Known for its Vietnamese pho and street food, Mrs Pho has opened a new Vietnamese Charcoal Hotpot and Barbecue concept, Mrs Pho House at Ngee Ann City.

Mrs Pho House specialises in traditional Vietnamese charcoal fired hotpot as well as grilled side items. All dishes—including broths, ingredients, and side dishes—are prepared by a third-generation female Chef Linh from Vietnam.

To celebrate their opening, Mrs Pho House will be offering 50% off soup bases from 8 Sep – 8 Oct 2021. Diners must a prior reservation to enjoy the promotion.

There are four soup bases available on Mrs Pho House’s menu and they are made with Vietnamese herbs, spices and ingredients:

• Collagen Pepper Pork (regular S$28, large S$28)
• Vietnamese Perilla Mutton (regular S$25, large S$30)
• Herbal Chicken and Mushroom (regular S$23, large S$28)
• Crab Bisque (regular S$38, large S$48)

You can get a variety of meats, seafoods, vegetables and mushrooms that are perfect for hotpot.

Meat options include:

• Japanese wagyu
• Pork belly
• Iberico pork shoulder shabu shabu
• Handmade meatballs
• Beef balls
• Lemongrass brine chicken

Seafood options include:

• Whole rainbow lobster
• Scallops
• Mussels
• Tiger prawns
• Baby octopus
• Fish fillet

The Pomelo Salad (S$18.90) might not sound like much, but it was our favourite dish from Mrs Pho House’s menu. The refreshing salad came with Vietnamese crystal pomelo, fresh tiger prawns and fresh herbs.

Another dish that we really loved was the Mrs Pho Iberico Pork Belly on Skewers ($5.90) featuring marinated juicy slices of Iberico pork belly on sticks.

There are also other side dishes such as the Five Spice Butter Quail (S$18.90), Lemongrass Chicken in Claypot (S$13.90), and Stuffed Squid (S$19.90).

Mrs Pho House
391 Orchard Road, #B2-36A, Takashimaya Shopping Centre
Ngee Ann City, Singapore 238872

Located along Geylang Road, Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette is a Vietnamese eatery that specialises in authentic Vietnamese Banh Mi.

We first knew about this hidden gem from a Vietnamese friend who highly recommended their Banh Mi. And it sure lived up to all the hype.

What we love about Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette:

• Very tasty and authentic Banh Mi with a generous filling
• Freshly-baked baguettes
• Affordable Banh Mi at only S$4.50 each
• It specialises in only Banh Mi

On Banh Mi Thit’s menu, you can find 6 types of Banh Mi—pork, chicken, ham, beef, egg and pate—which are affordable priced at only S$4.50 each.

You can also get authentic Vietnamese coffee and Thai milk tea to go along with your Banh Mi.

What makes Banh Mi Thit different from the other Banh Mi places in Singapore is they bake their own baguettes from scratch.

The Chicken Banh Mi (S$4.50) came with generous serving of chicken chunks, pickled carrots, coriander and it was sandwiched within the baguette which was freshly baked in-house. The toasted baguette was so good that you could eat it on its own.

The Beef Banh Mi (S$4.50) completely stole the show with the thinly-sliced beef which was cooked medium-rare. It was juicy, tender and simply delicious.

Banh Mi Thit is a humble Vietnamese eatery which serves one of the best Banh Mis in Singapore. And the best part? They are priced affordably and everyone can enjoy it. The location may be slightly out of the way, but it is definitely a place that is worth the journey.

Banh Mi Thit by Star Baguette
543 Geylang Rd, Singapore 389498
Tel: +65 6909 8340

New to the slew of cafes and eateries in Upper Thomson is Pho Viet, a humble Vietnamese eatery situated along the same stretch where Maneko Japanese Restaurant and One Man Coffee are located at.

They serve up anything from the classic pho to other lesser known Vietnamese dishes, mostly priced below S$10. Being literally the only Vietnamese joint in the whole stretch, we had pretty high expectations but did it meet them, surpass them or disappoint? Read on to find out.

Starting off with what many of us would consider a Vietnamese staple, the Beef Brisket Noodle Soup (S$8.90) is one of the most popular dishes in Pho Viet amongst diners which goes highly recommended by their staff.

Pho Viet’s rendition of the noodle soup dish features thick rice noodles topped with beef slices and beef meatballs. While the rice noodles were silky smooth just the way we like it, we thought that the broth could do with more flavours and that the beef pieces were a major letdown.

The meatballs that were served were undercooked, resulting in a hard texture whereas the beef slices were tough and lacked flavour.

The Pork Stew with Quail Eggs (S$8.90), on the other hand, came packed with robust flavours. A traditional dish that is consumed by the Vietnamese during Lunar New Year, this dish sees fork-tender pork belly pieces alongside quail eggs.

Served with steamed rice, the stew came with caramelised pork belly pieces and quail eggs which were both well-marinated in a sweet-savoury sauce. However, considering the price point of this item, we thought that they could afford to be more generous with its portion.

Pho Viet also offers a variety of appetisers on the menu ranging from barbecued seafood to Vietnamese baguettes. We ordered up a portion of BBQ Pork (S$8.90), our personal essential whenever we patronise a Vietnamese eatery.

Presented in the form of skewers, the pork pieces had a pleasant bite to it. Be that as it may, we thought that the skewers were overly salty. Besides the strong notes of fish sauce used in its marination, the skewers lacked dimension to its flavours taste-wise.

Pho Viet
215M Upper Thomson Road
Tel: +65 8518 0090
Daily: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Marymount

Whenever we talk about Vietnamese food, the first thing that comes to mind is a cuisine that boasts complex heady aromas of fresh herbs and robust flavours that pack a punch yet remain light on the palate.

An amalgamation of fresh and exotic flavours hailing from various regions of Vietnam, newly-established Paper Rice aims to give diners nothing short of the real taste of Vietnam. This new concept by Arteastiq Group—you may know them for their stellar range of brewed teas and art jam spaces—sees a collaboration of colossal proportions, tying in the skillsets of Arteastiq’s award-winning Executive Chef Yip and Vietnamese-born Chef Minh.

Officially opening its doors at Changi City Point on 30 November 2018, Paper Rice takes diners through Vietnam’s rich gastronomic history encompassing the cuisine’s signature clean, exotic and robust flavours. Think nostalgic classics such as the hearty pho, smoky street-style grill and Vietnamese drip coffee, as well as other traditional and uncommon Vietnamese delights.

As part of their launch, you get to enjoy Saigon Export beers at just S$2 and 50% off Kirin beers with any purchase of food from 30 November to 31 December 2018. The best part? That’s probably the least exciting promotion the restaurant has in store. Make sure to read till the end of this article for more details.

STARTERS

Offering a pretty decent selection of starter dishes, these are what we advise you to start with to give you a more restrained introduction to the courses to come.

Vietnamese spring rolls are a must and on their menu, they have more than just the conventional spring rolls available. Feeling undecided? Consider their Spring Rolls Platter. heFeaturing 4 different kinds of spring rolls, the platter comes with two dipping sauces accompanied by rice noodles and greens.

PHO

A quintessential Vietnamese dish, the pho provides hot and meaty comfort in a nutritious bone broth.

At Paper Rice, you can choose from 5 different variations of pho originating from different parts of Vietnam. Apart from meat toppings such as beef, chicken, and pork, Paper Rice also offers a vegetarian option. Regardless of which you choose, each bowl of pho boasts silky rice noodles soaked in a flavourful broth which has been simmered overnight. Served with a heaping plate of crunchy leafy greens and various aromatic herbs, these aromatic bowls of comfort are certain to lift your senses.

RICE VERMICELLI

Rice vermicelli are essentially served dry, keeping the ingredients from becoming sodden. In the mouth, what you get is an ingenious combination of flavours accentuated by a vibrant dressing and exciting textures of beef slices, crunchy peanuts, bean sprouts and fresh herbs.

To bind it all together, stir in a tablespoon or two of fish sauce. One particular offering that we’re stoked to try is their Fresh Rice Vermicelli With Grilled Chicken.

BANH MI

On our recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, we tried multiple delicious variations of this Vietnamese staple – the Banh Minh, and was thrilled to see this Vietnamese street food featured in Paper Rice’s menu.

Banh mi—which literally translates to bread—is made up of a toasted baguette stuffed with grilled meat and pickled vegetables. At Paper Rice, two classic Banh Mi is featured—the Grilled Pork Banh Mi and the Grilled Lemongrass Chicken Banh Mi.

MEKONG SPECIAL

The restaurant’s ‘Mekong Special’ features a selection of specialty dishes hailing from the Mekong region of Vietnam which has been known for its more pronounced flavour profiles and unique ingredients.

The Deep Fried Seabass with Spicy Lemongrass Peanut Sauce and Signature Hand Pulled Chicken are among the many unique Mekong dishes that grace this section of the menu. A special curation, the dishes here aim to bring nothing but sheer authenticity from pasture to plate.

EGG COFFEE & VIETNAMESE-STYLE HIGH TEA

To round out the entire experience, be sure to order up a cup of hot Vietnamese Egg Coffee. Every sip rewards the tongue with a frothy, creamy foam that provides a subtle sweetness as well as a gentle nuance of egg, all working well to complement the intensely flavoured dark coffee.

An all-day dining destination, Paper Rice also offers Singapore’s first Vietnamese-style high tea set ($32++ for 2) featuring colourful traditional snacks, desserts and pastries served alongside your choice of Vietnamese coffee or Arteastiq’s signature teas.

As part of their opening promotion, diners get to enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee at just S$1 (with purchase of any food items) from 2pm to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays until 31 December 2018.

GIVEAWAY OF A LIFETIME

In need of a getaway? Visit Paper Rice any time between 30 November 2018 to 31 Jan 2019, share about your dining experience on either Instagram or Facebook as well as post a review on Google or Tripadvisor and you just might stand a chance to win a free 3D2N trip to Danang, Vietnam.

If lounging on pristine beaches and visiting the Instagrammable Da Nang Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills sounds like the perfect vacation for you, be sure to make a trip down on their opening day (30 November 2018) to stand a 10x chance of winning this prize!

Paper Rice
Changi City Point #B1-26/27
5 Changi Business Park Central 1
Singapore 138617
Tel: +65 6443 1261
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest MRT Station: Expo

This post was brought to you by Paper Rice. 

When it comes to popular food enclaves in Singapore, Novena may not particularly stand out from the crowd—especially not with the likes of so many up and coming food havens such as Bedok or even Toa Payoh.

But little do you know that Novena packs many great local eateries and restaurants. To give you more purpose in visiting Novena, other than sending your children for tuition or shopping for sports apparel, here are 18 eateries, cafes and restaurants in Novena that you have to try!

328 KATONG LAKSA

If travelling to Katong is a little too much of a stretch, then you find comfort in knowing that an outlet exists just a few minutes away from Novena. Serving up hearty bowls of intensely rich laksa, these bowls of soul-enriching goodness will definitely put you in a good spot whenever you find yourself hankering for something warm and comforting.

101 Thomson Road #01-K1,
United Square Shopping Mall
Singapore 307591
Daily: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Novena

BAAN YING

One of the latest restaurants to take up residence over at Royal Square at Novena, Baan Ying Singapore serves up a wide range of Thai fare stemming from other, more underrated parts of Thailand, and while the usual Thai staples such as tom yum and green curry are available, they most certainly aren’t the main stars of the show.

Their menu boasts a pretty extensive array of Northern Thai-inspired curries, salads and rice dishes and most dishes fall below S$10.

103 Irrawaddy Road
#02-07, Royal Square At Novena
Singapore 329566
Tel: +65 9111 7852
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

CHYE KEE CHICKEN RICE

Over at Chye Kee Goldhill Roasted Chicken Rice, be mesmerised by the display counter that comprises rows and rows of gorgeously roasted chicken, char siew, pork belly and duck. This is one meat lover’s heaven that often sees a long line leading outside even before lunchtime.

As much as we love their roasted chicken rice, their rice tends to be a tad dry so instead, we recommend going for their Dry Macaroni with Roasted Chicken.

No. 151, Thomson Road, #01-151,
Goldhill Shopping Centre,
Singapore 307606
Tel: +65 9143 4147

Mon to Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 8am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Novena

CRAFTSMEN SPECIALTY COFFEE

A popular coffee stop for office workers or even students in the search for a quiet place to study, Craftsmen Specialty Coffee is your answer to delicious coffee and all-day-breakfast items. Inspired by flavours from abroad, most if not all their nosh are designed with the intention to complement their freshly roasted and brewed coffee.

The Craftsmen Full Breakfast comes close to a traditional English breakfast while the Pulled Pork Burrito is divine on so many levels.

173 Thomson Road
Goldhill Centre
Singapore 307623
Tel: +65 96580769
Mon to Thu: 8.30am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 8.30am – 10.30pm
Sun: 8.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Novena

DA LUCA RESTAURANT

Serving up real-deal Italian food Da Luca Italian Restaurant is one spot that never fails to leave an impression. Owned by chef-owner Luca Pucciani along with his wife, this cosy Italian restaurant in Goldhill Plaza dishes out an arsenal of stellar antipasti, pasta and hearty mains.

Fresh ingredients, masterful preparations, friendly owners and good vibes all rolled out into one, this is without a doubt a place that promises a sensational dining experience.

1 Goldhill Plaza Novena #01-19/21,
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6258 4846
(Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays)
Wed to Sun: 11.45am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

HAIDILAO

Singapore’s hottest hotpot restaurant at the moment, Haidilao is one that needs no introduction.

Having opened yet another outlet at Royal Square at Novena, what Novena residents can expect is the same top-notch service, delicious soup broths and a sensational dining experience right in your very neighbourhood—all the way to 6 in the morning.

Royal Square @Novena,
103 Irrawaddy Road, #06-01/02,
Singapore 329566
Tel: +65 6565 7767
Daily: 10.30am – 6am
Nearest Station: Novena

JOE & DOUGH

Homegrown chain, Joe & Dough, is known for their high-ceilinged lounge cafes which rivals the likes of Starbucks. From sourcing the best Arabica beans to roasting the coffee beans locally, this popular coffee chain ensures that every cup of coffee they serve is a cup packed-full of warmth and unbeatable flavour.

10 Sinaran Dr, 01-156,
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6397 2669
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

KYUSHU PANCAKE

A notch above than your average pancake, what you can expect from this pancake joint from Japan, are incredibly thick yet light pancakes that come in a variety of mouthwatering flavours. The secret to it and what makes it unique is that unlike most, it is made using 7 different grains grown in Kyushu.

Must-try’s include the Kyushu Butter Milk Classic Pancake, Salted Caramel French Toast and Egg Benedict Pancake.

275 Thomson Road, #01-08,
Novena Regency
Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 6352 6265
(Closed on Mondays)
Tue to Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Novena

LA RISTRETTOS

If you’re looking to hide from the hustle and bustle of the city, then allow La Ristrettos to be your safe haven. Hidden in the most obscure area in Novena, within a maze of private clinics, this humble cafe serves up hearty Melbourne-style brunch items as well as top-notch coffee.

10 Sinaran Drive #08-37
Novena Medical Centre,
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6397 7165
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 1pm
Nearest Station: Novena

LAO BEIJING

Capturing authenticity in both its appearance and cuisine, Lao Beijing in Velocity@Novena Square is where you’ll more than likely find well-executed Northern Chinese fare in the form of exquisite fish dishes, noodle dishes as well as an array of juicy dumplings. Famed for their xiao long bao and famous customisable popiah, the restaurant has bagged numerous awards over the years and sees a constant flood of loyal patrons daily.

238 Thomson road
Velocity@Novena Square, #02-11/12
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6358 4466
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 11am – 3pm, 3pm – 5pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

LINGZHI VEGETARIAN

Vegetarian dining is very seldom on the top of anyone’s lists, but LingZhi Vegetarian is one of the rare few that proves to be an exception. Offering a straightforward yet dazzling new menu, diners can expect to fall head over heels for their vegetarian renditions of Lasagna, Peking Duck and even Satay.

The lack of meat may be hard to stomach, but judge all you want because the food really speaks for itself.

238 Thomson Road, #03-09/10,
Velocity@Novena Square
Singapore 307683
Tel: +65 6538 2992
Daily: 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

MARMALADE PANTRY

Have yourself an indulgent afternoon at one of the city’s best bistros. Beyond tea, scones and gorgeous little pastries, the outlet at Novena boasts a pretty good selection of mains. Bask in the luxury that is modern comfort food in the form of their Truffle Beef Burger and Miso Lobster Burger that will have you submerged in pure, sensorial bliss.

8 Sinaran Drive, #01-02/04
Oasia Hotel Novena
Singapore 307470
Tel: +65 6664 0348
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30am, 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

NARA

Offering quality Japanese food, service that’s hard to fault and an overall intimate dining experience without breaking the bank, Nara is one spot that will take your taste buds on a sensorial journey.

If you’re ballsy, you should definitely opt for the shirako ponzu (fish sperm served in ponzu) when it’s in season.

167 Thomson Road,
Singapore 307619
Tel: +65 6256 6568
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

SSIKKEK KOREAN GRILL BBQ BUFFET

There are a few Ssikkek outlets in Singapore, and the popularity of each outlet leaves one little to wonder. It is really a simple and fuss-free place for some casual feasting.

While Ssikkek doesn’t have the best quality meat such as Wagyu, it makes up for it with its competitive pricing and lively atmosphere.

101 Thomson Road, #B1-14/15/16
United Square Shopping Mall,
Singapore 307591
Tel: +65 6254 8123
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

SKY 22

Sky22 sits on the 22nd level of Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena, boasting an unbeatable view of the surrounding city area.

The restaurant focuses on a small plates-style buffet where the different dishes are prepared in small batches to ensure quality and freshness. Dishes to look forward to are the ‘Nasi Ulam’ Wild Rice Salad with charred octopus, Pan-seared Red Grouper with Sambal Oelek and Tiger Prawn Laksa Lemak.

99 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329568
Tel: +65 6378 2040
Daily: 6.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

SUSHI MATSUO

Featuring a pretty extensive lineup of sushi, sashimi and donburi options made using fresh seasonal produce, Sushi Matsuo is one spot we would recommend to satisfy your craving for raw seafood without the fine dining price tag.

Set in a small yet homely space, the restaurant dishes out anything from uni to tuna served several ways and will have you feeling as if you were dining in a restaurant in the suburbs of Tokyo.

1, Goldhill Plaza, #01-17,
Singapore 308899
Tel: +65 6356 2603
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

TUNGLOK TEAHOUSE

We are such big fans of TungLok Group’s arsenal of restaurants and one of the places we frequent most is TungLok Teahouse for their delectable, handcrafted dim sum. Their signature Steamed Siew Mai with Quail Egg and Truffle is a huge hit and don’t even get us started on their Boxer Chicken.

10 Sinaran Drive
#01-73 Square 2
Singapore 307506
Tel: +65 6893 1123
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 4.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Novena

WEE NAM KEE

Anyone who’s truly a fan of chicken rice would definitely have tried Wee Nam Kee at least once or several times. Having moved to United Square, the interior does feature a brand-new look but where taste and quality are concerned, the standard of their food remains pretty much unchanged.

Their rice is fragrant, their homemade chilli sauce is superb and their chicken, well, is simply put, one of the best we have ever tasted from its outrageously succulent meat to the delicious sauce that does well to enhance every bite with its savoury and subtly sweet qualities.

101 Thomson Road, #01-08
United Square Shopping Mall
Singapore 307591
Tel: +65 6255 6396
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Novena

Vietnamese fare has always been a mainstay in Singapore’s food scene with NamNam being a common choice. But there is so much more to Viet cuisine than just beef pho.

Recently, the Vietnamese food trend has picked up with many new passionate individuals opening eateries that bring the very best of the country’s cuisine to Singapore. From authentic street-style charcoal barbecue, seafood and of course, our beloved pho prepared several other ways other than in a beef broth, the options that we have here are pretty substantial.

Whether it’s a proper, comforting bowl of pho you crave or something with a little more attitude, here are the best Vietnamese restaurants in Singapore worth visiting.

Photo Credit: Fat Saigon Boy

FAT SAIGON BOY

Skewering away from the traditional and the authentic is Fat Saigon Boy, a restaurant in Telok Ayer that fuses together the sheer rustic nature of Aussie cuisine to good old Vietnamese street food, delighting guests with a myriad of quirky creations that are anything but mundane.

From hefty mains to small plates, the options are pretty extensive. Here, anything goes, meaning you can settle for a hearty bowl of pho or go to the extreme with their Viet Veg Frittata or Soft Shell Crab Sliders—your choice.

51 Telok Ayer Street #01-02,
Singapore 048441
Tel: +65 6221 6784
(Closed on Saturdays & Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 9pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

Photo Credit: Lang Nuong Vietnam

LÀNG NUÖNG VIETNAM

Every culture has their own version of barbecue and frankly we love them all, but perhaps one of the more underrated ones is Vietnamese barbecue. Bringing traditional Vietnamese barbecue and the first of its kind to Singapore is Làng Nuöng Vietnam.

Serving up authentic Vietnamese street-style charcoal barbecue, this humble restaurant will give you a Viet experience like no other—from its lively ambience to the Vietnamese marinades that go onto their various meat options.

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18 Foch Road
Singapore 209260
Tel: +65 9235 3548
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Bendemeer

Photo Credit: Little Vietnam Restaurant & Cafe

LITTLE VIETNAM

Nestled within Grandlink Square, a shopping centre easily overlooked by the common eye, lies Little Vietnam.

This Vietnamese joint serves up an eclectic array of Vietnamese home cooking so you can expect the likes of traditional Vietnamese spring rolls, salads as well as deep-fried quail, cockles served with various sauces and not forgetting, the iconic chicken and beef pho.

511 Guillemard Road,
#01-25, Grandlink Square
Singapore 399849
Tel: +65 6547 8587
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

Photo credit: Long Phung

LONG PHUNG

In Vietnam, seafood and beer make up a huge part of the nation’s culinary scene and it can be seen literally everywhere along the streets of Saigon. If you find yourself yearning for seafood and authentic Vietnamese fare at the same time, Long Phung is a good choice.

From cockles, gong gong to clams, the eatery has it all, and the best part is that most of their offerings are designed to be paired with beer—meaning that you can probably expect a fiery kick to come with each bite.

159 Joo Chiat Road,
Singapore 427436
Tel: +65 6440 6959
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

Photo credit: Mrs Pho

MRS PHO

Located along a row of shophouses along Beach Road is humble Vietnamese eatery, Mrs Pho. This is where you can expect the usual staples from spring rolls, pho and the likes but what sets them apart is their cockles.

Their cockles are tossed in a mixture of garlic, chilli and lard (yes, lard) and stir-fried to yummy perfection. Spicy, garlicky and everything you could ever want in a shellfish dish, this alone is worth making a trip down for.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

349 Beach Road
Singapore 199570
Tel: +65 6292 0018
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

Photo Credit: Cô Hai Bánh Mì

CÔ HAI BÁNH MÌ

While the speciality here at Cô Hai is obviously their banh mi, we must admit that their other dishes are stellar as well. One notable one to try is the mammoth, everything-in-one, Rice Vermicelli with Grilled Pork, Minced Pork and Spring Roll.

The pork itself is well marinated and boasts a smoky flavour and the crispy spring roll provides a nice textural contrast to the chewy noodles and crunchy vegetables. If you’re yearning for a comforting pho, theirs is pretty spot on as well.

359 Beach Road
Singapore 199575
Tel: +65 6291 6435
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

NAMNAM NOODLE BAR

We are sure NamNam Noodle Bar needs no further introduction—the successful Vietnamese restaurant chain is almost always at the top of our minds whenever someone mentions ‘beef pho’. You can always expect their beef broth—which has been boiled for over 24 hours—to be splendid.

If you are not there for their signature Hanoi Pho, there are also other traditional Vietnamese delights such as Banh Mi, noodle recipes from Southern and Central Vietnam, and small plates.

252 North Bridge Road
#B1-46/47, Raffles City Shopping Centre
Singapore 179103
Tel: +65 6336 0500
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: City Hall

Photo Credit: Nico Nguyen

PHO 99 VIETNAMESE DELIGHT

Quite possibly one of the closest you can get to dining in the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh without having to fly there, Pho 99 Vietnamese Delight promises authenticity and good-old Vietnamese comfort food like no other.

Hidden among the many shophouses nestled along the happening food enclave of Amoy Street, this humble eatery draws in a pretty massive lunch crowd, many of which patronise the place for their delicious pho. Served piping hot and brimming with deep beefy flavours, we can see why people love it.

57/58 Amoy Street,
Singapore 069883
Tel: +65 6410 9600
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Telok Ayer

PHO STOP

Tanjong Pagar may sport a slew of bars, fancy restaurants and hipster cafes but Vietnamese food is probably not something you would think to find there—until you’ve visited Pho Stop.

This is one restaurant that does not skimp and we’re talking about everything from the size of their noodle portions, meat to the fresh herbs that they serve on the side. But generosity aside, their cooking is on a totally different level altogether. The broth of their beef pho is light yet robust in flavour and stands up well on its own despite being so clear in appearance.

6A Shenton Way #02-28,
Downtown Gallery,
Singapore 068815
Tel: +65 9695 6885
(Closed on Tuesdays & Sundays)
Mon, Wed to Fri: 11.30am – 9pm
Sat: 11.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar / Downtown

Photo Credit: Saigon Alley

SAIGON ALLEY

If you ever wanted to get properly acquainted with real-deal Vietnamese street food, then Saigon Alley at Novena Gardens is definitely a place to visit. From their home-made salads, spring rolls to their various other dishes, they will have you falling in love with the cuisine entirely.

We highly recommend their Spicy Australian Beef Noodles as well as the Northern Vietnamese Beef Salad—both feature a generous serving of tender beef plus a unique, flavoursome kick that not many other commercial Vietnamese dishes possess.

273 Thomson Road, #01-05/06,
Novena Gardens
Singapore 307645
Tel: +65 6265 7662
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Novena

BÁNH MÌ 888

NamNam Noodle Bar, a relatively new dining concept by the Les Amis Group, features iconic street favourites of Vietnam. It is not uncommon to see long queues at its two branches at Raffles City and Wheelock during meal times.

The idea of the noodle bar is simple, but very clever. I have always lamented that Singapore lacks good Vietnamese eateries, and NamNam managed to fill a gap in the market at the right time.

NamNam Noodle Bar’s pho is delicious – in fact, it is easily the best I have had in Singapore. For me, a good pho is nothing more complicated than a hearty serving of freshly boiled rice noodles with generous slices of beef, all submerged in a bowl of rich and warm broth. The Banh Mi is equally good. The French inspired baguettes are chock-ful of ingredients, and very satisfying.

Vietnamese street food such as pho and banh mi are meant to be cheap, and I am glad that NamNam Noodle Bar has kept the prices very competitive – a bowl of pho is less than S$10, while the Banh Mi is only S$5.90.

In a word: It is a chic quick dining concept.

NamNam Noodle Bar
252 North Bridge Road, #B1-46/47
Raffles City Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6336 0500
Nearest Station: Raffles City

501 Orchard Road #B2-02
Wheelock Place
Tel: +65 6735 1488
Nearest Station: Orchard

There was a big hoo-ha at the dining table when I mentioned that it was my first time having the famous Vietnamese Pho. My one and only experience with Vietnamese food was during last Christmas Eve; where I had an impromptu party with dweam and monoxious at NUOC Vietnamese Restaurant Orchard Central.

When they asked me which Liang Seah Street Restaurant to go for dinner, I suggested Madam Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant as I wanted to try the Pho.

A platter of Spring rolls ($17.90), which is a popular Vietnamese dish, appeared on the table. Luckily, they didn’t disappoint: the semi translucent raw spring rolls went well with the sauce; as for the deep fried ones, we agreed that deep-fried food always taste good.

The Vietnamese Fried Calamari ($9.50) was very different from the ones that I had before. For one, it wasn’t round and they were broke down into strips, bearing a close resemblance to fries. It was a very addictive snack/appetizer, and we enjoyed it with the light dipping sauce.

Coming back to the Vietnamese Pho ($8.90), I thought that Madam Saigon’s rendition was not too bad. But Arissa who tasted Pho in Melbourne thought otherwise. Valerie definitely didn’t think much of it too, for she had savored the best Vietnamese Pho while she was in Vietnam before; cannot get any more authentic. It was hard to pin-point what was missing, but it was just different from the one they had before. Perhaps, it’s a case of the grass being greener on the other side. But since there aren’t that many Vietnamese restaurants in Singapore, we just have to make do with what we have. If not, get a ticket and fly to Vietnam this weekend for a delicious bowl of Pho.

We tossed lots of raw beansprouts, mint and squeezed wedges of lime into the Pho. There was silence for a a few jiffies, and this life-changing moment of my first banter with Vietnamese Pho has set its page on my history.

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Instead of having Western or Japanese food all the time, why don’t you try Vietnamese food at Madam Saigon Restaurant Liang Seah Street for dinner?

Restaurant Review
Madam Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant
30 Liang Seah Street Singapore
Tel: +65 6333 9798