Bunker Vietnamese

What a treat to end the weekend with such amazing food. I ordered the summer rolls and ca ri ga (chicken with basil curry) — the best I’ve ever had. The tomato fried rice was a good suggestion to balance the curry sauce.
Will definitely order again!

I had the ca ri ga w/​rice (chicken bobo curry), the ban xeo, and a house made limeade. The curry and rice was great; the chicken fell right off the bone and was deliciously marinated. The Banh xeo was pretty good. The limeade is a must! Cool spot in the middle of no where. Food was great but service was super slow considering there’s only 4 – 5 tables in the place. Can also be a long wait sometimes and there isn’t much to do in the area to kill time.

This place is literally a hole in the wall, a small shady looking like place. Almost makes you want to turn back. But don’t be afraid! Walk in. Very nice, small, cozy, welcoming place.
Staff is very nice, and helpful. Our party of 4 was all very satisfied. We ordered the pork, curry chicken and shrimp, along with the spring rolls and Thai beer and limeades. The absolute group favorites were the limeades, the spring rolls, and the pork with egg on top! Absolutely delicious. The pork was so juicy and rich. The limeade was perfectly refreshing and the spring rolls were the best! The chicken, I personally prefer the one with coconut, but this ones not bad. Still good.
And they do have AC, and good music :)

Came to grab dinner with my friend — we both saw the episode from Triple D — intrigued to check it out since it’s a local spot for us … It really is a great find. Perfect, cozy décor and authentic food options. Started with Crab Spring Rolls and Papaya Salad, then had Catfish with noodles and greens as my main. All was simply delicious! The owner was super nice, too. Will go back for more.

3.5 star review! Came here on a sunday afternoon & didn’t got seated since place is packed. So we ordered their iced coffee & waited outside. Bad idea! Its very windy & dusty. We waited for about 30 minutes.
The place is small with a few tables, probably can seat 15 to 20 people. For food I got the cha ca lavong $ 17– crispy ginger turmeric with crispy catfish, vermicilli & peanuts. The fish is crispy & delicious! When you mix the sauce & everything together it is great. My bf got the suon nuong xa $ 16– grilled lemongrass pork loin with fried egg & rice. The pork is juicy & tender. It was cooked perfectly. We got the coconut tapioca $ 5 for dessert– this is heavenly! I enjoyed everything especially the coconut cream. Very creamy & tasty!
The waiter is so nice that he gave the dessert for free because he said we waited patiently. So nice of him! They’re very busy that day that when we call him he can’t come to us right away.
Honestly, I think that the food is good but so expensive. I live in elmhurst area & theirs lots of good vietnamese restaurant that offer good food with a cheaper price.

Prepare for flavor, in a small shack, in the middle of a mainly industrial neighborhood. The prices are higher than the area calls for, but i don’t mind dropping a few extra bucks if the food is good. Bring extra people so that you can do family style.
Must get: Viet iced coffee, pork loin dish, and the curry.
This place is legit.

I’ve only ordered food from here to be delivered to my place so I can’t speak about the waiter service and dining experience.
The first time around, I ordered the Bo Luc Lac (beef cubes, watercress, peanuts, and white rice) and Coconut Tapioca Pudding. I made this order via
. There is a $ 20 worth of food/​drink order minimum for delivery from Bun-​Ker Vietnamese via Seamless. I wasn’t bothered with it at the time because I wanted to get the pudding dessert, and the entrée + pudding dessert came out to a little over $ 20. I enjoyed the Bo Luc Lac and Coconut Tapioca Pudding. I appreciate that the Bo Luc Lac beef cubes are grass fed (although I don’t think they are 100% grass fed). I also appreciate that they have organic food items scattered throughout their menu.
The second time around, I ordered the Grilled Lemongrass Black Angus Short Ribs. I made this order via a phone call to the restaurant. I originally wanted to get the Phở Ga (chicken noddle soup) because I’m not feeling all that great, but was told on the phone that they don’t deliver it. I asked why, to be told they don’t. I then asked about whether or not they had any other soup, they do but I couldn’t make out what the guy on the phone said. I also asked whether another item on the menu was spicy, and then after I was told it was mild, I decided on the Short Ribs. I was trying to avoid spicy, but to no avail as you’ll find out towards the end of the review. The entrée was all I wanted to order, but since it is only $ 16, I had to get something else to fulfill the $ 20 minimum for delivery. I asked about the organic spring green tea and was told that they don’t have it. I was being a little annoying with questions, but since I’m not feeling that great, my stomach isn’t feeling the seafood appetizers (which sound delicious, by the way) and I’m not feeling the $ 8-​$ 9 sides a.k.a. vegetables. I just kept going «hmmmm» on the phone at this point to see what to get, and the guy on the phone was just like, «don’t worry about it, mam’.» I was like, «Are you sure?» It was just left like that.
Anyway, I got my meal and it was very good. The ribs had a kick to it, though, so if you don’t like/​want spicy, skip it. It came with a liquid side that looked like oil, but it wasn’t. It smelled very weird so I didn’t bother putting it on my food. Some of the food had a little bit of that same weird scent, too. I’m not that familiar with Viet food, so perhaps that is how it is (I hope!). Here is to hoping they didn’t tamper with my food because of the phone conversation.
I gotta say that I think the line is being crossed when anyone needs to order $ 20 worth of whatever Bun-​Ker Vietnamese is selling in order to get delivery when the only side that is less than $ 8 is Garlic Tomato Fried Rice. All the entrees either come with vermicelli or rice, so who would order Garlic Tomato Fried Rice on top of that? Also, are the $ 8-​$ 9 vegetable sides even organic? I guess you can argue, just order a drink then.
If you are going to get food from here, you might as well just go in-​person and get the dining experience that comes with eating at a restaurant.

This restaurant is good. I had ca ri ga which was a great yellow curry. The chicken was on the bone. The restaurant looks like a bamboo bunker in Vietnam. You can BYOB but there is a corking fee.

It was a very creative space, but unfortunately the space design is more interesting than everything we ordered.
We were looking forward to try authentic Vietnamese food with a street vendor type of feeling. This place looked promising. We ordered papaya salad, grass fed beef and catfish. When we received the menu, we immediately noticed how unnecessarily expensive everything was. And then when we got the food, we were underwhelmed. The rice noodle was overcooked, the dressing was overpowered by fish sauce, the beef was juicy, good quality but very oily. And with not much food, we paid about $ 50 everything included. Although we are energized by the vibe in the little place and the interesting design (hence two stars rather than one) we are disappointed by the food, and definitely won’t go back again. The hunt for good vietnamese food in queens continues.

Really, 2.5 but that’s not an option. Definitely not 3.
Immediately upon walking in the door they clarify that it’s a DIY kinda place. «You can get your water here.» Oh gee, thanks for that great service. There is a cup with some sticks, paper, and utensils on the table.
I got a special. It cost f#$@ing $ 25. My wife ordered something standard from the menu. Both were unremarkable. For a Vietnamese curry, it tasted a lot like the chicken roti/​curries I just ate in the Caribbean. The summer roll was large, sauce was good, but again unremarkable (roll was rice, lettuce, shrimp, and carrot or something).
Now, I’m all for low key joints. But if it has a low key vibe, and a serve yourself attitude, AND still going to charge a $ 14 – 25 price tag for an entrée– that *ish better be good yo.

Overpriced Vietnamese food… Will please the average joe but not for us Vietnamese people who live by legit Vietnamese food.
I could not believe how much they were charging for Spring Rolls and Vietnamese pancakes that were nothing but average. The waiter was really nice and attempted to teach me how to eat Vietnamese food. The portions were so small and the pay check that steep considering you could get the same meal elsewhere for probably ¹⁄₃ that price.
I could make that for cheaper… The serving of water out of Gatorade tubs was a little weird to me too … Not sure what theme this restaurant was going for. What am I tipping for then?
Yikes. Also this place isn’t even in the city and the city does not even charge that much… I would reconsider if at the very least the portions were of value but they weren’t even… Oh boy

Went to have dinner based on the reviews from Guy Fieri from TV food network. We order spring rolls, curry chicken and to be honest the food had good flavor but when you are charging so much, I too expect more from the restaurant in terms of service. You eat here and it feels you are being rushed, we had to get our own water, the place is so small that it would seem as if they have placed more tables and seats than they are legally allowed. Parking was incredibly difficult. I had better food at half of the cost in flushing so no need to come back. U LIVE AND LEARN.

In the far reaches of industrial Queens lies a wormhole to Central Vietnam… Walk thru the doors of Bun-​Ker and you are instantly transported. The little red plastic seats you find in Vietnam have been replaced for comfy white people chairs capable of supporting fat American asses, but make no mistake… The food is the real deal.
The shrimp pancake was is even crispier… and dare I say. Even better than anything inexperienced in the land of the lotus… With a fish saucy dipping juice that I drank as a shot after all the food was gone… Crab spring rolls were a nice choice and they disappeared so fast I didn’t get a chance to take a pic…
The chicken curry was a very nice portion with more sauce than I was anticipated which pared well with the short ribs… The plain noodles under the beef were quickly commissioned to slop around in that curry and would make a great dish on its own…
All in all an amazing meal that I will gladly drive the hour round trip from the Jersey Burbs again to enjoy.

Came here one evening with a group of 3. This place is super tiny. Not a lot of space at all. There are 3 tables that seat 2, 2 tables that seats 4 comfortably, and 1 table that fits about 5.
The staff were super friendly but hard to pay attention to everyone’s needs in a timely fashion. One more worker would significantly help the flow of things.
The menu comes on a paper bag which was very interesting! One downside is that this place is costly for the type of food.
We ordered the Banh Xeo for appetizer and Phở Ga and Ca Ri Chay. The Banh Xeo was just okay. The fried egg was decent but there were too many bean sprouts in it. It’s basically a lot of bean sprouts wrapped with egg around it. There wasn’t enough balance with the other ingredients in terms of shrimp and bacon. I’ll definitely look around at other restaurants and compare their Banh Xeo. I have a suspicion that pairing it with a spicy fish sauce would make the dish taste better. Even possibly adding garlic would help.
The Phở Ga is different. I’m always used to a beef broth but this was a chicken based broth. This is why I wanted to try this place, a different broth base. I actually like the chicken based broth. It is a lot lighter and a lot less oily. The chicken was tender and flavorful. Only thing is I don’t think hoisin sauce works well with this type of broth. The chili sauce still works with this type of broth. I think this dish will be more of an acquired taste. Nonetheless, I think it’s worth trying at least once.
The Ca Ri Chay was flavorful. It seemed like the vegetables were fried before hand then put into the curry. The fried vegetables added a nice crunch and texture to the dish. Everything was balanced and savory.
I’d be interested in coming back here to try some other dishes. I would not come here with a party bigger than 4 – 5. There’s no issues with parking on both sides of the street.
I think overall this place is a solid 3.5 rating. Giving them the 4 because of the service, the Phở Ga, and wanting to try their other dishes for now.

Guy Fieri convinced us to come here when he showed how juicy their short ribs were, and the intricacy of how Bunker prepares their Vietnamese dishes. He wasn’t wrong.
Bun-​ker is one legit Vietnamese hole-​in-​the-​wall in the middle of Ridgewood. While the area from the subway can be a bit sketch (minus the amazing street art tour we got!), this little joint serves up some amazing flavors that is a must. The cozy atmosphere and printed paper bag menus indicate a different feel from other restaurants.
Between the three of us, we tried their Banh Xeo, Short Ribs Vermicelli, and Bo Luc Lac. Contrary to most recipes, they actually use real egg in their Banh Xeo to mimic its color. The skin very crispy, and some of the best I’ve had. Coupled with pieces of pork and prawns, you really can’t go wrong. Make sure to dip it in the fish sauce! My Bo Luc Lac was fantastic too. Meat was extremely juicy, and the fragrant rice and arugula added a lot to the dish. Highly recommend you try this one here!
Only issue I have with Bun-​ker is how pricey these dishes were. While our dishes were nothing short of delicious, taking something that isn’t necessarily meant to be expensive and hiking it up to Manhattan prices especially was a bit hard to swallow. I’m sure their business thrives on it, but be mentally prepared, specifically for those familiar with Viet places that are just as good but on the cheaper end.
I would love to come back and try more options on the menu, and get a camera ready for a street photo shoot with all the art along the way!

Someone told me this is a legit viet place so I had to check it out. It’s located in a shady area (no restaurants, stores, etc.). On the bright side, parking is easy. Place can probably fit 20 people max. They have self-​serve water in a big Gatorade cooler jug. Their menu is also on a brown paper bag.
Here’s what I got–
— Traditional Banh Xeo: Wish there was a better way to eat this lovely deep fried crêpe– might be easier if you eat this by yourself instead of sharing (sharing make it really messy to eat)
— Garlic Tomato Fried Rice: I’m a sucker for rice so this is a sure winner– however, if you call it garlic tomato fried rice, please put more garlic (I’m also a huge garlic lover)
— Sauteed Baby Bok: God who knew bok choy can taste so damn good– I did not want to share this at all
— Grilled Lemongrass Pork Loin w/​Egg and Rice: Perfectly cooked– beats all the other viet pork chops I had
— Surf and Turf (wild spicy shrimp and short ribs): MUST GET! Vermicelli is different from the other viet places I had– more chewy and smooth– works for me… can I get more now?
— Coconut Tapioca Pudding: Nice finish to the meal– don’t usually like pudding but this one I can just finish myself– only dessert option
Definitely coming back. Try not to go during busy hours or you’ll be waiting for a while. I came around 4pm and had to wait a bit. Who eats at 4pm?!

I am obsessed with this place. It’s tough to get to for me unless my friend with a car (who’s also obsessed with it) wants to go. So I can’t tell you how easy/​difficult it is to take public transportation here. But I would totally take an über here if my ride is unable to come and I am craving some delicious Viet food.
Definitely start with the crab spring rolls or the banh xeo or both. They are also appropriately sized for your own meal, but who doesn’t love food and who doesn’t want to try more off the menu. The crab spring rolls have REAL crab meat.
The banh xeo is unlike any other one I’ve had before. It’s so crispy on the exterior, it’s almost like eating an Asian taco or something to that sorts.
I’ve also had the Phở Ga on a hot 90 degree summer day. Flavorful and delicious. The grilled lemongrass short ribs are my absolute favorite. One time, they had a special with the short ribs & shrimp. Get it with the tomato garlic fried rice!
Prices are a little more than your average Vietnamese cuisine, but it’s completely worth it when you see the portion and taste the quality of the food.
The owners are also really nice!

I found this place while watching Food Network popular show Diners, Drive Ins, & Dives. The show I saw was a few months ago but since I live about an hour away I decided to give it a try
First thing I noticed. If you’re not adventurous enough to try new foods, this is not the place for you. They don’t seem to really want to recommend foods or give you a run down on the menu on Vietnemese food. It’s almost like, you should know what you want and select something off the paper bag menu.
Second, Self service on water for the table, You need to get up and get that yourself. With the dining area pretty tiny, that can be frustrating, specially while you’re enjoying your food and run out since the cups are tiny.
Third, The Staff was about 98% friendly, Overall not a bad experience with the people.
Fourth: The Spare Ribs were cooked perfectly, but I feel the seasoning was overloaded. What you have to do is mix the noodle with the rib to blend the non seasoned noodle. The papaya salad was very fresh and nice and cold.
The kitchen seems to be much larger then the dining room area.
Overall, If i’m in the area I would stop in again but I cannot find myself traveling 55 minutes to experience it again. 3 Stars at best.

My friends and I came here last weekend because we had a crazy craving for Vietnamese fare. Bun-​ker is definitely one of those places that is in the middle of no where, but always catches your eye if you pass by. It’s a very small restaurant that has a hut kind of feel, I just so happened to find it very charming. It’s almost always a sure indication that they focus on the food more than anything. The service is really good as well, they treat you as if you are a regular and who doesn’t love that.
The Vietnamese coffee is a must try because it basically knocked my socks off. My friend doesn’t even like sugar in her coffee and she sucked hers entirely down. The majority of the table had the chicken phở, which was flavorful and comforting. There was very little chicken in the actual soup though. My other friend had the caramelized shrimp with bacon, which was very good as well. To finish I had the coconut tapioca pudding with jack fruit… I could have devoured 10 and still have asked for more. It was so creamy yet light with this fresh flavor.
My only reason for the lack luster rating was the bill. It was very pricey and all of us gasped when we saw how much it really came to. For a soup and a dessert I paid around 40 dollars. They should probably rethink their prices a little.

The sparsity of good Vietnamese food has been an ongoing point of contention in New York City, but Bunker was one of the few places that seemed to bring some relief in the debate. The chef and owner, Jimmy Tu, spent a great deal of time observing the street vendors in Vietnam and even worked at Eleven Madison Park before opening Bunker. It’s an optimistic beginning, especially for a place that’s situated (quite literally) in the middle of nowhere: Ridgewood. It sits in an awkward zone between Queens and Brooklyn, an area of warehouses and manufacturing plants, and getting there meant that a group of friends and I had to train it to Williamsburg before hopping into a Zipcar to tackle the rest of the journey.
The interior of Bunker isn’t any more elevated than the surrounding area, either. There’s a bright yellow-​orange color scheme that takes over the walls, highlighted by the number of bamboo screens that are located by the entrance. The printed t-​shirts hung over the counter and the mis-​matched tables and chairs can also make it difficult for a larger group to find seating, but we were able to tack on a few chairs to one of the circular tables in the corner. Waters are self-​serve, a set-​up most likely intended to help speed up the average time that each customer spends inside; it’s not a place to linger, by any means. Thankfully, we made our orders quickly and soon, our shared appetizers were brought out the the table.
First, the Crab Spring Rolls. They’re served four to an order, consisting of a mixture of fresh lump crab, glass noodles, and carrots wrapped in a Chinese egg roll sheet before being deep fried. The result is a piping hot, crispy bite that features the protein surprisingly well, even though the chili dipping sauce on the side is an unavoidable addition. Diners can’t leave Bunker without trying the famed Banh Xeo as well. Best described as an egg crêpe (of sorts), it starts off with a base of egg and rice flour with shrimp and diced bacon added into mixture. It’s cooked so that the exterior of the crêpe turns firm and crispy, but preserves some softness on the opposite end. A handful of mint and bean sprouts serve as accompaniments, and after a drizzle of the Nuoc Cham sauce on the side, results in a delightfully fresh, crisp, savory, and acidic mouthful.
It was all promising, until the arrival of our mains. The Bo Luc Lac that I ordered seemed promising on paper, but consisted of a small portion of seared cubes of beef with a mound of rice. The beef, while tasty and well-​marinated, disappeared in seconds, was served lukewarm, and was not enough protein to match the portion of the rice that had been served with it. Sure, the greens were a nice pop of color, but contributed little else to the plate. The few bites of the Cha Ca La Vong, fried flounder served on vermicelli noodles, was disappointing as well; the noodles tasted overcooked and there lacked any noticeable flavor to the dish.
Perhaps also worth noting are the noticeably high prices on the menu, especially given the typical price range for Vietnamese food in the city. My Bo Luc Lac was a hefty $ 16, and almost all the starting appetizers clock into the double digits as well. Perhaps I’m being unfair in also considering the considerable effort that it took to get there in the first place, but I can’t say Bunker was entirely worth it.