Capacity:24, yet serving bottomless stomachs: Loi's Vietnamese Restaurant

I can't believe that in the 5 1/2 months I have been writing in the blog, I haven't shed light on what I think to be the best Vietnamese restaurant in the Sunset District. 

My family and I have been going to Loi's Vietnamese Restaurant for as long as we've lived here -- 15 years. Whenever the mood for Vietnamese rice noodle soup, Phở, strikes and we're in San Francisco, this is the place to be. You'll notice right away that it's a local favorite from the crowd that forms under its red awning, eagerly peeking through the windows to see if a table opens up because the hunger pains/salivation are too much to handle. The restaurant is tiny in size, but the portions and incredibly cheap prices are more than enough to compensate. You're here for the food, anyway. 

#1, Loi's Special Beef Noodle Soup, size XL ($5.75)

The picture of the soup above doesn't do it justice. Typically my family of 4 and I split this if we're going to order a couple dishes of BBQ Pork over rice. The soup practically arrives a couple minutes after you order it, steaming hot and fresh. The bits of beef are a bit raw but dipping and swishing it will cook it in an instant. The broth is rich and incredibly comforting that you'd want to slurp it all up (guilty!). And you can't go wrong with adding bits of Sriracha hot sauce, and I tend to do so to a point that I am sniffling and crying from how amazing the world is now that I am reveling in this soup. 

#16, Vietnamese Beef over rice noodle with egg roll ($5.50)

Pictured above is a noodle dish sans the soup, but instead topped with BBQ beef, egg roll, cabbage, carrots, and cucumber. I had this for the first time in Paris (where the best Asian food there would have to be Vietnamese, hands down). It's a refreshing combination, almost a bit like a form of Filipino pancit but with a tangy bite from the sweet chili sauce that is meant to be poured over. This is easily a dish that can be split between two people as well, but good luck even wanting to share. 

#26, BBQ Pork over rice with egg roll ($5.50)

I've always loved to order BBQ Pork over rice, because what's there not to love? You have perfectly cooked pieces of BBQ Pork topped with savory peanuts, a side of egg roll (or a fried egg for an extra buck), and that heavenly sweet chili sauce. 


How can food so good and authentic cost so little? Well that's the beauty and endless satisfaction of Vietnamese food.

Location: 

2228 Irving Street 

San Francisco

Weekdays: 11am-9pm

Weekends: 11am-9:30pm

Closed on Wednesdays

Chinese Food on the Horizon in the Sunset District

Irving Street in the Sunset District of San Francisco is known for its countless Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese restaurants, markets, bakeries. You probably can't go wrong with any one of them, as they all have something good to offer. But as always, it's probably the best idea to check out the place that has a line out the door. 

Such is the case with Lam Hoa Thuan in Outer Sunset. They specialize in both Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, but I come here for the former. It's affordable and incredibly authentic family-style dining.

They have succulent Roast Duck and Pork, both of which are displayed in their window. People line up to both eat in and order out. A good sign indeed. It's $12.99 for a whole roast duck. The roast pork is sold by the pound, at around $3.85 each. Both are excellent, especially when eaten with steamed rice bun, hoisin sauce, and a sprig of green onion.

I usually order the Yang Chow Fried Rice. It's incredibly flavorful and savory as it's filled with peas, barbeque pork, scrambled egg, and scallions. 
($5.95)

The Combination Pan Fried Mein is amazing. It's pan fried noodles topped with a a saucy mixture of barbeque pork, squid, chicken, bean sprouts, and shrimp. In terms of texture and flavor, it's a great combination. Every bite gives you both elements of the crispy and wet noodles. 
($5.95)

The Peking Pork Chop is a succulent dish, as they are lightly breaded spareribs doused in a Peking sauce, which is a sweet and sour glaze. 
($6.95) 

Their Fried Whole Sole Fish in Garlic and Soy Sauce just as the name states. The deep fried fish is showered with scallions as it soaks up the garlic soy sauce. Perfectly fried, you can cut into its lightly breaded, crunchy skin to reveal moist meaty fish.

($8.55)














The end result of this feast is as follows, among four people that is: 

 

Location: 2337 Irving Street at 25th Avenue, San Francisco, CA (Open 7 days a week, 9am-9pm)