Behind the name
Co-owner and head chef Vivian Nguyen said the inspiration for the name came from a desire to highlight her culinary roots in Vietnam and incorporate a piece of Austin.
“We chose the name Saigon 512 to preserve a little memory of Saigon—a place where I studied in the food industry and gained significant experience in the hospitality and restaurant fields,” Nguyen said.
On the menu
The restaurant aims to preserve the “cultural essence” of Vietnamese cuisine through its dishes, Nguyen said. Some must-try items include banh cuon, or rice rolls stuffed with ground pork, onions, and wood ear mushrooms; and banh khot, or Vietnamese crepes filled with shrimp and coconut milk.
Customers can also find Chinese entrees including sesame chicken and general tso’s chicken.
Nguyen said the restaurant’s menu is based on offering meals that may not be as accessible for customers to make at home.
“Some dishes are more complex and time-consuming to prepare at home, so our restaurant aims to fulfill those needs by offering them to our customers,” Nguyen said.
What’s special about it?
The best part of owning the restaurant is offering a space where customers can experience Vietnamese culture while coming together, Nguyen said.
“I love seeing the joy on our customers’ faces when they try our dishes, especially the ones that remind them of home or introduce them to something new,” Nguyen said.
Looking ahead
The restaurant hopes to grow in both size and reputation, and eventually create space to offer wedding banquets as requested by customers, Nguyen said.
With more locations, she said she is interested in expanding menu options while staying true to the restaurant’s values of quality, authenticity and welcoming atmosphere.
- 105 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock
- www.saigon512.com
