There are three things you need to know about Xinh Xinh:

1. Its pronunciation (Xing Xing)
2. Its location (a hole in the wall on Beach Street in Chinatown)
3. Its superiority (easily the best place to get Pho in the area)

Xinh Xinh is a tiny Vietnamese restaurant squeezed in between 2 like-minded, yet larger establishments "Pho Pasteur" and "Pho Hoa." Though Xinh Xinh faces stiff competition with these bigger restaurants, its smiling staff, amazing service, and rejuvinating food makes it come out on top.

After trying my first bowl of Pho at "Pho Pasteur," I was convinced that this Vietnamese dish was pretty much a bowl of glorified chicken noodle soup. Though it was a warm contrast to a cold, crappy day in Boston, I didn't think much about returning even though I lived only a few blocks away.

A couple of weeks later, however, I found myself on that same stretch of Beach Street looking for something to raise my spirits. I decided to try the smaller restaurant next to Pho Pasteur, and the rest is history. 

Walking into Xinh Xinh is an interesting experience. It’s a bare bones kind of place: off-white walls, plain vinyl tables. However, the restaurant is highlighted with some quirky wall decor and a bottle of Sriracha on every table. 

The menu is an experience all on its own. Its extensive list of available dishes spans from authentic Vietnamese cuisine to Americanized dishes, with Pho falling somewhere in between. Check out some pictures of Xinh Xinh’s dishes on their Facebook page.

Let’s fast forward to Pho. Xinh Xinh has a bunch of different options when it comes to this dish. My personal favorite is the wonton noodle soup soup (mi hoanh thanh), but with a substitution of regular pho noodles instead of the ramen noodles it’s usually served with. The dish is savory and refreshing, with a warm broth full of pork, onion, and cinnamon flavor. The heaping pile of fresh mint and bean sprouts that Xinh Xinh compliments the soup with adds to the rejuvenating nature of the main dish. When all of this comforting flavor is balanced with the heat of some Sriracha, you’ve got a combo that could turn a shit day into something much more wonderful.

Basically, if you’re looking to sit down for a cheap meal (8 bucks), awesome service, and unique flavor, come to Xinh Xinh. It’s pretty much the place to be.

Grade: A-