Craving Southeast Asian food?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable Southeast Asian restaurants around Saint Paul, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture next time you're on the hunt.
1. Pho Ca Dao
Topping the list is Pho Ca Dao. Located at 439 University Ave. West in Thomas Dale, the Vietnamese spot is the highest-rated cheap Southeast Asian restaurant in Saint Paul, boasting four stars out of 134 reviews on Yelp. Look for pho and smoothies on the menu.
Yelper Samty X., who reviewed Pho Ca Dao on Nov. 19, wrote, "My in-laws make pho every Sunday, and while this can't compare with something homemade by the parents, the pho is pretty good."
Xai V. noted, "A shop that specializes in pho and nothing else. What more can you ask for? They have house specials and make your own."
2. Thai Garden
Next up is Summit-University's Thai Garden, situated at 432 University Ave. West. With 4.5 stars out of 220 reviews on Yelp, the Thai, vegan and gluten-free spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a budget-friendly option. Menu items include soup, fried rice and fried fish.
The site can tell you a thing or two more about Thai Garden.
"We are the true flavors of Thai Food," it states on Yelp in the section about specialties. "Most of our ingredients are specially imported from Thailand — that's what makes our restaurant a unique and special place to eat."
3. Trung Nam French Bakery
Thomas Dale's Trung Nam French Bakery, located at 739 University Ave. West, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the affordable bakery, French and Vietnamese spot 4.5 stars out of 209 reviews. Look for croissants, cinnamon rolls and sandwiches on the menu.
If you're curious for more, we found these details about Trung Nam French Bakery.
"Trung Nam French Bakery was established in 1989 by two Vietnamese immigrants Tony and Edna," the business states in the history section of its Yelp profile. "The bakery is family-owned and operated."
Curious to know more?
"Tony came to the U.S. in 1979 after the Vietnam war ended," the business states in the bio section of its Yelp profile. "He got his passion to start Vietnamese-French fusion bakery after apprenticing at a bakery in Seattle. He and his wife Edna decided to follow that passion and moved to Minnesota to start that dream."
In terms of signature items, "Croissants, baguettes, Vietnamese sandwiches and a variety of drinks (cafe, boba drinks)" it notes on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties.
4. Eastside Thai Restaurant
Eastside Thai Restaurant, a Thai spot in Payne Phalen, is another cheap go-to, with four stars out of 117 Yelp reviews. Head over to 879 Payne Ave. to see for yourself. The menu offers papaya salad, noodles and curries.
Luke G. noted, "The game changer is the crispy pork belly. It appears on many different dishes, but I ordered it on the fried rice. It is very good. It has the texture of bacon without the saltiness. It's served in big chunks too!"
This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.
