Cafe East- Family style Vietnamese cuisine

Dear Cafe East,

You have become one of my favourite Vietnamese restaurants in London! I love your generous portions, tasty broth, fresh ingredients and cheap prices. Your food is so delicious that I would make the one hour journey just to have a taste of you!

Overall Rating: 
One of the best local cafe you can find in South London. For such good quality and generous portion sides you are sure to leave with a happy (And pregnant looking) stomach!

Staff: 
Due to its home style atmosphere I would not say the service are the most professional. Staff can be a little impatient especially in the busiest periods, but service is quick- the typical "get in and get out" dining culture.

Food: 
All dishes are prepared when ordered- fresh ingredients!
For starters and mains, vegetarian options also available.
For soup base noodles, you can choose the spicy version, and if you meet the right waiter, you can tell him how spicy you want to noodles to be!

Hygiene: 

Value: 

Goi Cuon - Summer rolls RRP £6.00Fresh rice paper summer rolls, filled with prawns, pork, salad and noodles, served with peanut sauce

Look at the size of those king prawns!! This starter is very refreshing and it is one of the best to kick start your Vietnamese meal! In other restaurants you would normally see this dish served with fish sauce. But Cafe East adds the twist- the peanut sauce is thick and so delicious- the best combo!

Bi Cuon - Pork rolls RRP £6.50
Fresh rice paper summer rolls, filled with shredded pork skin, salad and vermicelli noodles, served with fish sauce.

Cha Gio- Deep Fried Spring Rolls RRP £6.50
Pork spring rolls served with iceberg lettuce (for wrapping), mint, coriander and fish sauce

In my opinion this is very similar to Chinese style spring rolls that you can get when you eat dim sum, except the dipping is fish sauce as opposed to worcester sauce.

Bahn Cuon- Steamed rolls RRP £6.80
Famous Vietnamese steamed pudding pastry, topped with meatloaf and filled with mince pork and Chinese mushrooms. Served with Cafe East fish sauce

Pho Tai RRP £8.00
Lean rare beef with flat rice noodles in a delicate soup. Spicy option also available

When I ask for rare beef, I like to see red. I have been to other Vietnamese restaurants that gave me well done beef even though on the menu it clearly says "rare". Cafe East ensures this does not happen. My bowl of pho had chunks of rare beef and a massive portion of noodles, soaked in the beef broth. The perfect dinner when you are hungry!

Bun Bo Xoa -RRP £ 9.00
Fine vermicelli noodles topped with sweet stir-fried beef. Served with cucumber, herb salad, pickled carrots, molly, peanuts, shallots, beansprouts and fish sauce

Bun Cha Nem Thit Nuong RRP £8.50
Fine vermicelli noodles topped with spring roll and lemongrass pork. Served with cucumber, herb salad, pickled carrots, molly, peanuts and fish sauce

Dried vermicelli noodles are another Vietnamese favorite. It does not with soup. Instead you would mix the meat and salad with the bowl of fish sauce provided. The noodles are served COLD. This dish is particularly refreshing in the summer, or for those who wants to try something different!

For more information about this restaurant CLICK HERE.

NB: Review above is a mere personal opinion.