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Hoi An 1608 Vietnamese Restaurant
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Hoi An 1608 Vietnamese Restaurant
8.3
Neighborhood phở house on Polk with clear, aromatic broths and tidy bowls. Portions are satisfying without being heavy, and service moves briskly at peak lunch hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Phở tái (rare beef), Chicken phở, Bún thịt nướng
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: Brisk, reliable phở with clean broths on busy Polk Street.
Who should go: Lunch crowds and phở regulars
When to visit: Early lunch before the noon rush
What to order: Phở tái, chicken phở, bún thịt nướng
Insider tip: Request extra herbs and a side of chili oil for depth.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Polk can be competitive, especially midday; meter spots open up faster before 11am or after 2pm. No dedicated lot or valet.
Dress code: Casual — everyday attire works fine; most guests come in jeans or office-casual clothes.
Noise level: Moderate — gentle chatter and clinking bowls, but easy enough for conversation even during lunch rush.
Weekend wait: Usually a short 10–15 minute wait at peak hours; quick table turnover keeps lines moving.
Weekday lunch: Arrive before 12pm for no wait; by 12:15 expect a 5–10 minute queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — offers tofu phở and several vegetarian vermicelli options.
Vegan options: Limited — broths are typically meat-based, but can request a vegetable-only bowl with rice noodles.
Gluten-free options: Yes — most dishes use rice noodles and sauces are adjustable; confirm no soy sauce in dressings if sensitive.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better suited for casual meetups than formal dates — cozy tables and quick service make it relaxed, but not romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins only, and turnover is fast; even at peak lunch, tables free up quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — family-friendly with high chairs available and mild broth options for kids; service is quick enough for families with young children.
Best For
Better for: Quick, consistent phở and clean broths without MSG-heavy flavor; ideal for weekday lunches or comforting solo meals.
Skip if: You’re seeking a trendy or date-night Vietnamese spot — the vibe here is more functional than atmospheric.
Hoi An 1608 Vietnamese Restaurant
8.4
Polk Street Vietnamese spot serving polished bowls alongside a fuller menu and cocktails. Pho arrives with quality beef and aromatics, making it a comfortable sit-down option for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho steak (ribeye & sirloin), Pho gà with bok choy, Bún bò Huế
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Refined pho program with upgraded cuts and a full bar.
Who should go: Friends who want pho and a sit-down meal
When to visit: Weeknights 6–7 pm for easiest seating
What to order: Ribeye pho; chicken pho; bún bò Huế
Insider tip: Share an appetizer first—the bowls are sizable and arrive hot.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking on Polk and side streets; fills up quickly after 6 pm, so expect to circle or use nearby paid garages within 2–3 blocks.
Dress code: Smart casual; jeans and nice tops are common, but some guests lean dressy given the cocktails and polished setting.
Noise level: Moderate—conversations are easy at smaller tables, though peak hours bring more background buzz from groups.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation, especially for groups.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; tables open quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several pho and rice plate options can be ordered vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 customizable dishes, though broths are primarily meat-based.
Gluten-free options: Yes—pho with rice noodles works for most gluten-sensitive diners, though cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes—upgraded cocktails, stylish atmosphere, and quality pho make it feel more polished than casual noodle shops, while still relaxed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often, yes on weekdays, but on weekends or peak dinner hours a reservation is strongly advised to avoid waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids—booth seating and rice dishes work well, but the vibe is more adult-oriented with a full bar; not ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: A sit-down pho experience with cocktails and a wider Vietnamese menu—ideal for groups or date nights.
Skip if: You want a quick, budget pho fix; smaller counter-service spots nearby will be faster and cheaper.
Hoi An 1608 Vietnamese Restaurant
8.1
Modern, family-owned spot (since 2021) highlighting central-Vietnam flavors with Hanoi vermicelli, spicy beef noodle soup, and wok-fried garlic noodles. A tidy room and longer menu make it a polished neighborhood option.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bún chả Hà Nội (Hanoi vermicelli), Bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup), Wok-fried lemongrass chicken with garlic noodles
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Central-Vietnam specialties alongside crowd-pleasing noodles and rice plates.
Who should go: Friends craving variety beyond pho
When to visit: Weeknights 6–8pm for easiest seating
What to order: Bún chả Hà Nội; bún bò Huế; garlic noodles
Insider tip: Ask for the Hoi An bowls if you want lighter, herb-forward flavors.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Mostly street parking; can be tight after 6pm—look on Polk or nearby side streets.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual; neat jeans and shirts are fine.
Noise level: Moderate—tables are close but you can carry a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes without a reservation during peak hours.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; walk-ins fine.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several noodle and rice dishes can be made vegetarian.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 dishes possible if you ask to omit fish sauce.
Gluten-free options: Some rice noodle soups and vermicelli bowls are naturally gluten-free, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you’re looking for casual but polished. The setting is tidy and modern, though not overly romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Most weeknights you can walk in, but on weekends it’s safer to book ahead or arrive early.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who can handle noodle soups and chopsticks; no special kids’ menu or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Central-Vietnamese flavors and variety beyond pho, with polished plating in a comfortable setting.
Skip if: You want ultra-cheap eats or a super fast takeout—this is a sit-down meal with a fuller menu.