Best Cheap Eats Vietnamese Restaurants in Los Angeles
30 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
It's Pho Hollywood
Pho-focused Vietnamese spot with deep, reliable broth and big portions.
Notable Picks
8.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
A longtime Hollywood standby for Vietnamese noodle soups, It’s Pho focuses on big bowls of beef and chicken pho alongside a broad Viet-Thai menu. Consistent broth depth, generous portions, and steady crowds of locals and visitors make it the go-to pho stop around Cahuenga and Hollywood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Bo // Beef, Pho Dac Biet // Beef Combination Pho, Spicy Stew Beef Pho
What Makes it Special: Pho-focused Vietnamese spot with deep, reliable broth and big portions.
8.5
Rice Street Thai Urban Food is a busy strip-mall spot serving Thai street food staples, curries, and creative specials that draw diners from across Southeast L.A. The kitchen leans bold and slightly modern, but keeps flavors familiar enough for weeknight takeout and delivery. It’s the go-to Thai choice in Bell Gardens for both dine-in and app-driven orders.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai with shrimp, Green curry with chicken, Luk chup dessert bites
What Makes it Special: High-volume Thai street food hub with bold flavors and delivery reach.
Modern Vietnamese pho specialist using premium Wagyu beef in 12-hour simmered broths that deliver complex aromatics rare in Koreatown. The Ventura transplant elevates traditional pho with options like bone-in beef ribs and self-serve toppings station.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wagyu Beef Pho, Beef Rib Pho, Crispy Taro Egg Rolls
What Makes it Special: Premium Wagyu beef pho with 12-hour broth in Koreatown's best bowl
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
NMS Waffle & Grill, often listed as Pho Waffle and Grill, is a casual mom-and-pop drive-thru on Garfield where steaming bowls of pho share the menu with waffles, boba, and snacky sides. Online reviews highlight deeply flavored broth, generous noodle portions, and the convenience of grabbing a hot beef pho without leaving the car.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Beef Noodle Soup, Hot and Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, Chicken Dumplings
What Makes it Special: Drive-thru waffle shop doubling as a reliable pho stop.
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Pet Friendly Paradise
A Vietnamese-rooted banh mi counter built on fresh-baked baguettes and Groundwork organic coffee, anchored in a Palms strip mall with a low-key patio that draws remote workers and dog owners through the afternoon. The menu stays tight—classic and fusion banh mi variations alongside a solid breakfast burrito—keeping prices in cheap-eats range without cutting corners on bread or fillings. It runs like a reliable neighborhood refuel stop where the line moves and the sandwiches land the same way every time.
Must-Try Dishes:
Old Skool Banh Mi, K-BBQ Banh Mi, Vietnamese Iced Coffee
What Makes it Special: Vietnamese-rooted sandwich shop built around classic banh mi on fresh-baked baguettes, with Groundwork organic coffee and a laid-back West LA patio.
8.1
A Chinatown market counter that has been building banh mi on warm, crusty French bread for three decades—the kind of place where the bread-to-filling ratio and pate spread feel dialed in by sheer repetition. Locals line up for sub-$5 sandwiches that hold up against shops charging twice as much, making it a reliable default for anyone passing through Ord Street on a lunch run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dac Biet #1 Special Banh Mi, #12 Pork Belly Banh Mi, Tofu Banh Mi
What Makes it Special: A 30-year-old Chinatown market stall turning out some of the cheapest and best banh mi in Los Angeles on warm, crusty French bread.
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Nong Lá Vietnamese Cafe on La Brea is a family-run spot serving pho, bun bowls, and banh mi built from siblings Elaine and Victor Phuong’s family recipes. The room is simple and bright, but people come for clean flavors, springy noodles, and consistent execution at prices that still feel reasonable for the Fairfax side of 90036.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Dac Biet (combination beef pho), Bun Bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), Cha Gio (crispy egg rolls)
What Makes it Special: Family-run Vietnamese cafe built around cherished pho, bun, and banh mi recipes.
#8
Pho 87
8.1
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
A cash-only Chinatown stalwart running the same pho playbook since the 1980s, with brisket and oxtail bowls that draw purists who prioritize broth depth over ambiance. The indoor fish pond and fluorescent-lit dining room signal the no-frills deal—you're here for the soup, not the scene. Works best when you know your order before you sit down and have cash in your pocket.
Must-Try Dishes:
Egg Rolls, Brisket Pho, Oxtail Pho
What Makes it Special: Cash-only Chinatown institution with an indoor fish pond and no-frills authentic Vietnamese pho since the 1980s
8.1
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Pho Hana Restaurant is a long-running South Torrance staple for big bowls of Vietnamese noodle soup, vermicelli, and rice plates in a compact strip-mall dining room. Regulars rely on it for a broad menu, steady portions, and the convenience of quick service before or after errands along Hawthorne Boulevard.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Hana Special (rare steak, flank, brisket, tendon, meatball, tripe), Spring Rolls, Char-Broiled Pork Rice Plate
What Makes it Special: Broad Vietnamese menu with reliable pho, vermicelli, and rice plates at everyday prices.
8.1
A family-run Vietnamese counter spot in Chinatown that builds its draw on clean, MSG-light pho broths and banh mi stuffed into fresh-baked baguettes from a cramped six-table room. The menu covers the Vietnamese comfort canon at prices that keep the line moving and the regulars coming back. Expect a wait, tight quarters, and food that rewards the patience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho, Banh Mi Special, Bun Bo Hue
What Makes it Special: Family-operated Chinatown staple known for clean, MSG-light broths and fresh-baked baguettes in a tiny 6-table space that draws steady lines.
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Westwood Thai Cafe is a long-running neighborhood spot just south of UCLA that pairs classic stir-fries, curries, and rice plates with student-friendly combo pricing. The dining room is straightforward and comfortable, but the appeal is generous portions, reliable flavors, and value meals that keep locals coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad see ew with beef, Green curry with eggplant and basil, BBQ chicken with rice
What Makes it Special: Since the early ’90s it’s delivered reliable, affordable Thai to Westwood.
A pho-forward Chinatown spot where the broth runs anise-sweet and the proteins come out impossibly tender, with a banh xeo thin enough to shatter. The bright, bare-bones dining room stays quiet enough for solo meals or easy conversation, and the check stays low enough that you can order freely without doing math. Women-owned and steady—570 reviews deep with nearly three-quarters of them at five stars.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Dac Biet, Oxtail Pho, Shrimp & Pork Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: Women-owned Chinatown staple known for anise-sweet pho broth with impossibly tender proteins and paper-thin banh xeo in a bright, quiet space.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Casual, family-run pho specialist drawing Downtown workers and convention-goers for hearty bowls and quick lunches. The focus is on deeply flavored broths, straightforward toppings, and efficient service rather than décor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination Pho (Pho Dac Biet), Slices of Chicken Breast Noodle Soup, Phoritto
What Makes it Special: A long-running, family-operated DTLA pho shop known for straightforward, flavorful bowls and fast lunch service.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
A pho-driven Vietnamese counter spot on Colorado Blvd where the broth is the main event — 74 review mentions of it suggest a kitchen that treats stock-making as a craft, not an afterthought. The format is fast-casual and low-key, closer to a coffee-shop hum than a dining room, which keeps the focus on generous bowls at prices that make it a reliable weekly rotation for families and solo diners alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho, Banh Mi, Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: Pho-focused Vietnamese spot on Colorado Blvd where the broth draws a devoted repeat crowd — 74 mentions in reviews speak for themselves
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
Pad Thai On Beverly is a compact Beverly Grove spot where a deep Thai menu meets a full slate of pho, letting groups mix curries, stir-fries, and Vietnamese-style noodle soups at one table. Locals lean on it for dependable takeout and delivery, but there’s enough seating to tuck into a quick, low-key bowl on site.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Steak Pho, Pad Thai Sukhothai, Green Curry
What Makes it Special: Thai kitchen with a surprisingly deep pho section for noodle cravings.
Fast-casual Vietnamese with a build-your-own spring roll concept that brings street food freshness to Old Pasadena. Family-run operation emphasizes customization with proteins like caramelized pork belly and garlic shrimp wrapped to order.
Must-Try Dishes:
Build-Your-Own Spring Rolls, Xoi Chien (Sticky Rice Patties), Banh Mi Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Subway-style customization meets authentic Vietnamese spring rolls
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Business Lunch Power Players
A compact Arts District takeout shop focused on crisp bánh mì and strong Vietnamese coffee. The bread-to-filling balance is the draw—fresh herbs, bright pickles, and savory proteins built for a quick, satisfying grab-and-go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Special banh mi, Grilled pork banh mi, Vietnamese iced coffee
What Makes it Special: Straightforward bánh mì with fresh bread and bright fillings.
#18
Bun Me!
7.8
A straightforward banh mi counter that bakes its baguettes in-house and builds sandwiches with enough vegetarian and vegan options to cover the whole group. Valley locals treat it as the default grab-and-go Vietnamese stop when the craving hits and the budget matters. Expect strip mall efficiency—order at the counter, find a seat, and let the lemongrass do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Banh Mi, Lemongrass Chicken, Baguette Sandwiches
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual Vietnamese sandwich shop with fresh-baked baguettes and strong vegetarian and vegan options in the San Fernando Valley
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A sibling-run Sawtelle cafe built around their mother's pho recipe, distinguished by a clean, lemongrass-forward broth and fresh rice noodles that set it apart from heavier renditions in the corridor. The bánh mì and bún bò Huế fill out a tight Vietnamese menu at price points that make it a reliable weekday lunch stop west of the 405. Expect a modest, counter-service setup with outdoor seating—functional for the format, with the tradeoff being Sawtelle's notoriously tight street parking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bánh Mì Thịt Xíu / Pork Belly, Phở Tái Bò Viên / Filet Mignon & Beef Balls, Chả Giò / Crispy Egg Rolls
What Makes it Special: Family-owned cafe by siblings honoring their mother's recipes, known for a clean, lemongrass-tinged pho broth and fresh rice noodles on Sawtelle's restaurant row.
#20
Pho 818
7.8
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A counter-service pho stall tucked inside Northridge's Galleria Market where the broth carries the operation — long-simmered, aromatic, and deeper than the food court setting suggests. It runs a tight, no-frills format that rewards regulars who know their order number and want a solid bowl without the wait or the markup of a standalone restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Dac Biet (Special Combination), Brisket Pho, Steak Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: Counter-service pho stall inside Galleria Market where the broth is the draw — rich, aromatic, and simmered to a depth that outperforms most food court expectations
7.8
A deep-menu pho counter running twenty-seven variations out of a bare-bones Chinatown storefront, where the draw is broth depth and portion size rather than atmosphere. The oxtail pho and Vietnamese iced coffee pull regulars who know the parking validated at Dynasty Plaza makes the tight Spring Street meters irrelevant. It delivers on the cheap-and-filling promise without pretending to be anything else.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Dac Biet, Cha Gio (Egg Rolls), Pho Duoi Bo (Oxtail Pho)
What Makes it Special: Twenty-seven pho varieties and some of the strongest Vietnamese coffee in LA, served out of a no-frills Chinatown counter with generous portions
7.8
Casual neighborhood noodle bar serving Vietnamese fusion with Thai-inspired options. Generous pho portions with flavorful broth and Tom Yum spicy soup attract repeat customers seeking affordable comfort food. Counter-service setup in shared parking lot creates no-frills dining focused on quick, satisfying meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Beef Pho, Tom Yum Noodles, Vietnamese Iced Coffee
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly Vietnamese fusion with generous portions and quick service
#23
Sage Blossom
7.8
A broth-forward Vietnamese counter in Chinatown Central Plaza that anchors its menu around slow-simmered pho and familiar staples like banh mi and spring rolls, priced for repeat visits rather than special occasions. The bare-bones, naturally lit dining room runs quiet enough for solo lunches, and the tight menu keeps execution focused. It fills a specific lane well — reliable, inexpensive, no-fuss noodle soup in a neighborhood where competition for that slot is steep.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho, Spring Rolls, Banh Mi
What Makes it Special: Budget-friendly Vietnamese staples in the heart of Chinatown with a broth-forward menu built around slow-simmered pho
#24
Thank U Pho
7.8
Late-night Vietnamese spot serving Korean-influenced pho with robust broths and generous portions until midnight most nights. The minimalist space attracts post-karaoke crowds and insomniacs craving authentic bowls without MSG.
Must-Try Dishes:
House Special Pho, Short Rib Pho, Spicy Oyster Noodle
What Makes it Special: One of few late-night Vietnamese options in Koreatown open past midnight
#25
Bamboo Song 2
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Bamboo Song 2 is a casual Vietnamese-focused spot at the edge of Torrance Crossroads where pho, vermicelli plates, and fried rice share menu space with a few Japanese-style combo plates. Diners use it as a convenient, budget-friendly option near Costco and the big-box cluster when they want a straightforward bowl of noodle soup or a quick sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bamboo Song Special pho, Spicy Bamboo Song Special pho, Vietnamese Crepe
What Makes it Special: One-stop, budget Vietnamese pho and plates right by Torrance Crossroads shopping.
#26
Mr Noodle
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Mr Noodle is a long-running Westwood Village counter-service spot where a sprawling Thai-leaning menu covers everything from pad thai to Asian noodle soups. Its PHO (beef or chicken) sits alongside Thai boat noodles, tom kha noodles, and other brothy bowls that have fueled generations of UCLA students looking for a fast, filling meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
PHO (BEEF OR CHICKEN), Thai Boat Noodles, Tom Kha Noodles (Chicken or Shrimp)
What Makes it Special: Huge Thai-influenced noodle menu with a dedicated pho option steps from UCLA.
#27
Pho 2000
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Late Night Legends
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Pho 2000 is a Koreatown mainstay with a late-night schedule and budget-friendly pricing, beloved for savory, umami-rich broths and generous chicken or oxtail pho portions. Service can be brusque but efficient, and the no-frills interior suits quick solo meals or casual comfort. Cash-based, it draws late-night regulars and nearby locals for healing soups and Vietnamese staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oxtail Pho, Chicken Pho, Egg Rolls
What Makes it Special: Open past midnight with authentic, deeply savory broth.
#28
Pho 22
7.7
A Valley pho shop that keeps the formula tight—long-steeped, clean-tasting broth in oversized bowls, all coming in well under fifteen dollars. The strip-mall setup and no-frills counter flow make it a natural fit for families or anyone running a weeknight dinner on a budget without cutting corners on the bowl itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Tai (Rare Steak Pho), Banh Mi, Spring Rolls
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood pho shop where generous bowls with clean, deeply steeped broth consistently run well under $15
7.6
A low-key Vietnamese café best for fast, satisfying plates and takeout. The cơm tấm and combo phở are the move, with portions that feel generous for the price.
Must-Try Dishes:
Com Tam Dac Biet, Special Combo Pho, Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls)
What Makes it Special: Reliable, affordable Vietnamese plates with speedy service.
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Pho District Cafe is a tiny counter-service spot serving fragrant, gently spiced pho and affordable vermicelli bowls. With fast service and compact seating, it's a go-to stop for solo diners, students, and anyone needing a satisfying Vietnamese meal on a budget.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pho Ga, Charbroiled Pork Vermicelli Bowl, Egg Rolls
What Makes it Special: Consistently under $13 for a steaming bowl of pho.