors just melted in my mouth. Nam Phuong is definitely the place to go for Vietnamese food. I'm super picky when it comes to Viet food, but this place definitely deserves all 5 stars!
(5)Teresa V.
WHAT I ORDERED: #170 Bun Dac Biet (House Special Rice Vermicelli) * Reasonably priced * Heavy on the Vermicelli, and light on everything else; 1 slice of chicken cut up [1], 3 or 4 slices of nam nuong (Vietnamese beef meatballs) [2], 2 or so grilled shrimps [3], and 1 spring roll [4] * Was expecting more greens and roasted peanut topping * Not very much sauce was provided, so it was rather dry * Overall, a safe dish, but there are probably more promising ones on the menu [1] Relatively dry; not very marinated and nicely grilled like I was expecting [2] Thin slices so together they don't amount to much; overall, tasted alright [3] Small in size; grilled; slightly dry [4] Only one that met my expectations; unfortunately, I was only provided with 1 though so the joyousness did not last too long COMPARED TO OTHER AREAS: I would have to give this place a 3; falls short of other Vietnamese restaurants that I have been to where I have ordered a similar dish (Vermicelli) at. Usually the chicken is grilled at other places and there would be a nice amount of vegetables provided upon ordering this dish, however Nam Phuong sadly did not meet those expectations. COMPARED TO THE PHILLY AREA: A 4 would probably be fitting; large space so you're not cramped with the folks next to you; staff members were all very attentive; convenient location if you're looking to do some grocery errands; there's actually a parking lot! KEY POINTS * Smoothies seemed fairly authentic; not powdery tasting [5] * Great family environment * Large selections and varieties to choose from the menu * Decently priced [5] Had the durian smoothie! ALL IN ALL: If you're in the Vietnamese shopping area, then I would recommend stopping by here.
(3)Rosy V.
Not too shabby for a Vietnamese Restaurant in the Philly area. Nam Phuong us a pretty large restaurant and can accommodate large families and groups. We went a little after lunch hours (1 or 2pm) on a Saturday and they were able to accommodate us accordingly (Wasn't busy at all during those hours, not sure about the actual lunch time rush). They have parking lots, but since this is in a shopping district and for some odd reason the parking in this shopping district is crazy competitive. Everyone fighting for a spot in every direction. Unless you're lucky and you didn't hit "grocery shopping war times" you might find parking. Other than that stalk a potential leaver and grab their parking spot! Okay so the service is normal. Nothing special or whatnot. The servers were attentive, but there was a lot of them and it wasn't at all busy. So I expect that they be attentive. Nam Phuong has a large menu to choose from that varies from fish to pork to veggies and etc. It's a very thick menu! In the end I chose #118: Bo Nuong La, Banh Hoi (Ground Pork wrapped in grape leaves; this was a "wrapping dish") and my boyfriend chose #198: Com Tam Thit Nuong Bi Cha (Broken Rice with pork and etc.) Both Dishes were great. Tasted great for it's price and I had nothing to complain about with that. The one thing for my complaint is that the bathrooms could be a little cleaner? Especially after normal lunch hours I feel like the employees should be checking their bathrooms every hour? The women's bathroom was mediocre, but my boyfriend complained that the men's bathroom was atrocious. I feel like if a restaurants bathroom falls behind par how does that represent their hygiene and cleanliness in the kitchen? Just food for thought. We did order smoothies. They didn't taste powdery and tasted like it was made from real fruits. The only thing I would change about it is the amount of sugar they put into the smoothies; it was way too sweet for my preference, but it's a lot better than some restaurant's powdery nightmare. We got the coconut, strawberry, mango, avocado and 2 durian's (I'm sorry but I love the taste of durian ^^") My brothers said the coconut and mangos were delicious, my boyfriend said his strawberry smoothie was good but was too sweet. My parents liked their avocado smoothie but also complained of the sweetness and my sister and I had the durian and it was a tad bit sweet, but nothing too bad. Smoothies were $3.75 and the durian one was $4.00. Overall Nam Phuong isn't a shabby place to eat at, it's not the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to, but it definitely was a nice place. They have a large varieties, an authentic menu, food tastes accurate and good, can accommodate large or small groups, and has free parking. If you want to try Vietnamese food this is a great place to go and try it! ----------------------------------TIP-------------Â--------------------- $10 charge for BYOB (They have their own beer and wine selections) and it's a minimum $15 charge for Credit Cards!!!
(4)Gabrielle P.
Came here for New Year's Day with a group of friends. Best hangover food you could ask for! Love the pho here it had great flavor. I got the 159 which was great. We also the summer rolls which were awesome. I got a green tea bubble tea smoothie which was great. Two of my friends had the mango smoothie which they enjoyed as well. The restaurant was huge and packed but they move quickly so we didn't have a problem getting seats quickly even though they were busy. Would highly recommend and can't wait to go back!
(5)Gerald S.
Nam Phuong was the last Empress of Vietnam. Perhaps, it is fitting to name the queen of the Vietnamese houses after her. She was born too late to enjoy her royalty for very long, and she was denied the privilege of living her life in her native land; dying in relative obscurity in France. Her namesake is similar to her in some ways. The restaurant is large and well run. Chandeliers suggest a palatial guise, and the servers in black are disciplined, polite and respectful, as you would expect from a royal house. The menu is diverse to appeal to a variety of guests, and the kitchen is skilled in turning out top quality dishes that satisfy those invited to the Emperor's Table. Even a solitary traveler such as I was treated with dignified homage. Though a busy night full of families and intriguing couples, I was given a nice table, plenty of time to decide my meal, and graceful delivery, checking on satisfaction, pickup and an offer to desire more before leaving. I never felt rush by the staff, although the people waiting by the door might have been less patient. My Pho with Round Steak and Tripe was excellent, with all fresh trimmings. The broth was richly complex and a filling bowl at a very reasonable price. The Summer Rolls were stuffed with fresh Shrimp and Ground Pork, and came with a very good Peanut Dipping Sauce. As I ate I watched those around me enjoying all the things I wanted to try on my next visit. I am not sure that the maxim that a Vietnamese restaurant filled with Vietnamese is a true indication of great food all the time, but it certainly was tonight. Nam Phuong, where ever her spirit is now, would be pleased that she her name is being so well cared for here in Philadelphia.
(4)Katie H.
Ready to go back already because this is the best Viet food I've had since I've moved from California. This is the most authentic take on it yet! I attribute that to the fact that they offered more than just the usual Pho and rice dishes I've seen at other Viet places. They had Banh Hoi, which is vermicelli made into small sheets, that you end up wrapping in rice paper with various herbs, cucumbers, lettuce, pickled carrots, and your protein of choice. I ended up choosing the grilled pork balls, which is more like grilled pork strips. Nevertheless, I felt right at home. IT WAS AMAZING! After rolling up your spring roll, you dip it in some yummmmy fish sauce and it is seriously heavenly. I can't attest to how their other dishes are since I've only been once but I will happily return for more. Nam Phuong shows so much promise so I hope it doesn't disappoint next time!
(4)Edward R.
Large and very popular with the Non Vietnamese crowd I was a bit sceptical at first as to the honesty and authenticity of the menu but all fears were gone after the first taste of their Pho....deep, rich with a incandescent surface sheen of fat accompanied by some of the most interesting greenery and honest to goodness hot Jalapenos. I've dined there now half a dozen times trying any thing the looks good on the menu and the neumerous pictures on Yelp as well and have yet to have a dissapointment. .
(4)Joshua V.
Another notch on Philadelphia's belt of east coast supremacy in regards to Vietnamese food. For years I've been pining for Vietnamese food (up here in NYC) that is on par with that which is found in the City of Brotherly Love. Alas, it aches my heart to report that I've had no such luck in my endeavors to find one. Fortunately for me, Philadelphia is but a stone's throw (in relative and figurative terms) away from NYC; and when the desire for a decent bowl of pho shows its face, I tell my friends in Philly that "it's been too long" and that "we need to hang out soon" in order to secure appropriate and affordable (i.e. free) lodgings for a weekend sabbatical in the 'illa... from there it's easy access to cheap and delicious Vietnamese food the likes of which the Empire State can only raise an angry fist and wave it towards the south. This joint churns out a mean bowl of pho with all the fixings (flank, fatty flank, tendon, brisket, meatball, etc...). While it may not make the best bowl in Philadelphia (that honor goes to Pho Ha), it isn't overly salty and has a rich homemade quality to the taste. Additionally, the breadth and variety of the menu is impressive; if you don't want pho, you can get a combo of broken rice/vermicelli noodles with a Vietnamese protein on the side. The choice is yours, and the choices are tasty. Can we dig this place out of its little nook on Washington and 11th and put it on top of the Empire State Building? It would definitely be a quicker commute for me. If that's not a viable idea, I'm still young, the trip to Philly isn't too hard on me or my wallet; so until we have the technology to make the dreams of the initial sentence of this paragraph come true, it's still worth the time/money/energy to make sporadic visits to Philadelphia for quality Vietnamese cuisine that you'd find in places such as Nam Phuong.
(4)Sari A.
This is my first time to experience a Vietnamese cuisine and I have to say It's not my cup of tea. I had the Beef deluxe Pho, the portion size was quite substantial but tasteless. Our server was not super friendly too. I would say it is average! Two and half Yelps!
(2)Marie S.
Nam Phuong is reluctantly my go-to place for Vietnamese cuisine in Philly because the food is consistent and there is plenty of seating for large groups. Contrary to what other Yelpers report, I do not find any of the dishes to be extraordinary. Their banh cuon (rice roll with minced meat filling) is bland but I'll admit authentic. Growing up next to a Vietnamese supermarket, I had banh cuon for lunch every weekend until a better Chinese supermarket opened up just down the street (What disloyal customers my parents were...). Then my weekend lunches became about dim sum and rice dumplings, but let me stop digressing. What I want to say is that their banh cuon hits the spot. The best way to eat banh cuon is to pick up a roll with a slice of ham, dip in fish sauce, and eat whole. So yums. Other than the banh cuon, the only other dish that I really like is their refreshing lotus root salad. Everything else that I typically order is just to fill the table for family style. I have tried the pho, vermicelli bowls, broken rice plates, infamous claypot fish, etc...and nothing really stands out. I am still searching for a better family-style Vietnamese restaurant in Philly.
(3)Connie C.
I came here with a boyfriend a few weeks ago since I was in the Philly area. He really wanted to show me the best restaurant pho in Philly. I should also include that he is Vietnamese. I had Three Delight which consisted of shrimp on sugar cane, beef in grape leaves, and grilled meat balls. It was delicious and fun to eat. My favorite meat was the beef wrapped in grape leaves. I sat there cutting my meat up, rolling the meat and vegetables into a spring roll and dipping it into the two sauces provided. This dish is enough for two people to share---or for one very hungry person. My boyfriend ordered pho with eye-round steak and meat balls. Apparently, having the choice of Vietnamese meatballs with pho is a factor in authenticity. I had a small bowl of it and agreed that it was tasty. You can tell the broth was tasty and not bland. Overall, I felt like the experience at the restaurant was very authentic. The prices are good. Service was okay. They knew how to keep their distance but still always stayed in the vicinity when needed.
(5)Dennis L.
I am normally at Pho Ha for pho, so trying this restaurant with a huge menu motivated me to stray a bit from the pho path and try something new. I went with the pork skin spring rolls for an appetizer and Banh Cuon off the daily special's menu for a main course. First the spring rolls, they were okay... Basil, lettuce, vermicelli, and the shredded pork skin you get on the rice dishes. Needless to say, it was exactly what I expected. I don't really know why I was hoping for something particularly special, but it was dry and sticky, but of course made much better with the if sauce. It wasn't exactly bad, it just wasn't anything special. The Banh Cuon on the other hand, that was a total crap shoot in the dark that ended up being amazing. The description is entirely useless, it was described as something like Rice flakes with pork and beef. It's actually some sort of ham or pate type of meat on a thick rice noodle paper, very similar to the rice paper skin for shrimp or beef at dim sum.. those long rice thingies. Anyway, there was some sort of deep fried bread with meat in it and a fried shrimp on it. I wasn't sure what it was exactly. I guess if I had to describe it, I would say it was like beef/pork bread deep fried and excellent with some fish sauce. This is definitely a new favorite dish.
(4)Dan D.
I wasn't extremely impressed, however, I wasn't disappointed. It was Pho. Some Pho is much better and then some Pho is just OK. The hot tea was the highlight for me. It had nice flavor. The staff was good and service was quick. I need to try some other Pho places before my return here.
(3)Ron C.
Always great reliable food. This has been out go-to Vietnamese restaurant for years. It's a big place, often crowded. Service is fine, but don't expect friendly cuddling from attentive waiters - this is a bit of a factory operation.
(4)Nicole A.
Love the food every time. The fish hot pot is amazing, fresh, and full of flavor. Their pho is best I've ever had. The vermicelli is awesome because you wrap it yourself at the table. So fun to make your own little spring roll things! I always ask for a pot of tea with my meal because it's usually chilly in there...
(5)Tho P.
Set your default settings here if you're looking for solid Vietnamese food. Came here with a dinner party of 5 so it was my chance to deviate from the typical noodle or rice dishes, and go family style! We started off with some of my favorite apps to share: banh hoi (vermicelli) with shrimp and grilled pork, banh xeo (sizzling crepe), and goi du du (papaya salad). Portions were grand with the exception of the salad. Would substitute for the lotus root salad (next time) because of the additional prawn crackers that accompany well with Vietnamese salads. The crepes had an awesome balance of crispy and chewy. All the protein was tender and well-seasoned, complemented nicely with the fish sauce dressing. I would have preferred the vermicelli to be topped with more scallion relish. The entrees were not as remarkable, but nevertheless did the job. We ordered the ca kho to (claypot catfish), canh chua tom (sour soup with shrimp), and rau muong xao toi (stir-fried water spinach with garlic). Overall, we thought the entrees gave an oily impression. The claypot didn't come out sizzling (as it usually does) which means it was probably sitting out awaiting the other entrees to finish. Nevertheless, the caramelized fish was delicious, paired nicely with the sour soup and white rice - I'd be surprised if your taste buds weren't dancing in a deluge of sweet, sour, and savory. The water spinach left a nice crunch, but lacked that garlic pungency...and salt. Fortunately had some leftover fish sauce from the apps to dip it in. Stomachs left happy. Food coma commenced.
(4)Ken P.
Wonderful experience from sitting down through bubble tea desert! Wonderful service. Excellent food! Great experience and price! Best Pho in Philly. I will keep coming back here!
(5)Sam L.
I'm going to be straight with you: I'm no Vietnamese cuisine connoisseur. I gravitate toward the same simple dishes: vermicelli bowls, pho with lean meats, banh mi sandwiches. That's me, in a nutshell (well, in this case): unadventurous. But now you know... Nam Phuong delivers solid, authentic Vietnamese fare in a laid-back, frills-free space that seats a reasonable number of people. The service is ultra speedy and the waitstaff attentive. After getting lost in the trenches of South Philly during a heat wave, I found myself here and called it fate. As it was blisteringly hot, I was far from being in pho mode. I knew right away vermicelli was what I was after, so I went with 170, the House Special Rice Vermicelli, a smorgasboard of sorts: spring rolls, charbroiled chicken, meatballs, and shrimp. I ditched the spring rolls. I wish I'd asked for extra meatballs as a substitute, but I didn't know they'd be so damned delicious. The bowl was overall quite tasty, with warm meats served on cold noodles, just the way I like it. The meatballs were the authentic kind and resembled thinly sliced sausages. They were the best part of the dish. When I found a lone sliver that had gotten lost in the dregs of sauce, noodles, and lettuce at the bottom of my bowl, I went into squee-mode. The chicken had great flavor but was cooked a hair over. The shrimp was no good. I also ordered 102 to split, shrimp & pork summer rolls, and *that* shrimp was delicious. I'm not sure why the shrimp in my bowl was different, but it wasn't fresh and tasted overly briny, almost fermented, with a fishy flavor. I normally would've lamented the paltry serving (2 shrimpers???) but given the circumstances, it was a blessing. The iced coffee was as jarring as I expected it to be and the strength of its brew provided me with sufficient caffeine to get through the rest of my day. I had to add ice and a bit of water to tone it down, but it was delicious. I may return for a vermicelli meatball bowl, perhaps with a couple of spring rolls tossed in for good measure, and once fall rolls around, I might go back pho sho' (sorry, not sorry). 3.5 stars. Dear Yelp, Please add a half star option so we reviewers can review accordingly. Sincerely, Lots of People
(3)Liza K.
Great for pick-up, although I don't think they do delivery. We wanted cheap but quality Pho and found it at Nam Phuong. Pick up was easy - plenty of street parking nearby and they had everything ready within 15 minutes. For takeout, they put all the ingredients for the pho into separate bags/containers. Great idea so that your sprouts and noodles don't get soggy, and you still have a lime wedge on the side. We had various meat (beef, etc) phos and they were VERY good! Nam Phuong makes a great broth to start, and the rest is excellent quality. Can't wait to go back for more. (Although, I'll skip the spring/summer rolls next time and just go for the pho, which in and of itself is a big portion and very filling).
(5)Akshay M.
This def is one of my favorite places to go to when i am drawing a blank on dining ideas. Lot of room to seat on busy weekends, cheap on the wallet and yummy 'pho' the tummy . I know a lot of you already go here for all the pho, but i have traversed the length of the menu and almost everything is splendid. here are a few recommendations : The vermicelli wraps, Specially the bbq pork Crab and Shrimp Soup Fried fish chilli in hot pot the drip coffee Any Congee / pho / broken rice combination.
(5)Shari W.
The best Vietnamese food I have ever eaten. It made me so happy! You have to look around and see what everyone else is eating. They have make your own Nim Chow, or fresh rolls. In Vietnamese it is called Banh Hoi. They bring the rice wrappers and hot water to your table and a plate of vermicelli and lettuce and herbs and pickled carrots and diakon. We ordered it with ground beef. The ground beef came rolled up in leaves like Greek stuffed grape leaves. They were divine. You dip your rice wrapper in the water, put it on your plate, fill it accordingly, dip and eat. Additionally we got a Vietnamese vegetarian crepe to share. I had tea and my lunch mate had Vietnamese coffee (individual drip coffee with condensed milk). The staff was warm and pleasant and helpful as we were the only non Asians in the place. I can not wait to return and eat my way through the menu. What a find! After lunch we went across the parking lot to the Vietnamese grocery store to buy the ingredients to attempt to make the Banh Hoi at home. There the stock boy and some Vietnamese grandmas all helped up figure out what to buy. We had a great time!
(5)Vichet O.
The hell? I've never reviewed this place? Aight, here we go. Nam Phuong is a good spot. I just can't give it 4 stars because it doesn't excel in any of the dishes that I love getting at other Viet spots that I love. I feel bad writing that, but it's true. When I have their pho, I'm thinking of Choo Choo (Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai). When I have their cha gio or grilled meats, I'm thinking of Vietnam Palace. When I have their vermicelli... well, vermicelli was always just a standard for me that never really stood out anywhere, so they pass on that. They prepare their beef salad - drained raw flank steak marinated in lime juice and tossed with herbs, peanuts, and fried shallots - in the style that Cambodians do, using ample sawleaf herb and some other things I don't know the names for in English. But, even that is done better, in my opinion, at Khmer Kitchen. Don't get me wrong - if anyone suggests we go get a bite at Nam Phuong, I'm the last to shoot them down. It's a wide open pair of dining rooms separated by a low wall, you never feel crowded, and it IS authentic, genuinely good food. The service is prompt and friendly enough. And hey - cheap liquor and beer if you're so inclined. But, again, all of those things are available at other places that I tend to enjoy more. You will likely enjoy every dish you get here, and portions are heart-attack large. That makes this place solid. But, again, for me, they're in that middle space where I can't think of one thing that I prefer at Nam Phuong above other restaurants. All I can say is for you to go here and try it all yourself - you might love it.
(3)Jerry T.
Something's going on here. For a long time we've hit this place most every Sunday for lunch. But suddenly the quality has gotten very erratic, good one week, bad the next, cold the next . . . quantities vary wildly . . . all very odd. And, I sometimes even question the freshness. The staff is still friendly and helpful . . . and I still want to like this place - but, we've gone from 4 times a month to maybe 1 now. I have to say . . . when you have a restaurant where the restroom is always disgusting it makes one wonder about the care put into cleanliness in other parts of the restaurant. On the plus side - Sundays now allow us to become introduced to a lot of great new places!
(3)Caroline V.
Parking can be a pain here on weekends as the lot for the market is insane and the street parking is just as busy. But it's worth the walk from a far spot for some cheap but good eats. Hubby loves the bo luc lac here so we ventured down here for lunch while in philly especially for that. I like their hu tieu my tho so that's my usual go to here and as filler we got the cha gio app (tasty but i prefer traditional rice paper wrap). We washed it all down with some refreshing young coconut juice and were on our way. Quick and tasty lunch. They would have gotten 5 stars if the entire staff hadn't been lined up right by our table watching the diners. Threw of the lunch vibe for me as i was facing the 8-10 people standing around waiting to serve....
(4)Tatiana D.
Went here for the first time a few nights ago with my boyfriend and loved the food! We ordered a pho each and shared the summer rolls (our go-to order at any Vietnamese joint). We were deciding between a few Vietnamese restaurants in the area and landed at this place because 1.) the first place we had tried to go to was closed and 2.) they have an expansive food menu of more than just pho. And I sure am glad we found this gem! Love the wide-open dining room {that I imagine would never have a long wait even with a larger group} and semi-tacky but just as great array of chandeliers and lights. It's another plus that it's even cheaper than other Vietnamese places we've frequented. Since we live so close to Nam Phuong, I anticipate this will be our new go-to spot...if only we came here sooner! The only down side (potentially) is that they aren't BYOB like other Vietnamese places we've been to around the Philly area, but we don't mind (really the beer here is so reasonable that I doubt buying it in a PA beer shop is that much cheaper). Plus, we love the imported Asian beers. I also got a coconut drink that was so good! The hot tea wasn't the best I've had, but hey it's free so can't complain! Can't give it 5-stars yet until I test out some other entree items on the menu, but so far so good. All in all, we'll be back!
(4)Tina F.
One of my favorite Vietnamese restaurant. When I feel like eating Vietnamese dishes I come here, if I want pho I hop to pho saigon. The beef cubes here are delicious and the fish pot is good too. We usually get the meatball wrap, which you can't go wrong. I usually come here with my family or just whenever I'm hungry and want something simple and laid back I love the new renovation here.
(5)Johnny L.
The service was all around a little disorganized. We had a big party, you know you should focus on big parties, that's where your money is. We got 2 circle tables put together, which makes for a weird arrangement when seated, but whatever. Ordered softshell crab, clams, seafood pan fried noodles, and the short ribs. Softshell clam in black bean is a never again. Clams in basil were great, however was a little bland. A few more basil leaves would have made all the difference. Pan fried noodles, delicious. The noodles were tasty!! Short ribs, those needed more flavoring but the quality of meat was amazing! The service was overall so-so. Could use more attention. Especially for a big group.
(3)Brandon K.
Nam Phuong is fantastic for large groups. We came here tonight with about 16 people, and the staff was quick to put two large tables together to accommodate us despite an almost packed house. With such a large group, we've come to expect slow service and mixed up orders, but the service was quick and efficient and they got all of the orders correct. They also provided large water glasses for refills and were quick to provide extra spoons, fish sauce, napkins, etc. The food is always delicious and cooked fresh. The beef cubes with watercress were delicious - consistently so too! Everyone was happy with their foods - from the pho (even though I think the pho is better at Pho ha) to the pork chops with rice. One of the best values is the dinner for two, which includes hot and sour soup, spring rolls, a a fish dish, beef cubes, and a dessert for less than $35. If you need to feed a large group with some delicious Vietnamese food, check out Nam Phuong! Enjoy!
(5)Matt R.
My favorite Vietnamese restaurant, hands down. Feast at this place for a surprisingly low price. Spring rolls here are the bomb, and their pho broth is amazing.
(5)Shereen C.
Tried Nam Phuong again & it's better than I'd previously thought, in the sense that there are at least a couple of good dishes in addition to the not-so-good dishes. GOOD **** The Bo luc lac (#280 country style beef cubes) was a favourite: very flavourful beef cubes served on raw watercress. Beef was very tender and cooked perfectly. ***^ Do-it-yourself Vermicelli wraps with charbroiled pork (#121 Thit Nuong) were good & the pork was flavourful. This dish includes all the materials to make your own "summer rolls" including the wraps (& water to soften them), rice vermicelli, lettuce, pickled vegetables, fresh herbs, grilled pork & dipping sauce. ***^ Dessert Flan / Egg Custard (#023 banh flan) was quite nice, with a smooth supple texture. OKAY **^ Papaya salad with shrimp & pork (#110 goi dudu tom thit) was fine, though nothing special. *** Water spinach with garlic (#265 rau muong xao toi) was not especially good, but it was okay. **^ Fried banana dessert with ice cream (#029 chuoi chien & kem) was not bad. The banana inside was soft, but the outside was thick and not very crispy. Ice cream was mostly chocolate with a bit of strawberry & not the best flavour to go with the fried banana. *** Vietnamese Coffee or Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk (#004 cafe sua da) was fine. Everyone seemed to enjoy it. NOT RECOMMENDED *^ Eggplant sauteed with lemongrass (#263 ca tim ao xa ot) was bland, but the eggplant texture was fine. The vegetables that were fried in with the eggplant didn't suit the dish. *^ Spare ribs with ginger sauce (#272 suon ram gung) were so-so. Some pieces were extremely tough and overcooked while others were more edible, though still not great. ^ Chicken sauteed with curry, lemongrass, coconut (#273 ga xao lan) was generally bland and unappetizing. Chicken breast was overcooked. Curry sauce was flavourless. SUMMARY Service was very good, quick & helpful. I'd come back for the Bo luc lac & perhaps try some new dishes. The Vermicelli wraps with chargrilled pork were also good. I'd stay away from any chicken, though, since it seems consistently bad here (see previous review). Note: I used ^ to indicate a half-star and * for a full star. So, ***^ means 3.5 stars.
(3)Silky W.
If you want authentic. This is the best Vietnamese food on the east coast, hands down.
(5)Jeff H.
In the heart of the Little Saigon quarter of Philadelphia, Nam Phuong stands out above all the other eateries. It is quietly becoming known all over the east coast and rightly so. After eating at some very mediocre Vietnamese restaurants in Europe, it was a pleasure for me to get back to real Vietnamese food at Nam Phuong. Their menu is large and each time I go there I try something different. And the food doesn't disappoint. On a recent cold winter's day, I passed over the tempting Pho to indulge in the Broken Rice with a BBQ Pork Chop, Shredded Pork, Egg Quiche, and salad. This is a classic Vietnamese broken rice dish and it is prepared here to perfection. For starters, the jicama rolls delicately wrapped in rice paper really hit the spot - especially with the addition of the accompanying peanut sauce. But there are other aspects of Nam Phuong that propel it to five stars. The service for one - it is friendly and efficient. My water glass must have been filled more than five times. You are always served hot Vietnamese tea as soon as you sit down. And the condiments on the table along with the ubiquitous Vietnamese fish sauce are outstanding. You have a choice among so many different flavors to add to your dining experience. Yeah, it was def good to be back eating in Philadelphia's Vietnamese restaurants - and one of the very best ones at that!
(5)Richard R.
My wife went to Nam Phuong on a cold Saturday night. We had watched Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations in Viet Nam. He had the Vietnamese crepes and thanks to Yelp, Nam Phuong came up using that search. I was also pretty excited to see the number of reviews and 4 star rating. Nam Phoung is on Washington Ave near 12th street. I have lived in the Phila area all my life and it is really awesome to see how big the Asian community has become in this part of South Philly. Nam Phoung is situated in a large Vietnamese strip mall. It is pretty cool to see with all the different stores and lights. The restaurant itself is very big with a ton of tables, It was fairly crowded being a Friday night but we were seated right away, I was not crazy about the decor of the restaurant. It sort of didn't know which way it wanted to go...on one end it wanted to be high end with the crystal chandeliers. It just seemed odd to me but it was quite clean and the service was very good. It was a mixed crowd of Asians and Non Asians. We had the crepe of course, This isn't like the French version but almost like an omelet with scallions, vegetables and shrimp inside. This was very good and we should have ordered two. We had a fried fish fillet also that was super tasty. We also had a pork chop with rice. This was just OK, the flavors were good but something was missing to make it really special. We also had salted fish fried rice with chicken. That was a strange dish. My wife is of Asian decent (Filipino) and she wasn't expecting the flavors. So we were 2 for 4 with the dishes we ordered. I guess we made some poor choices based on so many great reviews. The menu is HUGE! Nam Phuong has a full bar and beer from Viet Nam. We didn't have time to try the coffee but would have liked too. Definitely a cool and interesting place. Out tab for everything was around $40.00
(3)Layla N.
Big, lively restaurant serving authentic, yummy grub. Only been here once but everything I tried was really good. The food came out in a timely manner and service was on point.
(4)Amanda N.
I strayed away from the pho and finally see what all the rave is about! Hu tieu do bien (seafood vermicelli) was awesome and hit the spot as I was recuperating from a stomach virus. It was a nice big soupy bowl of rice noodle topped with shrimp, imitation crab and a piece of scallop that felt like a hidden piece of treasure upon discovery. Loved that it was super hot and came with a fresh plate of bean sprouts for me to fold into the soup (I always do this right away to get the perfect cooked bean sprout texture). I'll add the jalapeno's and lime next time for sure once my stomach can handle it. BF's plate was also really delicious looking. Can't wait to come back and try the other dishes recommended by fellow yelpers. And yes, the service is incredible for a Vietnamese restaurant. I never comment on service when reviewing Viet restaurants because it's just not worth mentioning (it's all about efficiency) but these guys are attentive, hardworking, and thoughtful. Love their humble service and hardworking ethic for such a popular restaurant. This place is a great spot for groups, too! We were surrounded by birthdays and large family gatherings.
(5)Matt C.
Last weekend I ate here for the second time. The flavors are great and so is the service. Only things holding me back from giving 5 stars are: 1) I feel like there is SO much left on the menu to try that I can't truly judge the food yet and 2) The interior of the restaurant isn't amazing and while the wide open feel is great for big groups it wouldn't be a good atmosphere for a romantic date night. Definitely excited to visit again and try something new!
(4)May T.
I sat through a terrible hour and a half drive on 76 just to get to Nam Phuong and I guess in the end it was pretty worth it. They have these awesome pre-selected dishes that can be ordered for groups of 2+ and the price isn't too shabby. For around 25 bucks, 2 people can get an order of soup, rice, springrolls and I believe 2 other dishes listed on the special. I've definitely had better cha gio in restaurants other than Nam Phuong but their pho broth is really good compared to a lot of other places I've been to. I ordered the bun dac biet which came with a ton of toppings and definitely left me very full. I could go for another round of Nam Phuong any day and on the plus side if you need to get some food shopping done, the location is ridiculously convenient.
(4)Danny K.
Good foods lot of good noodle and Vietnamese food. I like it here lot my wife and I always come for quick good meal Nice and clean great services too.
(5)Nhi T.
I eat here from time to time. Service is amazing and the food is fresh whenever I order in or take out. They have a lengthy menu so you have a variety of food to choose from. Very affordable and highly recommended.
(5)Kerry B.
Ooo baby do you know what $10 is worth? Nam Phuong is a place on Earth. Ridiculously good Pho. Sit down eats, unreasonably inexpensive.You can't beat this place, its spring rolls and how can get in and out in under a hour. The total package.
(5)Tyler R.
This used to be the go-to place for a lot of South Philadelphians, but the recent past has ushered in a more popular era for all comers from across the city. You MUST: - Try the family meals. It's the cheapest, greatest way to eat like a king or queen. From the Tom Yum soup to the fish and seafood, this is what you want right now. - Have a bowl of deluxe pho. It's so incredibly satisfying. AVOID: - Saturdays and Sundays around dinner. The place is packed, and unless you have reservations, be prepared to wait. Also, some event dinners are hosted there, and it takes up a large part of the restaurant space - When you have limited time. The servers can be slow to tend to you, and it might take some time to get your food out. Nam Phuong is a staple in the Viet food scene. It's not going away any time soon.
(3)Li D.
First, this restaurant is really large, and parking can be a pain. But it is fairly good and VERY reasonably priced. Went for dinner, and had the pho. It was as expected. Good and satisfying. My partner had the meat (chicken, salmon, beef, etc.) on a bed of rice noodles. It was good too. The service is fast. All-in-all, a good neighborhood restaurant.
(3)Sarah F.
A few months ago I decided to take a risk and try Vietnamese with two others also unfamiliar with the cuisine. We were all thoroughly unimpressed. Thanks to Yelp's in it to Thin It, Christina G and I needed a place to go where a: the menu was mostly healthy and b: it was easy not to drink. Since she lives in the area, it was either Vietnamese, Mexican, or Italian. Vietnamese seemed the most diet friendly. I let her choose what we ate, and I'm glad I did. The papaya salad was really delicious. I'm definitely going to get one for lunch next week. I also liked the vermicelli bowls. The lemongrass tofu (my suggestion) was a little disappointing, but only in comparison to the other dishes. I'm glad I gave the cuisine another try, because I loved it!
(4)Alex P.
I'm so happy that I found this place! The food really is authentic Vietnamese! It's so delicious! It's very inexpensive and the hours are great! They're open 7 days a week until 10pm! And their menu is huge! It's located in what I like to refer to as Vietnamese town :) so many gems!
(5)Bob S.
Excellent Vietnamese food with an amazing number of choices. It is a great restaurant! Parking is very easy too.
(5)Peter D.
I am amazed at how much pho you get for $6.25. Like goddamn. The Deluxe will be one of my go-to meals from now on, despite the weather getting warmer. I had enough for two meals worth. That's what I call bang for the buck! I definitely would love to come back here with more people. The interior is kind of generic Asian family style and the location is kind of hard to get into if you are coming from west of Broad Street on foot but otherwise you don't pay for ambiance you pay for the food, and Nam Phuong does not disappoint!
(5)Perry A.
Pho with a deep herby broth and oh so al dente rice noodles and good beef balls. Not mushy broken rice with grilled pork chops with nice carmelization so tender and moist, runny fried egg (extra) and crispy pickled tart veggies. Green staff spills water on spouse, lots of apologies, but no comp. Had to call waiter over to order and get check. Could have been perfection. Still: Opens mind to possibilities of great Viet cuisine.
(4)Patience P.
Ugggg, I hate this place. It's so dirty and the food is def not the best in Philly. I'll go to the market and then drive to Chinatown to eat because it's so ratchet.
(1)Di P.
holy batman fast. I don't know how they did it. I asked for a noodle dish and it came out literally 5 minutes later. I had barely finished pouring tea for the table and checking in on Yelp when the steaming hot plate of food came out. I got a seafood dish which sort of expectedly had imitation crab meat and lobster in it. I gotta find myself a fancy asian restaurant that doesn't serve imitation seafood so I can finally give 5 stars to a asian restaurant. Just in general the service was attentive and they were fast to seat us, grab our orders and have us fed and happy. It's a large place so it's definitely good for good groups. Sidenote: I always swear by how "authentic" an asian restaurant is by seeing the ratio of asian peeps to non-asian peeps (is that racist? i hope not. geez. but i'm half asian so that's okay right?). Anyway, this place has a lot of non-asian peeps because it must have really peaked in popularity and word has spread. For sort of hole-in-the-wall places like this (meaning not super fancy) I like the scale tipped in the other direction... So that's my two yen. Ok no more jokes.
(4)Chris C.
Maybe service is a cultural thing? I'm surprised that so many people make a big deal about it. I like the privacy here, and when I ask for something, the wait staff here are very gracious and speedy. The french coffee here is delicious. Try it. But the main attraction is the Pho. I drive over 60 miles just for the pho here. The fragrant smell of basil and broth welcomes me every time I set foot in this place. I'm salivating right now as I write this review. I always get the flank steak and beef ball pho. Mmm beef balls! LOL. Great value, and great atmosphere of an asian banquet hall in the heart of little Vietnam.
(5)Jeff O.
Solid local joint for a Vietnamese food fix. Had a vegetarian meal this week, which was enjoyable but not special. They know what to do with their tofu, but they don't put enough of it in the dishes. The Vietnamese crispy crepe was solid -- rich, coconutty crepe filled with nice tofu and veggies. Always a fun interactive experience to eat with the big lettuce leaves and basil. The tofu and veggie bun (rice noodles) was good, but not enough tofu. Nice, fresh veggies though. The eggplant with lemongrass sauce was mediocre and greasy. Not much flavor, not spicy (although we requested it spicy), and way too much oil. Perhaps next time the pho is the way to go.
(3)Pauline S.
I am not Vietnamese but I would have to say this is a pretty solid spot to get Vietnamese food in South Philly. Not only does it have variety, but it is affordable and tasty. On on occasion, I got thai tea, make your own rolls, and banh cuon dac biet. The make your own rolls was a filling and yummy, and we used up all the things even the greens!
(4)Sarah S.
I've tried the Bo Luc Lac at several different places, and none of them can compare to Nam Phuong.
(4)Christina G.
I live in the neighborhood. My boyfriend and I go to Nam Phoung on a regular basis. We have never been disappointed with the food. There isn't a menu item that we haven't liked. Pho isn't the best in the City but is still very good. I love their papaya salad- it's so refreshing. The vermicelli bowls are very good. And I love rolling up the veggies in the rice paper and dipping it in peanut sauce. It's delicious and fun. Food usually comes out pretty fast. Ingredients are fresh and you can get a lot of food for cheap here. It's not byob but their booze is pretty cheap if you are looking to drink.
(4)Juliana K.
Good portions and friendly service. I had Beef Chow Fun and it was a bit oily, but well flavored!
(3)Patrick H.
So I actually don't come here as often since I go elsewhere for pho, but I would have to say that Nam Phuong is very good in providing general Southeast Asian food. I won't go here for pho, but I would go here for many other things. It's a good restaurant in general, and many Philly natives come here to enjoy what they have to offer. Food Like I said, pho's average here but there are so many other dishes I think are great.Their "Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice" is one of the best I've ever had anywhere (it's not for those who cannot eat raw beef). It's just so tasty and full of flavor. Another great menu item they have are the rice paper entrees you can get to make your own rice paper wrap. It's one of the best things they have here. Their Banh Cuon is also really good, and it comes with this Fried Dough kind of thing. Finally, everything is pretty cheap! Service Kind of confusing sometimes, but the employees are great. You won't always know who's your server or how you're being sat, but once sat, they do try to take care of you as much as they can. It does tend to get quite busy here, so service will go down if they happens. Worth a Try: Fresh Beef Marinated with Basil and Lime Juice, Vermicelli Rice Paper Wrap Entree
(4)Kevin R.
Tonight, I learned that this is a great spot to get cha gio with pieces of wire-brush cooked into them. What's really scary is if you think a bit harder into the logic behind that. How does a piece of wire-brush get into the pork/mushroom/etc. mixture of a cha gio? Yeah, I switched it up and tried Nam Phuong for a change (I usually go next door) and they basically punished me for it.
(1)B B.
Tit for tat, I was pressed to visit this restaurant. I knew it was situated among the indochinan strip mall in that area. Scared, I reneged the repeated requests to visit. After using Jedi mind tricks, I was worn down. Much not to my chagrin. Worth a visit or two.
(4)O C.
The shrimp with lotus salad is the best version I had. I usually order the beef cubes with watercress and the sweet and sour soup. This is one of the best places in Philly to get Vietnamese cuisine at a very affordable price in south philly.
(5)Derrick P.
Summer rolls and bun bo hue - that's all you need to get This is the first place that I would actually say the soup compares with the stuff in the country itself. What makes this place so special is how INCREDIBLE the broth is - no one can deny how textured, complex, and rich/flavorful yet light the broth is. I introduced 3 asian friends to their bun bo hue within a week period and all claimed that this was THE BEST noodle soup they had in their life.... I would agree. But, the other special thing about this place is how fresh and high quality their ingredients are. I really appreciate this when I taste the noodle wrapper of the summer rolls and how the fresh flavor sticks with you after you take the bite. The pork meat in the soups are so tender, and the basil leaves are huge as if they were picked off the farm that very day. This is probably the best asian soup I've had - highly recommended.
(5)Ann V.
I'm always here yet I never review. I'm so terrible. I love Nam Phuong! There are so many food items that I could write about but I guess I'll just start with my most recent meal. - Bo Luc Lac: Yummy! One of those dishes that I order almost every single time I'm there. -Ground Shrimp - Sugarcane w/ Rice Paper: A great starter! It's just so so tasty. -Pho Tai: It was decent, but not something I would think to order here. My friend wanted it so I decided to give it a try. Come here if you want cheap authentic Viet food. Until next time...
(4)Nicole L.
Nam Phuong serves decent pho and a decent iced coffee, but other than that, there's nothing significant that separates them from the other restaurants in the area. Maybe the tablecloths on the table, the gigantic portions, and the passable service? Hmm.
(3)Yiwen S.
i've eaten here on several occasions and it's always been consistently good. whether it's the pho, the grilled pork chops with broken rice, or the family-style chinese dishes, this place has it all on their extensive menu. they definitely excel better in their vietnamese food than when they try to dabble in other asian flavors, but i've never had anything bad per se. all in all, a good option for a filling and cheap lunch/dinner along washington ave. the place is also huge, which almost guarantees that you'll be seated and served quickly.
(4)Vivian B.
So let's be clear-- I'm from Brooklyn and work in Manhattan. This place is in Philly. My family and I travel 100 miles (to be exact) for their Bun Bo Hue and Bun Rieu. It's that good. My parents are your typical, finicky, OG Vietnamese peeps that make it their lively hood to find great Bun Bo Hue, Bo La Lot, and other assorted Viet dishes. (Yeah, I said Viet. :-) ) It's very hard to find a place where I don't hear both Mummy and Father complain about the food, cost, portion size, blah blah blah, etc... Thankfully, I hear no complaints about Nam Phuong as we are often postulating, during the ride to Philly, on what dishes we are to get and then devour. Needless to say, I really heart this place. Not to say I don't love me a good bowl of Pho (which they really do make a really good Pho) but obscure Vietnamese noodle soups have a special place in my heart and this establishment fulfills my craving. I hope you'll love it as much as I will!
(5)Fred R.
While visiting family in the Philadelphia area we wound up at Nam Phuong for dinner. We were seated promptly and service was above average. The menu is huge so I would recommend taking your time to give it a good look. In terms of quality and taste, the dishes we ordered were excellent. We had a soup with beef wontons, shrimps, and scallions which was a home run. Some of the appetizers included summer rolls and Vietnamese crepes which were not only tasty but very fresh. For main courses we had the grilled beef wrapped in leaves with vermicelli, chicken with broken rice, whole fried fish in sweet and sour sauce, salt baked squid, and chinese greens with garlic.........all of which were super! We will be back on our next visit!
(5)Kelly W.
It was sooo good!
(5)Michael F.
In need of another pho fix and wanting to continue my quest to try every pho place on Washington Ave, I ventured to Nam Phuong. The beef salad was a great way to start things off, but arrived only a minute or two before our main courses. Again I went Deluxe Pho, #152, this time only $6.25. At first, I was disappointed in what I felt was a lack of meat in the pho... until I started to dig in. I kept being pleasantly surprised by finding more. Service started out weak but seemed to improve as the meal went on, probably the only negative experience I had at Nam Phuong. It is highly recommended.
(5)Nina B.
The only thing I order here is Pho, Its just so good..... One thing you should know is that its pork broth. They have no other options. I went to another place and had veggie or chicken broth and its just not the same. My other half ordered summer rolls that was just ok, but the peanut sauce it came with was fantastic. FYI I do not like peanut sauce... Go and try the PHO!!!
(4)Jay P.
I like this place
(5)Vinny P.
You have to love it when you are thrilled by the food at a restaurant and then the bill comes and you're thrilled with the price. It just leaves you feeling good all over. I dined here recently for the first time and admittedly, I had high expectations. When you look at all the very solid reviews for this place, it's hard not to get excited when coming here. What follows was just my experience. We began with the summer rolls with shrimp pork and chicken (103). They were light, bright, highly flavorful and with excellent texture. I really enjoyed the peanut based dipping sauce over the more vinegary offering. Our main meal consisted of the beef sauteed with lemongrass over vermicelli (178) and the chicken sauteed with ginger and onion (274) Both dishes were pretty awesome. The beef had such bright flavor from the lemongrass and it was served in a large bowl with hot noodles underneath it and lots of freshly shredded veggies. The chicken was served on a platter with steamed broccoli and the sauce was highly flavorful. We forgot to even specify a spice level because we were so excited by the meals themselves This place was super packed but we got a seat rather quickly on Saturday at 745. Other parties that came in after us had waits but they were minor. I'm definitely adding this place in the rotation. I can't wait to eat through more of their menu.
(4)Sade B.
The noodles were stuck together and half done, I ordered steak Pho. I was high as a kite and the food was sub par. It's usual for food to taste amazing when I'm stoned but, nam Phoung proved they could screw this dish up. The beef stock flavor was so weak. It tasted like water and was very oily. I will never go back there.
(1)Soyoung K.
Your pho is a win. The best hangover cure ever! I can also binge drink here with my hangover cure pho...which makes NP probably one of my fav's of philly. xoxo
(4)Vuthy O.
Apparently my taste is just really really different from all of my friends and family and the rest of the reviewers on this site. The food is yummy, service - good, and my family has been coming here for years and years, but this is almost always my last choice when it comes to Vietnamese food. When I'm there, I enjoy most of what is offered, I just never want to go of my own accord - especially because the Cha Gio is made with wheat paper. (See my reviews for Vietnam Palace and Nam Son). In summary - a very decent, very low priced, albeit very average Vietnamese place complete with tacky decor. Most people love it, and I am kind of boojie, so give it a shot.
(3)Jon Z.
My favorite vietnamese restaurant in philly! Most authentic, very delicious, fast service even when it is packed. Best deal is the Family meal for 4 package, costs less than $50 for a 6 course meal for 4 people with enough for a second meal when you take your leftovers home! Can also substitute one item for something else if you like.
(5)Tala T.
I heard that Philadelphia has the best Vietnamese on the East Coast. Where are they all hiding? So far I haven't seen too many downtown. So I turned to Yelp and based on the many reviewer recommendations decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is located in a strip mall on Washington Avenue, surrounded by other Vietnamese restaurants, shops and food market. We went on a weeknight and found the place to be full of mostly Vietnamese patrons but also other foodies like us who have a deep appreciation for Vietnamese food. And so we were seated, quickly made our way through the extensive menu and ordered the: shrimp spring roll, chicken pho, barbecued quail and diced cubed beef. The shrimp roll was served first. It was good with generous amounts of shrimp in each of the two rolls. A shrimp roll is filled with diced shrimp, rice doodles and basil and wrapped in rice paper. It is usually served with peanut butter sauce and tastes fresh and healthy. This was no different but not superior to any other roll I've had. Next was the Pho Ga or Chicken Pho. It was filled with so much noodles that there was no room to mix the ingredients all in. In the end I only ended up having a few spoonfuls and moved on to the next dish. The barbecued quail was on the drier side and was not as tasty as the ones we were used to having in New Orleans. The meat was chewy and dry. Needless to say the count picked at every little tiny bone on that poor quail's fragile body. But the winner of the night was the beef cube dish or more commonly referred to as the Boc Luc Lax. It was served on a plate of watercress with a tangy salt and pepper dip on the side. It was so good that I barely touched the Pho and polished the plate clean. The best part: the entire meal cost well under $30 dollars. I found it to be en par with other Vietnamese restaurants I have visited. We both enjoyed our meal enough and saw some other delicious treats being served to other tables. So needless to say I'm sure we will become regulars unless I find a far superior local Vietnamese restaurant in Philadelphia. Any advice on where to have the best Pho?
(4)Emily S.
This is the place to go for Vietnamese in Philadelphia for anything other than pho. Whatever you get - banh hoi, bun bo hue, clay pot fish, thit bo luc lac - all authentic Vietnamese and the best quality I've had for the price. My favorites are the thit bo luc lac (beef cubes) served on a bed of fresh watercress and the any of the banh hoi dishes (roll it yourself spring rolls) which will surely fill a party of at least 2. My partner has been coming here for over a decade. Says the prices haven't changed in years. Beers are about $3 each and mixed drinks around $5. Prices for the food equally as reasonable. We don't come here for pho -- we either go across the street to Pho Ta or next store to Pho and cafe viet hung for pho thai (beef) or pho ga than than for pho ga (chicken) - better bang for your buck than nam phong in my opinion, though others may tell you differently. Atmosphere is nothing special, but doesn't need to be. The food is first rate -- if you are looking for some swanky atmosphere with mediocre food, this is not your place. But if you're looking for one of the top Viet restaurants in Philly, this is your spot.
(5)Joolie T.
so- i come back 2 years later and what do i think? it's still one of the BEST Pho/Vietnamese joints i've been to on the east coast. no doubts about it. i've been craving this stuff forever and would whine, beg and cry to come back to Philly just to eat here. low and behold- it happened!!! the service is impeccable here. they make sure you have everything at your table, how your meal is, how EVERYTHING is. customer service is very important to me- and this is a restaurant who extremely cares about their customers. i've never had this kind of experience from a Vietnamese restaurant before. i know that sounds kind of a back-handed compliment, but it just means that Nam Phuong surpasses every negative thing i've thought about regarding these type of places. our spring rolls were perfection. it was so good that we ordered 3 more servings to go for Ron C.- who was arriving in Philly just 1 hour after we were. what was his verdict??? well, he finished it all. happily. lol. i can't wait for the next time i'm in Philly to satisfy my craving. until then, it's mediocre Pho for me in NYC. =(
(5)Payal P.
I will start this review off by saying, I will give them another chance. About 2 weeks ago a group of 10 came in for dinner with a reservation. Upon arrival we were seated at 2 circle table (even though 2 large rectangles were available to accomodate us to sit together). After a little uncertainty, we weretold we could push the circles together making for an awkward infinity loop of seating. Half our party was about 10 minutes late and the staff asked us way too many times at that point if they were actually coming. They would not even take our drink and app order until they arrived, which we found weird but we rolled with it. When the other party arrived, they took the drink order of half but not the other half. Then the other half ordered before the 2nd half even got to order drinks. Let's just say it took almost an hour for everyone to get their food...the first person to receive food was about 10 mins after ordering the last person was almost an hour later. This would have been fine IF we would also have been able to get another round of drinks, which we finally were when we started receiving food. Half the people loved their food the other half did not. I got a rice noodle dish which i thought was pretty bland even after dumping on all the extra sauce they gave plus some doctoring from the condiment tray. What I won't complain about is the price, I think we got out for around $20 per person for a meal, 2 drinks and including tip. Those in our group that had been their before said we must have had a really off night and usually it is nothing like this. So I am willing to give it another try. 1 star for half the people liking the food, 1 star for price.
(2)Dave B.
You want Pho? Well, this is the place to come. Probably one of the most popular Viet food experience in Philly that is authentic and affordable. During the cold months, I find myself dining here multiple times per week. They are fast, delicious and reliable quality when it comes to Pho. Other dishes are just as wonderful so if you're not feeling soupy today, explore the menu. It can get a little crowded but the wait is worth it. One advice, order using the number because there's a small chance that they'll come out with a totally different dish than what you wanted.
(5)Linda N.
Continuing on my quest to find the best pho, my boyfriend and I decided to try Nam Phuong. The restaurant is in a Vietnamese shopping plaza, so you don't have to worry too much about paying for parking at the meters or fighting with others to get a parking spot. The place itself was huge and filled with people - so if you want to have a banquet or some sort of party, this place will be suitable. Like I've said before, I get incredibly hesitant in eating pho at restaurants because of the massive amounts of msg, but Nam Phuong's Pho Dac Biet is a serious winner. I was literally sipping every last bit of it. And guess what??? I didn't get into a deep food coma or anything. The Bun Dac Biet (grilled chicken and shrimp, nem nuong (pork patties), cha gio (fried spring rolls)) was pretty good, too. I requested for bi (shredded pork), so that was $1 extra. Everything in the bun noodle bowl was portioned so well - the meat to noodle ratio was great. Service was average. We noticed that the American-looking customers got the most attention - whereas we simply were given our food and were left alone. I actually don't mind much because I'm used to this kind of treatment from most Asian restaurants. But my boyfriend pointed that out to me and I just thought I'd write a few words about it for my fellow Asians out there who will eat at Nam Phuong. THE ONLY DOWNSIDE is the Thai tea boba. It was absolutely ridiculous. I mean, it wasn't that bad, but it was definitely made from powder - not the kind of tea you get at Thai places. And the boba was so bad that I didn't even touch them. I don't know what I was even thinking when I ordered a boba tea - not to mention a Thai tea boba - from a Vietnamese restaurant. My advice is to get Thai tea only from Thai restaurants and boba tea at boba tea specialty shops. Overall, I highly suggest ordering almost anything else besides the Thai tea boba or any of their boba drinks. All of the other traditional Vietnamese foods and Vietnamese drinks here at Nam Phuong surely won't disappoint. Chuc an ngon!
(4)Lisa C.
Totally fabulous, I love this place! Great food, fast service, always reliable and it's cheap. How can you beat that?
(5)Zashi M.
Located in a shopping center, parking was convenient compared to downtown Philly and Chinatown. Menu is extensive, which makes some dishes not so authentic. I can't tell what they specialize in so we ordered a variation od dishes. everything was good but not wow. Pho (beef noodle soup) Com suon (pork chop rice) Bun Xeo (vietnamese crepe) Bun bo hue (spicy pork feet noodles) Vietnamese congee with pig blood and liver The only thing that wasn't too good and was no where near authentic is the jicama rolls. Disappointing. Good variety with fairly good food. No wow factor worth a 4 or 5 star rating.
(3)Penn S.
pretty decent foods..got the best Huu Tieu Xao... the only reason I give this place a 3 stars because one of the host forced me to take off my hoody...wtf? all these people around me had their HATS on and he didn't say a dam thing...this aint no dam 5 stars restaurant...
(3)Louis D.
went with my in-law who has been here before.. it was after a baseball game and close to closing time.. I was not sure what to get so i whinged it.. everything was delish and would not be apprehensive to go back.. as some might be... go in try it..
(4)Kathleen D.
I like your ceiling full of SO MANY chandeliers. There are just rows and rows of em like some used-to-be banquet hall where glamour-shots type bridal photos were certainly taken...and now we eat soup and vermicelli bowls and clay-pot dishes here. This restaurant, I'd definitely use for a scene in the movie I'm making. Everybody'll be all, "What a peculiar place," when they see it. Service is speedy, family style Vietnamese foods tastes good... and it's pretty inexpensive... Yeah, the food is consistently good. Here, the last time we went to Nam Phuong it was so busy that seating was CLOSE and we were seated next to these two guys and one of them or both of them smelled like they'd spent the night in a chicken coop. I mean, ripe. AND YET... the meal still felt successful. I think that's a good testament to the good eatin here. Nam Phuong's pho and foods temporarily cure my feelings of repugnance! Yay!
(4)Captain G.
Best Vietnamese restaurant in Philly! I highly recommend you get one of the Vietnamese BBQ platters so you can sample everything. The platter is good for at least 2 people to share. Their pho is also phenomenal.
(4)David T.
I'm Vietnamese so I definitely think I'm a good judge of Vietnamese food, and this place is awesome. I've gotten mostly everything on the menu and it's delicious and affordable. The beef wrapped in grape leaves is bangin, but I would absolutely recommend the dinner for 4 if you come in groups. The pho is below par, not surprisingly though because it's not a pho restaurant. The fish/beef stewed in the clay pot is awesome and a well liked dish by many friends who come to visit me in Philadelphia. Great place to start out your Vietnamese cuisine adventure. I'd recommend maybe something traditional like a Com tam suon dac biet-broken rice with marinated pork and egg. A good appetizer would be banh xeo, although better made at home, nam phuong does a great job representing the dish. I'd also order the chao tom - sugar cane shrimp. Just order everything. Vietnamese food is light, healthy and refreshing, unlike the other asian food.
(4)Tue T.
Ate at this place multiple times with my family. Great food, great services at an affordable price, what more can a person ask for? Their canh chua (sweet sour soup) is probably one of the best soup out there. Their ca kho to(fish simmered in caramel sauce) is amazing. Their food are filled with flavors and will no doubt satisfy you. You won't regret coming to this place. My family tend to be very loud and expects food to fly out of the kitchen instantly or something. Despite that, they were very fast to send out our ridiculously large dinner style food and were very friendly about it. Great atmosphere where families can enjoy their food without being rushed and have casual conversations without waiters coming in every 5 minutes to ask if everything is okay.
(5)Stef A.
At the suggestion of fellow Yelpers, I went here to try Pho for the first time with a couple of friends (I've been having dreams about it ever since a friend posted a picture of Pho on his facebook page. Don't judge me). Delicious. Ordered the spring rolls and at the suggestion of our waiter, got #159 (Pho w/ Slices of Eye-Round Steak & Well Done Flank). He did not steer me wrong. I wasn't feeling too well so the hot steam from the big bowl of pho and numerous cups of tea put me in a way better mood. Good for groups and cheap as hell. Go now.
(4)Hankering f.
I like to come here once a week and would eat here every day if I could. The food if fresh, flavorful, and easy on the wallet. The service is quick and dependable. I've been to Vietnam and eaten lots of Vietnamese states-side, and this place blows everywhere else away. Here's the skinny: the menu is huge, but we've found a few gems: We ALWAYS order #123 (It is a wrap your own spring rolls) AND one of the following: papaya salad, beef salad, lotus salad, pho, but we've been turned onto the pork chops recently. Nothing is bad, but the vermicelli is a little boring, I mean, what do you expect from Bun? The Pad Thai is always the special, and we had it for the first time last night, surprisingly good even for Nam Phuong standards. Oh, ask for hot tea. We often finish with a Taro shake. mmmm.... I hope you love this place as much as I do. I'm pretty sure you will.
(5)Vince C.
The place was great. Seated right away. Once we ordered food came out quick. We got a bunch of stuff. Everything was really good, the spring rolls, the Pho Deluxe, fish pot, pad Thai, broken rice (my least favorite but still very good), some other really good cool roll, they had a Vietnamese crepe that was incredible. Beers only $3. Can't go wrong here
(4)Prasath S.
Spicy Beef Noodle Soup. Need I say more....AMAZING....
(4)Justin F.
This is the spot, really good food at really low prices. You can literally order a few entrees and appetizers and walk out with a bill under $30. I continuously head back for their broken rice plus pork/steak combos. The meat is heavily marinated and their rice is pretty darn good as well. I also enjoy their crispy pork spring rolls. My fiance tends to always get pho when we are their and absolutely loves it. So it your into Vietnamese food and don't mind getting through one of the worst parking lots known to man, I'd recommend checking this place out.
(4)Scott F.
My new favorite place for Pho in the city. Delicious and cheap!
(5)elle m.
God, I want to give this place 6 stars. Not too much on decor here. It is your standard eatery with cheesy floral appointments and soothing elevator music versions of today's hits and yesterday's favorites. But... the food. is. bizangin! We've been going to Nam Phuong for a couple of years and I almost hesitate to review it because I don't want it trampled over by the hipsterrazi. For about 11 bucks a person, you can get a lovely appetizer and delicious entree from almost anywhere on the menu. Their bowl of Pho is perfectly hot and never greasy. My favorite dish is Bun Thit Nuong - a vermicelli salad combo with pork. It's light, tangy and so delicious, I will have to have it for dinner because I can't write about it and not get it! My favorite waiter likes to try his English out on us and sometimes dances a jig table side to get us to laugh. TL;DR It's really a great place and if you're comfortable going somewhere new in your search for dinner, this is the place to off-road. Interestingly delicious dishes priced for everyone to add adventure to your plate.
(5)Hank C.
Large Vietnamese / Chinese restaurant along Washington, this place has two entrances, one from the plaza, another from 11th. The eggplant - tasty, and garlic sauce wasn't bad at all. The duck shredded in noodle soup - skip it. The special pho was okay, although lacked much flavor in the broth. The Chinese water spinach with garlic was good, albeit everything was really oily...
(2)Brittini S.
Best Pho in town! Great for large groups and friendly service. You don't go for the atmosphere but the people are nice and the food is consistent and always delicious. I always order Pho #162, the summer rolls, and the triple delight. Building the rolls with the triple delight was especially fun for my friends and I. You cannot beat the price either! The roasted quail was delicious too!
(5)Josh K.
Nam Phuong, conveniently located right on Washington Avenue nearby the somewhat dirty but very useful supermarket, delivers a really fantastic, reasonably priced meal in a comfortable, family style setting. The entire layout is open with long tables and eight to ten person rounds, and it's not uncommon to be seated at the same table as a few strangers. Vietnamese food is always a nice, fresh change of pace, and Nam Phuong's charbroiled pork with vegetables is a favorite of mine along with their lemongrass squid. Each time I've ordered squid here, it comes out perfectly cooked: not too tough and rubbery and not at all mushy, just the right consistency. Also, the food has never taken an inordinate amount of time to come out, and the prices are incredibly reasonable. Since my house is nearby, I occasionally get takeout, and even that is prepared fresh and done well. I'd highly recommend it for any casual, satisfying dining experience.
(4)Eric B.
Best Vietnamese food I've had in Philadelphia so far. Any other place so far as been a disappointment, in taste or price. This place has good taste and cheap prices. This is coming from a person who lived next to Westminster (Little Saigon), California for most of his life. Check it out!
(4)Kate J.
Nam Phuong is my favorite place to get takeout in Philly, so much that I'll bike there in 20-degree weather just to pick it up (they don't deliver). Love love love the Goi Ga (chicken and cabbage salad), which I haven't been able to find at some other Vietnamese restaurants. The service is always helpful and accurate, and the decor makes me so happy in its old-schoolness: a huge bustling room with chandeliers and big round tables.
(5)Lam Ngan L.
If there was a half star I would give it to this place too. None of the foods we ordered tasted good. We ordered a variety of different things and all of the dishes were just WRONG. The waiter came over after we paid our bill and asked why we had so much food left, did we want a to go box. If I were the owner and saw that guests are leaving with a lot of unfinished food. I'd be VERY CONCERNED.
(1)Teresa L.
Great food! Love how this place is so big and you get your food fast. And the Vietnamese waiters seem friendly enough. We had the grape leaves/beef dish, wrap-your-own-shrimp-roll plate, two bowls of pho, and, this I regret, a plate of mussels/clams. Everything was delish except for the mussels/clams which were ~$11 and just...slimy, gross, and sorry but the BELGIAN/PUB VERSION KICKS ASS. Even though our table was all the envy and our eyes were all googly, I couldn't help but eye the Vietnamese crepes this elderly couple had next to us. So large were the egg/rice flour beauties that you could have wrapped a baby in it. I salivate. My dining experience is defined by the pho soup, however, and it was lovely. I will definitely be back after I have tried other places to deliver a final verdict.
(4)Jenny L.
Favorites here are the triple delight, sauteed beef cubes and salt & pepper squid. And of course the ice coffee with condensed milk! And for some reason, I really like the tea here too. The pho and other dishes we've tried has been so so....nothing out of the ordinary and on par with other viet restaurants. Mainly it's fast, cheap and has been consistent. A staple for me and the S.O, especially if you're hungry and looking to get in and out quick!
(4)Jennifer T.
The interior is familiar and cozy, with funny wall art, and everyone is so darn NICE. Just like at my parents' house! Everything here is tasty and authentic. One of the few places in the city to get the trio appetizer platter (grilled beef wrapped in grape leaves, shrimp on sugarcane sticks, and vietnamese meatballs) to wrap in DIY rice papers & veggies or various types of congee. The thit kho or ca kho (pork or fish in a claypot) is bangin, as is any of the crispy noodle dishes. Lots of vegetarian options too! Don't come here for pho, it's better at Viet Huong or Pho Hoa. Bonus: they serve booze on the cheap!
(4)Karen C.
I love their Papaya and lotus salad. Best I've had in the city. That the only think I really care for.
(3)laura k.
This is basically my benchmark for what good Vietnamese food is. Ridiculously fresh ingredients, cheap, lightning fast. It is clean but it is not the ritz so far as decor but I go for the Mouth Party not for the chandeliers and grandeur. I've tried a pretty wide range of traditional dishes, including the Bánh Hi (make your own rice paper wraps with vermicelli/herbs/lettuce/pork/shrimp/pickled carrots/cukes/etc), bún (vermicelli salad bowls), and broken rice platters, plus their amazing crepes and spring rolls for appetizers. Somehow I have not tried any of their soups yet, which is baffling, considering how many times I've been here. To be amended when the weather chills out a bit. Service is always fast and without issue, though rarely the same single person takes care of us from beginning to end of the meal. And since it is huge inside, there is never a wait. I am guilty of spying on other people's platters trying to figure out what they've ordered. Inevitably it looks like nothing described on the menu. Must learn more! Must eat more! There is still time!
(5)chase m.
Surprisingly legit but then again look at their reviews! I am a huge fan of Southeast Asian food, especially Vietnamese...this place didn't disappoint! Price: $-$$ Service: good Ambiance: casual, although they are oddly set up like an Asian banquet restaurant (i.e.,a big stage w/ a red back drop and gaudy gold phoenixes hung on the wall) but the rest of the restaurant looked like a typical Vietnamese restaurant (unmatching tables & chairs, randomly hung cheesy Southeast Asian inspired art, dull floors, fake plants, Chinese calendars hung behind the cash register area....) Groups: yes, it's a huge space! So bring your family, friends, neighbors, village... Would I come back? Yah!
(4)Mimi L.
I've eatin at Nam Phuong's numerous times. The food is always good. I've had almost everything on the menu and never had a complaint. The price is fair. The food is authentic and good. The only thing is the waiters sometime do forget your order. But it's always resolved and the dish always comes out later. Good Vietnamese food.
(4)Christopher S.
This place is a gem in South Philly. Good Vietnamese options for C H E A P. Nice vegetarian selection too. The eggplant dish is good, good stuff. Staff is nice and very helpful. Definitely worth checking out if you happen to get the munchies while on 12th & Washington.
(4)Kate J.
OK I gave four stars because they have the best pho in Philly but dont' wander too far around the menu. I was served a completely inedible meal there - some chicken dish with curry, coconut and peanuts that sounded wonderful but looked and tastes like vomit. What was I thinking?
(4)Thor T.
Brought a large group of friends back to this restaurant for dinner and it turned out to be a disappointment. Most of the plates we ordered were reminiscent of mediocre Chinese restaurants - smell of oil that had been used way too many times, thick, insipid sauces. Even the usual Vietnamese appetizers were carelessly prepared and uninspiring. The service was scattered and inattentive. The most distinct part of the evening was our feeling that no one really cared much whether we were there or not. A noticeable decline from earlier visits to Nam Phuong, especially when compared to recent meals at Viet Huong, the place next door.
(2)L. K.
Very good food at a decent price with great service in a friendly environment -- always packed but never much of a wait. Good spot to bring a baby. Quick and with just enough noise to make a few cries no big deal. An old standby.
(4)Alex X.
I like Vietnamese food but for some reason I only come in here when someone else wants to come here. It isn't my Vietnamese place of choice. I have no idea why. Food here doesn't grab my taste buds. I can eat it no complaints. But honestly, I come only for their pineapple shakes which I love.
(3)Ash Z.
The food is fantastic & so are the drinks. It's hands down our favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the city.
(5)Stephanie Y.
CHEAP, FILLING AND SATISFYING!!!! Perfect on a cold day for a BIG bowl of pho, or perfect on a hot day for a vermicelli dish along with the 100 items they offer on the menu. My faves are the pho with everything except meatball, crab noodle soup, and beef wrapped with grape leaves. If it were closer to my apt, I'd go almost everday. Try not to park in the parking lot, since it's always chaotic and these asians are rude. Park on the street next to the restaurant. It's also easier to leave and away from these asians.
(5)Dee M.
The parking is challenging here on weekends but well worth the 4 or r5x drive around the block. Food is fantasitc, service just as good. Easily accomodated our party of 20,-50 something diners. Was that what a previous review referred to as senior citizens? Hope not because we had a blast and thats a demographic that spends . Entree after entree was presented, sodas were flowing and the price was right. Our group for sure will be back and spending. Its good during the week too.
(5)Neil B.
Went there for the pho. Very tasty and inexpensive. I don't to that part of town very often, but it is definitely worth the trip. Should have tried the summer rolls. Definitely will next time
(4)Lan H.
Hearty and scrumptious Vietnamese food at Nam Phuong = a blessing :-) There is about as much love that goes into the making of the chao tom, bo tai chanh, and the goi ngo sen as there can be found in my beautiful mother's cooking. These are my and my family's must-have dishes at Nam Phuong. Our most recent meal was a 3-course meal for 4 that Nam Phuong generously offers when a dinner party just can't decide what to get or when everyone just wants a well-rounded Vietnamese dinner. Well-rounded means soup and sides that include hearty vegetables and amazing flavors, rice/noodles, meat/poultry/fish, and a cool and refreshing dessert. Check it out!
(5)Stephanie S.
I first tried this place during high school, since my school was just down the block from there, so it was pretty convenient. My friend and I went here for Pho. I was skeptical at first because it wasn't a "Pho" place, but I immediately fell in love with it. The broth was flavorful and decadent and the noodles were perfect. The staff came out with our food pretty fast and they were polite and helpful. The customer service is great.
(5)Bang T.
Nam Phuong has barely ever let me down. its food and service are always consistent. I suggest: Vietnamese spring rolls. Ca Kho Tho (Fish in Clay Pot) Bo Luc Lac (Beef with Watercress) Sweet and Sour Soup Soda Chanh Those are my usuals. If i ever have a hard time thinking of a place to eat on Washington avenue i can always rely on Nam Phuong!
(4)Hong L.
5 stars for the Bun Bo Hue. I didn't try anything else. It's very difficult to have delicious, authentic tasting (whatever that might mean to you) Bun Bo Hue. This is my one of my favorite places in all of the country (the other one is in shockingly in St. Louis, the other in Westminster, CA) for BBH, oh that looks so cool! When it has blood, I know I'll like it!
(5)Kal T.
Very good food if you wanna never tried Vietnamese food. Also is a good regular if you have. I give 4 stars because it's a bit dirty and the bathroom is also disgusting. Food isn't too expensive either. The food is very authentic.
(4)Don B.
Best Pho soup, for the very best price. I've eaten here many times and my daughters who are 14 and 13 keep asking me hen we can go back. So much to choose from.
(5)Lauren B.
I have no idea what has taken me so long to write this review! I LOVE this place. I've been going here for the past 4 years and every time I enjoy it like the first. My usual go-to's are chicken with vermicelli or char-boiled pork with broken rice. The pho is really good too. I've been to a bunch of Vietnamese places in the city, and Nam Phuong is always my favorite. The service is fast and I have never waited more than 5 minutes to get my food and I'm thankful for that because I'm usually salivating while waiting. This place is PACKED on Saturday's and Sunday's and don't even try to park in that parking lot on weekends. Just a heads up...I've made the mistake and literally sat stuck in traffic in the parking lot for 45 minutes before. Luckily I live within walking distance now, so I can just detour on foot through all the madness.
(5)Victor C.
I've been here like 20 times (Thanks, Sarah B.). I love the food here. The atmosphere is casual. The service is fast. I noticed a change in their Family Dinner for 2. Old: $30 Goi Cuon (Summer Rolls) x 2 - Good Canh Chua Ca (Sweet and Sour Fish Soup) - Good Bo Luc Lac (Country Style Beef Cubes) - Great Ca Kho To (Fish Stew) - Great Gelatin Dessert (I forget what it's called) - Okay New: $27 Goi Cuon x 2 Canh Chua Ca ++Sauteed Beef (with something)++ Ca Kho To Gelatin Dessert Can anyone confirm this for me? Don't forget to get a Vietnamese Iced Coffee (cafe sua da)!
(4)Zoe P.
We've slowly started to see that Philly's ethnic food options are indeed diverse and, if you know where to look, quite tasty and pretty close to authentic - IF you know where to go. CENTER Center City holds few good options if you're used to the breadth that NYC encompasses. But if you go just slightly further out of dead-center of Philly, you quickly encounter little neighborhoods packed with what your stomach truly desires. Such was the case with Nam Phuong, which my bf's parents discovered and then took us to after having what they considered an amazing Vietnamese meal. We went to the restaurant, which is GIGANTIC, during the week for dinner so it wasn't as packed as they are definitely prepared for. However, despite that, the service was somewhat lacking that evening. It seemed like few of the servers spoke/understood English, and the food came out very sporadically and not in any sort of order - some appetizers arrived first, but then a few entrees did, and only after reminding the waiter who understood English did the last appetizers arrive at our table. Don't even get me started on trying to get hot tea at our table, which involved attempting to wave over the entire staff and having to ask four times - and we needed it because it was FREEZING in there! But the food was good. Not amazing, oh my god this is the most authentic Vietnamese cuisine I've had, but tasty and well cooked. We had a variety of different dishes, from spring rolls and roasted quail to pho and vermicelli, and are were very good. His parents are obsessed with this place (and almost regularly get take out from them now), but we weren't blown away. The real reason Nam Phuong is so great is that its CHEAP. Seriously. If you have a LARGE group to feed, you can easily do so without breaking the bank. Portions are huge, too, since you're really expected to share with the whole table. I'll have to try a few other Vietnamese places to get a better sense of overall quality, but it's great knowing that Nam Phuong can provide a very good meal on the cheap at the last minute.
(3)Jennifer T.
I would probably give this place more of a 3.5 stars. Their food isn't bad but it's not spectacular either. The top 2 dishes from this place (for me at least) would have to be their large appetizer tray (Ba Vi) which consists of a variety of grilled meats (beef wrapped in grape leaves, sugar cane shrimp and Viet pork sausage) that can be wrapped into summer rolls, and also their beef and wide rice noodle stir fry...you can really taste the wok (dragon's breath) in this dish. Other than that, this is place is a solid go-to place for Viet food. Oh, and other incentive to going to this place is the available parking lot (except for daytime weekends..which can be be pretty crowded from the supermarket).
(4)Chris J.
Sub-par everything. There's much better Vietnamese food in south philly. As a matter of fact, there's much better Vietnamese food in the same strip mall. Floors are dirty too.
(2)Dave H.
Nam Phuong personifies good Vietnamese food on the east coast. Family and I brunched here some time ago. This is a popular Vietnamese restaurant in - surprise, surprise - South Philadelphia, with decent parking lot (street parking too), large seating capacity, and a conservatively tacky decor. It's not refined, but their true claim to fame is their delicious food, not their interior design. Service was fast and efficient, taking our orders without issue. They sure dished out a tasty bowl of pho and the we enjoyed the rest of the dishes (shared family-style), including a plate of lotus root salad (totally killer) and a beef cube dish with lettuce and a sweet sauce - the bo luc lac. Recommended if you need a Vietnamese fix!
(4)Jan H.
Possible the best Vietnamese food in Philadelphia! Also great service! I still have so many more dishes to try, everything is very tasty.
(5)Steve S.
I definitely think I have a new go to place in Philly. Went there for the first time yesterday. We used Yelp to find the place since we were in the area and in the mood to try something different. The wife and I sampled the summer roll with shrimp and chicken, I had the egg noodle soup with wonton, pork, and shrimp (which was a meal in itself), and the wife chose the Chicken Sauteed w/ Bell Pepper, Onion & Satay Sauce. Everything was fresh and tasty, it came out promptly, and the whole meal was under 20 bucks. And, you can park for free. The cheapskate in me was very happy.
(4)Rachel S.
A friend - who is Nam Phuong's biggest fan - brought me here last night for dinner. We shared 2 orders of spring rolls and Mai Tai's which is not my typical drink, but when it Vietnam... Next we shared this awesome roll-it-yourself platter where you cook your own meat in a vinegar-y broth, and roll it inside lettuce with lots of fillings to choose from. So good! The fillings included cucumber, carrots, mint, rice noodles, basil (which I think was a lemon basil), fish sauce, and the proteins we chose were beef and shrimp. The broth sits on a portable gas grill on top of your table. We also asked for peanut sauce on the side which really brought all the flavors together. I loved the experience and the food and I will definitely be back!
(4)Kimmy S.
This place is incredible. I have never had a bad meal here and the service is always fast and friendly. The drinks aren't as strong as you'd like them to be, but the food makes up for it ten fold. The menu is encredibly large and comprehensive, so if someone at your table says they can't find something they like, they might be dead. If you only have a week to spend in the city, I'd say this would be a restaurant you'd have to make a point to go to.
(5)Fransisca M.
I first went here when I was only a sophomore in high school with a whole bunch of Vietnamese friends. It seemed like they always went here to hang out. My new Vietnamese friends I knew from college also like to hang out here. So I'm assuming they make the best pho around. Their service isn't bad either.
(4)Whitney R.
So, I walked in Nam Phuong really skeptical because I'm a huge Pho Hoa fan (across the street). I really wanted to try something different so I journeyed in, sat down and looked at the menu- cheaper than Pho Hoa (about $2 less on some meals). So, I ordered the chicken rice vermicelli bowl (with broccoli added) and I must say it was surprisingly good! I wouldn't say it's any better or worse than the same dish from Pho Hoa but it was very tasty. I also decided to get a Vietnamese iced coffee and that was just as delicious! I was talking to 2 ladies eating at the table next to us and they told us that their dishes were outstanding, I'm not sure what exactly they were eating but it's good to know that others enjoy their food as much as I did. The only reason I didn't give this restaurant 5 stars is because some of the servers could have been a little nicer, they could have cranked the heat up a little and their free hot tea had NO flavor. Overall I'd recommend this place to anyone in the philadelphia area looking for some good, authentic Vietnamese food!
(4)Brent K.
What a great alternative to Vietnam Restaurant. All of the same great flavor you can expect at HALF the price.... literally half the price of what you'd spend at Vietnam Restaurant in China Town. Let me just give my top three choices for viewnamese food and how tasty they are at Nam Phuong: 1. Spring Rolls -- VERY fresh tasting, although I wouldn't suggest taking these home as left-overs, you're best bet is to eat them same day. Just a preference. 2. Wonton Soup -- This isn't your typical wonton soup. The wontons look like carefully crafted dumplings and are fantastic. There is also shrimp and fresh wild onion. I can totally see this being my go-to soup when I'm not feeling well or for cold days. 3. House Special Rice Vermicelli -- This is what I usually get at Vietnam Restaurant, except it's less than $8 at Nam Phuong. This dish is exactly what you'd expect elsewhere in terms of quality. It gets pretty busy there so you may just want to grab takeout.
(4)Alexa R.
I like pho. I like it a lot. That said, I am not wild about the red meat they put in it. I am always pleased that Nam Phuong offers veggie pho! The thing that always surprises me about pho is 1) how much sriacha I can tolerate 2) how full it makes me. Located in a strip mall on Washington Avenue, this is a no-frills approach to Vietnamese. It is constantly packed and the servers are so nice. I love it!
(3)Hilary W.
I know everyone goes to what I lovingly refer to as "Little Vietnam" to get soul warming bowls of Pho, but I go to Nam Phuong with a mission for Salt and Pepper Softshell Crabs. The summer rolls are awesome for an app, but if you're willing to do a little more work for your meat and want to try something different go for the quail. Be careful for the little bones as they can pop up when you least expect it, but it's so worth it. Don't get me wrong, the Pho is good. The broth is flavorful although the beef can sometimes be way more on the fatty side than usual. The greens are fresh and the noodles are always perfect. I honestly don't go the way of the tripe but my more adventurous friends have assured me it's great. The coconut drink is a curious bright purple, but who cares? It's amazing! With the cold season coming up head down to Nam Phuong for a bowl of Vietnamese penicillin upon your first sniffle or sneeze. You'll be amazed how one steaming bowl can clear up your winter funk!
(4)Kristin H.
I crave Nam Phuong. We probably go here once a month. Two people can eat for less than $15 and the service is fast. I'm obsessed with the vermicelli bowls. I've tried them at other places in the neighborhood but none are as good as Nam Phuong.
(5)Ol A.
I've been coming to Nam Phuong at least one or twice a month for over a year and it never disappoints. The papaya salad is excellent, and I love the vegetarian spring rolls on rice vermicelli. So good! I just wish they had wifi.
(4)Stephen C.
Wow this place is great for cheap and really good food! The three trio appetizer of grapes leaves, sugarcane shrimp balls and grilled meatballs are worth it alone. Plus that will fill you up without eating anything else. There's enough food for 4 people. Grape leaves with grilled beef is banging! Yes I said Banging! LOL! Our table also order the pork chop rice combo platter. That's a feast for 2 lol. I have tried the wonton soup there, stay away from that lol, it was the worst I ever had, couldn't tell you what it was or looked like, it wasn't right lol. Another dish to try is the cubed beef with watercress, fresh and flavorful. Make sure your hungry when you come, you'll have a feast for cheap. And if your not hungry go for the grape leaves, you'll come back just for that. Happy Eatings!!
(5)Julie T.
I used to frequent here before I moved to California, and when I'm in town, I make it a point to have lunch here. I'm addiced to their beef wrapped in grape leaves and their beef cubes! Their iced coffee is also pretty good! My family and I would drive all the way down from northeast down to this little place in south philly for dinner somtimes.
(4)Thomas L.
Horrible service and horrendous wait times. I would never come here again. Food quality does not make up for it.
(1)Dee C.
Will come here time and time again. Hot steaming pho with side of sprouts, basil and lime. Yummy. Quick and cheap. Why only four stars? Their bathrooms are messy. Mop, bucket etc being "stored" in disabled toilet stall and spider webs cover lights and walls. But I don't go there to use their restrooms, only for the yummy pho.
(4)Jumi Y.
Yum, yum, yum. This place is always hopping, and the clientele includes people of many different backgrounds. The decor reminds me a little bit of a Chinese restaurant, but don't let it fool you. There's so many things I could go and and on about. I'll start with the pho. I was a convert to pho about 10 years ago, and I really like it here. The broth is clean and not oily. They are generous with the sides that go in it as well. And today, I got a free bowl because they brought someone the at my table the wrong type of pho. Score. They also have this vermicelli dish where you can essentially make your own spring rolls. This process was a huge learning curve for me. But once I got the hang of dipping my rice paper into the hot water without making it too soggy, I had these little rolls of deliciousness filled with pork, shrimp, and mint.. There is a funky leaf thing they put in that dish that I usually remove that tastes and smells like raw meat. (Don't worry, it's just leafy stuff that doesn't affect the taste of the food as long as you don't eat it.) And how could I write about this place without mentioning the Country Style Beef Cubes. They're cubes of beef on a bed of leafy greens with a lime/salt concoction for dipping. You gotta try it. In addition to the delicious food, the wait staff is courteous and efficient. Plus, the food is affordable. I have yet to be disappointed with this place.
(5)Iman R.
My all time favorite restaurant of any kind (at the moment). It first of all, and most importantly serves what many Vietnamese folks I know attest to being among the most authentic Vietnamese food in Philly. Now that isnt exactly hard to get these days especially on Washington ave, which is basically little Vietnam. Heck, renowned traveling cheif Anthony Bourdain went to Pho 75 across the lot from Nam Phuong when he finally came to Philly on his show...he knows his Vietnamese and he approved. But I like Nam Phuong better. It first of all serves more than just Pho (the signature Vietnamese dish: distilled heaven in a bowl). Its a large banquet hall type space with a decent bar. Plus it has cordial and American freindly, uniformed staff. And theyre friiggin fast. This place is a well oiled machine. It can be packed, but never "feels" packed if you know what I mean. Nothing ruins my appetite more than being stressed out and eyed to get moving cause of the hungry disgruntled hoard at the door. Ive never had to wait to be seated at this place...though im sure it happens on Saturdays I bet. Oh and even though there is ample parking in the adjoining lot, it gets packed quick so parking can (on weekends) become a bitch, but nothing compared to like South Street. I dont want to sound like a judgmental snob but the place is real clean, including the bathroom. What else can I say...actuall Vietnamese eat here, in large extended family units of like 6 or more...which I find charming and is a big reason why I love it here. Their tables are always eye catchingly brimming with like the entire menu. Talk about feasts! And I don't want to stereotype but these folks are always so skinny, dont know how they do it...its probably because Vietnamese food is relatively healthy with all the fresh greens and general ungreasiness compared to say Chinese American food. Oh and its really affordable. So if you live in Philly and don't go here, enjoy that hole you have your head stuck in! ;)
(5)Patty M.
Our go to place for chicken pho, it is delicious! We sre not big fans of the fried egg rolls but the pho is great. We will be exploring more of the menu on our next trip. We go at least one a week or bi-weekly =)
(5)Kinnari A.
Cheap good Vietnamese food. Service can be an issue sometimes, but so worth it. Especially the summer rolls.
(4)Ling C.
I went here for my friends birthday get-together and we(7 people) all ordered a rice dish of some sort. The price for my rice/pork w/ scallion and vegetable was around 7-8$. The dish was really tasty. The only bad side about the dishes they gave out were the vegetables. The vegetables filled about 1/3 of the plate and its obviously where they cheap out on. However the pork was delicious and the rice was normal Asian rice(maybe a bit softer than the everyday rice we eat at home.) Overall I would probably go there again to eat, but order something else that gives me more meat for the money. The place was designed nice and furniture had a smoothe finish to it, and not filthy like Pho Hoa. Also, the waiters were neither polite nor rude.
(4)Rachel A.
I go here whenever I have a craving for good, cheap Vietnamese food. The parking can be a bit of an issue, as I feel like pulling into the parking lot in that section where all the markets are can be a bit of a death trap, but the food is just so darn good, I'll look past the parking. I always get the same thing, either the Papaya salad or the summer rolls with shrimp and chicken to start, then the chicken with vermicelli. All of the food tastes so good and fresh, and the herbs they use in everything make it that much better since they are fresh as well. The wait staff there is really nice, but when they get busy it may be hard to get a refill of your water glass or someone's attention in case you need something else. Again, something I'll overlook because of the quality of the food, but a full water glass is definitely an important thing in my book. The broken rice dishes are also very good, as is the entrees you can get when you roll your own wrap with the rice papers. I always like a DIY meal :) Definitely a place you need to check out if you haven't done so already.
(5)Jake M.
PROS: Great food (my favorite PHO spot), great prices. CONS: Slow service (forgets drink orders or water a lot) I love Nam Phuong's food especially their PHO and Char Broiled Pork Broken Rice. However, on a busy day the services often forgets drink orders and you can go 15-20min before you get a glass of water. Overall great food, decent service, cheap prices.
(4)Ck P.
Near 'the Italian Market' (9th & Washington St.). Wanted to try Vietnamese food again and had heart good things about this place. 2-hr non metered street parking around this area. Had lunch there today. Comfortable decor and tables full of local Asians and others. The menu has something for everyone....lotsa choices! The spring rolls were the best. The wonton soup (VERY tasty!) had 4 large shrimp in it (surprise) and was sharable. Service is QUICK! You might want to order the 1st courses, eat part of it and then order the rest to keep from getting all your food around the same time. The portions are large and definitely sharable. We enjoyed the new flavors, prompt service and will go back with friends that love Vietnamese food!
(4)Devalina G.
This is the perfect place for family-style meals. They have a variety of seating options and although they are always busy, they always find a place for you to sit. The food is super fresh and tasty, and the service is super fast. The price is unbeatable for the quality and freshness of the food. Some of my favorites are the summer rolls and vietnamese crepes for appetizers. The papaya salads and pho is great too. The portions are HUGE! So I always end up packing half for lunch/dinner the next day.
(4)Jenna S.
Dear Nam Phuong: I love you... or I guess I should say loved you. For a good two years, I swore by your place & raved about it to other people. But suddenly, it has come to a screeching halt. Last time, I had a rock in one of my spring rolls. Yes, a ROCK. Not a tiny one either. And tonight, you forgot my peanut sauce and meatballs (which made up half the dish I ordered). You do have quick takeout service, but the dine-in service is a little slow. Your guy behind the counter is so amazingly sweet (he let me use my credit card without realizing there is a $15 minimum needed). PLEASE make me come back & bump you up another star (or even two!) because I want to love you so much again. I will give you another chance... but only one. Then I will start going back to Vietnam in Center City.
(3)Irina L.
This is our favorite stand-by for when we need guaranteed delicious food! We come here often by ourselves, family, friends -- even had a Chinese New Year banquet with a group of 24 [yes, in a Vietnamese restaurant!] The pho IS the best around -- and we tried a number of places. Their summer rolls are always fresh, and a quick delivery to the table. Papaya salad is our fave, as well. Everything on the menu [cubed beef, whole fried fish, soft shell crab, cury chicken, bird's nest, spicy seafood soup] is absolutely fabulous! Never had a single bad dish at Nam Phuong. The only thing they are missing is a delicious dessert.
(4)Matthew S.
simply the best Vietnamese around. My wife and i eat here almost weekly.
(5)Big D.
EEK! A mouse! This is my first review here and the incident that prompted it was not a good one. I have eaten here several times and the food is generally quite good but tonight as I was in there celebrating a friends birthday a big mouse went running across the floor. I kid you not. I told the guy at the counter and he seemed less than impressed. He told me he would catch it later. I will never eat there again, no doubt.
(1)Caitlin V.
Came in here for a date night last night craving vietnamese, especially some banh mi. i was sort of disappointed to not see it on the menu but i took this as an opportunity to try something new. i got a starter to split of the vegetarian spring rolls and i got the tofu and mixed veggies in a vietnamese crepe for my entree. the crepe was sort of weird, but then again, i never had a vietnamese one before. i wasn't a big fan personally, but it was probably just my own tastes. the tofu and mixed veggies weren't super flavorful but the tofu was cooked just right. they overcrowded our plates with so many greens i felt sort of like i was wasting an entire garden because i didnt want to eat them. the spring rolls though were super delicious and just perfect and i don't know what sauce they came with but that complimented it perfectly. they have really cheap beer here (good brands, too. heineken is only $3). your soda will come in a can if you order that (of course they give you a glass to pour it in but i assume that "free refills" don't exist here). service was spotty. i tend to find this the case at most vietnamese places i've been to. not sure why. we were seated immediately. the waiters seemed to only want to take our orders sort of robotically but they certainly weren't rude. we were confused on whether or not our check was brought to us but after waiting forever it was finally brought to the table when a different server came to clear our table away and i had to ask him. it was alright here. i think i would choose some of the other places around the corner first next time, though.
(3)Ernest M.
While the decor isn't much to write home about, adn the food is not fancy, it is about the best meal yuo can get for under $10 a person. Great summer rolls, spring rolls, stir frys and more. good vegetarian dishes if yuo like them. I have probably been there 30 times, and have never been disapointed
(5)Thom K.
There's a reason why I am overweight... I live near such great places like Nam Phuong. I was introduced by my vegan and vegetarian friends Kathy and Chris, so there is something for all of us :) I found this crazy value to be full of flavor, well-priced, fresh and with lots of choices. May I recommend the chicken sauteed with lemongrass, curry & coconut sauce. MMMM good! Vietnamese Chow the way I like it: simple, spicy and savory....pho REAL!
(4)Anthony Y.
The vietnamese crepes were amazing! I've never had them before but they are good. I was with a Thai girl, and apparently it is Americanized but I still think it was delicious. I also had a platter of 1. bbq pork chops 2. egg quiche, 3 shredded pork with broken rice...it was absolutely an amazing bargain and great value. I'm definately going there again. The platters are huge, the quality of the food is good, and it's really cheap. My only gripe is that the parking is horrendous. I waited for half an hour and the people in my car were getting really upset.
(4)Cat N.
I can't stop eating here!!! I originally gave Nam Phuong 4 stars, but I find myself eating here and recommending it constantly. I know it's not perfect service and the decor... well, it has no decor. But the food just keeps me coming back. My (Vietnamese) family has been eating here almost weekly for years and years. When my mom doesn't feel like making it at home, we make the drive for what we consider some of the most authentic Vietnamese food around - for a down-home Vietnamese dinner, get the claypot fish and pork paired with the hot and sour soup with shrimp or fish (it's a lot of fish, but a map of Vietnam explains it all). I just wanted to add that people should not come here expecting the best PHO they ever had. The best Pho is found in a PHO place. Places like Nam Phuong are known for - and focus their energies on - their rice and vermicelli dishes, which are reliable and authentic. Definitely try the papaya salad with pork/shrimp and the broken rice / vermicelli with charred pork, egg quiche, and pickled veggies. YUM.
(5)Cindy T.
My favorite dish here is the Banh Canh Cua.
(4)Anne H.
This place is always crowded. I mean, PACKED. I have never been to this place at a time when it was not absolutely TEEMING with people. I think this is a good sign. First of all, the noise from the crowd covers up the really cheesy synth music they always have playing in the background. Second of all, I think this place is always busy because the food is GOOD. The spring rolls, summer rolls, sauteed green beans, chicken with lemongrass and curry and PHO, oh the pho, are all excellent! I am a sucker for pho, and this place has some of the best I've tasted. I always take people here when they come to visit me.
(4)J L.
Service was absolutely HORRIBLE! There was a leak in the ceiling and the water was dripping onto my father's head and table. When we told them they thought it was funny...they didn't offer to replace any of our dishes (even though they threw some out) , a discount, or anything. No one even came over to apologize.
(1)Dee V. S.
DELICIOUS authentic Vietnamese food! Everything is fresh, fast and to top it off - at a great price. The wait staff are enjoyably animated and friendly. I highly recommend their pho & can't wait to go back. I must cut this review short because I am getting hungry thinking about this place!
(5)Jane V.
Nothing can EVERY compare to my momma's food, but this place is pretty darn good. Atmosphere: (B) Nothing special, feels like I'm at a diner, slightly more elegant... heh. My biggest gripe is the parking situation!! I told my cousin I would never meet her down here on a Sunday EVER AGAIN!! Last time I think we made up our own parking spot... Food: (A) Delicious! Everything, from the rice dishes to the family style meals, even the pho wasn't so bad. Service: (A) Not sure if they are pretty fast with everyone, but there are certainly no complaints here... Overall: (A-) If you can make it here on a weekday instead of the weekend, I'd say Nam Phuong is a good alternative to home cooked viet food.
(4)Lynne M.
Delicious. Great to eat in or carry out. Serves alcohol.
(4)J B.
Nam Phuong has become, for me, the reassuring favorite "Jersey diner" of my life in Philly. I live not far away, and eat there at least once a week. It is the best casual Vietnamese food in the city. [And infinitely better than the inexplicably popular Vietnam and Vietnam Cafe.] The food is consistently great, but even better is the atmosphere. Thronging at all hours with big tables of all kinds of people, abuzz with the comings and goings of the friendly servers, I always feel at home and part of my community in this restaurant. Vietnamese families, couples on dates, south philly hipsters, aging hippies, center city business folks, church groups, everybody just enjoying a great, healthy, affordable meal. I don't know what I'd do without this place.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Nam Phuong is really great. I am fortunate enough to live in an area with a high concentration of Vietnamese restaurants and this one is my favorite thus far. Quick, fairly priced, extensive menu, delicious pho.
(4)Viviane T.
My first time here was during my second year in college and I fell in love! The food is authentic Vietnamese; from their bun bo hue, pho ga, bun rieu, to their rice dishes, everything is delish and divine! If you go during the spring season, they have sugar cane drinks (something you will not find at other Vietnamese places), and that alone is worth the trip. I also adore their appetizer! I don't know what else I can say, great food, I mean it's good enough for people to have their weddings there. Don't order their Pho, it's not that great...it's blah actually. Service wise, it is good but during Saturdays and Sundays, you might have to wait for about twenty minutes. Warning though, parking is a pain in the *beep* during the weekends. If you're want a place with ambiance, this isn't the place. It's typical Vietnamese setting, nothing fancy. You come, you eat, you pay and leave. That's all folks. So if you're in south Philly and want Vietnamese, come here, don't go next door, food can't compare!
(4)Danielle K.
This place used to be great but has gone down hill. The vegetarian curry had no salt and was inedible. The summer rolls (my old time favorite) were mediocre. The service is totally awful. It seemed as though our server hated his life. I suggest Pho-Cali or vietnam in chinatown. Or if you are in the neighborhood choose cafe de Laos right across the street. I was super disappointed since I used to go here all the time. I will not be back.
(2)Vicki M.
Admittedly, I haven't hit everything Wash has to offer, but I can't imagine it could get much better than Nam Phuong. Both their vegetarian and meaty dishes are delicious and always priced right. (I don't understand how they make money with how much food you get there.) My food has never been greasy, always spiced just right and all around bangin'. My recommendations: * Bun Bo Hoe (spicy beef noodle soup) - I could have eaten the entire bowl * Com Tam Thit Nuong Bi Cha (pork broken rice combo) * Veggie summer rolls * Banh Xeo Chay (Vietnamese crepe) - crunchy but almost creamy. So so good Aside from inconsistent service, Nam Phuong is totally worth the trip. (And if you're like me, the food more than makes up for it.)
(4)Sputnik S.
This is a family favorite of ours, good, filling, Vietnamese food that won't break the budget.
(4)lena n.
Nam Phuong is definitely the best place I've ever had for authentic gourmet home made vietnamese food. Being viet myself, this place definitely got all the viet dishes that i've grown up to eat for a very affordable cheap price and same taste and quality in their food. The service is great and they seat you right away. there's always plenty of room. Their Thai tea is the best i've ever had there for a great affordable price. I would go there everyday for viet food because it is just that good. lol. But I would recommend everybody to go there to have great vietnamese food, plus they have an overwhelming selections to choose from, so you can definitely try a lil bit of everything everyday. I heart this place for viet food, and the only place ill go to eat for viet food, everywhere else is kinda crappy and overcrowded.
(5)Joe W.
Ok I like this place! My friends always order but that's cool cuz they get everything I like anyways... Can't comment on pricing because some steals the check before we see it. the rice paper dish with all the veggies and meat is hella good... Well it's all I really eat. I like going here when I'm in philly beats eating cheesesteaks all day long!
(4)SC W.
Delicious authentic Vietnamese food here, and the price is awesome too, only bad thing about this place is that' it's always packed lol. Please don't go across the street to fancy Le viet, this is where it's at!
(4)P Y.
cheap, delicious, authentic, and spacious. my mom and i came here at about 5pm on a sunday evening and was surprised to see that a bunch of tables were filled already! the service is no-frills but totally fine, and the food was fresh and enjoyable. they got a healthy dinner rush too, so the place was pleasantly bumbling throughout our meal.
(4)Tina N.
Just in case no one has caught on yet, Nam Phuong has switched owners some time in the past few months. I didn't think there would be such a noticeable decline in their food so soon after the change. The original Nam Phuong team has permantly moved to the other smaller Nam Phuong, now renamed Nam Son. (16th and Washington) I never thought the smaller Nam Phuong/ Nam Son was that great but since the change, the food there has gotten a lot better. They have Vietnamese hoagies there, which is a definite plus. Actually, the menu is almost the same as the Original NP with a few more items. However, it is a smaller restaurant, in a shadier neighborhood, with no liquor license. But hey....it could be the Vietnamese Tiffin. I guess it depends on your priorties, better food or bigger restaurant. The service in both places is spotty however. Neither the new owners nor the old owners have figured out how to correct this issue. You get what you pay for I suppose.
(2)Nina A.
This is easily without question the best Vietnamese restaurant I've been to in Philly. Came here for lunch and got the summer rolls and the Pho Tai (thinly sliced flank steak) and we were not disappointed! Everything tasted delicious and came out in record speed. The place is huge and it was so clean. The wait staff is like a well oiled machine - when someone saw us walk in, we were immediately sat, a big pot of (complimentary) tea was placed down and our orders were taken. From there, the food came out like clockwork - the summer rolls first, then as soon as we finished, the plates were cleared and our soup came out hot and perfectly cooked. The noodles were amazing and not soggy (as I've had at other places - where you can tell they have been sitting too long in the broth). The Pho soup broth is fantastic and flavorful - you can tell that they take a long time to make this with care. As we were leaving, we got the thai tea bubble tea to go. I don't think it was made with sweetened condensed milk or cream because while it was creamy, it didn't coat my mouth like other teas I've had. The only downside is that the tapioca bubbles were a little on the soft side - I usually like mine a little more chewy and some of these were falling apart. Not bad enough though to warrant downgrading a star. Also - it's worth mentioning that our whole bill was $22 (not including tip) - this place gave us so much food for barely any money! This place is a wonderful gem and I will be back at least once a month!
(5)Tam P.
Very unaspiring food that lacks passion from the cooks , definitely on the decline in recent years , if ever in a situation that brings me back here the only thing worth ordering to me besides a brewsky is the beef three way aka Bo ba vi
(3)