Located at 2865 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Sàigòn Noodles is a local Vietnamese restaurant specializing in traditional dishes such as pho, rice plates, noodles and appetizers. With a variety of options to choose from, the restaurant offers Lafayette residents the opportunity to experience Vietnamese cuisine and flavors.
Sàigòn Noodles opened in 2011 and was founded by brothers Dang and Chris Nguyen. Dang’s passion for cooking began when he was growing up as one of five children, learning to prepare meals for his family while his parents worked long hours. The brothers brought that experience into Sàigòn Noodles, where they began serving traditional Vietnamese favorites such as pho, egg rolls, spring rolls and noodle dishes.
My colleague and I had the pleasure of visiting this restaurant on Saturday, Sept. 26. We started with the pork fried dumplings, which gave us a savory start. The dumplings were a great appetizer to share before moving on to our entrées.
For my meal, I ordered the grilled meat rice plate with chicken. The plate included grilled chicken and rice, with vegetables and a clear soup, making for a filling, flavorful meal.
My colleague ordered the crispy stir-fry egg noodles with pork, which included baby corn, mushrooms, bok choy, carrots and broccoli, giving us another way to experience the restaurant’s Vietnamese-inspired menu. The crispy noodles added a different texture to the meal, while the pork complemented the noodles.
Beyond the dishes we ordered, Sàigòn Noodles has a wide variety of Vietnamese favorites to choose from. The menu features several types of pho, Bún bò Huế and Hủ Tiếu, Bánh Mì sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, house special rice plates, grilled meat and rice plates and shaken rice plates.
Customers can also choose from vegetarian options, appetizers, specialty drinks and stir-fried egg noodles. Some of the restaurant’s featured dishes include house special pho, shrimp pho, chicken pho and Korean BBQ short ribs.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was comfortable and welcoming, creating a casual environment to enjoy a meal with friends or family. The restaurant’s simple dining setting, with beautiful colorful lights, allowed the focus to remain on the food, while the steady activity of customers coming in and out gave the space a lively feeling.
The sense of community at the restaurant is apparent through the restaurant’s connection to Vietnamese food and culture. By serving traditional dishes in Lafayette, the restaurant provides customers with an opportunity to experience flavors and meals that may be unfamiliar while creating a place where people can enjoy food together.
Overall, I enjoyed my experience at Sàigòn Noodles. From the pork fried dumplings to my grilled chicken rice plate and my colleague’s crispy pork noodles, our meal allowed us to experience several different dishes. The menu itself makes the restaurant a welcoming place for both longtime fans of Vietnamese food and those trying it for the first time.
If you want to visit this establishment, they are open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.