Phở Thuý Tây Café — Restaurant in London

I am returning ASAP- I want to give 5 stars. Firstly, the flavours here are the most authentically Vietnamese I've had outside of Vietnam, definitely in London. Nearly teleportation. However, somehow the quality was still disappointing.

We started with the Rare beef salad (£10.50)- Bò tái chanh. 9/10, the beef melted in the mouth, the mint was fresh the lime made the flavour pop. We found it too sweet and added fish sauce. The portion was small for the price and we had to fight over it (2 people).

I ordered the Chả Cá Lã Vọng (£15): menu as "Grilled Monkfish" in dill and tumeric, with Mam Tom sauce. Anticipating grilled fish with turmeric and fermented shrimp sauce (a crucial ingredient), I was confused receiving deep fried fish and Nuoc Cham (fish sauce dipping sauce). The waiter explained that I wouldn't like Mam Tom so they didn't serve me it, I confirmed that I did like it and they replaced the sauce quickly. The flavours were amazing, however unfortunately the battered fish was so dry and very tough. I don't want to say it was frozen if it wasn't, but the texture was as if it might have been- but definitely not Grilled (what menu said). I didn't complain because I'd already flagged the sauce, and the flavour good- but for £15, the dish was lacking in freshness.

My partner ordered the bún thịt nướng Ha noi (£13.50), (similar to Bun Cha, but grilled pork belly instead of meatballs). The flavours were 10/10 again, the charcoal flavour was perfect and the sauce was so complex. However, the portion was small and there was no mint, perilla, or cucumbers on the side- just lettuce and coriander.

We definitely noticed the lack of leafy greens on the table, no mint and perilla to balance the salty flavours and vermicelli.

The staff was friendly, and as locals we will be coming back before going to any other Viet restaurants, but hopefully we build up some rapport and ask the staff what...

Pho Thuy Tay Cafe - A Vietnamese Culinary Gem in London

From the moment I stepped into Pho Thuy Tay Cafe, I knew I was in for an authentic Vietnamese treat. The ambiance was inviting, and the aroma of traditional spices set the stage for a memorable dining experience.

The Well-done Beef Pho (Phở Chín Gầu) was a revelation - each spoonful was a harmonious blend of rich, savory broth and perfectly cooked noodles, complemented by tender slices of beef that melted in my mouth.

Equally impressive were the Steam Rice Rolls with BBQ Marinated Pork (Bánh cuốn chả nướng). The delicate rice rolls enveloped the succulent pork in a dance of flavors that was both bold and comforting.

The Grilled Pork Vermicelli (Bún chả Hà Nội) was a standout dish. The grilled pork was flavorful and juicy, paired with vermicelli that was light yet satisfying, creating a delightful contrast of textures.

Not to be outdone, the Crispy Coconut Pancake with Prawns (Bánh xèo tôm) was a masterpiece of taste and texture. The crispy edges of the pancake and coupled with the fresh prawns created a symphony of flavors that was absolutely divine.

To top it off, the Dracontomelon Juice (Nước sấu) was a refreshing finale to the feast. Its unique, tangy flavor was a gorgeous palate cleanser that left me wanting more.

And a pleasant surprise - they offer a 10% discount for customers who pay in cash. It’s just another reason to love this place.

Pho Thuy Tay Cafe is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary journey through Vietnam. The attention to detail, from the quality of ingredients to the presentation of dishes, made this an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to return and indulge in the flavors of...

The food was decent, but not much atmosphere in there. We decided to go for the 'special lunch' option. We made this very clear to the waitress. We ordered two main menu items and two soft drinks. We asked what drinks were included and the waitress suggested that the orange/carrot juice would be a good option, we ordered one and a diet coke. On receipt of the bill, we could see they had charged an extra £4.50 for the orange/carrot juice. We asked why and they said it was not on the special lunch menu, they did not tell us about this in advance and in fact suggested it as something we should order. We were so clear on ordering we wanted the lunch menu. We have been overcharged as a result and unhappy with the restaurant's reaction, it just felt awkward, so we left after paying. I'd probably avoid if they are not going to be transparent and there are much better Vietnamese restaurants nearby at Sen Restaurant and in Surrey Quays shopping centre (both for food, value for money...