Vien Huong Restaurant

Vien Huong Restaurant

Vien Huong Restaurant in Oakland offers authentic Vietnamese and Chinese noodle dishes, including the famous No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun with savory broth and fresh toppings. Enjoy casual dining, quick service, and wheelchair-accessible seating for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Cash only; open daily except Thursdays.

Hello Dear

Welcome to Vien Huong Restaurant

Vien Huong Restaurant
Vien Huong Restaurant
Vien Huong Restaurant
Vien Huong Restaurant

Vien Huong Restaurant sits at 712 Franklin St in Oakland, delivering authentic Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine since the late 1980s. This hole-in-the-wall spot attracts locals, university students, and tourists craving comfort food like the famous No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun— a savory, clear pork broth noodle soup brimming with shrimp, fish balls, pork bits, and tender kidney. Strictly cash-only, the place hums with energy during lunch, fueled by staff hustling to serve a steady stream of hungry diners.

Many come here to cure soup cravings or hangovers alike, trusting Vien Huong for its consistent, rich flavors and friendly, fast-paced atmosphere. If you’re early, you beat the crowd; come late, expect a lively wait and ample chatter, connecting you to Oakland's vibrant food culture.

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Location & Contact

Address

712 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607, United States

Hotline

+1 510-465-5938

Taste the best

Food Menu

The most notable feature at Vien Huong is its menu’s star—the No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun—praised for a delicate, light chicken broth paired with an abundant medley of seafood, pork, and organ meats, custom served with ho fun or rice noodles. Homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños add a memorable spicy kick. The kitchen also serves a variety of fried noodle dishes, rice plates, and breakfast staples, complemented by classic Vietnamese drinks like Ca Phe Sua Da and Nuoc Xi Muoi.

The ambiance is casual yet trendy, welcoming groups, solo diners, and families with kids, offering wheelchair-accessible seating and facilities. The restaurant accepts reservations to help manage usual lunch rushes, and street parking with paid options lies nearby. Seasonal peak times hit 100% capacity at Sunday noon, so early visits promise a quicker seat and quieter vibe.

About

Vien Huong Restaurant

Vien Huong Restaurant
Vien Huong Restaurant
Vien Huong Restaurant
Vien Huong Restaurant

Established in Oakland’s Chinatown neighborhood for over three decades, Vien Huong Restaurant has earned a reputation as a fusion haven of Cantonese and Vietnamese noodle specialties. The eatery thrives on authenticity, crafting dishes that honor traditional recipes with fresh, local ingredients. Customers appreciate the hearty, soul-warming broths and carefully maintained recipes for fish balls, kidney preparations, and satay beef, which highlight the kitchen’s expertise.

Service efficiency is a hallmark—many patrons finish their meals within 15 minutes despite busy crowds. The intimate interior, adorned with handmade wontons in the background, echoes the restaurant’s dedication to craft and heritage. Strictly cash-only, Vien Huong fosters a community feel where patrons share tips on best times to visit and favorite dishes, bonding over their love for the unique flavors and energetic atmosphere. The restaurant’s commitment to accessibility and family-friendliness keeps it a steadfast choice for Oakland’s diverse clientele, ensuring everyone finds comfort and quality in every bowl served.

Vien Huong Restaurant

Vien Huong Restaurant commits to preserving the rich culinary traditions of Vietnamese and Cantonese cuisine, delivering dishes that honor both cultures with authentic ingredients and recipes perfected over decades. The vision centers on creating a welcoming spot where community members can gather to enjoy affordable, satisfying meals served with genuine hospitality. The restaurant strives to maintain its reputation as a reliable, fast-paced eatery that doesn’t compromise on quality or authenticity. Every bowl serves not only nourishment but a connection to Oakland’s diverse food heritage, fostering a loyal community that keeps the spirit of Vien Huong alive.

Reviews

What Clients Say

Great hole In the wall Vietnamese restaurant. I’ve been going for years with my best friend who introduced me to it! The best soup on the menu is #21 hands down

CRYSTAL M.
CRYSTAL M.

Cash only restaurant that is worth the hurdle! Lunch time is cery busy and the staff hustles and bustles to get you in asap. Food is authentic as it gets. I went with their popular dish - #21 Chow Jew Ho Fun which is also know as Hu Tieu. Pork Broth is clear, savory and rich. Liver is tender and not too irony. Will come back to try other dishes here.

J H.
J H.

How does this place not have more reviews?! It’s been a staple in Oakland since the late 80’s. It’s canto Viet fusion. A hearty bowl to warm your soul. Cash only. Came on a Sunday lunch time and it was insanely busy. Great hole in the wall spot to cure your hangover or soup craving.

Patricia F.
Patricia F.

*2/25/2024 I ordered the mixed noodles with both ho fun and rice noodles. The broth is light and clear, and it comes with lots of toppings like chili, sriracha, hoisin, vinegar, and Vien Huong's special chili sauce. There's a mix of meats in the dish—shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork pieces, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork—all served with your favorite type of rice noodles. The homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños give it a spicy kick, making the flavors really pop. 1/25/2024 No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun is a dish featuring shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork, all harmoniously paired with your preferred rice noodles. The addition of homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños provides a spicy burst, delivering that extra kick! The flavorful combination keeps me coming back for more. Venturing into something new this time, I got the fried fish cake. It proved to be incredibly tasty, although the only drawback is its slightly higher price for relatively smaller portions. But, it's definitely worth a try! *Tip: Cash only. 12/27/2023 Vien Huong's No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun is a monthly ritual with my friend! Their exceptional chicken broth, light and clear, is unmatched. After trying other places, I keep coming back for its distinct flavor. What makes Vien Huong special is the thoughtful addition of kidney, setting them apart. The dish includes shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork—all perfectly paired with your preferred rice noodles. Vien Huong adds a spicy burst with homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños, providing that extra kick! A flavorful experience that keeps me hooked! *Tip: Cash only. 11/27/2023 No. 21 Chow Jew Ho Fun takes center stage on their menu. This time, I tried their mixed noodles with ho fun and rice noodle. The chicken broth is a light and clear base for their impressive array of condiments such as chili, sriracha, hoisin, vinegar, and Vien Huong's house-made chili sauce. The dish features a generous medley of meats—shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork—all served with your preferred type of rice noodles. The homemade chili oil and pickled jalapeños add a spicy burst and extra kick, creating a delightful flavor combination. We also tried their Sauteed Kidney with Ginger Onion, which I really enjoyed and highly recommend if you are not apprehensive about eating pork kidney. The kidney is well-seasoned and flavorful, with a crunchy but not mushy texture. The onions complement the kidney really well, even when paired with the Chow Jew Ho Fun. *Tip: Cash only. 10/23/2023 Vien Huong Restaurant is a hidden treasure. I revisited this place, and it's just as amazing as ever. Their No.21 Chow Jew Ho Fun takes center stage on their menu. The chicken broth is light and clear, giving you the perfect canvas to season to your liking with an impressive array of condiments. They offer chili, sriracha, hoisin, vinegar, and, of course, Vien Huong's house-made chili sauce. This dish is a generous medley of meats, including shrimp, fish balls, pork balls, pork bits, kidney, and your choice of sliced chicken or pork, all served with your preferred type of rice noodles. Their homemade chili oil adds a spicy burst of flavor, and the pickled jalapeños give your meal an extra kick, creating a delightful flavor combination. *Tip: This restaurant is cash-only, so be sure to come prepared. The prices are incredibly reasonable. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how affordable it is. Not to mention, the service is lightning fast; I can finish my meal in about 15 minutes and be on my way. Parking can be a bit challenging, but it's a minor inconvenience for the fantastic food.

Alice H.
Alice H.

For those keen on savory Asian breakfast, this Chinese-Vietnamese noodle house in Oakland Chinatown is unbeatable. Though a bit divvy from the outside, the dining room is tidy and the atmosphere authentic — complete with wontons being handmade from the back table. #20. Cambodian Ho Fun: cooked-to-perfection, chewy rice noodles served in light, clean-tasting broth. Topped with pork slices, hand-cut ground pork, shrimp, fish balls and kidney. Garnish to taste with chili sauce and oil, hoisin, and jalapeño vinegar. Personal preference to leave the broth unadulterated (perfect as is!) while making a dipping sauce for the yummy soup toppings. An Oakland gem.

Christopher C.
Christopher C.

This place is so good reminds me of Pho but broth and ingredients are different, bowl is big with plenty of meat and noodles . Complementary tea is served One of the best noodle spot in Oakland , cash only

Eden Y.
Eden Y.