Please Note: The review was anonymously done after paying for the meal.

NCR has not been very well blessed with authentic Vietnamese food. There was a desified attempt at Vietnamese cuisine at the Blue Ginger by Taj, which did not last and there have been sporadic attempts at Indianised Vietnamese dishes by a couple of restaurants at Cyberhub, but nothing close to the original dishes. So, when I read a review of Little Saigon by my good friend and avid blogger Yummraj, I requested him to take me along whenever he decided to go there next. Today was the day for a toothsome meal. The place is run by the ex-Chef of Blue Ginger, Hana Ho, who in typically Vietnamese style is charmingly direct.

She instructs us to start with the citrussy and gingery Hot Calamansi Juice (Rs 185), which tastes great in this weather. 

I have been searching for the real Pho and Banh Mi so that is ordered next. Prawns Pho (Rs 420) is the closest I have had to Pho in India (though I miss the depth of star anise in the broth). Banh Mi Pork (Rs485) is good and authentic with its sweetish baguette.

The next couple of dishes are disappointing because of chef having altered them because “guests do not like it”. Saigon Plating (Rs 575) has dry and crumbly pork meat balls rather than juicy and spongy ones of the original avatar. The chef has omitted the mandatory pineapple and shrimp paste in Vietnamese Fish Curry (Rs 420), thereby robbing the dish of its tanginess and umami flavour. That’s a pity because it is a good dish capable of being great.

Pork Belly (Rs 540) is cooked just right and very moreish. Fish Cake (Rs 460) is something I taste for the first time and has an addictive texture.

A reminder of Vietnam’s French past is the freshly baked Moon Cake (Rs 235) filled with egg yolk and having a robust cinnamon taste, as well as the sinfully topped with condensed milk and a strong Vietnamese Cold Coffee (Rs 250).

Even though this place is not cheap, and one may go wrong with some of the dishes, I will definitely be going back for my Pho and Banh Mi fix. Wish the chef had two versions of the dishes like the real Chinese restaurants do – one for the masses and one for the Vietnamese food lovers.

Ratings (Out of 5)

Food: 3.5 | Ambience: 3.5 | Service: 3.5 | Value: 3.5 | Overall: 3.5

Meal for two: Rs 2000 | Alcohol: No | Credit Card: No | Wheelchair friendly: No

Address: E-16, Ground Floor, Main Market, Near SBI Bank, Hauz Khas, New Delhi. Phone Number: +91 9643273460; +91 9599450879