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Food on a table by Louis Hansel –

10 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Chicago

Chicago, on Lake Michigan in Illinois, is among the largest cities in the U.S. Famed for its bold architecture, it has a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, 1,451-ft. Willis Tower and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower. The city is also renowned for its museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago with its noted Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.

Chicago is home to a small but vibrant Vietnamese community. As a result, there are quite a few options for quality Southeast Asian specialties. Vietnamese cuisine encompasses the foods and beverages of Vietnam and features a combination of five fundamental tastes in overall meals. Each Vietnamese dish has a distinctive flavor that reflects one or more of these elements. Here are the 10 best Vietnamese restaurants to try out when in Chicago.

1. HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen

is both James Beard nominated and Michelin Bib Gourmet awarded and is amongst the Best Vietnamese Restaurants in the country. Their address is 1800 S Carpenter St, Chicago, IL 60608, United States. They open from Thursday to Sunday from 4 pm to 8:30 pm. Visit their website to glimpse their full menu and make reservations.

The restaurant uses a number of techniques, such as clay pot cooking, to showcase the range of Southeast Asian flavors. Highlights include green papaya salad, th峄媡 b貌 b铆t t岷縯 n瓢峄沶g (dry-aged ribeye), and whole fried fluke. Dang also celebrates Vung T脿u, a port city on the southern coast, with a seafood-centric family-style tasting menu. An attached cafe, C脿 Ph锚 D谩, offers even more options like wings covered in caramelized fish sauce, fries, waffles, and Vietnamese coffee drinks.

2. Saigon Sisters

Vietnamese Food by Khuc Le Thanh Danh –

is located at 567 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661. They open daily from 8 am to 4 pm. They have only indoor dining with limited seating. Reservation is highly recommended.

Sisters Mary Nguyen Aregoni and Theresa Nguyen started their business as a vendor at Chicago French Market before blossoming into a full-service restaurant just a few blocks away. The pair reimagine Vietnamese flavors through a modern lens, resulting in intriguing items like Sriracha wings, grilled baby octopus with squid ink rice, Vietnamese ramen, and b谩nh bao (steamed buns) filled with barbecue jackfruit. 

3. Phodega

is a Vietnamese soup cafe & market with a limited menu plus candy, snacks & soft drinks from a counter. Their address is  1547 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States. They open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm. You can visit their to view their menu and order online. 

As the name suggests, this tiny restaurant-bodega hybrid puts a lot of attention on its ph峄�. There are three exceptional versions: A beef-based ph峄� b貌 filled with meatballs and sliced brisket and rib eye; a chicken noodle soup (ph峄� g脿) full of poached thigh meat; and a vegan ph峄� chay that stars a vegetable broth. Owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo also whip up clever items like a spicy fried chicken banh mi and an Italian-beef-inspired Viet dip sandwich. 

4. Sochi Saigonese Kitchen

People in a restaurant by Rendy Novantino –

is located at  1358 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, United States. They open from Wednesday to Saturday between 11:30 am to 8 pm. Sochi is introducing Chicagoans to a more traditional, yet elevated take on Vietnamese cuisine. It all comes down to the hidden details, the extra steps that people may not even notice, that make each dish special.

This new Lakeview restaurant is a revelation that explores the regional flavors of Ho Chi Minh City. The entire salad section is full of hits and includes seared duck and B岷縩 Th脿nh Market-inspired varieties. The ph峄� features brisket and skirt steak, giving diners a luxurious combo of meats.

One of the more interesting dishes is 鈥淪un鈥檚 Rice,鈥� a m茅lange of grilled pork, crispy egg, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes. It鈥檚 lighter than it seems and packed with tons of flavor. The d茅cor is also notable as it鈥檚 sleek, modern, and comfy enough for both date night or an early afternoon meal with family.

5. Nhu Lan Bakery

Nhu Lan Bakery is a shop offering Vietnamese fare & smoothies, including banh mi & pho, with vegetarian options. Their address is 2612 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, United States. They open daily from 8 am to 7 pm.

B谩nh m矛 is the focus of this popular eatery. Fresh baguettes are baked on site each day and cradle a variety of fillings. The house special features rich pate, head cheese, ham, and pork roll alongside pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro, cucumber, and jalapenos. Other choices include sugar cane shrimp, lemongrass chicken, ginger tofu, and roasted pork. A second Nhu Lan outpost is located in Uptown.

6. Pho Viet

Food by Markus Winkler –

has a range of traditional Vietnamese dishes served in a bright, minimalist sit-down cafe setting. Their address is  4941 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, United States. They open from Friday to Wednesday between 10 am to 9:30 pm. . Visit their website to glimpse their full menu and make reservations.

There鈥檚 a lot to try as the extensive menu also has sandwiches, congees, rice plates, stir-fried noodles, various meat and seafood entrees, and more. Heartwarming noodle soup is, predictably, the attraction at Pho Viet. The aromatic ph峄� broth is simmered for 14 hours before meeting the bowl with rice noodles, meatballs, slices of beef, and the requisite add-ons. 

7. Ph峄� 777

is well known for hot noodle soups, clay pots & other Vietnamese classics served in easygoing surroundings. Their address is 1065 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640, United States. They open from Tuesday to Sunday between 9 am and 9 pm. . Visit their website to glimpse their full menu and make reservations.

The title of Chicago鈥檚 best ph峄� varies from person to person, but this Argyle Street stalwart belongs in the discussion. The soup is lighter and sweeter than other versions and comes teeming with all of the standard fixings. Another standout is b谩nh x猫o, crispy crepes stuffed with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts.

8. Hai Yen Restaurant

People eating a meal around a table by Priscilla Du Preez –

is a casual spot serving an extensive Vietnamese menu & some Chinese dishes in an unassuming setting. Their address is 1055 W Argyle St # 1, Chicago, IL 60640, United States. They open from Thursday to Tuesday between 11 am to 8:30 pm.

The signature b貌 n瓢峄沶g l谩 l峄憈 is an appetizer of marinated grilled beef and pork wrapped in Hawaiian leaf. In addition, the restaurant offers b貌 5 m贸n 鈥� five courses of beef prepared in multiple ways, including being cooked at the tableside. 

9. Ba Le Sandwiches

specializes in made-to-order Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches on French bread plus soup, noodle salads & smoothies. Their address is 5014 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640, United States. They open daily from 8 am to 7 pm. . Visit their website to glimpse their full menu and make reservations.

The menu has over a dozen sandwiches, ranging from the classic combination of pate, ham, head cheese, and pork roll to vegetarian and vegan options loaded with tofu, king oyster mushrooms, and more. Each one comes on crusty French bread along with mayo, pickled daikon, carrot, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos. There are also baked goods and grab-and-go items like g峄廼 cu峄憂 (spring rolls) and sweet sticky rice.

10. DaNang Kitchen

is a straightforward Vietnamese storefront cafe with traditional fare including pho with coffee. Their address is 019 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640, United States. They open daily except on Tuesday between 10 am to 9 pm. 

Danang Kitchen specializes in the cuisine of Central Vietnam. Be sure to order the signature m矛 qu岷�ng, a popular dish consisting of rice noodles, pork belly, shrimp, quail eggs, and herbs in turmeric-infused broth. C啤m g脿 x峄慽 m峄� five-spice crispy chicken served with turmeric rice, cucumbers, house pickles, and soy sauce is another winner. The menu carries coffees, teas, and smoothies as well.