On our last night in Hanoi, we decided to have dinner at Little Vietnam that was located very near to our hotel. In fact, we walked past it everyday when we were headed towards the main shopping/eating areas of the Old Quarter. And every time I would just stop for a minute or two to play with my two little friends. ?
Little Vietnam
24 Ly Quoc Su Street
Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
Vietnam
Opening hours: 7.00am to 10.30pm daily
Aww, so cute isn’t it?
I must say, we didn’t come here because we had read raving reviews about this place or anything like that. In fact, Little Vietnam was just like any other touristy eatery in the Old Quarter with hardly any locals eating here. Prices were on the higher side too compared to the rest that catered more for the locals.
We were just drawn by these adorable furballs so we thought it would be nice to come here and play with them and at the same time, support their owner’s business.
Dinner was served.
For starters, we had the Fresh Summer Rolls or Nem Cuon Tom Thit (45,000VND) which were the same rice paper rolls that most of us would be most familiar with as we could get them in Vietnamese restaurants here. The dipping sauce was good. Loved the crunch from the vegetables.
We also ordered their Rice Noodle and Stir-Fried Beef or Bun Bo Nam Bo (45,000VND) as we were just curious to see how another Bun Bo Nam Bo would fare compared to the popular Bun Bo Nam Bo (@ 67 Hang Dieu) we had previously. Indeed, the nuoc cham sauce used here was not as flavoursome as the latter’s but it was still a satisfying bowl.
Having this Steamed Rice with Stir-Fried Chicken, Mushroom & BBQ Sauce or Com Ga Sot Nam (55,000VND) was like eating home-cooked food. It was just a simple stir-fry with white rice dish but it was the only thing I had in Hanoi that really reminded me of home because it was like a freshly-prepared tze char meal. Chicken was very tender. Overall, very tasty and comforting.
By the time we were done with our meal, the little fellows were off to bed. Seeing how they were nestled close to each other while dozing off in zzzz land really made me want to 吃饱饱, 睡乎乎 too. Haha.
Ok, I wouldn’t say the food here was spectacular but it was simple, unpretentious home-cooked Vietnamese food that was just as delicious. Well, even if that wasn’t enough to justify a visit, the smiles on our faces (or unspoken joy) upon seeing the pugs, would. ?