Saigon Social
Vietnamese restaurant · Lower East Side ·
Bahn mi, noodle soup & Vietnamese comfort food; outdoor seating
Bahn mi, noodle soup & Vietnamese comfort food; outdoor seating
"Though not technically a deli, Saigon Social in the Lower East Side serves a banh mi that Daniel Boulud calls bright, bold, and perfectly balanced: a crackly, airy baguette with chicken liver pâté, layers of Vietnamese ham and head cheese, pickled carrots and daikon, cilantro, mayo, and jalapeño for a tangy, creamy, spicy bite." - Amelia Schwartz
"We make a note in our mental calendars (and sometimes our electronic ones) to not let too much time pass between visits to this Vietnamese spot to eat their bún chả and garlic noodles with fried prawns. Stop by for a casual meal, and if the weather’s nice, try and grab one of their sidewalk tables. You can also get interesting cocktails made with ingredients like longan-infused rum and a tamarind shrub." - bryan kim, neha talreja, will hartman, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick
"The menu at this LES spot changes with the seasons—and you’ll inevitably get attached to the food here, like a serial monogamist navigating a casual fling. The bún chả is always available though, and it’s the best version we’ve had in the borough. To order it is to engage in group therapy with rice noodles, fried crab and pork rolls, more assorted pork, herbs, and aromatics. Keep an eye on their Instagram for specials, like the whole fried cornish hen, stuffed with chicken-fat rice." - sonal shah, willa moore, will hartman, carlo mantuano, molly fitzpatrick
"Saigon Social’s portly burger might convince you to abandon your allegiance to smash patties. This Vietnamese restaurant on the LES tops its burger with accessories typically found on bánh mì, like pickled carrots and daikon, pâté, a handful of cilantro, and a couple of jalapeño slices. And you can taste the quality of the meat, which is made with a combination of short rib and dry-aged rib eye. The burger isn't on the regular menu, but is often available as a special—or ask and you may be able to order one off-menu." - will hartman, bryan kim, neha talreja, willa moore, kenny yang
"The Lower East Side Vietnamese restaurant is collaborating with spice and herb brand Vân Vân for its Tết dinner. The $98 dinner includes dishes such as Vietnamese charcuterie, sticky rice with pork belly and mung beans, and candied ginger. Seatings are at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21. Book reservations online." - Nadia Chaudhury