What Khue’s Kitchen Is

Khue’s Kitchen is a small Vietnamese restaurant tucked into an industrial pocket near Highway 94 and 280 in St. Paul, just a few blocks off University Avenue. It is the kind of place that might be easy to miss if you did not know it was there, but once you step inside it immediately feels welcoming and lively.

The restaurant focuses on fresh Vietnamese flavors with a menu that mixes classics with a few creative dishes. The space itself is surprisingly spacious and comfortable for the location, making it a great neighborhood spot for a relaxed dinner.

The Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps are an exclusive menu item available only on Fridays and Saturdays

My Experience

The visit: My wife and I made a 7 PM reservation and were seated immediately. Service was friendly and incredibly efficient. Our entire dinner took about 40 minutes, which ended up being perfect since a big winter storm was moving in that night.

Drinks: Khue’s Kitchen does not have a full liquor license, but they offer a well curated selection of local beer and cider. I had an Indeed Flavorwave IPA and my wife ordered a Keepsake cider.

The food: We ordered three dishes to share, which ended up being more than enough for two people.

• Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps: A Friday and Saturday special featuring pork belly with excellent crispy skin and a bright fish sauce vinaigrette. The butter lettuce leaves were a little small for wrapping, so we ended up using a fork and knife, but the flavors were excellent.
• Chili Crunch Wings: These came out piping hot with a thick, crunchy coating that almost eats like great fried chicken. The chili crunch adds a little heat and texture without overpowering the dish.
• Bún Chay (Rice Noodle Salad): This ended up being the standout dish of the meal. The crispy tofu was remarkably light and crunchy, and the mix of fresh herbs and noodles immediately brought back memories of eating in Vietnam.

The balance of texture and freshness across the dishes made the meal feel thoughtful and well executed rather than just casual takeout style Vietnamese food.

The heavily battered Chili Crunch Wings come out piping hot with a side of green garlic ranch and house pickles

Logistics & Need to Know

• Location: Khue’s Kitchen sits just off University Avenue near the Highway 94 and 280 interchange in St. Paul.
• Parking: Parking is relatively easy in the surrounding industrial area compared to many Twin Cities restaurants.
• Reservations: Recommended for peak dinner hours, especially on weekends.
• Alcohol: Beer and cider are available but there is no full liquor bar.
• Website: khueskitchen.com

What I’d Order Again

• Bún Chay noodle salad: The crispy tofu and fresh herbs make this dish the highlight of the meal.
• Crispy Pork Lettuce Wraps: Excellent pork belly with a great balance of richness and acidity.
• Chili Crunch Wings: One of the better wing dishes in the Twin Cities.

Is It Worth It?

Yes. Khue’s Kitchen delivers excellent Vietnamese food in a relaxed neighborhood setting. The menu feels thoughtful, the service is fast and friendly, and the flavors are genuinely memorable.

If you are looking for great Vietnamese food in the Twin Cities, this is absolutely a spot worth seeking out.