Take this to the table
Order by the texture you want: a fresh wrap, a soft steamed roll or a crisp-edged pancake.
Start with texture, not a ranking
If pho was your introduction to Vietnamese food, the next discovery does not have to be another soup. Look at the way a dish is formed instead. A flexible wrapper, a soft steamed sheet and a sizzling pancake create quite different mouthfuls, even before you consider the filling.
Our menu includes all three. Comparing them is a practical way to understand what appeals to you without having to learn a long list of unfamiliar names at once. Think about whether you want something to begin the meal, a softer main dish or a contrast to another plate.
Summer Rolls: choose the filling too
Summer Rolls offer prawns, beef or tofu on our menu. That choice matters just as much as the wrap. Check the dish details and tell the team which option you want; a photograph of one version cannot describe every available filling.
A fresh-style roll should not be confused with a claim that all its ingredients are raw or that it is suitable for every diet. Treat sauces and fillings as part of the dish. If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, ask about the whole preparation rather than relying on the appearance of the wrapper.
Banh Cuon: a softer direction
Our Banh Cuon is made with silky steamed rice rolls filled with savoury minced pork, prawns and black fungus mushrooms. It offers a different texture from a fried spring roll and a different structure from a bowl of noodles.
Try it when you are curious about a steamed dish or want to compare soft and chargrilled elements across a shared table. Bun Cha Ha Noi is one possible companion. The point is to notice the difference, not to order multiple substantial dishes if you only wanted a small meal.
Saigon Xeo Pancake: enjoy the contrast
Writing for National Geographic Traveller, Thuy Diem Pham explains the sizzling character of bánh xèo and describes eating it with leaves and dipping sauce. The combination brings a crisp pancake into contact with softer, fresher elements rather than making crunch the whole experience.
Our Saigon Xeo Pancake has chicken-and-prawn or tofu options. Choose it when a pancake sounds more appealing than noodles, and ask the team about the accompaniments served with it. Whether you settle on a wrap, a steamed roll or a pancake, you will have learned something useful for your next visit: the texture you would like to come back to.
Reporting: National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Sources & further reading
Background reporting for this story. Menu recommendations and tasting suggestions are our own.
- A taste of Vietnam, from hearty sour broths to fragrantly spiced street foodNational Geographic Traveller (UK) · 8 November 2023
