East Borough, in Costa Mesa since 2010, has just started serving modern Vietnamese food in Culver City about two weeks ago.

I love that we’re getting all these new Vietnamese places coming to our side of the tracks because this means they’re bringing Banh Mis!

Typically, in Little Saigon, you get your Pho at a Pho place and your Banh Mi’s at a Baguette shop. The two rarely mix company. Boo!

There is nothing like dipping the crusty French baguette containing a spicy Vietnamese sandwich into a steaming pot of Beef Noodle Soup (Pho). This is pure joy and it’s not allotted to me nearly enough.

That appears to be changing.

I loved that they serve a Pho Baguette, which is all the stuff you want and crave in Pho (shoved inside a French baguette), and then give you a side of broth to dip it in. A Indochine dip, if you will.

And I will.

The Banh Mi was certainly on the expensive side but a nice size and so delicious.

The Tofu Spring Roll was nice but could have used a few more herbs.

What we didn’t care for was the Vermicelli Noodle dish. Not enough veggies, not enough herbs and the chicken was bland and rubbery. Just a bowl of boring rice noodles with a few scattered pieces of lettuce and the chicken (we also found a piece of bone).

Now, this place just opened so don’t judge East Borough too harshly. They’re just getting their shit together.

EB seems to be geared for a strong nightlife presence with a decent Cocktail program and some non-traditional Vietnamese inspired dishes for dinner.

If you come for lunch, like we did, get the Banh Mi (don’t share, each person gets their own. That’s an order) and you’ll be pleased.

Stray from my instructions and you’ve only got your stubborn, disobedient a** to blame.

9810 Washington Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 596-8266
east-borough.com