When I am feeling guilty about my recent eating habits, I like to head over to Saigon Tokyo in Greenacres. Nothing gets me back on the right track like eating a huge bowl of pho, and Saigon Tokyo prepares it consistently well. First off, please don't judge this place by appearance only. It looks like any other strip mall variety "sushi-Thai" joint that you have seen in South Florida, swarming with retirees looking to use two coupons at the same time, but you have to see this menu! I have not found a better Vietnamese restaurant anywhere in Palm Beach County.
Saigon Tokyo is the perfect place to unwind after a long day. It has a great, laid back, family-operated vibe to it that I love. Come as you are. We usually show up in sweat pants on Sunday nights. It is comfort food to the max.
Say hi to their giant fish (who is thrilled because he will not be eaten), grab a booth, and one of Saigon Tokyo's super servers will drop off hot towels and a little appetizer of sweet cucumber slices. We have eaten here about a half dozen times now, and the only time I have waited for a table was on a Saturday night at 7 p.m.
I spoke with owner Fatish Ramcharam who told me that the restaurant has been in his family since 2007. I noted that although the location of Saigon Tokyo is horrible, there is always a crowd on hand. Mr. Ramcharam acknowledged that they have a dedicated following in and around Greenacres. He also said that they "sell just as many Japanese specialties as Vietnamese, and people come for both cuisines," but that the "pho is the top seller."
Although the menu at Saigon Tokyo is daunting to the uninitiated, the friendly staff will guide you along and help you to find items that you will like. Everything is subtitled in English, and they encourage the "order by number" system. Like you are going to fool anyone. Unless you ARE Vietnamese, just order by number. Be warned, portion sizes are immense, so you will need a box there Adam Richman! But what an amazing value! Go here and get tons of food that will make you feel better about yourself for cheap. I am in my happy place.
All of the giant bowls of pho are accompanied by a huge bowl of condiments. I'm sorry, but I am such a nerd, this is the highlight for me. Bean sprouts, basil, jalapenos, and lime, so fresh you can still taste the earth, alongside chili sauce, fish sauce, sriracha, and hoisin sauce. Now I am a "supreme" pizza guy. I like it all. Everybody in! Adjust the spice to your taste, and dig in. I love the pork broth with seafood, teeming with thin sliced "bbq" style roasted pork, shrimp, crab, fish balls, and other goodies over noodles. Oh! and if you are like me you will need to ask for lots of PAPER napkins, because this will clear those sinuses right out. TMI? Too soon? Sorry.
The crepe is amazing as well, like a cross between a pancake and an omelette, filled with shrimp, pork, and onions and served alongside a sweet dipping sauce, is sublime as an appetizer, but is really big enough to feed 4 people. Everything here is big. You will not leave hungry. We have tried several of the noodle dishes, the fried rice is on point, and the sushi is pretty good as well, although we have only tried a couple of rolls. Come for the Vietnamese stuff, you will not be disappointed. All of the noodle dishes run from about $7-$9, and nothing on the menu is over $13. They also do iced coffee, a sugary and delicious rendition that will keep you up all night, if that's what you are after.
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