It’s Day 63 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and this one sent us out to Gambrills, where VN Noodle House turned out to be a serious gem. Short answer for the Nomsters who just want the verdict: yes, go, and order the Banh Xeo. It’s an unassuming little Vietnamese restaurant tucked into a strip center off Johns Hopkins Road, the kind of place you’d drive right past, but the menu runs deep, from pho to clay pot rice to that crispy Vietnamese crepe I could not stop eating.
Most of what we ordered landed in the $12 to $14 range, the portions are generous, and the team treated us to a Vietnamese coffee that genuinely SLAPS (more on that below). If you’re craving yum Vietnamese food anywhere near Anne Arundel County, VN Noodle House in Gambrills is worth the drive.
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What Makes VN Noodle House a Standout Vietnamese Spot in Gambrills
Here’s what won me over: a lot of Vietnamese spots out in the burbs keep it simple, pho and banh mi and not a ton else. VN Noodle House goes wide. The menu runs from a full lineup of pho to rice vermicelli bowls, clay pot rice, salads, and a whole special-dishes section where the Banh Xeo lives. There’s a real vegetarian section too, so you’re not stuck ordering around the meat. It reminds me a little of Pho One-O over in Hanover, another Anne Arundel Vietnamese spot I like, but here it’s the non-noodle dishes that really stood out to me. Pho’s the most popular order and it’s good, but the stuff that made me want to write this up was everything AROUND the pho.
If your pho craving is calling a little louder than the Banh Xeo, Nam’s Pho in Annapolis is another Anne Arundel Vietnamese spot worth knowing about, and their #33 Pho Nam is the bowl people keep coming back for.
What to Order at VN Noodle House
Here’s what I got, and what I’d steer you toward when you go.
Banh Xeo, aka Vietnamese Crepe ($12.95)
This was my favorite thing on the table and my pick if you only order one non-noodle dish. It’s a big, crispy golden crepe stuffed with sliced onion, bean sprouts, scallions, pork, and shrimp. You don’t just cut it up and eat it, you tear off a piece, wrap it in the lettuce and herbs they bring, then dip the whole bundle in fish sauce. It’s crunchy, savory, and so fun to eat with your hands. One honest heads up though, Nomsters: you gotta like fish sauce for this one. If you’ve never had it, it’s pungent and a little funky, but in the best way possible.
Vietnamese-Style Chicken Pad Thai ($13.95)
Yes, pad thai at a Vietnamese spot, and I enjoyed it more than I expected. It’s not the dish they’re known for, but if you’ve got a pad thai person at the table, it holds its own. A solid, crowd-pleasing pick.
Pho
Their pho’s good, and it’s probably the most popular thing they make, so you already know it’s a safe bet. There’s a big pho section to work through, from the classic rare beef bowls to seafood and shrimp versions, plus a bean curd and veggie-broth option if you’re keeping it vegetarian. Come on a cold or rainy day and it’s exactly the comfort you want.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee ($3)
The team treated us to one of these, and I’ll be honest, I’d never tried their coffee before, but I’ll be getting it every single time moving forward. It’s that strong, dark, sweetened-condensed-milk coffee poured over ice, and theirs SLAPS. For three bucks it’s a no-brainer add-on.
A few more worth grabbing if you’re rolling with a group:
- Clay pot rice, one of the menu’s specialties, in a few protein combos.
- Rice vermicelli (bun) bowls if you want something a little lighter than pho.
What Is Banh Xeo, Exactly?
It’s a savory Vietnamese crepe, and the name literally means “sizzling cake” for the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot pan. The batter’s made from rice flour, coconut milk, and turmeric, which is what gives it that yellow color and snappy edge, and it’s folded over a filling of pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts. The move is to wrap pieces in lettuce and fresh herbs and dip, which cuts the richness and keeps every bite light. If you want the full rundown on how it’s made, The Kitchn has a great explainer. It’s my favorite non-noodle dish on this menu, and the wrap-and-dip format makes it so fun to eat. VN Noodle House does it right.
The Vibe and Experience
It’s a low-key, casual sit-down spot, nothing fancy, just a comfortable dining room in a strip center with parking right out front. The team was warm (they really did hook us up with that coffee), and it’s the kind of place that works for a solo lunch, a casual dinner, or a family run where everyone wants something a little different. It’s easy and comfortable, nothing you need to dress up for.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 2299 Johns Hopkins Rd, Gambrills, MD 21054, in the strip center off Johns Hopkins Road.
- Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 8pm, closed Monday.
- Prices: Budget-friendly, most dishes land around $10 to $15.
- Payment: Cards accepted (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), with a $10 card minimum, so bring a little cash if you’re grabbing just one small item.
- Dietary: There’s a full vegetarian section plus a bean curd and veggie-broth pho.
- Dine-in or takeout: Both, and delivery’s an option too. You can see the full menu and order on their website.
If you’re looking for good eats in Gambrills, definitely make sure to stop by. VN Noodle House is affordable, the portions are generous, and the Banh Xeo alone is worth the trip. It’s not the fanciest Vietnamese spot in Maryland, but it’s a genuinely good neighborhood one. If you’re in the Gambrills or Crofton area and want something comforting and a little different, this is an easy rec.
So that’s Day 63 in the books, Nomsters. Have you guys been to VN Noodle House yet, and what’s your go-to order? Let me know in the comments. And if you’re making a whole Gambrills food run out of it, Asian Wok & Bowl down the road is another affordable pick to keep in your back pocket.