Hu Lu Lu - Vietnamese Restaurant — Restaurant in Budapest

Our first visit to Hu Lu Lu was quite enjoyable. The sign above the entrance was practically hidden by the sign from the tobacco shop next door as we walked towards it on Akacfa u. Once inside, the place had a casual, comfortable feel, not unlike many of the other smaller, family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Budapest. Hu Lu Lu is one of the few of these inside the nagy korut, the first major ring road encircling the "center" of Budapest.

The menu is separated into familiar sections -- starters, soups (pho and bun), wok-fried one-dish meals (rice noodle, wheat noodle, rice dishes and mixed vegetables with various proteins), so-called main dishes and saucy mix noodles. The Kronenbourg Blanc on draft goes very well with these dishes.

The nem cuan two summer rolls we started with were a bit disappointing, as they contained very little in the way of fresh green herbs inside, but the four steamed ha cao tom dumplings (very similar to Chinese har gao) were much better. As this was in November perhaps the summer rolls will improve next year. Our main courses were both excellent, a tasty stir fried spice duck with seasonal mixed vegetables (Vịt xào ngũ vị) was deliciously seasoned with lemongrass while the prawn bàn gang with friend rice benefited from several squirts of the excellent Huy Fong fresh sriracha sauce (from California!). We both felt comfortably full after this meal, which came to 8855 forint (just north of $29 [Nov 2019]), including the 10% service charge. Bank cards are accepted. The service is friendly and Hungarian and English (and Vietnamese) speaking.

There were many other delicious looking dishes available, and we look forward to returning to Hu Lu...

I think this is the golden age of the place ( not well known, therefore service is fast, and kind, and the quality is perfect, we are before the time when hordes of food lovers from around the world will pilgrimage to this place, so please keep this place as secret). When i was there a modern jazz music (not smooth jazz) was audible, and the place itself had a not professional, but instead a cute athmosphere. Which is a huge thumbs up, because a lot of places in Hungary where pho is served lacks this warm and attentive athmosphere. After I have ordered at the counter, in a minute a well cooled 1664 Blance from tap, in original glass, and on the matching beer mat was on my table! I love how you paying attention to details. Then in another 2 minutes 3 fresh, and vivid, hot spring rolls, and when i have finished the last bite of them, arrived a clear, pure, and simple pho. Two kind of chilli is used, and purple onion in the bowl as well. Next time little more from the liquid part of the garlic vinegar for me please. If you understand the secret mix of all at this place the same way as me, then you will feel the same: Love at first sight! For me this place is one of the sweetest spots of the known universe nowdays. And you have the stainless steel oriental soup spoon as well! This was years ago. Not much changed, things become professional, prices went up. Now my favourite is number 6 Hué hot soup. Oriental soup spoons disappeared. Still...

Very cozy restaurant with nice interior design, during the evening the atmosphere is dark, just enough lights what is needed for a meal which is great. It doesn't have that Vietnamese street kitchen feeling tho, which is either good or bad based on your preference. I kind of missed it. Inside it was very hot even as we sat next to the entrance.

The food tastes good, authentic with fine portions. The mango curry is amazing, recommended to try it, while the fried rice is okay it's not the best in Budapest. They serve the coffee how they serve it in Vietnam or other south east asian countries, condensed milk on the bottom, filter on top and let it drip for like 15 minutes, if you like coffee and hadn't try it, you absolutely should. The lemonade is also great.

The prices a higher than usual in these kind of restaurants.

The staff is always smiling and nice. It was almost full house so the service for drinks was a little slow.

It's good, with tasty food, but their wok menu is not the best in the city, but surely worth a try for the...