Lotus Pond Vietnamese Cuisine

This is one of my family's favorite Vietnamese restaurants in north Seattle. We love the spicy pork belly fried rice, E3 - fish sauce wings, imperial rolls, iced coffee and we make a point to try a new dish each time we visit. The fried rice has a rich, spicy flavor with generous amount of pork belly. We love their fish sauce wings. We get it EVERY. TIME. This is a family owned business that consistently executes high quality, flavorful dishes. Service is friendly and engaging. Lotus Pond is always busy with little to no wait.

Lotus Pond Vietnamese Cuisine is a hidden gem nestled along Aurora Ave. Browsing their menu will automatically make your mouth water. The most satisfying dish that I've had here most likely is the BH4 Banh Hoi Thap Cam Ao Sen which was savory heaven in every bite. The woven vermicelli had that perfectly cooked, delightful texture that paired harmoniously with the charbroiled pork, succulent pork meatballs, and zesty lemongrass beef. Leaving me craving more long after the last bite.The ambiance of Lotus Pond is cozy with friendly staff that make you feel like family from the moment you walk in. This spot is a must-visit if you find yourself in the area craving some delicious Vietnamese dish, your taste buds will thank you!

I've been wanting to try this place for a while because of the high ratings and good reviews. I was surprised to find the prices are pretty much the same as Ba Bar's (Ba Bar's only around 50 cents more usually). We ordered the fried spring rolls, crispy garlic butter chicken wings, and lemongrass beef vermicelli. The first thing I noticed was that I couldn't taste any fish sauce with the fried spring rolls or vermicelli. I even got another round of fish sauce for the vermicelli, but still couldn't taste any fishiness. I could smell some fishy smell wafting through the restaurant, though, before my food arrived. The fried spring rolls at Ba Bar are slightly over $1 more because they come with vermicelli.The menu says the wings would be in savory garlic butter, but the garlic (burnt pieces) was just spread on top and fell off because they had nothing to stick to. I felt the wings were too dry compared to the description, and I had to keep drenching them in the sweet and sour sauce. I could only taste garlic when I ate the garlic pieces that were sprinkled around.The lemongrass beef vermicelli was the most disappointing because I expected the beef to be in lemongrass sauce. I could barely taste the lemongrass and already couldn't taste any fish sauce. I'm used to the meats being cooked in lemongrass sauce wherever I've ordered lemongrass vermicelli before. The beef was also chewy, but that usually happens whenever I order beef.Another thing I noticed was when people ordered pho, the bean sprouts provided were only a handful - way less than I'm used to seeing. Perhaps people could ask for more, though, and this way it prevents people wasting them.

I have been waiting to try out this place and finally had the opportunity to today.I thought the food was ok. It was on the saltier side than I'm used to.I fried spring rolls had a crispy exterior, but was chewy towards the inside so hard to just have a clean bite as it should. There was also a slight unpleasant taste. I wasn't too sure what it was, but I believe it was the black wood ear mushrooms, which were either not washed properly or left too long (that was what it tastes like). It was also salty.For a $16 bowl of bun bo hue, I was expecting more noodles and even pork leg (I know this is not for everyone, but if you're going to offer pork blood cubes, pork leg is not too bad). It just didn't feel or taste authentic. I asked if it would be spicy and was told it doesn't come spicy, so I requested if they can make it spicy. I was not told no, but when it came out, the colour and taste was lacking spice ( please see photo). The initial taste seemed decent, but after a few spoonfuls, it just tasted like there was just a lot of fermented shrimp paste. Then it got too salty.I ordered a kid's meatball pho for my son. Who didn't finish his pho. I didn't taste the broth though. What's funny was it seemed like I had the same amount of noodles as he did.I don't usually have appetizers at Vietnamese restaurants as the main is always filling enough. I had to eat the appetizers today. If it's not enough for a growing teenager or active adult.This is not meant to be nitpicky, but perhaps the restaurant could take it as constructive criticism. I wanted to come back with the rest of the family and friends and try other items like their bun mang vit, but not sure anymore. I may give it another try, but it will be a while from now.

Went in for early lunch and it wasn't very busy so we got seated right away. Giant platter for the woven noodle combo, the beef is a lil dry but overall delish for $21.. very good deal. Bun Bo Hue is very good, paid $2 for the short rib, I like how the shrimp paste and chili oil is on the side so you can flavor it to your own taste. I wish there are more veggies to go with the soup but the broth is very flavorful. The fried spring rolls were interesting, in a good way.. I enjoyed it. Will def go back again.

Alright their appetizers game is on point for their snail cha, very much more regional and different in a good way than others I've had. I'm Viet and this place made me feel bad about my summer rolls like dam do they do it well. Criticism is that their main soup entrees could have more flavor and their wings need to be sticker than a 13 yo tissues collection. Overall not a bad viet spot

Quick service and authentic food in North Seattle. Broth is clean and sides are well matched. Good for large and small groups. Will come back to eat again.

If you're lucky and you come in after the lunch rush. You'll see the family gather and eat on one of the center tables. You'll see the mom who is the master of the kitchen with her kids who run the rest of the operation. You'll realize that you sitting in the midst of their dream. This small converted house turned into the best Vietnamese spot on the north end of seattle is their family dream. What a wonderful dream it is. If you're so lucky, they'll have beef stew on their special menu. If you're luckier, you'll begin to have a love affair with their Ginger duck salad. If you're the luckiest, you'll witness this family eating together around a table full of love. Then you'll realize why the food tastes so good. It's made with love. It tastes like family.

Amazing bun bo hue. The broth was very rich and flavorful. I will say: the short rib is unnecessary and I wouldn't have it added next time. The meat was just hard to chew off the bone. Other than that, I loved the soup. As someone from Houston where Vietnamese food is hard to beat, this place did it well.

Yummy lemongrass chicken verm bowl!! It also comes with an egg roll that was pretty good. I also tried the pho and that was good but not as mind blowing as some other pho places i've tried. Locally owned!