Coriander Cafe - Norman

I have now visited Coriander Cafe 4xs.  Each time, willing to give it another chance to satisfy my craving for the traditional Vietnamese food I grew-up eating.  Each time I leave a little underwhelmed - this is not to say that the food isn't tasty, because it generally tastes good.  Rather my disappointment is that the flavors are so subdued and that it falls short of my expectations and hopes for traditional Vietnamese cuisine.        My most recent visit was to satisfy my need for phở (delicious, aromatic broth soup with rice noodles etc.).  I was about to place my order and asked the waitress about the meat options as I am used to picking out different cuts of beef to go in my pho such as raw flank steak, tripe, etc.  The waitress was knowledgeable and said that they only offered the meat options they used for the sandwiches and rice bowls and not the more traditional cuts you'd typically have with Phở Bò.  Seeing that I was a little more particular about phở, she volunteered that it was vegetarian phở (Phở Chay).  This was not indicated on the menu and was a true disappointment to me.  I prefer the deep, rich flavors of the beef phở which are created by simmering a beef bone with a number of spices for many hours.  I find that Phở Chay is an OK substitute for the Phở Bò or even Phở Gà (chicken phở ) if you are just looking for a tasty, hot broth soup.  I think the menu misrepresented the phở and they should have indicated that it is Phở Chay (vegetarian).  As I knew that vegetarian phở minus the delicate flank steak wasn't going to cure my craving that day, I settled for a bánh mì (sandwich).  The bánh mì was fine, a little heavier on carrots and light on daikon and the lemongrass flavors of the lemongrass chicken were almost undetectable. However, the meat was cooked well and was moist and tender.  Overall it was a fine sandwich - fresh, nice crusty baguette bread, tender meat, but  just very light on the potent and bright  flavors that are the hallmark of traditional Vietnamese cuisine.          With all this being said, I won't reject the occasional visit to Coriander Cafe, but it also won't be my recommendation for traditional Vietnamese flavors and definitely not phở bò (I'd recommend heading to OKC for that). The prices are OK, the food is good enough, the service is fine, and it is Vietnamese food in the ingredients and composition (just not very high on the flavors).  So if I don't have what I need to make Vietnamese food at home (or am too lazy) than I might go to Coriander Cafe, with the mindset of: "Well, I want Vietnamese food and this is kind of like Vietnamese, so I guess it'll have to do."

I have now visited Coriander Cafe 4xs.  Each time, willing to give it another chance to satisfy my craving for the traditional Vietnamese food I grew-up eating.  Each time I leave a little underwhelmed - this is not to say that the food isn't tasty, because it generally tastes good.  Rather my disappointment is that the flavors are so subdued and that it falls short of my expectations and hopes for traditional Vietnamese cuisine.        My most recent visit was to satisfy my need for phở (delicious, aromatic broth soup with rice noodles etc.).  I was about to place my order and asked the waitress about the meat options as I am used to picking out different cuts of beef to go in my pho such as raw flank steak, tripe, etc.  The waitress was knowledgeable and said that they only offered the meat options they used for the sandwiches and rice bowls and not the more traditional cuts you'd typically have with Phở Bò.  Seeing that I was a little more... read more

Delightfully Refreshing. This is my go-to lunch place. Everything is always fresh so you don't feel gross when you go back to work. Noodle salad - superb. Banh Mi - oh my tastebuds. Spring rolls - rockin'. I took my cousin here who had never had Vietnamese food and now she asks to go back all the time.

Fresh, Affordable, Great Food. I've been here a handful of times already and I always leave full and happy. Don't let the price fool you if you think it's a bit high — it's worth it. The portions aren't small either. I had the Pho Soup once with beef meatballs and it was pretty good. Not the best, but good enough for the area. The better ones I've had aren't in Norman at all. The last thing I had there was their Rice Bowl with beef short ribs. Heaven in my mouth. I love the perfect amount of fat with the meat and the flavor is just so rich. I think that's my go-to dish at this establishment from now on. You can also request whatever you order with fried jalapenos/sambal for just a small additional charge. It changes the flavor slightly and adds spice to it. I can't wait to go back next time!

Fresh, affordable, great food. I was a handful of time, and I always go fully and happy. Do not be fooled by the price if you think it's a bit high - it's worth it. The portions are not small either. I once had the Pho soup with beef balls and it was pretty good. Not the best, but good enough for the area. The better ones I had not had in Norman at all. The last thing I had there was her rice bowl with beef short ribs. Sky in my mouth. I love the perfect amount of fat with the meat and the taste is just so rich. I think that's my go-to-plate in this foundation of now. You can also request what you order with Fried Jalapenos / Sambal to build only a small surcharge. It changes the taste easily and adds to him spices. I can not wait to go again next time!