International District: Green Leaf

I have to admit, Vietnamese isn't my favorite type of Asian food. In fact, it ranks at the bottom. I guess this is my list:

1. Japanese (in particular, sushi)
2. Korean
3. Chinese
4. Thai
5. Malaysian
6. Indian
7. Vietnamese

That said, when in the mood, a steaming hot bowl of Pho can really hit the spot.

Tamarind Tree is probably the best Vietnamese  food in the city. But, it can be a serious pain to get a table. I've never been when it isn't packed. On the other hand, Green Leaf is just a block away from my apartment, and while crowded, you can still usually walk in and get a table.

I always start with the bahn xeo, or pancake, w/shrimp and pork. You're supposed to break off bits and wrap it with lettuce, cilantro, basil and mint, which they give you on a separate plate, and dip it in the fish sauce. However, I prefer just dump the green stuff on top of the pancake, add some fish sauce, and attack with chopsticks. I know, very uncouth. But when I eat it the "right" way, it takes way too long.

I prefer the Pho with the raw beef. At some places the broth is too watered down. But here, the broth is light, but still has some substance. If you don't like raw beef, which gets cooked in the broth, they have something for everyone. Though, I'm not sure if they serve a vegetarian broth... so maybe they don't.

Anyway, Green Leaf is definitely the best Vietnamese food in the ID. If you're hankering for some Pho, I highly recommend it.

Comments

[Cat]

I used to eat Pho with rare beef a lot... and the best tip I got for making it taste even better, is ask for the slices of beef to be draped over the side of the bowl or just on the side... and ask for extra hot broth! :) This way, you can cook the meat to taste in the broth per bite.. rather than having that over-cooked meat taste with the beef cooking itself in the broth for so long...

[runsenorun]

Excellent tip! I'll try it out next time. Thanks!

[Kelly]

agreed. green leaf is the best vietnamese restaurant in the intl. district. what about vietnamese sandwiches, do you like those?