"Cou tiam aen nao gan day khong?” - that's how you say "Is there a restaurant nearby?” in Vietnamese. Even if you aren't planning a trip to one of the most unique South East Asian countries, you don't have to go without, because there are some great Vietnamese restaurants in Budapest. At these spots the pho and summer rolls are as authentic and tasty as can be. Pho, summer and spring rolls, nem, salads and other kinds of Vietnamese dishes tempt us (at lunch or dinner) to have a(nother) bite. Ăn ngon miệng nhé!
1/6
Funky Pho
We have to start with Funky Pho because it was recently awarded street food of the year 2014 by Dining Guide. This, of course, wasn't by accident: their pho is world-class quality - and just as you'd find it in Vietnam. You can ask for four different versions: with shank, with ginger tripe and calves' feet, with Vietnamese beef tartare and with sirloin. If none of these sound tempting enough they sometimes have weekly specials (although beware that this isn't always a fifth kind of pho). They also have other Vietnamese dishes like summer rolls, grill salads and banh xeo (coconut milk and rice flour crépe with turmeric). Everything is prepared fresh on the spot and you can ask for vegetarian, gluten, and lactose free dishes or come up with a special request - the staff will be all ears. The restaurant is dog-friendly and during springtime, they have a kind of terrace so you can have a lunch while enjoying the sunshine. Be warned that seating is limited and this place is pretty popular so sometimes you might have to wait for a table.
2/6
Sáo哨
The word Sáo哨 means thrush and twittering, since Vietnamese people often keep birds as pets, and so the name refers to a homely environment and togetherness. The small, but welcoming street kitchen opened in January in the heart of and that means two things: top quality and pricy dishes. Everything is freshly prepared and tastes authentic; the menu consists of Vietnamese and Chinese dishes: noodles, dumplings, rolls, wok, fresh salads and desserts. As a closing line, we have to add that at this place, a good atmosphere is just as important as the food. The guests often have conversations with each other - or even with the chef!
3/6
Hai Nam Pho Bistro
Hai Nam Pho Bistro in Október huszonharmadika Street is dedicated to bringing Vietnam's favourite hot soup to Budapest. You can have it with shank, sirloin and lángos (a type of deep fried dough) or chicken, or ask for the so-called 'világevő pho' ('world eater pho' in English) which comes with two poached eggs, two kinds of beef and lángos – believe us, this one cures all kinds of hunger. If you are up for a stomach-warming soup, but not pho, go for the bun ho, which is a more spicy and sour soup and you can have it with meatballs, taro, seafood and nem (a kind of Vietnamese sausage). They also have different kind of rolls and appetisers on the menu and between 11am and 3pm you can also opt for the office menu which includes a daily soup, main course and side dish.
4/6
Hanoi
has one of the widest selection of Vietnamese dishes in Budapest: from all kinds pho and rolls to fried carp, simmering duck and Vietnamese water spinach. There is literally nothing you can't ask for. Unlike many places in this roundup, it isn't a small and cozy street kitchen but a 'proper” restaurant, where you can order what you want from the menu. You could also go with one of the set menus in which smaller portions of different dishes are served. The ingredients are fresh and authentic, everything is tasty and prepared on the spot – it's hard to complain about anything here. The prices are reasonable, although specialties and seafood cost a bit more. The rooms are spacious, and there is a VIP section which you can rent for special occasions or if you want to have dinner with your partner in a more intimate setting.
