Hạ Long Bay Restaurant - Vietnamese restaurant in Madison - 1353 Williamson St, USA

Our first time here.. We walked in at 8pm and were surprised by how busy the place was. It seemed like a full house and very noisy. There was also a line in front of us waiting to be seated too.. We were greeted and asked to sign in and wait to be called. Finally, we were seated after waiting nearly 30 minutes. I guess that's not bad because I had waited longer at other places before.. Anyway, to make a long story short.. 1. Service was a bit slow. I wouldn't make it back to work in time if I came here on my lunch break. 2. Staff could use a bit more training on customer friendliness. A. Greet guests with genuine smiles, not fake.. lol. B. Check on customers more frequently. C. Don't be afraid to ask for customers their inputs, so you could make improvements 3. Food were OK only, not very strong flavor, too plain. 4. Unfortunately, I won't be returning because the food just doesn't quite meet my tastes. Good luck.

I love their pad thai, pork egg rolls, spring rolls, any soups, cucumber salad, and their mango curry. The mango curry had so much flavor and it was very yummy. You can get any level of spice which is nice. Huge selection of food from Thailand, Vietnam, etc… lots of vegan and vegetarian options as well as you can sub tofu in for any meat dishes. Great prices and large portions. I love the atmosphere and staff. Staff are very knowledgeable about the menu and very kind. Very kid friendly and accessible as well.

We arrived at the restaurant for a late-lunch-early-dinner type meal at about 3:30 on a Sunday. The place was pretty busy, however, we did not have to wait for a table to be seated. They also appeared to have at least 3, maybe 4 servers during this shift, so it was very surprising that it took over 20 minutes for someone to come by our table to take our order. In fact, I had to ask a member of the cleaning crew to advise our server that we were ready to order. When they finally came, they were very friendly and professional. We put our order in, got the appetizer about 15 minutes later, and lo and behold, waited for the rest of our food for over 45 minutes.... I don't know if they forgot about us, or what happened... Nonetheless, they gracefully took care of this issue in the end, that is why I am still giving them four out of five stars. The Food: For an appetizer, we got Veggie Curry Puffs. They were shaped a bit like rangoons and tasted a lot like samosas, with a bit less flavor. The sweet sauce that accompanied them was tasty. Overall, an ok dish. For the main course we got Chicken Pad See Eew, which was PHENOMENAL! Honestly, the best I have ever tasted. The sauce was perfect, the noodles were great, the veggies fantastic. That was an iconic dish that I would recommend. Tom Kha Gai soup variation with noodles. The noodles were thin spaghetti-like, the flavor was good, but I think I like the traditional style better, with straw mushrooms. TI also feel that it did not have enough lemon grass and galanga root, because it was lacking these flavors. Also, the kaffir leaves were not too fresh. Massaman Chicken was also mediocre. Did not get enough peanut flavor, even though it had whole roasted peanuts in it, and I felt that it did not have sufficient red curry flavor, which is one of the main components of the dish. This one was a bit of a disappointment/ Finally, we tried Xao Thom with chicken, the first time having this dish, it was interesting. The chicken in it was really nice, battered and lightly fried. The pineapple pieces sweet and many. The sauce was good. Overall, a good dish. When we were leaving the restaurant around 5:10 pm, there were people waiting for tables. I don't know if they take reservations, but if you are planning on going there at these busier times, it's worth it giving them a call beforehand.

If you love Asain food, this is the best in the Madison area! A large variety of options no matter what’s you diet preference. Nobody will be disappointed! Sometimes there’s a wait to get seated, but the restaurant is managed well and the food is worth the wait! They do take reservations for parties of 5 or more.

Food was really good. Appetizers: Pork spring roll was really delicious (I even got an order to go)and fresh, curry puffs were lacking flavor and a little dry, crab rangoons were filled full but could have had more crab, egg rolls - not impressed, steamed chicken dumplings were fantastic (dumpling noodles were delicious). Entree- Thai yellow curry with beef. I asked for less than mild as black pepper is too spicy for me. This had a great flavor and not spicy at all! I would recommend the steamed dumplings, thai spring rolls and thai yellow curry. You cant beat the prices and portion size! I would definitely go back! The service was a little slow and relaxed for us Midwesterners but staff was very friendly. I went on a Thursday evening around 4:30ish and didnt have to wait for a table for 2 people. They also offer a 5% cash discount!

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Ha Long Bay, a Thai and Vietnamese restaurant, and we must say it was an absolutely delightful experience. From start to finish, the restaurant impressed us with its delectable offerings and fantastic service. The highlight of our meal at Ha Long Bay was undoubtedly the soups. The Tom Yum soup was bursting with vibrant flavors, featuring the perfect balance of tanginess, spiciness, and aromatic herbs. Each spoonful was a taste sensation that left us craving more. The soups alone are worth a visit to Ha Long Bay. Another standout dish at the restaurant was the fried chicken wings. Cooked to crispy perfection, they were simply addictive. The wings were generously coated in a flavorful sauce that had just the right amount of sweetness and spice. Every bite was a mouthwatering delight, and we couldn't get enough of them. Ha Long Bay also excels in its noodle and fried rice offerings. With a wide variety of options available, both in meat and vegetarian choices, there is something to please every palate. The Pad Thai and Pad Lao impressed us with its balance of textures and the harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The Vietnamese fried rice was a fragrant and satisfying dish that had us savoring every forkful. The quality of ingredients and attention to detail were evident in every bite. The overall dining experience at Ha Long Bay was wonderful. The restaurant's ambiance was inviting, and the service was friendly and attentive. Whether dining alone, with friends, or with family, the restaurant offers a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. In conclusion, we wholeheartedly recommend Ha Long Bay to all Thai and Vietnamese cuisine lovers. The wonderful soups, addictive fried chicken wings, and the diverse range of noodles and fried rice options make it a must-visit restaurant. Whether you prefer meat or vegetarian dishes, Ha Long Bay caters to all dietary preferences with its extensive menu. Prepare yourself for a delicious taste adventure and a memorable dining experience. You won't be disappointed!

Great place to go for excellent Thai, Pho, Vietnamese, Asian food - friendly people, extensive menu, food is delicious! Always busy because it is the best! Thank you!

Very tasty, high quality, clean. Quite busy on a Monday night so it's loud with many people but the food is just unbelievably good. Great price as well! Less than others in the area.