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SAO MAI

Updated

Phone: (212) 358-8880

Address: 203 1 AVENUE 10003

TLDR

Authentic Vietnamese delights incl. stellar pho & bun bo hue; a rare spot for banh cuon.

Reddit Sentiment for SAO MAI(based on 6 Reddit opinions)

83% Positive17% Neutral

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

vietnamese 10pho 3vietnamese 3vietnamese braised fish 2View All

Neighborhoods

East Village

Details

Discover a culinary gem in Manhattan's East Village, serving authentic Southeast Asian flavors. This spot is particularly celebrated for its exceptional Vietnamese cuisine, with patrons raving about their comforting pho and flavorful bun bo hue. It's also recognized as one of the few places in NYC to find delicate banh cuon, offering a true taste of Vietnam.

Food Overview

Specializing in Vietnamese cuisine, this restaurant is a go-to for its highly recommended pho and bun bo hue. It's also noted as a unique find for banh cuon. While most feedback is positive, a few patrons feel the quality has decreased compared to previous experiences.

Highlights / Recommended

"The pho, bun bo hue, and banh cuon are frequently recommended dishes. A tofu version of Ca Kho To is also available."

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally praise the authentic Vietnamese offerings, highlighting pho, bun bo hue, and banh cuon as must-tries. While many find the food consistently good, one reviewer noted a perceived decline in quality over time.

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About SAO MAI

This post highlights Sao Mai as a top choice for Vietnamese food, specifically praising their pho and bun bo hue.
Sao Mai is recommended here, with a specific mention of their banh xeo as a noteworthy dish.
This restaurant is suggested as a place to find Ca Kho To (Vietnamese Braised Fish), with a notable mention of a tofu version being available.
A user recommends Sao Mai for its pho and other Vietnamese dishes, though another user felt the quality had diminished.
One commenter lists Sao Mai as a favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the East Village.
Pho from Sao Mai is mentioned as a comforting option for when one is feeling unwell.
A user found the Vietnamese coffee here not to their taste, but acknowledged it might be a matter of personal preference.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Authentic Southeast Asian Food Around The East

"Sao Mai is mentioned as a Vietnamese restaurant, with a specific note about their banh xeo."

Positive
Jul 17, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Favorite Foods Have You Not Found A

"This commenter expressed their enjoyment of Sao Mai, mentioning it as a favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the East Village."

Positive
Jul 12, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where Do You Grab Dinner

"Sao Mai is included in a list of recommended restaurants for takeout or quick meals."

Positive
Jul 10, 2025View Comment →

From post: Does Anyone In Nyc Know And Love Vietnamese

"This user tried Sao Mai but found their Vietnamese coffee was not what they were looking for, though acknowledged others might like it."

Neutral
May 21, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Get Ca Kho To

"The user found the suggestion of Sao Mai terrific, specifically noting that they offer a tofu version of Ca Kho To which is suitable for their vegetarian partner."

Positive
May 15, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Get Ca Kho To

"The user suggests Sao Mai as a good option to find Ca Kho To, a Vietnamese Braised Fish in Clay Pot, as requested in the post."

Positive
May 15, 2025View Comment →