A Vietnamese menu can run past a hundred numbered items, and if you are new to it, most of the names will not tell you much. This guide walks through the main sections of the menu at Thien Vietnam, explains what each dish actually is, and suggests what to order first — whether you are after pho, a noodle bowl, or something for a table that cannot agree.
Everything below is on our menu at all three Saskatoon locations, so you can use the item numbers when you order.
Start with pho: Vietnamese rice noodle soup
Pho (say "fuh") is the dish most people try first, and for good reason. It is a bowl of rice noodles in hot broth with your choice of meat, served with bean sprouts, basil and lime on the side so you can season it yourself. On our menu it is listed as Rice Noodle Soup, items 18 through 36.
A few good places to begin:
- Beef Rice Noodle Soup (18) — the classic. Mild, savoury and the best way to judge any pho kitchen.
- Chicken Rice Noodle Soup (22) — lighter, and a safe pick for kids or anyone easing in.
- Thien's Special Beef Rice Noodle Soup (21) — the loaded house bowl for when you are properly hungry.
- Beef Ball Rice Noodle Soup (20) — a favourite with regulars who want something a little different from sliced beef.
Want more on how we make it? Read our guide to the best pho in downtown Saskatoon.
Pho vs. bun bo hue
If you like heat, look for Spicy Beef Noodle Soup, or bun bo hue (36H). Where pho is mild and clear, bun bo hue is bold: a spicy beef broth built on lemongrass and chili. It is the bowl to order once you have had pho a few times and want something with more kick.
Sate and tom yum soups
Two other spicy options sit in the same section. Sate rice noodle soups (30–33) come with chicken, pork, beef or shrimp in a rich chili broth. Thai Tom Yum rice noodle soups (34–35) are hot and sour. Anything marked with a chili pepper on the menu is spicy.
Vermicelli noodle bowls: the no-soup option
Not in the mood for soup? Order from the Vermicelli Noodle section (items 44–60). These are bowls of thin rice noodles topped with grilled meat and vegetables, and served with fish sauce to pour over. In Vietnamese they are called bun. They are a popular lunch because they are filling without being heavy.
| If you want | Order |
|---|---|
| The simplest first bowl | BBQ Pork on Vermicelli Noodle (45) |
| Noodles and crispy rolls together | BBQ Chicken with 2 Vietnamese Rolls (48) |
| Lemongrass flavour | Fried Chicken with Lemongrass & Shrimp (54) |
| A bit of everything | Jumbo Combo: Shrimp & Beef with 2 Vietnamese Rolls (59) |
Rolls and appetizers to share
Most tables start with rolls, and there are two kinds worth knowing:
- Vietnamese Rolls (1) — the crispy fried rolls, four to an order. If you only get one appetizer, get these.
- Salad Rolls (3–6) — fresh, not fried: rice paper wrapped around vegetables with shrimp, chicken, pork or beef. They come in full or half orders.
For something lighter, the cabbage salads (12–13) are a classic Vietnamese starter. Feeding a group? Deep Fried Wontons (7) and Dry Ribs (10) disappear quickly.
Rice dishes, stir-fries and Thai and Chinese favourites
Thien Vietnam cooks Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese food in one kitchen, which helps when not everyone at the table wants noodles.
Vietnamese rice dishes
The Vietnamese Rice Dishes section (73–89) pairs steamed rice with a stir-fry. Choose chicken, pork, beef or shrimp, then a sauce: ginger, black bean, peanut, sate or coconut curry. Fried Chicken, Pork or Beef with Lemongrass (85) is a dependable first pick, and the Jumbo Combo Rice Dish (89) brings shrimp, chicken and shredded pork on one plate.
Fried noodles and fried rice
Familiar comfort food lives here: Pad Thai (72), Singapore Fried Noodle (71) with curry spice, and Thien's Special Chow Mein (68), which you can order crispy or soft. For rice, Thien's Special Fried Rice (95) comes with shrimp, chicken, BBQ pork and vegetables.
Three easy orders, depending on your table
- Eating alone at lunch: Beef Rice Noodle Soup (18), or BBQ Pork with 2 Vietnamese Rolls (49) if you would rather skip the soup.
- Two people sharing: Vietnamese Rolls (1), one pho, one vermicelli bowl. You get to try both sides of the menu.
- A family or group: rolls and wontons to start, then Thien's Special Fried Rice (95), Pad Thai (72), a lemongrass rice dish and a bowl of pho for the table.
Frequently asked questions
What should I order if I have never had Vietnamese food?
Start with a bowl of beef or chicken rice noodle soup (pho) and an order of Vietnamese rolls to share. If you would rather not have soup, a BBQ pork vermicelli noodle bowl is the easiest first order.
What is the difference between pho and bun bo hue?
Pho is a mild, clear rice noodle soup served with fresh herbs on the side. Bun bo hue is a spicy beef noodle soup with a bolder lemongrass and chili broth. On our menu it is item 36H, Spicy Beef Noodle Soup.
Is Vietnamese food spicy?
Most Vietnamese dishes are mild and you add heat yourself at the table. The spicy dishes on our menu, such as sate soups, Thai tom yum and bun bo hue, are marked with a chili pepper.
Where can I get Vietnamese food in Saskatoon?
Thien Vietnam has three Saskatoon locations: 123 3rd Ave N downtown, 1301 8 St E #2 on the East Side, and 805 Circle Dr E in the North End. All three are open Monday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Can I order Vietnamese food for takeout?
Yes. Every Thien Vietnam location takes orders online and by phone. If you have an allergy, leave a note with your order or call the restaurant directly.
Ready to try it?
The best way to learn a Vietnamese menu is one dish at a time. Pick the location closest to you, start with a bowl of pho or a vermicelli bowl, and work your way through from there.
- Thien Vietnam 1 in downtown Saskatoon — 123 3rd Ave N
- Thien Vietnam 2 on the East Side — 1301 8 St E #2
- Thien Vietnam 3 in the North End — 805 Circle Dr E