There are many Vietnamese restaurants in SF, but the majority focus solely on pho and southern Vietnamese style cooking. Bodega Bistro is a step above your typical pho joint, decor and food wise, and has a few northern Vietnamese items on the menu that can't be found elsewhere.
My favorite dish by far was Cha Ca Hanoi, one of the most famous dishes in Hanoi. It was exactly as I remembered the real thing when I visited the city a few months ago. Pieces of fish browned in butter and turmeric, cooked up with fresh dill, and served with all the fixings to make yourself a lettuce wrap. Delicious!
They also have a nice version of papaya salad with bits of beef jerky mixed in and shaking beef with lemon pepper dipping sauce (wonderful).
I'm be back again to try the squab and the ban xeo.
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