As a former chef and someone who has had first hand experience of a Vietnamese family cooking for him I can say this - very unimpressed.
I did a wide variety order that ranged from pork, beef and other items.
Spring Rolls - My wife and I quite enjoy Vietnamese spring rolls. Crispy outer shell with very flavourful and succulent fillings. These were very underwhelming. First of all they were so overcooked it made me think it was reused off of someones discarded plate. The filling was very bland and dry; so much so that nothing could make my tongue feel less violated.
Pho - Sate style - When I get a nice Vietnamese noodle soup I expect heat, subtle and bold flavours with a punch of freshness. This definitely had heat! Unfortunately that is where it stopped. The broth was very oily like they dumped some chili oil in it to give it a punch of flavour - this failed. The broth, once you got past the ocean of overcooked green onion was very bland lacking everything - there was no sense of ginger or lemongrass which is common in a soup broth. There was plenty of noodles with plenty of beef and while this was initially a good sight that feeling soon diminished. The beef was used to make the broth (which is a common practice) but it was just too dry. Much like the spring rolls a bath in the broth did very little to make this palatable. Being given the worlds smallest "wedge" of lime was almost insulting and the lime itself was dried out wit no juice extraction.
Beef sate sub - or should I call this the peanut sub with some oil and beef? The layer of chopped peanuts was astounding. Every bite I took was dry and crunchy - not from the bread (which was nice) but rather from the peanuts littered throughout the sub. I could see carrots, cucumber and cilantro in it but couldn't really gain those flavours.
Grilled pork and noodle plate - for the price paid I was expecting something special! Boy was I wrong! Lets start with the spring rolls in this dish; they were different. They were not super fried however they remained very dry and flavourless. After tasting this I can only imagine that large batches are made and frozen to save time - this is a common practice to save time but you sacrifice quality overall. The noodles were well cooked but the pork - For a "charbroiled" pork it failed and hard! There was some sort of sauce placed over pieces of dry, tough and mediocre pork. I don't know what they were hoping to pull over peoples eyes but one black mark from a "grill" hardly seems to be appropriate - there was no char or smokey flavour on the pork. I couldn't even eat the pork it was so dry and coated in this mystery sauce. What would a dish from here be without copious amounts of peanuts. Holy crow! I think a tin of peanuts was used for just my meal alone!
In the restaurant industry it is very rare to get a second visit. This was my second visit as I tried this place when it first opened. It did not get better. Save your hard earned dollars and try somewhere else. I will never go back for...
Read moreA Hidden Gem in Airdrie!** I'm thrilled to have discovered Jen's Vietnamese Noodle House in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada. This charming spot is a true delight, offering an authentic Vietnamese culinary experience that's hard to find elsewhere. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The clean and inviting decor immediately made me feel at ease, setting the tone for a pleasant dining experience. The service was top-notch. The staff were not only friendly and attentive but also very knowledgeable about the menu, which helped me make informed choices. Their enthusiasm for the food was evident and added to the overall warm ambiance. The food was nothing short of exceptional. The Pho was a standout—rich, flavorful broth filled with tender beef and fresh herbs. Each sip and bite was a testament to the care and tradition behind the dish. The spring rolls were crisp and served with a delightful dipping sauce, while the banh mi was perfectly balanced with a harmony of flavors and textures. What truly impressed me was the value for money. The generous portions and high-quality ingredients make every dish an affordable luxury. It's clear that Jen's Vietnamese Noodle House prioritizes both taste and customer satisfaction. In short, this place is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Whether you're a local or just visiting, Jen's is sure to leave you wanting more. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu!...
Read moreI usually don't write negative reviews but my experience at this restaurant was very bad. The older guy (seems like the owner) that takes the orders is super rude. First, they messed up one of the orders and when my wife went to let him know, he kept denying it and saying that we made the wrong order. She came back to the table and everyone at the table was surprised because we heard her order the food. So, she went back again to let him know and finally they brought the right dish but that was not the end. We kept hearing this guy being rude on the phone while taking take out orders. He then told a 'doordash' guy to 'GET OUT' when he politely asked if they could change the way they packed people's orders as it always spills. We spoke to that delivery guy outside after and he mentioned that this guy is always very rude and that he hates picking up food from Jens. When I went to pay for our food, the total he gave me did not make sense but I didn't want to start an argument with this dude as it was right after he yelled at the delivery guy and there were other people still dining inside. We later realized that he charged us for the dish that they messed up. I love Vietnamese food but the food at Jens was mediocre. It lacked flavor. The spring roles were fine. Anyway, will never be going back there. I regret taking my friends and kids there. I hope they get someone nice upfront because that guy has '0' customer...
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