Vietnamese-American couple sells bun cha and fried pho, ranked in top 50 best restaurants in America

USA - A restaurant specializing in Vietnamese dishes with Hanoi bun cha, Lang Son sour pho, Sa Pa grilled meat... praised by diners and ranked in the top 50 best restaurants in the US in 2025.

"Bun Cha Cau Giay" (The Paper Bridge) was honored by The New York Times as one of the 50 best restaurants in America in 2025.

This Vietnamese restaurant has a Northern flavor, serving many typical dishes such as Hanoi bun cha, wonton noodles, pho rolls, spring rolls, grilled skewers bringing the breath of Vietnamese street food to the heart of America.

The restaurant is located in Portland, Oregon (USA), opened in November 2023 by a Vietnamese-American couple: chef Quynh Nguyen and Carlo Reina. Ms. Quynh Nguyen is originally from Hanoi, and Mr. Carlo - an American who has lived and worked in Vietnam - is in charge of making pho and fresh handmade noodles at the restaurant every day.

Owners Quynh Nguyen and Carlo Reina. Photo: Portland Tribune

The couple said they spent months experimenting to fully recreate the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine in completely different climates and ingredients.

According to the Portland Tribune , in addition to their passion for food, the couple also focuses on building close relationships with regular customers, preserving the cozy atmosphere of a family restaurant.

The two dishes considered the “soul” of the restaurant are Hanoi bun cha and fried pho – flavors familiar to Vietnamese people but new and impressive to American diners.

Fresh noodles and pho are made right at the restaurant. Photo: The Paper Bridge

According to Willamette Week , the restaurant's bun cha is described as a dish that "reminisces Hanoi more than anything else," with a delicate blend of charcoal-grilled pork, fish sauce mixed with sweet and sour pickled vegetables, vermicelli noodles, and fresh herbs.

The newspaper also praised the meat for its moderately charred edges, balanced flavor, and the noodles for being soft but chewy enough, much better than the usual dry noodles.

Hanoi's Bun Cha attracts American diners. Photo: The Paper Bridge

According to Willamette Week , the fried pho is a “must-try” dish at the restaurant. The fresh pho noodles are fried until puffy and crispy, topped with stir-fried beef, vegetables, and a rich sauce. When enjoying, diners can clearly feel the crispy outer layer, the soft inside, mixed with the aroma of herbs and the sweetness of the meat sauce.

Meanwhile, The New York Times suggests that diners should go in groups to enjoy Van Dinh Hanoi grass-fed duck - one of the most outstanding dishes on the restaurant's diverse menu.

The restaurant also impresses with many authentic Vietnamese dishes such as crab spring rolls or Sa Pa-style grilled meat skewers. Journalist Brian Gallagher (The New York Times) especially praised the grilled skewers, especially the enoki mushrooms rolled in charcoal-grilled pork belly - a dish with a rich, attractively charred flavor. When served with a kumquat cocktail, the flavor becomes more complete and sophisticated.

Van Dinh grass-fed duck dish is praised. Photo: The Paper Bridge

Many pho dishes with typical flavors of Vietnam's regions are also served at the restaurant. Lang Son sour pho is mixed with fried sweet potatoes, roasted peanuts and herbs, served with smoked meat and sour chili sauce, creating a taste that is both strange and familiar.

Meanwhile, Nam Dinh pho with its rich, naturally sweet broth is also highly praised by Eater Portland .

At this restaurant, diners can explore a variety of Vietnamese cuisine. Photo: The Paper Bridge

Khanh Linh

A Vietnamese restaurant in New York makes diners willing to wait 1-2 hours to enjoy a series of specialties such as Banh Uot Chong, La Vong Hanoi fish cakes, and Hai Phong baguettes.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/vo-chong-viet-my-ban-bun-cha-pho-chien-phong-lot-top-50-quan-tot-nhat-my-2454796.html