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Colorful spot serving modern Vietnamese street food & craft cocktails in trendy, lively surrounds.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 2121 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Phone: (612) 223-8640
Website: http://haihaimpls.com/
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Hai Hai
HAI HAI is a Southeast Asian street food restaurant & bar in Northeast Minneapolis. HAI HAI means two two in Vietnamese – a nod to the building’s past life.
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Hai Hai is a Southeast Asian street food restaurant & bar in Northeast Minneapolis … Hai Hai. 2121 University Ave NE. Minneapolis, MN 55418. Get Directions +1 …
Hai Hai (@haihaimpls) · Minneapolis, MN – Instagram
33K Followers, 290 Following, 894 Posts – Hai Hai (@haihaimpls) on Instagram: ” Southeast Asian food in NE Mpls @beardfoundation Best Chef Midwest 2024 …
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Reviews
Kris K.
Great southeast asian cuisine! Loved the ribs and spring rolls, the wontons were delicious as well. The beef dish was spicy and tasty as well. The only miss for me was rhe chicken thigh, it tasted a little too charred and dry.
Would come back and try more dishes. 🙂
… moreWould come back and try more dishes. 🙂
Vladimir Lee
Upon reading Rave reviews on this place. I decided to take my Mom out for her birthday here.
The food was pretty unflavorful. Pretty but unflavorful. Let alone it was pretty cold. Almost every dish we ordered came out cold or the the meet was just plain rock hard/overcooked. Couldn’t finish anything besides the wonton soup. I would suggest to stick to the starters appetizer area. The rest of the dishes were subpar/undercook/cold.
The kids menu was pretty bad. I HIGHLY DO NOT recommend it for any kids. Upon asking the waitress what came with the Mock Duck she said it was mock duck with sauce on top. I told her I didn’t want any sauce on top but plain and on the side. She agreed. Once we got the food it was smothered in the mock duck(which looked like beef stew). My kids couldn’t even keep it in. Me tasting the food it was horrid. Imagine eating spaghettioos chunky with meat that looks like beef. We pushed it to the side. Never again.
Dropped $200 on pretty avg food. I say go to a real Asian restaurant. This was pretty bad experience.
Service from the host to the waitress was bad. Both looked like they wanted to leave zero emotions besides looking mad. Music was pretty loud. Almost zero sense with the atmosphere. Playing indie hip hop music. Like what?
… moreThe food was pretty unflavorful. Pretty but unflavorful. Let alone it was pretty cold. Almost every dish we ordered came out cold or the the meet was just plain rock hard/overcooked. Couldn’t finish anything besides the wonton soup. I would suggest to stick to the starters appetizer area. The rest of the dishes were subpar/undercook/cold.
The kids menu was pretty bad. I HIGHLY DO NOT recommend it for any kids. Upon asking the waitress what came with the Mock Duck she said it was mock duck with sauce on top. I told her I didn’t want any sauce on top but plain and on the side. She agreed. Once we got the food it was smothered in the mock duck(which looked like beef stew). My kids couldn’t even keep it in. Me tasting the food it was horrid. Imagine eating spaghettioos chunky with meat that looks like beef. We pushed it to the side. Never again.
Dropped $200 on pretty avg food. I say go to a real Asian restaurant. This was pretty bad experience.
Service from the host to the waitress was bad. Both looked like they wanted to leave zero emotions besides looking mad. Music was pretty loud. Almost zero sense with the atmosphere. Playing indie hip hop music. Like what?
Slava Sponitz
Hai Hai has a fun but noisy atmosphere and an interesting menu with some creative takes on Southeast Asian flavors. The cocktails leaned a bit too sweet and could’ve used a stronger pour, though the presentation of the dishes was definitely eye-catching. That said, the overall experience felt a bit uneven. Some dishes were really flavorful, while others were underwhelming for the price. Service was friendly. The lively energy is great if you’re in the mood for a bustling night out, but it can make conversation difficult. It’s a nice spot to try once, especially if you’re looking for something a little different, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.
… moreMesa
This place was incredible, the food, the service, the vibes. I’d go here all the time if I could. Highly recommend making a reservation on their website ahead of time. Definitely not a regular date or hang out spot. Feels more like a treat unless you can afford more upscale places then, that’s your choice. The food was fantastic, and served very quickly. Cocktails were fantastic and our server had good things to say about every dish we tried. Great experience and will definitely come here again!
… moreHua Xing
The service was lovely and our waiter was really nice. I love the layout of the restaurant and the vibe was very nice. However, the food wasn’t as expected. The only dish that I genuinely like was the appetizer ribs. Most of the other food was still palatable but still a little too salty. We were only able to finish it after getting more rice. The flying tiger steak salad was way too sour and salty. I wasn’t able to eat more after the first bite.
I would say that it didn’t fit my preferences, but if you like sour and salt food and sour drinks, this would be a good option.
… moreI would say that it didn’t fit my preferences, but if you like sour and salt food and sour drinks, this would be a good option.
Erika Wehmhoff
Lovely restaurant with delicious food and great service! The cocktails were strong (I may explore the NA cocktails or the homemade “Hai Noons” next visit!) and the food tasty. My husband was a big fan of the “A Life Aquatic” cocktail. There aren’t a lot of places to get this style of food that is friendly for Celiac and gluten-free, so my husband was really excited to eat here since it has been a long time since he has enjoyed dishes like this! We particularly enjoyed the Malaysian Popcorn Chicken (on the happy hour menu) as well as both entrees (Balinese chicken thigh and Vietnamese crepes). We are already planning another trip and the dishes we’ll try next time!
… moreMichael Kelly
Really delicious food from James Beard winning restaurant Hai Hai and Chef Christina Nguyen! This was my first time dining and I was left impressed with the flavor profile of everything we tried. Ratings out of 10, Keith Lee style, to follow.
We got an array of items from the starters menu which included Salt & Pepper Fried Tofu (10/10: Toasted rice powder, lime leaf tofu sauce, Thai chili), Malaysian Fried Shrimp (9/10: Buttermilk-dredged & fried shrimp, Malaysian curry spice, fried curry leaves, red onion, ginger-sambal aioli), Tocino Grilled Beef (100/10: Grilled boneless short rib in sweet & savory Filipino tocino marinade, atchara pickled veg, fermented fresno cane vinegar, sticky rice), and Chicken Laab Lettuce Wraps (8/10: Ground chicken, lime, fish sauce, lemongrass, herbs, toasted rice, chili, baby gem lettuce, cucumber, sesame-shrimp chips). Everything was excellent, I loved the Asian flavors, everything worked so well together and was so savory. My favorite was the Tocino, classic Filipino flavors reminded me of my time in San Diego with my pinoy coworkers and their delicious food. Tocino is close to my heart!
During the day there’s plenty of light throughout the restaurant, at night it’s very dimly lit. The noise level is pretty high as well, I had to shout across the table so that my friend could hear what I was saying. The acoustics of the restaurant aren’t great, but the vibe and aesthetic is wonderful! I would gladly come back to Hai Hai any time!
… moreWe got an array of items from the starters menu which included Salt & Pepper Fried Tofu (10/10: Toasted rice powder, lime leaf tofu sauce, Thai chili), Malaysian Fried Shrimp (9/10: Buttermilk-dredged & fried shrimp, Malaysian curry spice, fried curry leaves, red onion, ginger-sambal aioli), Tocino Grilled Beef (100/10: Grilled boneless short rib in sweet & savory Filipino tocino marinade, atchara pickled veg, fermented fresno cane vinegar, sticky rice), and Chicken Laab Lettuce Wraps (8/10: Ground chicken, lime, fish sauce, lemongrass, herbs, toasted rice, chili, baby gem lettuce, cucumber, sesame-shrimp chips). Everything was excellent, I loved the Asian flavors, everything worked so well together and was so savory. My favorite was the Tocino, classic Filipino flavors reminded me of my time in San Diego with my pinoy coworkers and their delicious food. Tocino is close to my heart!
During the day there’s plenty of light throughout the restaurant, at night it’s very dimly lit. The noise level is pretty high as well, I had to shout across the table so that my friend could hear what I was saying. The acoustics of the restaurant aren’t great, but the vibe and aesthetic is wonderful! I would gladly come back to Hai Hai any time!
The Vic
Hai Hai:
A Flavorful Escape to Hai Hai: A Culinary Journey That Felt Like Home
It had been a while since I last visited Hai Hai, and let me tell you — the return was nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled in the heart of Minneapolis, Hai Hai continues to be a standout destination for anyone craving vibrant Southeast Asian cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was transported. The ambiance, infused with colorful décor and a laid-back yet lively vibe, instantly made me feel like I had traveled back to my home country. It wasn’t just a meal — it was an experience.
The food? Incredible. Every dish burst with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and that perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and tangy that Southeast Asian cuisine is famous for. The drinks were just as impressive — creative, refreshing, and beautifully crafted.
A special shoutout to Nate, the stellar bartender, whose passion and talent truly elevated the night. His recommendations were spot-on, and his cocktails were not only delicious but thoughtfully curated to complement the food.
I left Hai Hai completely satisfied — not just in taste, but in spirit. It was more than a dinner; it was a nostalgic, heartwarming journey through flavor and culture. Truly, the best of the best.
If you haven’t been to Hai Hai yet (or if it’s been a while), do yourself a favor and go. You won’t just enjoy the meal — you’ll feel like you’ve come home.
… moreA Flavorful Escape to Hai Hai: A Culinary Journey That Felt Like Home
It had been a while since I last visited Hai Hai, and let me tell you — the return was nothing short of extraordinary. Nestled in the heart of Minneapolis, Hai Hai continues to be a standout destination for anyone craving vibrant Southeast Asian cuisine in a warm, inviting atmosphere.
From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was transported. The ambiance, infused with colorful décor and a laid-back yet lively vibe, instantly made me feel like I had traveled back to my home country. It wasn’t just a meal — it was an experience.
The food? Incredible. Every dish burst with bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and that perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and tangy that Southeast Asian cuisine is famous for. The drinks were just as impressive — creative, refreshing, and beautifully crafted.
A special shoutout to Nate, the stellar bartender, whose passion and talent truly elevated the night. His recommendations were spot-on, and his cocktails were not only delicious but thoughtfully curated to complement the food.
I left Hai Hai completely satisfied — not just in taste, but in spirit. It was more than a dinner; it was a nostalgic, heartwarming journey through flavor and culture. Truly, the best of the best.
If you haven’t been to Hai Hai yet (or if it’s been a while), do yourself a favor and go. You won’t just enjoy the meal — you’ll feel like you’ve come home.
Lexie Sherrick
I was here yesterday with four of us total. The appetizers and food were really great! The service was pretty slow but well also weren’t in a huge rush! The sweet potato’s, tofu, and spring rolls all had good flavor and sauces with them! I had the chicken Milanese which was very tender, the sauce with it was delicious! I would definitely go back!
… moreKathleen Fetterly
Good flavors, interesting combinations. CHICKEN LAAB LETTUCE WRAPS are accompanied by watermelon radish, a delightful colorful radish; chicken combination is salty. Spring rolls are interesting and flavorful. I didn’t care for the dipping sauce, it left me confused and seemed like a clash rather than a compliment. Thai wok-tossed cabbage was quite good. I love cabbage. It has meat it it, and was a bit oily. Good though! HAT YAI FRIED CHICKEN was ordered by my friends and they both liked it. The suggestion was to take the wrap and dip it in sauce. Beef Rendang was a whole lot of flavor and delicious. Some of the beef had fat, but still really good. My vegetarian friend had the Hanoi sticky rice with mock duck, very well received. I had the only boozy drink which was the Buddha Boulevardier. It was served in a nice heavy tumbler, a beautiful glass which made the drink more enjoyable. I rarely imbibe, so it was a lovely treat which paired with the beef entree nicely. Finishing the night, we split the Guava-Lime Posset which is very good and also tart-sweet. The winner was the Warm bread pudding; inspiring jealous across the table. A wonderful meal for a group of five, we spent $219 total. Would I go back? Yes. I need to try those Khao soi wontons.
… more