Gao Viet Kitchen

This place is always busy and they do not take reservations. So come early. The food comes out when they are ready so if you want to order your appetizer first before ordering your main dishes. If not, your table will become full really quick. The dishes are very flavorful and the portion is good for the price. I always have extra to take home after each visit. The shaking beef is very tender with good amount of spices.

We met early for lunch. It was quickly filling. We ordered cuon, cha gio, bun, dry pho ga and veggie pho. The textures and tastes were good, I am glad we kept it simple. The dry pho reminded me of hu tieu. Service is nice and efficient.

Took my wife here on our anniversary. She really liked it but the biggest problem was there were so many things she wanted to try but couldn’t eat it all. I got pho, the pork belly, rare beef, beef rib, and the old school bun Bo hue. She said it was really good. We got there right as they opened and there was already a line of about 100 people. If we didn’t want to wait we had to sit at the bar which we did. Everyone else after us had to wait. This place is small but cozy. The pho was on point you can tell it was cooked well. I’ve had the beef rib before but this time around I couldn’t enjoy as I once did. It was more like pulled pork vs a tender brisket that I liked before. Besides that everything else was perfect.

We arrived about 5 minutes but the bottom floor already almost full. The menu at first is overwhelming but most are very familiar with Vietnamese patrons. The food coming from kitchen looks great. We choose Bun Bo Hue and Bun Rieu. It was tasty and good. We ordered extra soft-shell crab and crab meat in Bun Rieu. It is recommended if you want extra meat. The portion was amble for us.

The food was beautifully laid out and the portions were generous. The pho wasn't very special, but the tapas platter was delicious

I have to write a review about this place as soon as I finish my dish. The food is sooooo gooood and the taste of every dishes that I ordered is exactly like in Vietnam. It makes my day because it has been long time since I can eat my favorite food that has the same Vietnamese taste. The staffs and service are great. The price is cheap with great portion. 11/10 🫶

The food is excellent! This place is expensive but I think it's perfect for a special occasion for anyone who loves Pho. They have pho dishes with lobster and big hunks of meat, or more normally priced phos as well. All are delicious and well worth a try. The cocktails are great too!

This place serves the best pho I've ever tasted. Whenever I came to the bay area, I would drop by this place. The service was fine and ambiance was good. One thing that I thought could be improved was that the pho was not really hot this time round, so the noodle was not cooked perfectly and the rare beef was not fully cooked, but other than these small issues, the bowl of pho was very good, the beef was very tender and tasty and the scallops appetizer was very delicious.

This was the best meal I’ve had in San Mateo! Portions are huge and everything is cooked to perfection, and the flavors are incredible and bright and fresh. Our server was so nice in helping me not overorder because my eyes were definitely bigger than my tummy. Get on the waiting list early because wait times for dinner can be two hours!

My wife and I have been eager to visit this establishment ever since we came across a post about it on Instagram. We finally had the opportunity to dine there on a Saturday for a belated Valentine's Day celebration. Upon our arrival approximately 20 minutes after opening, we found the restaurant to be already at full capacity. Consequently, we had to wait for approximately 30 minutes to be seated. During this waiting period, we observed a continuous flow of food being served from the kitchen, accompanied by tantalizing aromas that heightened our anticipation.

Once we were seated, water was promptly provided for my wife and our son, who unexpectedly joined us for the date. We proceeded to place our order, selecting the pork belly dish and the Gaozilla. Regarding our beverage choices, we opted for the Peachee Way, specifically the small bowl serving, rather than the single drink option. I had to clarify the specific drink I was referring to, as the waiter initially expressed unfamiliarity with the name. He then confirmed my request for the smaller size of the beverage.

The pork belly was served promptly within 5 to 10 minutes. The meat was tender, and the skin was crispy, providing an exceptional culinary experience. The accompanying dipping sauce perfectly complemented the richness of the pork.

Subsequently, the Gaozilla arrived, exceeding expectations. Its impressive size matched the enticing visuals depicted in promotional materials. Our son promptly identified the meat and expressed a desire for it. We proceeded to partake in the noodles, meat, and broth from the main bowl, finding the bone marrow particularly delectable. The top layer exhibited a delightful crispiness, adding an appealing textural element. The meat was expertly cooked to a near-perfect medium, with a slight hint of overdoneness. Nevertheless, the flavor was remarkable, and the meat retained its succulence.

As we savored the meal, we noticed the absence of the accompanying drink. Approximately 5 minutes later, a single drink cup was presented, prompting us to clarify that we had requested the small bowl. The staff promptly apologized and rectified the error, presenting us with the desired small bowl. The drink proved to be a delightful accompaniment, reminiscent of a refreshing horchata beverage, without being excessively strong.

In conclusion, the overall experience and quality of the food were highly satisfactory. The sole minor inconvenience encountered was the initial oversight regarding the drink order. It is advisable to arrive early, as the establishment does not accept advance reservations. The wait is undoubtedly worthwhile, and I eagerly anticipate a return visit.

Amazing Vietnamese food. There will be a wait during dinner so try to get there early if possible. The food came out quickly once seated.

The pho broth was rich especially with the bone marrow. Recommend the pig out

Truly an outstanding experience! Vietnamese pho on steroid 💪. If you dare order their feature item, the Phozilla. Bring a team of committed eaters. Whole main lobster, bone marrow, beef brisket, thick rice noodles, tendon, and slices of beef. Savory, rich beef broth! Pair the delicious lobster with their spicy butter dipping sauce! I also recommend their beef carpaccio: thin slices of beef, onions, lime, and peppers. Amazing taste and flavor. We love their drinks: coconut coffee drink was a blended creamy sweet coffee.

My friends and I enjoyed the food! It was excellent with big serving. The soup bowl, I think, can serve 5 people! It was too much!
Excellent service as well.

Delicious, fresh food with great service. The pork ribs & coconut rice were amazing ! The menu is a little cumbersome to navigate since they are divided into different web pages if it's your first time. Everything was amazing.

The best Vietnamese food I ever had here, the food choices are fancy and creative. Not cheap though.

Quite the experience. It lives up to the hype! For lunch on Friday, arrive well before 11:30. If there's a line at 11:30, get in it and you'll probably still get in on the first seating. More seating across the 2 levels than you'd expect from the storefront. You'll spend more time deliberating the menu, because there's SO MANY great choices. Try a signature cocktail or non-alcoholic drink. Both times we've been here we've left with leftovers. Our new favorite (non-cheap) Vietnamese restaurant!

I don't understand why this restaurant doesn't have over 4.5 stars. Bun Cha is my favourite, but I would love to try everything on the menu. Food is exceptional, service is fantastic, and the atmosphere is great. Such a fun hipster place. I have tried so many Vietnamese foods in different countries including Vietnam and this place is one of the best.

In town for a couple days from New Mexico and this was one spot we had to try. Did not disappoint at ALL!!!!!! The Phozilla was worth every single penny, lobster was absolutely perfect the broth was so rich and hit every note just right. The rib was just sticky fall off the bone mastery but still had a nice bite so you got all of the flavors and spices on the crust, with parts that just melted in your mouth. Chef sent over bone marrow shots for my wife’s birthday…. These things were massive and the boba size straws basically allowed me to main line the elegant, super rich, nutty nector. If you’re in the Bay Area I’d 100% recommend a visit. I think we’re going to swing by again before we leave to try the mamas clay pot. Ashley and the staff were amazing and made the end of our first day in San Fran perfect.

This isn't your run of the mill Vietnamese joint. It's decorated like a hole in the wall in Vietnam, but the chef puts an elevated spin on Vietnamese favorites. I really enjoyed their pho and starters. It's even good when taking it to go. The service is very efficient and friendly. They kind of have to be to make sure the line outside goes down fast enough. We arrived 10 mins before opening and still had to wait 20 mins to be seated. Ultimately it's worth the wait and you have to eat here at least once!

This is one of my favorite restaurants in San Mateo. I have to admit that it is a little pricy and often need to wait to get seated. But every time I come here, I enjoy everything I ordered. I love the flavor so much! I do not know if they are “authentic Vietnamese food”, but I love this new style. I’m definitely coming again for special occasions!