3.5 STARS Call me a weirdo but I don't mind when Chinese or Viet resto staff throw menus at me, *scoff* when I don't know what I want to order within 10 seconds of sitting down, and the kitchen and servers are yelling at each other (RIP Loi's). Oh, and have poor reviews. (Usually, the food is good AND service will be fast.) Not at Golden Lotus. The owner is super nice and accommodating. And, there was no commotion. At least for a weeknight dinner. Golden Lotus has been around for over a decade but I haven't been back to this spot since Turtle Tower closed. Open for takeout and indoor dining only. After First Thursdays in SoMa, I wanted AZN comfort food and remembered I had bookmarked Golden Lotus for their cơm tấm (broken rice). M E N U All your typical Viet staples: Phở, Bún (vermicelli noodles), and Cơm (rice plates). But, what set them apart from other Viet places in the 'loin is they have bánh cuốn (rice rolls) and cơm tấm (broken rice). No liquor. Cc's accepted. F O O D * #3 Bánh Cuốn Thịt Nướng: Rice Rolls w/ grilled lemongrass pork, mint, shallot ($9.50): https://tinyurl.com/jx3dpbtf Smooth supple steamed rice noodle but the grilled lemongrass seemed like it was cooked earlier in the day, as it didn't taste too fresh. * #11 Bò Tái Chanh: Viet Rare Beef Salad ($15.99): https://tinyurl.com/2fk7pabx Good punchy flavor and varying textures but the american wagyu was still partially frozen. * #52 Cơm Tấm Dặc Biệt: Broken Rice Combo w/ pork chop, shredded pork skin, egg cake, shrimp cake, imperial roll ($17 + $2.99 egg): https://tinyurl.com/y6a3pjp8 Most of the platter except the fried egg seemed like it was cooked earlier in the day and reheated. The sườn nướng (pork chop) was dry and the fried items (tau hu ky: shrimp cake and chả giò: imperial roll) were chewy. Chả trứng (egg meatloaf) had good texture from the bean thread noodles and wood ear mushrooms. And, I enjoyed the bì (shredded pork skin) and runny yolk. Solid nước cấm (fish dipping sauce) with a balanced salty, sweet, tangy funk. I prefer the com sườn nướng (grilled pork chop rice) next door at Larkin Resto. * #21 Phở Dặc Biệt: Combo Phở w/ flank, brisket, tripe, tendon, rare steak ($15.99): https://tinyurl.com/mtmdxfvk - Request rare steak on the side (no surcharge) Not mine but I had a sip of the northern-style broth which was quite salty and msg-y. Not as sweet as southern-style. S E R V I C E Super nice and chatty owner (speaks Canto and Viet). Prompt food service. A M B I A N C E Low-key with about 7-8 tables. P A R K I N G Street parking wasn't difficult on a weeknight. Overall, I think the food would have been better if we had gone for lunch versus dinner. 3.5 stars rounded up for cheap eats and the very kind owner.

This place is probably one of my favorite place to get pho and rice plates because the serving is just right, the service is direct, and the food is amazing! I usually get pho tai or the five spiced chicken rice plate and it always does the job for less than $20. I also add an extra fried egg to give me a protein boost in my rice plate and fills me up decently well.

For how chaotic the streets can be, Golden Lotus provides a clean and pleasant escape with outstanding service. The owner was very attentive, seating my colleague and me quickly and serving us hot tea on the spot. The service remained excellent throughout our meal--our cups were always full, and orders were taken efficiently without any rush. As for the food, this Vietnamese spot checks all the right boxes. The pho broth had a solid, standard flavor, and all ingredients tasted fresh and clean. You can tell the dishes are made to order rather than reheated like at some other places. Prices are fair for the area, and they execute the basics well. What stood out to me was the fried shrimp cake that came with the rice dish and the imperial rolls. The imperial rolls were light, crispy, and had the right amount of filling. They also offer chili oil upon request. Their nuoc cham is spot on, with the perfect balance of chili, garlic, fish sauce, and lime juice. My only critique is that the egg cake in the rice dish could have been denser with a better ground pork-to-vermicelli ratio, as it leaned more on the vermicelli side. Parking can be a bit sketchy because of some of the locals in the area, so keep that in mind. Next time, I'll definitely be trying their vermicelli (bún) dishes and Bún Bò Huế, which came highly recommended by others. Overall, a solid spot for Vietnamese food with great service and fair pricing!

Been living in SF for a couple years now and Golden Lotus has to be hands-down one of my favorite Pho spots! Im a Pho connoisseur and I've tried countless bowls across the city, but Golden Lotus consistently delivers rich, flavorful broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and high-quality meats. The depth of the broth stands out--it's well-balanced, aromatic, and never overly salty. Their toppings are always fresh, and the portions are generous (especially when ordering takeout!) Beyond the food, the service is warm - kindest owners! Whether you're craving a comforting bowl on a foggy SF day or just looking for top-tier Pho, Golden Lotus is a must-visit. Highly recommend!

I haven't eaten viet food in the TL since Turtle Tower closed, but my friend and I decided to come in while we were in the area and we were not disappointed. It's a no frills establishment in not the best neighborhood, but it was clean inside and the owner was friendly and welcoming. We each had a small bowl of pho dac biet (comes with all the meat options) and ordered the banh cuon to share. For a $15 bowl, it was a good portion that came with a lot of meat, especially compared to some other pho restaurants, and the broth was clean and didn't leave me guzzling water at the end of the meal. I was impressed by how tender the flank was and how flavorful the brisket was. While it wasn't the most complex broth, I definitely prefer it over those that are super oily and heavy. My one complaint is that the broth could've been hotter, but it was still good nonetheless. The banh cuon was also delicious - the texture of the roll was perfect, and I'm an absolute sucker for lemongrass pork. However, if you're a fellow cilantro hater, the menu doesn't say it but it does have cilantro. I was originally trying to pull it out and ended up just unrolling it to remove the cilantro, and the owner saw me struggling and asked if I wanted it remade which was so nice T_T thankfully there was no lingering flavor once removed so I declined, but I really appreciated that he offered. Considering the price point, portion, and quality of food, I would definitely come back to satisfy my pho cravings. The owner also greeted several customers who sounded like regulars, so you know others find it to be a reliable spot as well. Don't let the TL stop you from enjoying delicious food from a local business!

Best pho with fresh small flat noodles and the most flavorful broth. I always order the beef combo and the service is fast and staff are kind. I love that this location is locally owned and this business has funded the owner's kids through college. They are also one of the few pho places that open at 9am. Prices are standard and a little pricier than normal but it's legit and a no frills establishment. The area is bit sketch but worth the trek because the meal is always satisfying. Support local business!

If you come here, it will feel sketchy because there are lots of people around doing things that won't make you feel safe. However, once you get inside and eat your food, you'll realize this is one of the few places left that's homey and cheap. The pho was nice and large and actually had too much meat relative to the noodles. The owners are nice. If you set your expectations of this being a place where you can get good cheap pho and understand there's a reason it's cheap, you'll be happy

Located in the heart of the Tenderloin area, some may find it not that appetizing as you'll need to find street parking with parking meters that either don't work, or very dirty. If you are lucky to find parking you're greeted with a strong pungent unpleasant aroma created by humans and their by product. But once you make your way inside the restaurant, the environment gets lot better. The workers here are friendly and attentive with great food at great price that's unheard of in this era. This place had more than the traditional Pho with lot of good ol' Vietnamese comfort food. Didn't try all but the ones we tried are spot on. Their chicken wings are tasty but I prefer wingettes. Their pho was plenty and favorable. The Pho in this area is a dying industry. Although the exterior ambiance may be less than ideal, this place is worth the trip.

This was my second time here, and it was even better than the last. A really tasty broth pho with yummy fresh noodles and the service was extraordinary. He kept checking I was okay. Was $16 total with tip, which is fair for the area. Very clean and white background so looks nice, much nicer than outside. I would have like more veggies but probably could have just asked for more.