Saigon Noon Hamilton CBD — Restaurant in Hamilton

Saigon Noon is one of the hole in the wall gems of Hamilton that I've come to learn about in my years living in this city.

From the very minute I stepped into this little cafe, with the smells, the warm welcomes and the hearty smiles all round, I felt less like a customer and more like a guest finding their way through this little home.

The place had this beautiful aroma that got us in the mood for the food on offer almost immediately, the seating was wonderful, not overdone, but just cosy enough. And the lighting was just incredible. Something that really stuck out, as most places are lit to see the people, this place felt like it was lit to experience the food in more ways than just taste.

I was slightly surprised with the limited items on the menu. But they happened to have a reason for that. We chose our dishes from a selection of about 18 options, if that. I chose a ginger chicken with lemongrass and a side of rice and a salad.

From the moment our dishes (3) were brought to our table, on a beautiful cane basket and in some simple, homely, yet dazzling ceramic pieces, I knew this place was special.

As we dug in, I was certain I was having one of the most wholesome meals Hamilton can offer. Turns out, in my eyes, that their limited menu was for the very humble reason that they chose to focus on, and create an intense and exquisite flavour with each dish they present.

I can say this was one of the highlights of my week. And might just be a highlight...

The smallest and coldest curry I have ever had. Literally a few bites. Looked like they couldn't be bothered cooking properly for us so they split one curry between two people - a person a table over ordered a curry and it was twice as big. It didn't come with a salad like it said on the menu. Smallest Banh Mi ever, smallest side ever. It was a pathetic amount of food for the price. They forgot our drinks and when we went to pay, my coffee was just sitting there on the bench. I told them to forget it but the waiter insisted that I take it away with me and poured SOME of it into their smallest takeaway cup. It was freezing cold and had probably been sitting on the bench for well over 15 minutes. He could've made a new one?? Iced chocolate was hastily made while we were waiting to pay like they had to make sure that they ripped us off as much as possible. The food was bland and we paid $75 for something worth less than $30. Don't bother coming here, waste of money, the average food and tiny amount is not worth the...

One of my lunch faves!

My go to is Roast pork belly noodle salad and a mixed combo Bahn mi which has lemongrass beef/chicken and pork belly (sorry didnt take a photo before i ate it). Sooooo yummy! Delicious Vietnamese flavors through all their dishes, have never been disppointed here and i eat here once sometimes twice a month. Ordered the prawn fresh paper rolls which came with a yummy peanut sauce.

Food came out quick, staff are friendly and service is awesome. Don't normally have to book but it was busy today at lunch. Prices are reasonable...