As a self-proclaimed soup connoisseur, Kali Noodles and Tea Bar is a soup lover’s paradise, and therefore my go-to dine-in spot. 

Located only 0.3 miles North of SJSU, about a 10-to 15-minute walk, this was one of the first restaurant recommendations when I came to San José State University, and was a perfect introduction to the food scene. 

They have an extensive menu, featuring about 10 pages worth of Vietnamese dishes and other menu items. 

When I first ate here, it took me a while to scan through the menu, and I felt a bit overwhelmed due to my lack of knowledge of the cuisine.

However, the first soup I decided to pick after my bout of indecisiveness instantly became one of my favorite dishes. 

Despite not following a vegetarian diet, I ordered their vegetarian yellow noodle soup. 

It consists of thin yellow egg noodles, fried tofu, daikon (radish), carrot, fried garlic, broccoli, enoki mushrooms, bean sprouts, lettuce, and Chinese celery in a vegetable broth.
The vegetable broth features a sweet, clean taste enhanced by the daikon radishes and the sweetness of the carrots and has a golden color and light texture.

The al dente yellow noodles have a firm resistance to them and pair well with the rest of the dish. 

My favorite part of the soup is the plentiful amount of vegetables in it, especially the inclusion of broccoli. It’s something I appreciate as a student who doesn’t get as many fresh vegetables in my diet. 

The portion sizes are big, so it always feels like I get my money’s worth, with my soup costing $16.50. 

However, due to the large portions, I would not recommend going here for a light meal because no matter what, there will be a lot of soup. 

They also close relatively early, around 8 p.m., and there have been times I wanted to go in, but it was nearing 7:30 p.m. and would not be enough time. Therefore, this is not the place for people who prefer dinners later in the night.
The restaurant is spacious and typically has a nice and quiet atmosphere and isn’t usually busy, and only a few tables get filled.
Because of its environment, it’s a decent place to work on assignments while enjoying a fulfilling meal. 

Although I always order from their vegetarian menu for the delicious and light vegetable broth, they have a wide variety of meat options.

My friend always gets the special nam vang noodle soup with shrimp, but they also have options such as pork, chicken, fish, crab, squid.

Along with their large menu, they have a wide variety of options, not just with meat but types of noodles. 

There are regular, thin yellow, flat yellow, clear, flat rice, and thick rice noodles to choose from.
There is also consistent quality, and the soups I order always taste the same every time I get them, even compared to the first time I ordered over a year ago. 

 In my experience, the service is always very quick, with the soups coming out within five to 10 minutes. 

Kali Noodles is a perfect restaurant to visit when craving a satiating, filling soup and fresh vegetables, especially as we near fall and winter.