Zenviet
Gothenburg has seen its fair share of Vietnamese restaurants come and go, but few places built the kind of quiet loyalty that Steamy Pho did, at least for me. So when Zenviet took over the space on Odinsgatan after Steamy Pho, expectations were inevitably mixed. Will the favourite dishes still exist or is it just another place in the pool of Vietnamese restaurants?
Zenviet modernised the concept slightly and expanded beyond strictly Vietnamese cuisine. The menu now leans into a broader Asian comfort food approach, adding Japanese and Korean influences while still keeping classics like Pho and Bún Chay at the core. The restaurant feels more polished than before, though also a little less personal.
Luckily, the food largely delivers. The handmade spring rolls are a highlight, the tofu is consistently well prepared, and the pho broth has a depth that I can still very much appreciate. It’s comforting, balanced, and clearly made with care. While the menu is broader now, the Vietnamese dishes remain the strongest part.
That said, something is missing. The Dau Hu Sa (Steamy Pho’s excellent lemongrass tofu) didn’t survive the transition, which feels like a sting to my heart. Zenviet works well as a modernised successor, but it hasn’t fully replaced the charm and slightly homely character that made its predecessor special.
Still, judged on its own, Zenviet is easily one of the better Vietnamese spots in Gothenburg right now. Maybe not quite as soulful as before, but a worthy continuation and a reliable choice when you want a solid vegan pho or well-executed tofu.
The Verdict
Zenviet took over the former Steamy Pho and modernised the concept with a broader menu including Japanese and Korean influences, while still keeping Vietnamese classics like pho and bún chay. The food is solid and handmade spring rolls, well-prepared tofu as well as the pho broth make it stand out. Definitely one place to keep going to.
4/5 Leaves
Location
Odinsgatan 5, 411 02 Göteborg
