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Sao MAI

Vietnamese Restaurant and Noodle Restaurant$$$$

East Village, New York

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Sao MAI

7.6^/10

425

ratings

Ranked #7 for lunch specials in the East Village
Has a stamp of approval from Village Voice and Serious Eats
"Try the pork summer rolls and beef eye round pho (nice and lean)."(70 Tips)
"... pho or the vegetarian bahn mi if you want something spicy."(6 Tips)
"Get the pho and the papaya salad!"(4 Tips)
"Great lunch specials!"(7 Tips)

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96 Tips and reviews

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pho
bánh mì sandwiches
casual
papaya salad
lunch specials
great value
good for groups
beef
brisket
spicy food
spring rolls
pork
buns
chicken
city
brunch food
village
appetizers
rice
summer rolls
(15 more)

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Village VoiceMay 31, 2012
Robert Sietsema is convinced that Sao Mai may be the best Vietnamese restaurant New Yorkers have. Keep an eye out for the goi bo, banh cuon, and for all you naysayers, give the pho a shot.
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Jess NaldoSeptember 19, 2015
Bowls of pho are some of the best/biggest in the city! Rice and noodle plates are worthy contenders though the papaya salad/rolls always win a spot in my heart/on my plate. Great lunch specials!
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NickJuly 22, 2016
They have a vegan pho called Pho Do Chay (yes, the broth is vegan too)! And it's delicious! How amazing is that!
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Kendra BorowskiSeptember 8, 2016
Fantastic flavorful pho. Also love the cha gio. Nice ambiance, very friendly service; a step up in that way from than Xe Lua and Pho Bang.
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Preston CharlesDecember 24, 2014
Honestly have been looking for 2 years for a place that serves up Pho as well as they do in Vietnam -- I think I've come several steps closer some of the best Pho I've had in years -- 2 to be exact!
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Lindsey KimJanuary 16, 2015
Unassuming neighborhood spot with great authentic food. Get the beef pho and ask the staff about proper eating techniques with the condiments. You'll see the difference in taste!
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Maria RodriguezJanuary 6, 2019
I think it was House special or something like that. It was as rice mixed with chicken and egg that had a really tasty, sweet and filled with spiced roasted pork chop. absolutely delicious!
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Village VoiceAugust 4, 2014
The papaya salad is superb, a crunchy heap of green fruit tendrils flavored with fish vinegar and Vietnamese mint, an herb rarely scene in Gotham. Read more
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Village VoiceAugust 4, 2014
The pho is the best in town, with a light broth barely scented with spices. The house signature variety features brisket, eye of round, and beef balls. Read more
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Amie RomanoJuly 14, 2014
Been here 5+ times
sao mai has an incredible lunch special monday-friday! $10 will you your choice of appetizer, a huge bowl of pho AND a soft drink! heaven for a pho and diet coke addict! :)
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Allie CaldwellOctober 25, 2017
Been here 5+ times
Best, reliable, cheap pho in the East Village. Have never waited for a table, service is quick. Try the pork summer rolls and beef eye round pho (nice and lean). Yummm.
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Yera HaJune 3, 2015
The pho is a little oilier than I like and the prices are higher than the nearby Chinatown places, but still a good option for when you need a bowl of soup. Good spring rolls, too!
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JeffreyJuly 20, 2014
Sao Mai debunks the old wives’ tale that you can’t find a good bowl of Vietnamese beef-bone-broth noodle soup outside our city’s Chinatowns, let alone in Manhattan. Also good for takeout/delivery.
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Serious EatsJune 18, 2013
Reliably delicious Vietnamese in the East Village. The lunch-only banh mi are winners, too.
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Samir GoelMay 5, 2018
I’ve been coming to Sao Mai for over 5 years. It’s one of the best Vietnamese spots in town, is in a great neighborhood, and has affordable prices!
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Mark HeyertNovember 14, 2015
My daughter does not want me to say this but Buzzfeed was right that this is one of the best pho places in NY. Have the original pho.
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Andrew CJanuary 21, 2016
8 of us ordered appz and tons of pho, various chicken and beef and fish... it was all so delicious and super cheap!!!!
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Alex BentonDecember 6, 2013
Humberto Leon: "The sweet and sour soup is delicious; they put lily pod stems in there. They also make these steamed rice rolls that I love. When we take roadtrips, we'll order banh mis to go."
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Jeffrey GiulianiOctober 25, 2016
Pho Ga: Initially thrown off by the presence of broccoli and carrots, but pleasantly surprised. The white meat chicken was tender and the broth was delicious.
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emily chenJune 13, 2016
The pho here is probably one of the best in the city and they have banh xeo, which is an off-the-menu item!
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Louie TsangApril 2, 2013
While not the best pho.. It isnt bad actually, considering the area. And the lunch special isnt too bad either, and at a good price u get a drink, a small appetizer and pho for 10 for lunch special
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ofer ribakOctober 7, 2016
The starters platter was delicious! A great option for sharing. Great service - waiter have us good recommendations.
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AditiJanuary 6, 2017
Great pho but a bit salty. Get the spring roll app. It comes with rice paper you to make your own rolls - best dish here!
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M TFebruary 26, 2015
Pho and banh mi in one restaurant! Lunch only though. #Pho was #delicious but mediocre #banhmi #vietnamese #foodie #eastvillage #asianeats #cheapeats #nyc
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Emily WilsonSeptember 27, 2016
A very solid spot for pho. Get the pho tai.
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Bernard OrtegaJanuary 6, 2013
Pho is excellent. Not too greasy, broth has excellent well rounded flavor. Meatballs are good. Bun bowls are clean,tasty, fragrant.
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eija ramosApril 13, 2012
Been here 25+ times
Food is so fresh and delicious! Service is always great, but sometimes you have to flag them for the bill...but I think that's on purpose so you never feel rushed.
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Chris EvansAugust 15, 2014
The appetizer platter is definitely a great choice for a group. Also try the mango lemonade, it's pretty refreshing.
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Sahm AdrangiMay 31, 2012
Great Vietnamese, a bit more classy than most. Mussels were particularly excellent and the pho and spring rolls both good. Still BYOB.
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AmateurConciergeAugust 13, 2015
Not big on pho, but their lunch special is undeniable: an app and either pho, banh mi or rice bowl for $10!
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Ruth TupeJanuary 13, 2017
The bun was pretty good actually. This place is much more authentic than places in the area. Would go again
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Lizzy SaxeJuly 13, 2015
The pho is pretty good - for NYC. Got nothing on LA. The rest of their menu is great though. Try the egg crepe!
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Maya MeredithFebruary 21, 2016
The pho is perfect, and you can choose from several options of which cut of beef you would like.
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TeresaDecember 7, 2014
Portions are big and the food is a great value for money. Try the different types of rolls!
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Alice QMay 13, 2013
Been here 5+ times
If you come for lunch you have to specifically ask for the lunch special menu if you want it. They try to hide it from their customers. Also, banh cuon, pho, grape leaves = go. Kho to = pass.
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Spencer VairoFebruary 22, 2015
Light in the oil and use of fresh veggies made for really good noodle bowl
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Village VoiceAugust 4, 2014
With its semi-private tables, this is a great place for a date. Read more
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Johnny WonOctober 25, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Impressive pho. Excellent proportions and quality.
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Tyce CleeSeptember 6, 2017
Been here 5+ times
Tasty and affordable! Plenty of condiments, great service and decent prices.
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Mackenzie ClarkJuly 18, 2015
The trifecta of quick, cheap, and delicious. Will be back for more pho!
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NathanJune 10, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Bún Sao Mai. Get it. Undoubtedly the best bún in Manhattan.
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Candice DSouzaNovember 30, 2016
If you want to try something different than pho, order spicy lemongrass chicken!
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Nath MDecember 5, 2016
Been here 5+ times
The Vietnamese pancake here is off the chain, it's not on the menu but be sure to ask.
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Evan SmithOctober 4, 2014
Try the house special pho or the vegetarian bahn mi if you want something spicy.
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Saarim ZamanOctober 19, 2016
Delicious hearty pho, some of the best in the city
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Ivy MJuly 16, 2015
Pho was good 😋 Lunch set only $10 including a coke
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Frank EspositoNovember 26, 2014
The Sao Mai Pho is the best pho I've had in NYC.
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🐓September 7, 2014
Been here 10+ times
The best damn pho spot in the city.
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Beth BatesAugust 6, 2013
Delicious and affordable Vietnamese. Get the pho and the papaya salad!
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Village VoiceOctober 25, 2012
Critics' Pick winner of The Village Voice Best of NYC 2012 Best Vietnamese!
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Sao MAI

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