Crunchy bok choy, tasty pho soup, intensely flavorful peanut sauce, and outstanding service, all for reasonable prices – is that too much to ask for? Apparently it is at most Asian restaurants in downtown Pest, where the food is usually either too expensive or of substandard quality... but our quest for the best of all worlds seems to have come to an end on Nagysándor József Street, next to the Downtown Market. We’d drop by Good Morning Vietnam anytime for a rich, filling soup for 1,400 forints – not to mention the summer rolls and the fresh main dishes, all of which are authentic and tasty.
The pho phenomenon is nothing new to Budapest. Most fans of Asian cuisine have already tasted this traditional Vietnamese soup, but the subtle flavors can sway even those with a more conservative palate. We know of a couple places where this popular dish is made just right, but unfortunately, there are a lot of mediocre (and even lousy) places scattered around the city center, as well. Some places just seem to grow lazy: toppings become scarce, vegetables get smaller, lime slices are substituted with small and withered lemon chunks, and a watered-down sauce replaces the bottle of Sriracha on the table. And yet, we often try to overlook these shortcomings and decide where to eat based on location instead of quality. But have no fear – we found a humble eatery that is actually worth visiting.
The place itself isn’t too big; customers can sit at a few tables or at barstools – the latter seems rather convenient for those who drop by for a quick lunch. The interior design isn’t anywhere near as impressive as in Sáó, but expecting high-end décor from a place like this would be unreasonable, anyway. Charming, one might say, but everything is neat and tidy. What makes us stay isn’t the furnishing, but the friendly service, and the fact that the regulars are primarily Vietnamese – which is always a good sign.
The menu isn’t too long or complex – ideal for indecisive guests. The list starts with the spring rolls and summer rolls, and we tried the latter. The two rolls, served with peanut sauce and cut in half, cost 590 forints. We immediately noted the fresh ingredients, as every bite had the same satisfying crunchiness. The soups come in one-liter portions; there are no small and large sizes like at other restaurants – we can, however, take away any leftovers. The price of the pho ranges from 1,290 forints (chicken) to 1,590 forints (beefsteak), and the selection also includes a vegan option, made with tofu and vegetables.
We tasted the beefsteak version. The piping-hot soup was rich, and filled with meat, fresh spices, plenty of noodles, and even some toasted onion (obviously not the store-bought kind). The soup is served with fresh lime, too – another plus for Good Morning Vietnam. The Tom Yum (1,090 HUF) also impressed us, especially since it was much spicier and more piquant than at other eateries, and served with rather large shrimps.
After a liter of soup, it’s hard to imagine going for a main dish, but we tried our best. In the battle between fried bok choy with beef and jasmine rice (1,590 HUF) and fried garlic shrimp with coriander, coconut sauce and jasmine rice (1,890 HUF), the former won. Unlike other places, the bok choy didn’t arrive in a hot pan of carrot, onion, and cabbage, but was served on a nice plate, surrounded by some sprouts.
Although this place doesn’t have any desserts, we can wash down our meal with a Vietnamese coffee or lemonade. Two people can eat a complete meal made with super-fresh ingredients here for just 5,000-6,000 forints. Finally!
