Hương Thảo Vietnamese Cuisine

Food was good. The Bahn Mi sandwich was good, but it didn't have any pickled veggies which I thought was strange. I'm used to my sandwich coming with them. The baguette was yummy! The Bun was tasty, not very spicy. There Vietnamese coffee is good. It was quiet and clean, but the restrooms are questionable. I'll go back.

This restaurant can fit large party. Lots of vegetarian option. Clean and spacious. Friendly service and authentic Vietnamese food.

Always greeted warmly. Tables are always clean. The deep fried pork spring noodle bowl is always a wonderful choice! Their Combination Pho is in my opinion the best in terms of freshness, quality, flavor and portion. Basil, sprouts, lime and their in-house chili is what brings it all together. The broth of the Pho is always wonderfully flavored, never weak, never overpowering and always fresh! Their shrimp and pork spring rolls never disappoint either. They are usually pretty busy and they work hard to get food out in a timely fashion but there have been occasions when it takes a little longer to get your food. Nonetheless it is worth the wait. I agree that the location of the strip mall has more to be desired but you'll forget about that when you taste your first spoonful of Pho. Locally owned business.

Food has good taste, and was served in a timely manner. It is well served, and was a good portion. The place was calm at the time we went yet there were plenty of people coming and going. The ambiance wasn't too loud. The waiter was very courteous and respectful. We asked what he would recommend and he said he liked everything. My husband ordered the pho soup and I ordered the Spicy Lemongrass Deep fried chicken. They were both flavored very well and they were spicy. The ingredients seemed and tasted fresh. Only down fall was they didn't have desserts.

Nicely remodeled during covid, the bench booth seats are gone. While I miss the intimacy of the tables that imitated Vietnamese outdoor garden dining, I really appreciate the dedication to public health.

Food is even better than when I first ate there in 1993, and we actually had leftovers (Huong Thao Special+ Papaya Salad easily served 2 people, with extra meat option).

So hungry, I forgot to take pictures for Google until we were halfway through and slowing down.

3 hours later, still not hungry again and brain is happy. Now that my health is recuperating, I will be returning more often again.
:: Chef's kiss::

Hmmm. After eating a few bites I must change my stars to one. The service as we walked in was awful because a young man took other tables' orders as we just sat and waited. We had to flag him down to order. Later a middle-aged woman started to serve and she was attentive therefore the 4 stars for service.

Great Food! Also Gluten Free menu that is prepared without soy sauce. From the outside you might say this could be kind of iffy because it is in a strip mall. Walk inside and you might still not be impressed. The floor is one that many businesses have installed and been disappointed that the edges have separated in a short time. However the tables and chairs are clean and well taken care of. The soft vietnamese music and live plants lend a comforting atmosphere to this restaurant. I ordered the Mung Bean Crepe which is fresh tasting with lovely subtle flavors. Inside the crepe the well cooked pork, and veggies were just the right crunchy! The sweet sauce is a good addition for dipping and you can always add the hot sauce. Large portion.
My wife ordered the Rice Noodle Soup which she found just so satisfying! The small size filled her up.

12/29/2022
Unexpectedly, a very great Vietnamese restaurant despite its location amid a strip mall that doesn't seem very vibeful. The flavors are worth it and repeat visits are highly recommended.

Food: Very satisfying and freshly cooked/created. It'll remind you of what Vietnamese flavors should taste like and you'll come back.

Service: Greeted and seated with a smile and a directional sway of the arm to the area of choice for seating. Pick your table. Served with water beverages promptly. She came to ask to place our order after a few minutes but it was our first time. She gave us enough time (5-7 min) which is almost plenty because I like to look at everything!

Atmosphere: Spacious interior with tables and chairs (table for 2 (small table), 4 (medium table) & 6 seaters (LG table). Minimal art decor and plenty of plants and flower decor coat the entire restaurant. Plenty of lighting from outside into the glass windows and interior lights were perfectly bright. Single stalled male & female shared restroom which was clean and normal. The restaurant overall is a typical appearance but the visit should be for its flavors and textures of food.

1. Huong Thao Noodle Soup w/rice noodle soup $12.50‐5/5 (seafood w/ choice of rice or egg noodle) *MUST TRY ITEM
Refreshing clear broth, tender and surprisingly, perfectly cooked seafood (mussel, shrimp, pork/shrimp meatball slices, scallops, squid). The best seafood bite was with the squid and scallops! The broth is perfectly sweet and salty with hints of spice. Served with a bed of beansprouts, basil, jalapeños, and lime. It was so good I forgot I had herbs!!

2. Pork & shrimp spring rolls $6.25 4/5 (qty 2 rolls)
Fresh rice wrapper because you can smell the rice aroma, rice noodle vermicelli was soft, pork tenderloin slices and shrimp were tender.
*Served with a knife to slice the roll, accompanied with Nuac Mam sauce (taste of fish sauce stronger than palm sugar but I loved it) and peanut sauce. Add housin for nutty sweetness and Sriracha for heat!

3. Fried Pork Eggrolls $6.95 5/5 (qty 4 rolls) *MUST TRY ITEM
Crispy exterior, moist pork filling, and seasoned perfectly you can eat it on its own.
*served with a bed of Romain, basil, cilantro & cucumbers; Exactly how it's supposed to be served!

4. Pepper Steak $11.95-3/5 (small platter enough for 3-4 people)
Thinly sliced beef tenderloin with refreshing, yet still crunchy and not overcooked bell peppers, onions, and carrots. Stir-fried with a sweet sauce. Ordered the dish medium on the spice-heat level which was very mild when eaten. Tasted like regular sambal (vinegar based) with a touch of Sriracha was their spice choice for spiciness. It's an acquired taste so if you're expecting a chili oil toss for this dish it is not available at this location.