Family

A skip from Parmentier metro, this small Vietnamese joint is in perpetual Christmas mode with its tinsel bordered mirrors and psychedelic light-up ceiling. The expansive menu includes the rarer specialities like bánh xèo (Vietnamese pancakes) and salt and pepper frog’s legs. Chicken and prawn spring rolls (€7.50) are super fresh and so huge that we need two hands to devour them. The spiced crab nems are the kind of piping hot which suggests they have been microwaved, while the beef bo bun (€9) is generously served with a balanced sauce. The fried onions and beef on top could have done with more frying as their moistness upsets the delicate balance. Bò lá lốt (beef wrapped in betel leaves) is nicely fragrant with caramel and comes with a pile of vermicelli noodles, fresh carrots, cucumber and mint (€13). Family will certainly satisfy your cravings but don’t expect to be blown away by the flavours. Simple and does what it says on the tin.