Med Salleh Viet - Westbourne Grove — Restaurant in London

The whole atmosphere of the lunch is marvellous! My mom accidentally discovered the special menu, so we ordered the truffle pho instead of the traditional one. Similar to the traditional pho, we have been invited to appreciate the magic and performance of the birth of a delicious dish when the hot ox soup was poured into the bowl. This is the perfect and comforting experience brought to both our stomach and our eyes.

If you are new to the restaurant, I highly recommended the traditional signature beef pho, because it is easier for you to get the original taste of beef, soup, lime and spices that draws the picture of a huge grassland with full sunshine and cows eating grass and enjoying their afternoon. The truffle is so special that it adds more flavour and depth to the pho, making it the picture of a more modern city, with ancient and magnificent architectures. This is definitely a new taste and experience of pho if you are already an old fan of pho and would like to try something new, but I still recommend the classic one for the first time.

We have also ordered the mango salad, chicken wings, the squid and the coffee. The mango salad tastes sweet, salty and sour, which is a good choice as a starter to prepare for the next dishes. The chicken wings are good enough to eat alone, and the sauce adds more tastes of garlic and chilli. The squid is definitely the No. 1 of the whole meal, especially if you enjoy the smell and taste of smoky snacks. The original tastes of the squid emphasises the smoky taste, and the one adding some sauces emphasises the tastes of lime and spices and it would brought you to the summer street of Vietnam immediately. Once the squid is served, it will be cut to a way that is easier for eating.

Since we are attracted too much by the food, we haven’t taken any pictures and that’s definitely a pity for both my mom and I. Therefore, we have made the agreement to try other dishes next time here. Student discount could be used if students if are brought. 10/10 highly...

The place shouldn't be empty as the food is very nice (though my pho noodles had congealed and I had to work them loose, and I agree with other reviewers that the spring rolls are overpriced).

No, the problem is with pretty much everything else, starting with booking which is a real challenge. You can't get a table online after 6pm - looking from the customer perspective as if the place is full - but in fact management just shuts down the system after 6pm. That's useless for customers trying to book their evening meal. What's even more annoying is that when I decided to persevere and call the restaurant, I was told that I could only get a table on the hour or the half hour but after all that, and rushing to get there, I found the place empty! I could have strolled in any time. It is a mistake to put a computer system before the needs of the customer. On this basis alone I suspect this restaurant will not live long.

The music: Adele on a loop. Vietnamese music would have been more fitting (especially with the traditional style lanterns dotted all around). If you are taking the trouble to pick out a Vietnamese restaurant then it is the Vietnamese experience you want.

And the seating and decor are not cosy for an evening meal: they charge evening meal prices for a lunchtime cafe setting. This too is surely turning customers away.

The major deal breaker was that we asked for Jasmine tea which is not on the menu. (Why not?) We received two mugs which appeared on the bill as an eye-watering £5 each. I was too shocked to take it in or question it at the time but now it's really bugging me.

It's a shame. The place is friendly enough but does not really consider the customer experience. Having said that, if you love Adele, don't like tea, want a quick café-style lunch of just mains, and are happy to book before 6pm and appear on the hour or the half-hour, then this is the place you should go...

Glowing Review for Flora Chu - Exceptional Manager at Medsalleh Vietnamese Restaurant:

Dear Medsalleh Management, I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the truly outstanding management at your Chepstow Road location, and in particular, to commend the wonderful manager, Flora Chu. Every time I have the pleasure of dining at Medsalleh, Flora's warm and welcoming presence immediately makes the experience a delight. She possesses an exceptional ability to connect with people, making each guest feel valued and well-cared for. Her genuine kindness and attentiveness are truly remarkable, and she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure everyone has a positive dining experience. Flora's excellent people skills are clearly reflected in the positive and efficient atmosphere of the restaurant. Her team is always friendly and attentive, and it's evident that she fosters a supportive and well-managed environment. On a personal note, I also wanted to take this opportunity to wish Flora a very Happy Birthday! 🙏 I hope she has a truly wonderful day filled with joy and happiness. Given her exceptional dedication and the positive impact she has on your customers and the restaurant's atmosphere, I sincerely hope that the company will consider doing something special to acknowledge her on her birthday. Managers like Flora are invaluable assets, and recognizing her contributions would be a wonderful gesture. Thank you for providing such a lovely restaurant experience, largely thanks to the wonderful management of Flora Chu. I look forward to my next...