Banh Xeo Quan - Rosemead

Although half of the tables were occupied, the owner, James, promptly seated us and provided us with a simple menu. I initially intended to order the vegan option due to my gout but James wisely suggested we try the fish instead. We decided to go with his recommendation, and when the dish arrived, it was massive! Alongside it came a generous plastic bag of greens, with James instructing us to wrap the fish and dip it in fish sauce. He also suggested that, if I liked spice, I could add Sriracha or chili sauce right into the fish sauce. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that before; what a brilliant idea! The flavors were incredible—it's hard to understand how James packed so much taste into the dish. It was deeply satisfying in ways I hadn't anticipated. Furthermore, The Worm was impressed that the Thai tea was only $2.50, and I must say it was delicious. The iced sue da was also packed with flavor. This place has definitely earned a spot in my top five restaurants. Thank you, James! **Vegetarian options:** Vegan bánh xèo! However, I wouldn’t recommend ordering it unless necessary—the fish is exceptional. **Service:** Dine-in **Meal type:** Lunch **Price per person:** $20–30 **Food:** 5 **Service:** 5 **Atmosphere:** 5 **Recommended dishes:** Bánh xèo to go, bánh xèo rolled in rice paper, crepe, sauce, and one fish sauce bottle ready to eat.

This hidden gem is my top choice for banh xeo outside of Little Saigon and Vietnam. The cozy space accommodates only two parties at a time, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of being in your Vietnamese grandmother's kitchen. The banh xeo is prepared fresh to order, with both meatless options available. It's served hot and crispy, generously filled with ingredients. They certainly don’t hold back on the vegetables and herbs, and you can request extra if you’d like. The flavors and textures are spot on. It’s easy to see why this place has such a loyal following among locals.

**Food:** ★★★★★ **Service:** ★★★★★ **Atmosphere:** ★★★★★ **Recommended Dishes:** Egg Noodle with Oyster Sauce, Crepe, Soup, Sauce, MÌ Vịt Tiềm.

One of the best I've experienced in the San Gabriel area is this bakery, and I absolutely love that it comes in a pizza box! How cool is that?

Definitely order the banh xeo! It's wonderfully crispy, huge, and packed with filling. I love wrapping it in rice paper to make rolls; it creates a cleaner, more satisfying bite when dipped in sauce. They also serve it with lettuce and herbs, making for a refreshingly light meal. And if you're a fan of Timothée Chalamet, you'll be pleased to know that a scene from "Beautiful Boy" was filmed here!