3lephant Noodle Shack

"What an absolute gem! I have tried many, many, Vietnamese restaurants and this is unquestionably the best I've ever been to. The restaurant is an unsuspecting food cart in a small, very "dive" food cart court, but don't let that turn you away! This local family really knows how to make a dish "wow" you with authentic ingredients like quail eggs, that are normal skipped in more established restaurants to save costs. The service is fantastic and the owners are very welcoming. Finally, the portions are very generous. I am not a "soup" guy because it is rarely filling for me. This time though, I ordered a recommended dish and was delighted that I could only finish half (and save the rest for a lunch I looked forward to!). Do yourself a favor and try 3lephant Noodle Shack. This is one of those places you'll die to go back to."

"Authentic Asian food, first in Salem. The price is affordable, you get more bang for your bucks. The owners are super nice, please support them. So glad to have them in Salem. They will accept orders over the phone."

"So fantastic! Owner was super nice and personable, food was out of this world good. I had the kasoy and my partner had the pad thai- both so flavorful and I could really feel the love and care that went into the dishes. Will definitely be back!"

"Update: came back to try the Kaopiek. AND, took photos of it plus my partner’s Kasoy order! Food was as amazing as the first time. Will definitely come back to try the Bun Bo Hue next. This place is as authentic as they come! The veggies in the soups come with herbal leaves, blood jelly and banana flower shreds, my judgement on how authentic the southeast Asian flare will be, 3lephant Noodle Shack hit all the marks dead on! The Kapoon had such a depth of flavor past the red curry broth description. And the Kasoy was as phenomenal in its spicy, sour, umami-bomb of flavors. I also ordered the papaya salad and Pad kee mao for lunch the next day, my oh my! Happy belly for 2 consecutive days! The flavors are on point and transported me back to when I was a kid and our Laotian neighbors would share their culinary culture including that frigging fire in the hole, flavor bomb of a papaya salad! The owners Sherry and Lee are very pleasant and patient with newbies to their cuisine and culture. They're very chill and understanding if you forgo certain traditional items like blood jelly, chicken feet or quail eggs. The place is rightfully named a noodle shack as it is in a food cart pod in the outskirts of Salem. All the more, gives you a very good feel of Southeast Asia street food scene without the chaos of people, busses and tricycles blaring by every which way. The food truck has a few picnic tables covered by a pop-up tent. There are spices and other accoutrements at each table. I suggest using the garlic crumbles and Thai chili in fish sauce sparingly. It can get very cold in there while waiting, so bundle up until your soup is ready. Will take photos next time, if I don't devour everything in sight before remembering to snap a shot! HAHA!"

"Delicious! This place has my stamp of approval! I was passing through on a road trip and was craving some flavors from home and remembered reading an article about this place. The place is hidden and a bit hard to find. It’s a small cluster of food trucks in a gravel parking lot. There is a small, cozy tent with a few tables to dine in. I had the Kasoy and Papaya salad. While there are a few other places in the PNW that serves these two dishes I’ve yet to find something similar to what I’d find at home in California! Until now. This is certainly authentic Iu Mien kasoy noodle soup and Laotian style papaya salad! Both dishes bursting with flavor! Major bonus, the owners are so friendly and kind. I wish you were closer to my final destination or home city! It’ll definitely be on my list to return to every chance I get!"