Monsoon

Just got the chicken Bahn Mi. Really really solid. Almost too big, tbh. I kind of like them on the smaller side but it's the right price given how big it is and how fresh the vegetables.I just got my sandwich to go but the inside seemed quite nice and they had some great looking plated meals.

The pho broth was on the blander side but not completely bland, just a faint taste of the beef bones and spices. There are meatballs, brisket and slices of thin beef but no tripe and tendon in the combo pho, to my surprise. A hefty serving of pho noodles were there at the very least.service was attentive and friendly, I liked how the guy upfront gave me the sriracha and hoisin sauce per my request.Ambiance was a bit empty but the decorations were more on the modest end. The chairs have cushions, which made it comfy.Parking here was a bit of a nightmare on Sunday evening, but I did end up finding a spot around here. It is also on the BILT restaurant list so easy 6x cash back with the BILT card.I would not drive here for pho specifically as the primary reason, but if I have a strong soup craving, I wouldn't mind coming here.

Ugh this was really really difficult for me to grade because their porkchop over rice was AMAZING! Really good marinade and tender and honestly probably the best Vietnamese porkchop I've had that I can remember, BUT the other stuff was a fail. The fried chicken had too much batter and honestly needed more seasoning. The eggrolls were awful. The meat tasted stale or old. It was fried and hot, but the meat inside had an off putting flavor.My friends shrimp vermicelli bowl was a hit. Large grilled shrimp and fresh noodles.Honestly if they would have had better eggrolls that didn't taste funky I probably would have given this place 4 stars.I would come again though.

Service was great, friendly and attentive but the foods were a bit off. They're not authentic Vietnamese foods. If you're open for a non-authentic pho with salty taste, it's passable. It's like you're buying a SONY TV but got a SQNY instead. The other dishes were not too bad but ingredients were also... off.

Came here for lunch one day and everything we ordered was delicious. -bun Bo hue-chicken pho-pork vermicelli bowl -pork spring rolls On the pricier end but they give good portions! Great service! I loved my bun Bo hue broth, better than most other places in Oakland that I've had, just wish they used actual bun Bo hue noodles and not pho noodles. Will definitely be back :)

I'm really sorry to say that I didn't love Monsoon. I wanted to love it - the former occupant of this space, Cyclo, was also a Vietnamese restaurant, and they had the best pho around IMHO. So I got some fried wontons and some beef pho. The fried wontons were good (but you kind of can't screw up fried wontons), but the pho was just...bland. And unlike Cyclo, they no longer have beer on tap, which was kind of too bad, I've always liked having a pint with my pho (even though most pho places generally don't serve alcohol). Anyway: oh well, kind of a bummer.

I think the restaurant has great potential and has a nice indoor aesthetic. Ordered the spicy noodle soup (bun bo hue) and chicken rice plate with extra chicken. Originally tried to order chicken rice plate with chicken wing add on but was told they don't do rice plates with chicken wings. Was texted that my order was ready and pick up was easy. The spot was not too busy during our 4:30pm pickup. My takeout of spicy noodle soup only had raw brisket and no meatballs and no filet mignon/tendon. The overall flavor was okay. I think I would prefer it if they contacted me if there were items missing from my noodle soup order so I could maybe order something else or cancel my order.

Gee, I didn't know Xyclo closed. I tried it years ago and was a bit underwhelmed by their chicken pho, but I noticed the recent change in name and found out it indeed reflected a change in ownership. New chef/owner has shifted the focus of the Vietnamese cuisine from the North to the South. I'm not nearly enough of a pho connoisseur to know the difference.What I do know was that the $16 Chicken Noodle Soup was more freshly executed than the pho I had before and consequently a lot tastier. Interestingly it was not referred to as pho, and I wasn't sure whether it was not technically pho or it was a concession to the decidedly non-Vietnamese clientele to be found on Piedmont Avenue. It really didn't matter, it was good (photo: https://bit.ly/3JtU3YN).They use poached chicken that reminded me more of Hainan chicken especially since they served a tasty helping of ginger garlic sauce on the side (photo: https://bit.ly/3CK5W90). All the other requisite elements were present - thin rice noodles, fresh bean sprouts, cilantro, chopped scallions, sliced peppers, and light chicken broth - along with some unexpected items like red onions and fried onion bits.It was quite satisfying and kept me full. However, I felt I would be remiss if I didn't take advantage of a Yelp check-in coupon that gave me a complimentary $5 Vietnamese Iced Coffee (photo: https://bit.ly/46klqhH). I haven't had one in such a long time that it was quite a treat. They offer the expected rice and noodle plates, so chances are pretty good that I'll return for more of Chao's homestyle dishes.FOOD - 4 stars...a tasty chicken pho with fresh ingredientsAMBIANCE - 4 stars...pretty spacious, not overly decorative SERVICE - 4 stars...quietly attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...this is a Monsoon worth weathering RELATED - Exploring Piedmont Avenue? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2I0RAHj

Chicken pho was edible but broth wasn't particularly good. The woman was working by herself so you pay for your meal prior which is odd but ok. It's ridiculously over priced at $18 after tax, portion was plentiful but I'd skip this place it's not good..

I like their food, only one thing is the lady is not very good service as she only hide herself at her desk and watch iPhone?! not to check other consumer see if they like it or need help.I have been here before, that time has the guy, he is doing better than this lady!