When many people think of Vietnamese food, their mind goes straight to pho. While the famous noodle soup is beloved worldwide, don’t be afraid to venture into other soups. From seafood-forward broths to tomato-based soups with a tangy edge, far more awaits. Each offers a different balance of herbs, aromatics, and texture.
Furthermore, look at other entrees beyond banh mi and spring (or summer) rolls. Keep an eye out for crispy sizzling crepes known as banh xeo and com tam rice plates. Together, they reveal the depth and versatility of Vietnamese cooking.
Here’s our guide to some of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Tucson.
Banhdicted specializes in banh mi, juice, smoothies, and milk tea. In addition the standard varieties, they also offer a Cajun shrimp banh mi and a breakfast banh mi with eggs and pork belly.
They currently have three locations:
This no-frills restaurant has no web presence or social media for its Tucson location (the other is in Mesa), but they carry a wider range of Vietnamese entrees than most other Tucson restaurants.
The massive com tam thuan kieu 10 mon platter features the namesake broken rice with a variety of toppings including shredded pork skin, steamed egg, a pork chop, bean curd skin with shrimp, shrimp paste, a meatball, a pork egg roll, a shrimp egg roll, Chinese sausage, and charbroiled shrimp.
Although their menu has a mixture of dishes from around Asia, they recently changed owners with the team behind Nhu Lan Vietnamese. As a result, their Vietnamese options have expanded.
For a complex seafood and tomato broth and rice noodles, order the bun rieu, which includes shrimp paste, pork, and tofu.
Ha Long Bay’s northeast proximity makes it a convenient stop after a hike at Sabino Canyon or Mount Lemmon. Recharge with a bowl of noodle soup.
Their Hue spicy beef soup has rice noodles in a broth with some funk from shrimp paste, balanced with fragrant lemongrass, and adorned with sliced brisket and beef meatballs.
Located at the Boxyard, Nhu Lan offers banh mi, appetizers, and a selection of Chinese stir fries. For a more comprehensive experience, visit their cousin establishment Grain River Asian Bistro.
Pho Ngan offers the standard pho and banh mi, but check out the sleeper hits.
Banh xeo, a savory rice flour crepe, come stuffed with sautéed shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, and arrive with lettuce and mint for wrapping.
The canh ga chien nuoc mam are bone-in chicken wings glazed in caramelized fish sauce, served with white rice, cucumber, and tomatoes.
A Tucson staple since 2000, Miss Saigon opened a sleek downtown location, which eventually rebranded into the modern upscale Saigon Blossoms. The thoughtfully designed interior features two bright cherry blossom trees and lush floral lighting.
Along with the new name comes an updated menu that celebrates both familiar favorites, regional specialties, and a few modern interpretations. The signature Pho Bo remains a centerpiece, slow-simmered for 18 hours using 1855 Black Angus beef cuts, including Pho Short Rib, Pho Tai, Pho Xe Lua Dac Biet, and Pho Chin.
The original Miss Saigon has two locations:
While Cafe Thang has a limited amount of food options with pandan waffles, pastries, and spring rolls, it offers a range of specialty Vietnamese drinks beyond the ubiquitous Vietnamese iced coffee.
For something harder to find elsewhere in Tucson, order the salted cream coffee or egg cream coffee.
TiTi Boba Corner is a cozy, women-owned boba tea shop on Tucson’s north side that showcases handcrafted drinks and snacks rooted in the owner’s passion for tea culture. Cherish Nguyen prepares bubble tea and savory bites with care, making the space comfortable for studying, relaxing or working.
The menu pairs beverages like Ube Taro Brown Sugar Milk with snacks such as fried tofu, popcorn chicken, and Vietnamese spring rolls and sesame balls.
