Viet Garden

Stop by this family-run restaurant for lunch & you can snap up bun xa (steamed vermicelli noodles with chicken & lemon grass on a bed of salads) for a mere £4.50. You’re also likely to find kitchen staff making a huge pile of spring rolls, ready to serve fresh & crisp at dinner (when prices aren’t too much higher). The functional room isn’t much to look at, but the service, though sometimes disorganised, is always friendly. The food has both flavour & healthiness on its side. Regular customers rave about their favourites – perhaps the crispy salt & pepper aubergine, shaking beef (quick-fried beef cubes) or sizzling Hanoi fish. As the place gets packed most Friday & Saturday nights, the somewhat frugal list of wines & beers can’t be much of a concern.