One of the traditional dishes in Vietnamese cuisine that is known to many people around the world is Bún Chả Hà Nội, which usually comes with vermicelli (another variation of rice noodle) and a combination of grilled pork belly and minced pork balls. Some variations also include other toppings such as Nem Rán or fried spring rolls, Bò Lá Lốt or grilled beef wrapped in betel leaf. In the south of Vietnam, such as in Ho Chi Minh City, this dish is known by another name, Bún Thịt Nướng, and the Nem Rán is called Chả Giò. From a foreigner's point of view, like mine, they are the same dish with different names.

Today, I felt like eating Bún Chả and came across this restaurant. I was drawn in by the presentation of their food. When I arrived, the restaurant was decorated in a very neat and clutter-free manner, with proper seating and a classic old Hanoi vibe. The staff greeted us with a beautiful menu that basically has two dishes, Nem Cua (crunchy crab rolls) and Bún Chả. I ordered both, but what’s special about this place is that you can choose how you want your Nước Mắm or fish sauce, either in the Northern or Southern style. The Northern style is a bit less salty, and you can have it warm or at room temperature.

There was also a brief story about the restaurant, and through it, I learned that it originally came from Hanoi, but unfortunately, the Hanoi branch is now closed. I waited for about 15 minutes, and the food came out nicely presented on a hot, charcoal-grilled plate (unique to the restaurant). Personally, I’m very impressed by the presentation. The crunchy crab roll is indeed super crunchy with good quality ingredients, large pieces of crab meat and shrimp wrapped in a very crunchy sheet, served hot. The meat on the hot grilled plate had a beautiful grilled aroma, and the meat was tender. The sauce had a distinct fish sauce aroma and wasn’t too salty (I chose the Northern style).

Overall, my experience having Bún Chả here is a 4/5, mainly because I feel the flavor is slightly bland for my taste. I like meat that is well-marinated with strong flavors when diluted in the fish sauce, and eating it together with vermicelli and fresh vegetables is the best experience. The crab roll, I rated 5/5, very crunchy, with fresh and good quality ingredients. Price-wise, it’s slightly on the higher side compared to the portion, at 90-100k, but with the beautiful, unique presentation, nice clean atmosphere, and good service, I would say it’s reasonably priced. Overall experience, 4.5/5.

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lunch, dinner, restaurant, Vietnamese cuisine