Het Say Introduce
For California locals and food enthusiasts in the San Jose region, Het Say offers a compelling culinary experience that moves beyond the familiar Vietnamese staples. The name "Hết Sẩy" itself translates in Vietnamese to something akin to "awesome" or "maximum level," an aspiration the restaurant strives to meet with its authentic, homemade, and flavorful dishes. Het Say is championed by local customers for its dedication to the unique and vibrant cuisine of the Mekong Delta, in Southern Vietnam. Chef-owners DuyAn and Hieu Le, partners in both life and the kitchen, pour their shared heritage and childhood flavor memories into a menu that is described as a delightful and genuine presentation of regional Vietnamese food.
Having evolved from a highly popular local pop-up, Het Say has cemented its place on The Alameda as a must-visit spot for those seeking high-quality, authentic food that is often difficult to find outside of Vietnamese family homes. The dining experience is casual, friendly, and notably promotional for its factual, delicious offerings. Customers consistently praise the staff as "incredibly friendly and sweet," creating a warm, non-pretentious atmosphere that is highly valued by the South Bay community.
Location and Accessibility
Het Say is conveniently situated in San Jose, one of California's largest cities and a significant hub for Vietnamese culture and cuisine. The restaurant is located at 1343 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95112, USA. While the location is on a major street, some reviews mention it is "a bit hidden," which suggests a more intimate, charming, and less commercialized feel—a true local gem to be discovered.
Accessibility is a priority for Het Say, ensuring a comfortable experience for all community members. The restaurant provides comprehensive access features:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
For patrons driving to the location, the restaurant offers helpful parking solutions, including both on-site parking and free street parking, which simplifies a visit during peak lunch or dinner hours in the busy San Jose neighborhood.
Services Offered
Het Say provides versatile services that align perfectly with the dynamic lifestyle of California users, whether they are looking for a relaxing sit-down meal or a fast, nutritious grab-and-go option.
- Dine-in: Enjoy the homemade food and casual, welcoming setting for a full meal experience.
- Outdoor Seating: A highly-rated service, the charming outdoor seating allows patrons to enjoy the delicious cuisine in the beautiful California weather.
- Delivery: Offering the ultimate convenience, Het Say provides delivery to bring their amazing food right to your home or office.
- Takeout: Ideal for a quick bite or for enjoying the meal in a different setting, the takeout service is quick and efficient.
- Lunch and Dinner: The restaurant is popular for serving both meals, providing authentic options for your midday break or evening dining plans.
- Solo Dining: The casual, unpretentious atmosphere makes it a great and comfortable spot for individuals dining alone.
- Credit Card Payments: Accepting credit cards ensures a seamless and convenient transaction experience for customers.
Features / Highlights
Het Say’s appeal lies in its commitment to authentic, craft-focused cooking and its unique, community-centric atmosphere, setting it apart from more generalized Vietnamese establishments in the Bay Area.
- Authentic Mekong Delta Cuisine: The menu features distinctive dishes and flavors of Southern Vietnam, which are noted as "rare dishes seen outside of Viet houses," providing a truly authentic taste of the region.
- Homemade and Scratch-Made: The emphasis on homemade ingredients ensures a personal touch and superior flavor, with the chef-owners crafting scratch-made chili oils and fermented fish sauces.
- Rotating Menu: Offering a rotating menu with a few staples allows the chefs to use seasonal ingredients and showcase a variety of authentic regional specialties, encouraging repeat visits.
- Atmosphere and Entertainment: Despite the small setting, the atmosphere is "casual" and "cute," featuring playful amenities like a foosball table, ping-pong, checkers, and chess to entertain guests, making the wait for food enjoyable, especially for families.
- Offerings for All Palates: The menu successfully balances comforting, delicious food with healthy options and quick bites, catering to a diverse set of dietary needs and occasions. They also offer traditional Vietnamese Coffee.
- Family Favorite: Highly praised as being "Good for kids," the restaurant’s accommodating nature and fun atmosphere make it a genuine family favorite for many local patrons.
- Exceptional Service and Presentation: Customers consistently highlight the "incredibly friendly and sweet" staff, noting that the food presentation is "so nice," indicating attention to detail in every aspect of the dining experience.
Contact Information
To plan a visit or place an order at this highly-rated San Jose establishment, please use the following contact details:
Address: 1343 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95112, USA
Phone: (408) 357-4064
Mobile Phone: +1 408-357-4064
What is worth choosing
Choosing Het Say is a decision to prioritize authenticity, quality, and a genuinely friendly experience over a generic meal. For residents of California, particularly those in the South Bay, Het Say is celebrated for serving "homemade delicious food" that is "DELICIOUS" and "out of this world." Patrons who understand and appreciate authentic, local dining—as opposed to a commercial, high-end experience—will find Het Say to be exactly what they are looking for.
The dedication to the unique flavors of the Mekong Delta and the commitment to making elements from scratch, as noted in the praise for the food being "cooked with a lot of skill and craft," ensure a memorable culinary journey. The charming, family-friendly setting, complete with outdoor seating and games, makes it an excellent choice for a wide variety of occasions—from a quick, high-quality solo lunch to a relaxed family dinner. In a region saturated with dining options, Het Say stands out as a quaint, quirky, and delicious spot that delivers a maximum-level Vietnamese food experience, living up to the spirit of its name.
Het Say Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Seating
Atmosphere
- Casual
Payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free street parking
- On-site parking
Het Say Photos










Het Say Location
Het Say
1343 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95112, USA
Het Say Reviews
banh miporkfood trucksticky ricewebsite
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1This is one of my family’s favorite restaurants in the world!!! The staff is incredibly friendly and sweet, the food is out of this world, and the presentation is so nice! It has charming outdoor seating and is so cute! We recently moved to this area and were searching for a nice lunch spot when we found this place. The location is a bit hidden, so you won’t see it on the main street, but the food is absolutely amazing. I 100% recommend coming here.
July 11 · Samrat BaulI can't believe the 1 star reviews, they must have expected Michelin restaurant experience instead of a local restaurant featuring authentic food, which is exactly what it is. This place is DELICIOUS, yes it is a small setting with outdoor seating, they're kind and happy to serve their homemade delicious food. Service is quick, food is yummy, there are games right there (fusbol table, pingpong, checkers and chess) to play while you wait for your food or when you're done. We tried the 3 meals they had on a Sunday and we all loved them (including our kids).
June 15 · LauIf you’re into quaint, quirky, and delicious spots, this place is a must-try. I was headed to another restaurant when I happened to walk by and decided to try them out. So glad I did! The pork belly and shoulder Banh Mi sandwich was amazing. The service was friendly and informative as well. Highly recommend!
January 11 · cohocton14826Not the typical Vietnamese/American fare you get in this region, but cooked with a lot of skill and craft. Come with an open mind. Menu rotates weekly with a few staples. These are rare dishes seen outside of Viet houses.
July 24 · Kevin NguyenSo good!! When they are a famous restaurant/cafe one day I can brag I went to the pop-up :)
October 05 · Stefan Hird
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