Vietnam Palace Restaurant Ottawa logo authentic Vietnamese cuisine since 1989

Authentic Vietnamese Restaurant in Ottawa

Vietnam Palace · Family-Run Since 1989 · 100+ Traditional Dishes

What Does “Authentic” Actually Mean?

In Ottawa, many restaurants claim to serve authentic Vietnamese food. But authenticity isn’t just a marketing word — it’s a commitment. At Vietnam Palace Restaurant, authentic means:

  • Recipes from Vietnam — Our dishes come from family recipes brought from Saigon. Not adapted, not watered down, not fused with something else.
  • Traditional techniques — Our pho broth simmers for 12 hours. Our spring rolls are hand-rolled. Our sauces are made from scratch.
  • Real ingredients — Fresh herbs, real bone broth, quality meats, and proper Vietnamese seasonings. No MSG packets, no pre-made bases.
  • Vietnamese-owned and operated — Our family brought these flavors from Vietnam, and we’ve been sharing them with Ottawa since 1989.

35+ Years of Tradition

Vietnam Palace opened in 1989 on Somerset Street West in Ottawa’s Chinatown. Back then, Vietnamese food was still relatively new to many Canadians. We were one of the first Vietnamese restaurants in Ottawa to serve the full range of Vietnamese cuisine — not just pho, but the entire spectrum of flavors, textures, and techniques that make Vietnamese food one of the world’s great cuisines.

Over 35 years later, we’re still here. Same location. Same family. Same commitment to authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Our menu has grown to over 100 dishes, but the philosophy hasn’t changed: cook with integrity, use the best ingredients you can, and treat every guest like family.

Dishes You Won’t Find at Other Ottawa Restaurants

Vietnam Palace’s menu goes far beyond the standard pho-and-spring-rolls lineup:

  • Bún Bò Huế — The fiery, complex noodle soup from Central Vietnam
  • Bánh Xèo — Crispy Vietnamese crêpes with pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts
  • Cháo — Vietnamese rice porridge, a comfort food staple
  • Ếch Xào — Stir-fried frog legs with lemongrass and chili
  • Cút Chiên — Five-spice fried quail
  • Bò Lúc Lắc — Shaking beef, a French-Vietnamese fusion classic
  • Lẩu — Vietnamese hot pot for sharing

These are the dishes that Vietnamese families actually eat at home and at celebrations. We bring that same spirit to every table at Vietnam Palace.

The Test of Time

Restaurants come and go. Ottawa’s food scene changes every year. But Vietnam Palace has been a constant for 35+ years — and that says more about our food than any review ever could. We’ve earned our place in this community one bowl, one plate, one guest at a time.

When you eat with us, you’re not just having dinner. You’re connecting with a tradition that spans decades and continents — from the streets of Saigon to the heart of Ottawa’s Chinatown.

Experience Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

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Full Menu · Best Pho · Spring Rolls · Our Story

Getting Here

Address: 819 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R4 (Chinatown)

By Car: Located in the heart of Ottawa Chinatown, just minutes from Parliament Hill and the ByWard Market. Free street parking available on Somerset and surrounding streets. Metered parking along Somerset during business hours.

By Transit: Bus #2 stops right outside. 10-min walk from Lyon O-Train station. The #2 bus along Somerset stops directly in front of the restaurant. The O-Train Confederation Line connects to downtown bus routes.

By Bike: Bike racks available on Somerset Street. Chinatown is cycling-friendly with dedicated lanes nearby.

Plan Your Visit

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a Vietnamese restaurant authentic?

Authentic Vietnamese restaurants use traditional recipes, slow-simmered broths, fresh herbs and ingredients, and time-honoured cooking techniques. At Vietnam Palace, our recipes have been passed down through generations, and we source quality ingredients to ensure every dish tastes like it would in Vietnam.

How do I know if a pho restaurant is authentic?

Look for clear, aromatic broth (not cloudy or overly salty), fresh herb plates served alongside pho, house-made sauces, and a menu that includes traditional dishes beyond just pho. Vietnam Palace checks all these boxes and has been a trusted name in Ottawa Vietnamese cuisine for years.

What traditional Vietnamese dishes does Vietnam Palace serve?

Our menu spans the full range of Vietnamese cuisine: pho, bun bo Hue, banh mi, goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), cha gio (imperial rolls), com tam (broken rice plates), bun (vermicelli bowls), Vietnamese curry, and much more — over 100 authentic dishes in total.

Is Vietnam Palace family-owned?

Yes! Vietnam Palace is a family-owned restaurant that brings genuine Vietnamese flavours to Ottawa. Our commitment to authenticity comes from our roots and passion for sharing our culture through food.

Do you use MSG in your food?

We focus on building flavour through traditional cooking methods — slow-simmered broths, fresh aromatics, and quality ingredients. If you have specific dietary concerns, please let our staff know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.

Can I experience authentic Vietnamese food without visiting Vietnam?

Absolutely! At Vietnam Palace in Ottawa Chinatown, we bring Vietnam to you. From the aroma of our 12-hour pho broth to our house-made sauces and fresh herb plates, dining with us is the closest you can get to Saigon street food without a plane ticket.

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