Bacogai

Overall I liked the food here. Actually I was surprised by how much I liked their 2 appetizers. The duck salad was super refreshing and the shrimp crackers added a nice contrast in texture. It didn't have that much duck, but that made it taste lighter since duck is quite heavy. The spring rolls were crispy and tasty with the sauce. The 2 hot pots we got were good too. If you like sour flavors like my friend you would enjoy the seafood one (I really really liked the catfish in this one, the sour flavor cut the fishyness really well, and it was super tender!!), but I liked the oxtail soup too. The beef I ordered on the side was good but it was quite expensive. Very melt in your mouth.

An absolute must-visit! From the presentation to the service and the serene atmosphere; everything about this place is exceptional. It’s not posh or pretentious, but quaint, calming, and full of charm. The food is outstanding, and the service is warm and genuine. I’m visiting from the East Coast and already wishing I could find a spot like Bacogai in Florida. This was hands down the best meal I’ve had in California. If I lived here, this would be my go-to place. Huge kudos to the owners, another very happy (and slightly envious) customer!

What a hidden gem of a Vietnamese restaurant! We had the duck salad (refreshing, flavorful and substantial), the crab rolls (crispy and packed with meat) and the seafood hotpot (clear, flavorful, broth- very unique. Tons of ingredients). And for dessert, we had both the coconut pandan waffles ala mode (delicious but wished the pandan flavor was stronger) and the fried bananas (omg best fried bananas ever). Reasonable prices, great service and tons of free parking. Will definitely come back!

The flavors of the hot pot and the appetizers were good. They are individual pots, but for those of us who have smaller stomach so we can share, some people ate their own. The hot pots 🥘 come with their own set of vegetables to put in to the broth, but you can add on as much as you like. I shared a pork hot pot with Lamb add-on. We also had shaken beef that my friend really loves but she said it was different here as it was not cubed and with rice. Another friend really loved the wrapped beef logs. He said it should come with more herbs, but otherwise enjoyed it. Some people ordered wine and beer. Surprisingly, they also have sangria which one friend enjoyed two of. Had to ask for chilies and they brought a condiment set of three. Thai chilies 🌶️always enhances all my meals. We went with eight people. Made a reservation in advance. There was plenty of seating on a Thursday night. All the ingredients were fresh and everybody enjoy the flavors although the price was a little higher than we are used to paying for Asian type of food. So best for special occasions, or people who really love hot pot. Bathrooms are to the back on the right. Plenty of parking 🚗 as it’s a strip mall Kind of situation.

So this was a random find and was only craving some hot pot on a cold Monday sprinkly evening. This place popped up on Yelp while checking in the area I was in and I said let's check it out. We arrived around 6ish and there was not too many people but by the time we left, it was 3/4 full. A very modern ambiance for a Vietnamese restaurant. Nicely decorated and plenty of tables even for a big group. It's located in the old Blanding shopping area now where Nob Hills Market is where they modernized the place from my childhood days in Alameda. Alameda has been changing a lot over the decade and for the better with more places to eat. We ordered their sangria and it was pretty good. We also ordered their Beef Luc Lac. Very good portions of beef. The marinated beef was very good and we finished all of that. We also ordered their Lau Pork Bone Marrow soup, and added Wagyu beef and some enoki mushrooms! Not a disappoint. I actually thought the pot was small and that it was not enough for my husband and I to share but I was so wrong!! Very rich broth but once you add the veggies it makes the broth so much better. The broth was so good and creamy. Since it was only two of us, we couldn't order more or add a dessert to try because we were just too full from two things. Service was great! We will definitely be back to try other things. If you like hot pot style, come try this place.

Excellent and unique eatery offering Vietnamese personal hot pot, banh hoi, and all the add ons you could want for your hot pot 🍲 All their dishes is a ‘hit’ for my tastes. The personal hot pot is their signature offerings, but their appetizers and pandan waffles dessert are not to be missed. The staff are always attentive and friendly, even on the busiest of evenings. Alameda is lucky to have Bacogai!

The food here is so good. My daughter and I can't get enough of the duck salad, it's light but so full of flavor. I really enjoy the beef Luc Lac, the beef is so tender and flavorful, and my daughter always steals a couple of the woven vermicelli noodles which are tasty. She like the hot pot, and rotates which one depending on her mood. We try to always end the meal with the pandan waffles.