Top Southeast Asian Restaurant in El Cajon
Hoi Hu Restaurant
4660 El Cajon Blvd Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92115, United States
THE BEST BUN BO HUE AROUND! My parents are snobs when it comes to Vietnamese favorites... and this is where they would go to satisfy their Bun Bo Hue cravings. While I like to think I am more open-minded, I can honestly say, their Bun Bo Hue has that that home-cooked flavor to it; no other restaurant has been able to accomplish that. (Including Orange County- The Mecca of Vietnamese cuisine)The Service: Family owned and operated- which explains the home-made tastes. I have asked before and told that it is, indeed, a family secret. Fast, efficient and actually a lot more polite than the other authentic vietnamese restaurants.The Food:Known For- Bun Bo Hue- It is so hard for me to describe Bun Bo Hue to someone who has not had it before, but I actually prefer this over Pho. It has a lemon grass, sour, spicy but also sweet in a sense flavor. Ok, I am doing a bad job. Basically I can say it is magical goodness in the form of noodles and broth. It is like nothing you have ever had before. Punches a lot of flavors all at once, but in a good way! Can also be made very spicy to clear your sinuses- if thats what you are looking for.*tip* You can bring your own pot! I think you can get a whole pot of this stuff for $30 bucks to bring home to the family- or lie and say you made yourself ;)Give it a try- I think its called Banh Beo Chen- Theses are delicate little rice cakes that are topped with ground shrimp, scallions and some crunchy deliciousness. (Pork Rinds) I know- WHOA. Sounds like umm a lot of interesting right? But I am telling you, this stuff is really good! The flavors do a great job at balancing each other out, nothing overpowering and the texture is great. I always order a round as appetizers and a lot of my friends love it. Its not like a rice cake for dieting. its more like a very small rice pancake. Think of it as a mini- savory crepe- Bite sized! The Vietnamese bagel bite? Just try it!My Go To Meal- Rice with 2 BBQ pork Patties with 2 Eggs- I LOVE THIS DISH! We have actually gotten this catered before and everyone loves it! Its flavor is unlike any other BBQ pork rice dishes I have had at other restaurants. (Com Tam is good too, but this is way more flavorful) Its lemongrass and garlic marinade really sets it apart from the crowd. Its cheap, because they give you so much, I end up with leftovers for a second meal the next day. You get soup/a side salad in addition to this. Everything really compliments on another in this dish.**Tip** I think they are closed on Mondays? But seriously, try this Mom & Pop shop out, your tastebuds will be so happy.
Finest Thai
354 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021, United States
Wow, this place has changed a lot during the pandemic. I usually do takeout, so eating in was a bit of a change since the last time I ate in - was a couple years ago....and its been a while since my last takeout..All flimsy/cheap paper plates (put your hand under them), utensils, cups, and napkins. The whole thing screams cheap.The food quality has taken a bit of a hit to. Ok to good. Avoid fried foods, as they are over cooked. Pad Thai was heavy...not sure what they did..but only passable.Service is nearly self serve. Need anything, you will need to go to the counter to ask. For example, they will bring the food, but no plates at the same time.............We just recently found this place, and really liked it. Good value for the quantity and price of the food. Service was very good, but only one server (Monday evening, we were one of two tables while we were there).Food came very quickly.Im not a spice person, wife is. They offer to include the spices on the side if you like, and they have a scale for the food of 0-10, where 3 is a medium.My only complaint was the wigheads/golden shrimp (different names at different places) but the shrimp wrapped in noodles as a app. They were just a tad small, but then you get 5, probably need one more size up. My issue is more about the balance of flavor, and less about value.
Pho King
4658 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, United States
I ordered chicken pho through DoorDash as a pickup order. My order was ready to go when I arrived, however my first impression was that the restaurant was in chaos. There were storage boxes strewn throughout the dining room floor, and they seemed to be understaffed. This also translated into the quality of the food.My chicken pho had the most strange odor, almost like dirty socks. The shrimp spring rolls also emitted an unpleasant aroma, definitely did not seem fresh. I had one taste of each item, then proceeded to throw the food away. It was inedible.I heard so many suggestions to try this pho, but was very disappointed with the food.
Yum Yum Yo Frozen YogurtSandwichesBoba
4444 El Cajon Blvd #1, San Diego, CA 92115, United States
We stopped by this location because my kids wanted frozen yogurt. When we arrived, we asked the person at the counter if they had frozen yogurt because it didnt seem like there was any dispensers. They proceeded to say they dont have fours and yogurt. So we changed our minds on what we wanted we wanted ice cream. Well they didnt have the ice creams that my kids wanted. We ended up settling for frozen drinks, those were very delicious my kids enjoyed them and we didnt get to try the sandwiches that they make but they put on the website that they have frozen yogurt they should remove that from their title some people just want frozen yogurt I guess.
Top other services in El Cajon:
Sang Dao Restaurant
5421 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, United States
Update:In 4 weeks we have been to Sang Dao 3 times. It is our go to place for Asian food.As I walked in the first time I felt a comfort of this was going to be a fine eating experience. I was not disappointed.The aromas from the food were inviting and the decor was soft to the eyes with a couple of large screen TVs to watch. There are sufficient tables that can be arranged for parties larger than 6.You have know this restaurant is a family operated restaurant growing with the community for over 20 years.The staff is a welcoming group, showed us to the table. and provided us printed menus upon our request. This is everything that most all restaurants do. The difference is the attitude, congeniality and the dedication to providing a great experience for the Customer. On our visits and time permitting they not only frequently make sure their customers are doing well, they stay and have conversation with you to get to know you and you them.We had on one occasion the Glass Noodle Soup, Fried egg rolls and Fried wontons. Everything was delicious. Memorable-The Fried Wontons had something extra in flavor texture. Ill always order them.On the rest of the visits we had the Seafood- #41 Three Flavor Shrimp and Scallop with the Fried wontons and Fried Egg rolls. Sounds like a lot of food? It is is. The portions are excellent. The Sweet, Sour, Spicy sauce is the perfect complement to draw all the selections together. I remember having a bite of sticky rice and shrimp with the sauce. The spicy heat was not overpowering, it was enough to know it was spicy but not uncomfortable. It also made you want more of the flavors. The textures and presentation of all food was very good. On most recent visit for desert we had the Mango Sticky Rice (Seasonal). I had never had this selection in my life. Because I had so much entrée I could only taste it. You know when you taste something and you close your eyes to savor the flavors to remember, that is what happen. We asked for a to go box and I enjoyed it all the following day.The overall review of Sang Dao is one very fine restaurant that is on my More than Favorites list.Make the time to have an eating experience here.Original posting - This a place holder for my upcoming review of this very nice restaurant. Suffice to say for the moment. Great food (taste, good spicy-ness, temperature, texture, presentation), comfortable decor, friendly, attentive service, and good pricing.
World Foods Supermarket
5245 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115, United States
I live 20miles east of this store & have to come here to get my Asian food supplies & ingredients. Unfortunately, most Asian Grocery or Supermarkets are about this distance & even farther (National City!!). There is a very distinct odor & smell as you enter ( like a foul slaughter house/ toilet smell!!) and slowly dissipates as your nose gets used to the fish area in the back. It would definitely help them if they clean & sanitize all areas, especially by the fish section!! Prices are comparable & average with the rest of the Asian stores around. Plenty of inventory, grocery, cleaning & cooking supplies. I like the vegetable section with a lot of ethnic & hard to find items to choose from. It would do their image & the business well if they clean, organize, & source out fresher seafood (the choices they have to offer right now are definitely not very Fresh, except for the live Tilapia in the tanks!). I will go back & check them out again with the hopes that they have improved.