Every day, I got the bus past Viet Quan on Old Kent Road. Curious about this restaurant, I was telling my friends I wanted to go while riding on the 53 bus when a man overheard our conversation and told me that I had to go! My sister and I decided to give it a try one evening when heading home. After travelling around Vietnam for a month, I had high expectations for this authentic restaurant.
The interior of the restaurant is filled with plenty of dark wood tables, transporting you to Hội An. The classic Vietnamese atmosphere allows you to have an authentic, fresh, delicious meal away from the hectic Old Kent Road. The dining experience is straightforward. After a warm welcome, you’ll be served promptly.
To quench our thirst, we had two Saigon beers that were priced at £4.00 each — not bad for London!
As two vegetarians we were pleasantly surprised by the number of options available for us. If you’re meat-free and/or vegan, this is a great spot for you. And don’t worry, carnivores, there’s more than enough for you, too!
We decided to share a few bits and ordered:
Salt and pepper tofu: £8.00
Vegeterian spring rolls: £6.00
Tofu summer rolls: £5.50
2 vegeterian pho: £24.00
Not even halfway through our beers, we were met with our appetisers. Fresh, flavourful, and clearly made by dedicated chefs, the varying textures made it a sensory experience that filled us with delight. After finishing our appetisers, we were looking forward to our Phos — no disappointment here! A hot, steamy noodle soup warmed us right up on a rainy winter’s day. These light dishes combined with each other left no room for dessert. So, it was time to settle our bill.
Before the service charge, our bill came to £51.50, making it £25.75 each. For a starter, drink, and main that was truly delicious, I think this is more than a reasonable price.
It’s safe to say my high expectations were met. A restaurant for locals, Vietnamese folk, families, and friends, this is a spot for anyone. If you’re looking for a casual, good, fresh meal, Viet Quan is the place for you. Also, if you really want to get into the Vietnamese style, there’s even karaoke downstairs!
Freya Watts
Address: 320 Old Kent Rd, London SE1 5UE