Every place gets four separate scores out of 10. We never average them, because a 9 for craft and a 4 for value tell you two different things.

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Japanese · craft (Hugo): knife work, rice, restraint. Is every element doing its job?

Vietnamese · balance (Camille): salt, sour, sweet, heat, herbs. Does the plate make you want the next bite?

French · technique (Mom): sauces, cooking points, the basics done right before anything clever.

New York · value (Dad, the headline score): what it costs, how long the line is, and whether it was worth both.

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9–10 go out of your way · 7–8 worth it if you're nearby · 5–6 only if someone else pays · under 5 skip it