Khue’S Kitchen

This is my new favorite spot in the Twin Cities! St. Paul specifically is leveling up, Khue’s Kitchen is an incredible addition to the neighborhood. The staff and the chef are extremely kind and welcoming. You can tell a lot of thought and love go into the making of this food. The menu is quite a bit smaller than I expected when I first came, but everything on the menu is a smashing success. I’ve only heard good things about this restaurant and it definitely lives up to the name. I actually ended up recommending this spot to too many friends, coworkers, and family members, I also came here on Mother’s Day with my parents and they absolutely loved it. As far as food, I have tried the cream cheese wontons, the chicken sandwich (popular), the sticky jicama ribs (insanely good), and the rice noodle salad dish. Everything has been sensational thus far. The chicken sandwich has a really nice herbaceous aïoli, the sticky jicama ribs are absolutely incredible especially for anyone that is vegan or vegetarian, there are no meat products in this dish, but the flavor and texture would convince you of otherwise. It’s hard to explain so I’m just telling you right now that you HAVE to try the sticky jicama ribs. This is not a drill. If you end with the Thai tea tres leches, you won’t be disappointed. It is a classic tres leches with a twist, the Thai tea isn’t as strong as traditional but goes perfectly with the other tres leches components. The presentation is unreal! Truly impressed by this restaurant, I will continue to come here and support this local establishment. Chef Eric Pham is so awesome to talk to, wishing them nothing but success!

There is a reason why this restaurant has a near perfect rating. The food is fresh + delicious + unique, the patio is lovely in summer, and the staff is genuinely attentive and warm. The owner came out to talk to us & was kind enough to engage with the kids (they got some ice cream too!) The jicama ribs that are popular in the reviews are worth their fame. The vegetarian options are not an afterthought, but carry their weight in the menu. Glad we tried this place!

Khue’s Kitchen is a hidden gem tucked into an industrial pocket near Hwy 94 and 280, just a few blocks off University in St. Paul. It does not look like much from the outside, but inside the restaurant is surprisingly spacious and welcoming. My wife and I made a 7 PM reservation and were seated immediately. Service was fast, friendly, and efficient. Our entire dinner took about 40 minutes, which made it a great weeknight spot. With a big March storm moving in that night, the quick dinner was definitely a plus. They do not have a full liquor license, but they offer a well-curated list of wine, local beer and cider. I had an Indeed Flavorwave IPA and my wife ordered a Keepsake cider. We shared three dishes. The Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps (a Friday and Saturday special) featured pork belly with excellent crispy skin and a flavorful fish sauce vinaigrette. The butter lettuce leaves were a little small for wrapping, so we ended up using a fork, but the flavors were excellent. The Chili Crunch Wings arrived piping hot with a thick, satisfyingly crispy coating that almost ate like great fried chicken. The standout dish was the Bún Chay rice noodle salad. The crispy tofu was light and crunchy, and the fresh herbs mixed with the noodles immediately brought back memories of eating in Vietnam. We ordered three dishes to share plus two drinks, and the total came to about $88 before tip. For the quality of the food, it felt like a very good value. If you are looking for elevated and excellent Vietnamese food in the Twin Cities, Khue’s Kitchen is absolutely worth the stop.

I was a little bit skeptical about the location of the restaurant but thoroughly impressed by the incredible flavors of the food! Despite the small menu, it offers incredible options that are worth considering. The chicken sandwich was crispy, but I would suggest a bit less sauce. The roasted pork fried rice was exceptionally well-seasoned. I highly recommend the food. The owner and staffs was incredibly friendly and personable, even going around the table to check on the service and food. I’m definitely bringing my Vietnamese mom here next time!