Cay Tre Soho — Restaurant in London

This how pho and banh cuon looks. We didnt even touch it yet

Pho Tai Lan: As you can see in the picture, there’s almost no spring onion, and the pieces that are there are cut into large chunks. Either the kitchen doesn’t know how to cut onions or they’re just lazy. The white onion was sliced into thick, which changed the flavor of the pho. In a proper pho, white onion should be cut into thin slices. It seems like someone in the kitchen doesn’t know how to cut onions properly or they’ve been instructed to make pho look this way. Compared to the broth at Café East Pho, now located in Blackheath, this one is nowhere near the same level. The broth here tastes almost like water. The beef, however, was probably the only good thing about the soup. I would rate it 4/10.

Banh Cuon: The flour for the banh cuon was incredibly thick. The “cha que” (pork sausage) was cut into thick, randomly sized slices, as if someone in the kitchen had to rush through it. Compared to Eat Vietnam, it seems like they’re still learning how to cook here. At Eat Vietnam, the banh cuon is on a completely different level, and for a cheaper price too. On top of that, the food looks much better at first glance. I would rate it 5/10.

Fried Squid with Salt and Pepper: 5/10 – It tastes about 100 times better at Eat Vietnam.

Atmosphere: The interior is nicely done, but it’s a bit dark, likely to hide any dirt, which seems to be a common trend in many places nowadays. The tables are placed quite tightly together, and if you’re seated in an aisle, people will constantly bump into you, mostly other guests.

Service: There were at least 10 staff members present, but only one seemed to be working – she was cleaning tables and taking orders. It felt like she was the only one working since four others were chatting at the bar with their backs turned. Even when you wanted to pay, you had to wait. Maybe they were on an evening break – I’m not sure. But it was that same young waitress who came to help again. They charge a service fee of 12-13%, but I don’t think they deserve it. There was no real service; they just took the order, brought the food, and that was it. This is the basic job they’re paid for. Service is something extra, like when staff actually take care of the customers, check if everything is okay, etc. We only paid the service charge because we felt sorry for the young waitress.

Recommendation: If you want to taste pho that not only looks good but also has a rich broth, I recommend Café East Pho.

As for atmosphere and other dishes, I recommend...

I just had a dinner at Cây Tre Vietnamese restaurant in Centre London. I am Vietnamese, and my favourite meal (among others) is the traditional Pho. I must admit that I am quite selective regarding the flavors and ingredients that make a pho a good pho. So I ordered at Cây Tre the "Pho Large Combo", which was really large, and especially with all types of meat I wanted. However... when the waiter brought me the big bowl, before he even put it on my table, I immediately saw that it will not fulfil my expectations:

1. I immediately smelled that the odor is not the pho's one. I can confirm that later, in mouth, the flavor is everything else except the pho one.
2. the colour of the brooth was much too dark. I suspect they put some soy sauce in it... Worse, I was quite shocked when I saw the small plate that came with the bowl but containing...mint leaves !!! What a mistake... I asked the waiter (Vietnamese) if he could bring me some basil leaves which normally go with this dish. He didn't understand my request. I then asked him in Vietnamese if he could bring me "râu huê" (Vietnamese basil leaves) and "ngò gai" (another type of herb that goes with the pho), and I told him that nobody should eat a pho with mint leaves. But he looked a bit lost and told me that this was it... I finally gave up, and ate my noodle soup (not a pho) because I was starving... I decided to come here because I saw on this platform one picture with those 2 types of herb (go and have a look if you don't see what I mean). Anyway, my bad experience confimed me again that nowhere in Central London you can eat an authentic...

Stepping into Cay Tre in Soho, I'm instantly hit with that familiar, bustling energy of a proper Vietnamese eatery. It's not just a meal; it's a little escape. For me, it's easily one of the best Vietnamese spots in London, and I've tried quite a few.

Honestly, their beef pho? It's my go-to. That broth, so rich and deep but not overpowering, just hits the spot every time. The beef is always perfectly tender, and the noodles are silky smooth. It's a proper comfort food experience, and I haven't found a better bowl in town. Then there's the Hanoi bun cha. Those grilled pork patties are incredible – sweet, smoky, and just bursting with flavour. The vermicelli and fresh herbs are the perfect counterpoint, and the dipping sauce is a masterclass in balance. It's a dish I crave regularly. The staff are always friendly and efficient, even when the place is packed, which it often is. They're happy to offer recommendations, and you can tell they're passionate about the food. The central location is a huge bonus, especially for a quick lunch during a Soho wander. Cay Tre is more than just good food; it's about the whole vibe. The lively atmosphere, the authentic flavours, and the friendly service make it a genuinely enjoyable experience. If you're after real Vietnamese food in the heart of London, I can't recommend Cay Tre enough. The pho and bun cha are absolute must-tries, but honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. It's a place I keep coming back when I crave Vietnamese single...