Tabelog ratingPraised for its genuine Ho Chi Minh-style homestyle cooking, (Shoku) Vietnam ((食)越南) is a small restaurant in Kawasaki run by a Vietnamese owner-chef. It has been repeatedly selected for Tabelog's prestigious "Asian/Ethnic EAST 100" list, a testament to its quality and authenticity.
The star of the menu is the Bun Cha Gio, a dish of rice noodles with fresh herbs, topped with a large, crispy fried spring roll and dressed with a tangy nuoc cham sauce. Reviewers consistently praise this dish, along with the fried spring rolls (cha gio) on their own, and the classic pho (both chicken and beef versions). The portions are known to be generous, and the flavours are described as truly authentic, a rare find outside of Vietnam.
Because the restaurant is a small operation run by just two people, service can be slow and queues are common, especially during peak hours. Some visitors have also noted minor concerns about tap water taste or cleanliness, though these comments are not widespread. Certain dishes, like the popular spare ribs, may only be available at dinner.
The value for money is exceptional. Reviewers in 2024–2026 paid around ¥980 for the signature Bun Cha Gio, ¥1,050 for chicken pho, and ¥920 for an order of fried spring rolls. A meal for two with drinks often comes in under ¥5,000, fitting the typical spend of ¥1,000–¥1,999 per person.
- Reservations: Booking is recommended, especially for dinner and on weekends. Walk-ins are possible, but be prepared to queue.
- Getting There: It's a 4-minute walk from the north exit of Musashi-Shinjo Station on the JR Nambu Line.
- Payment: Cash only. Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Service: The restaurant is run by two people, so service can be slow. It's not recommended if you are in a hurry. A service charge is added to the bill.
- Seating: There are 14 seats, including a counter and several small tables.
- Children: Children are welcome.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: No parking is available on-site, but there is a paid parking lot nearby.
