We had dinner at Café VN tonight. That’s two visits in three days so I thought I’d better show some RES.PECT. and blog about them. What can I say? I’ve fallen head over heels in love, in love with the…
… squidge-tastic noodles… *heart*
I realise there are quite a number of Vietnamese restaurants littered across London’s culinary landscape that churn out a decent pork bun (“bun” as in the vermicelli noodle dish, not a bread roll), so what makes Café VN’s more special than the rest? Well I’ll tell you what. Because to me, it’s not just in the grilled pork, the topping which one would assume to be the crowning glory of the dish. No, to me, it’s the noodles, the 3mm “squidgy” rice noodles that they use, as opposed to the thin vermicelli noodles that everyone else seems to use.
Not that it’s wrong – as I once thought – to use the thin noodles. It’s not wrong at all. Having now spoken to a few Vietnamese people about it, I’ve been enlightened to the fact that different regions in Vietnam will use different sized noodles. In fact, “the more north you go, the thicker the noodles”, said a trusty source.
Well. I want to live at the most northernest northern point of Vietnam and eat the most goddamn squidgiest vermicelli ever!
So because it’s not wrong, whether someone likes or dislikes the 3mm noodles is completely subjective and I for one, LOVE IT. Most people actually don’t even notice, like Panu who was like, what? What’s different about these noodles?
Whatever.
Café VN have been open about two months, and I’ve been there over a handful of times. I eat in for lunch, I take out for lunch, heck I even have dinner there! And I’ve never ordered anything else, so while I have no idea if any of their other dishes trip the light fantastic, I can assure you that the pork bun is worth the whole £5.50 (and only £4.50 for take out!).
I have, however, had various dining buddies though who’ve tried the pho and the salad.
General consensus has been that the pho is average with some thinking it was too bland and some thinking it was too salty. But I couldn’t tell you because I’m like the only person on this planet who doesn’t actually like pho. Weird, I know.
The papaya and mango salad I did nibble on, so I can say first hand that it was ok. Not mind blowing but not bad either, just a fresh salad of green mango and papaya tossed with various other bits.
So overall, I can attest that this is a completely useless “review” (if you consider any of my blog posts reviews… because mainly they are just gibberish) because all I can say is hey the pork bun rocks!
But if you do go, I’m keen to find out what you think of other dishes 
Café VN
144 Clerkenwell Road
Farringdon, EC1R 5DP
0207 278 4123
website
