Saigon Shack

Famous, But…?

It was a rainy weekend, and suddenly we had a serious craving for pho. We hadn’t had it in a while, and the weather just made us want something warm and comforting. Fortunately, we were in New York City, where pho is easy to find, and luckily, Saigon Shack, a spot that’s pretty famous in the city, was just around the corner. I’d seen it pop up on social media so many times, and the glowing reviews had built it up as a must-try, so we walked over with high expectations.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait and got seated right away, but the place was already packed with people, and the atmosphere was buzzing. It’s a pretty casual and cozy spot, where the hustle and bustle of NYC feel alive in the restaurant itself. One interesting feature of Saigon Shack is that it has an open kitchen. From where we sat, we had a direct view of the chefs at work. You could see them tossing noodles, stirring broth, and assembling dishes right in front of you, which added to the overall experience.

The place is small and often crowded, but it has a very welcoming vibe, with all of the sounds of cooking and the clinking of dishes creating a cozy energy. We didn’t need to ask for the usual condiments - there were plenty of sriracha and hoisin sauce bottles available on each table. This made it super convenient to spice up the pho to our liking without needing to wait for a staff member.

The restaurant’s menu was clear and simple, and here’s a glimpse of it:

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What We Ordered

Fresh Summer Rolls (Shrimp)

Our meal started with the Fresh Summer Rolls (Shrimp). These are one of the most popular appetizers at Saigon Shack, so naturally, we had to give them a try.
Honestly, though, these were just your standard summer rolls. The rolls themselves were light and fresh, with shrimp tucked inside, but there was nothing particularly exciting about them. The rice paper had a soft, chewy texture, and the shrimp tasted decent, but it was the peanut sauce that really let us down. Personally, I believe the key to a great summer roll lies in the peanut sauce, which should be rich, creamy, and just a bit tangy. However, the peanut sauce here didn’t really have the depth of flavor we were expecting. We both agreed that it didn’t stand out - definitely not one of the better summer rolls we’ve had. It was a solid dish, but not memorable.

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Saigon Shack Pho (Signature Dish)

The main event was, of course, the Saigon Shack Pho, which is their signature dish. This is what they’re known for, and it felt like the right choice to see what all the fuss was about. The pho came out steaming hot, and it looked pretty good. The broth was rich and flavorful, and it gave off a deep, comforting scent. It was definitely a solid start.

However, when it came to the noodles, we were a bit disappointed. The noodles themselves were not as firm as we hoped, and they broke apart easily. In fact, it wasn’t just our pho that had this problem - we noticed the same thing happening at other tables too. This could be a sign of noodles that were overcooked, which definitely took away from the experience. For a pho enthusiast, the texture of the noodles is a crucial part of the dish, so this was a letdown.

The meat was rare beef, and we’re okay with that, but if you’re not into rare meat, it’s something you need to mention to your server. The beef was practically served raw in the broth, and while we liked it that way, others might find it too undercooked for their liking.

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Grilled Pork Chops

We also decided to try the Grilled Pork Chops, another popular item on the menu. The dish comes with your choice of rice or noodles, and I went with the rice option to complement the pork. The pork was tender and flavorful, grilled to a nice char, and it was served with a fish sauce that added a savory, tangy punch. This was a solid dish, and the pork was pretty tasty. However, as with many dishes at Saigon Shack, it didn’t really blow us away. It was a satisfying meal, but nothing too memorable. The combination of the pork and the fish sauce was good, but it didn’t have that wow factor we were hoping for.

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Hot Tea

The hot tea at Saigon Shack is a simple offering, priced at $5 per order. It’s nothing fancy — just a regular tea bag served with hot water. The presentation wasn’t impressive, and it felt like something you could get at a fast casual restaurant, rather than a specialty tea service. But, it was comforting and nice to sip on while we enjoyed our meal.

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How Was It?

Overall, we left Saigon Shack feeling like the food didn’t quite live up to the hype. It wasn’t bad, but given how popular this place is, we definitely expected more from the pho, especially since it’s supposed to be their signature dish. The broth was rich and flavorful, but the noodles and the overall experience didn’t quite deliver the level of excellence we were hoping for.

It was a decent meal, and we didn’t leave disappointed, but we both agreed that there are probably better pho spots in New York City that are less talked about but could be much more satisfying.

💡 Note: Saigon Shack operates with a cash-only policy, though it seems like you might be able to use a card if you order online. Just something to keep in mind before you head out.

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Final Thoughts: Should You Go?

In the end, our experience at Saigon Shack was okay. It’s a good spot if you’re nearby and craving pho, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s worth going out of your way for. We didn’t feel the need to rush back anytime soon. If you’re looking for a more exceptional pho experience, there are definitely other places in NYC that are less hyped but might provide a better meal. Still, for those in the area, it’s a perfectly fine option, especially if you’re in the mood for a quick bowl of pho.