Capturing The Essence Of Vietnam Cuisine
Family Cafe Serves Authentic Recipes From Homeland
Family-run restaurant Kafe Vietnam has managed to capture the essence of Vietnam cuisine, which is known for its natural flavours derived from using fresh ingredients that include lemon grass, ginger, coriander, lime, mint, cinnamon, bird's eye chilli and basil leaves. Restaurant's owners Justin Chew and his Vietnamese wife, Dona Linh runs the restaurant while Dona's nephew works behind the scenes as head chef to helm the kitchen.
Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly admired for its fresh ingredients, minimal use of oil and generous usage of herbs and vegetables to enhance its dishes. I have always enjoyed eating Vietnamese food as its one of the healthiest cuisines worldwide.
Spacious & Clean
Kafe Vietnam, a neighbourhood cafe located strategically at Bandar Puteri Puchong. Nestled in a corner shop lot at the main road, this cafe is not hard to spot, just look out for the mannequin in blue ao dài (Vietnamese national costume). The cafe's interior is spacious and cozy with a seating capacity of up to 50 people.
The menu features an array of authentic Vietnam recipes such as Goi Cuon (spring rolls), Banh Xeo (crepe like pancake), Pho (soup noodles), Banh Mi (sandwich baguettes) and many more. The recipes come from Dona's family, so the husband and wife team working together to serve authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a family-oriented dining experience.
Our feast began with 3 types of appetisers ~ Our starters are Chicken Salad, Beef Salad and Prawn /Pork Salad. Vietnamese salads is a combination of a variety of fresh vegetables served with meat - either boiled lean pork, beef, shrimp or chicken mixed together with condiments include herbs and peanuts. The salad is mixed with a sweet, spicy, sour and fishy vinegar dressing to give the tangy flavour.
GOI GA ~ Chicken Salad
( Shredded Chicken, cabbage, onion & herbs )
RM 13.90
GOI BO BOP THAU ~ Beef Salad
RM 13.90
GOI RAU CAU TOM THIT~ Jelly, Prawn & Pork Salad
RM 13.90
Next, we had the Banh Trang Cuon which simply means the "Wrap & Roll" where edible Vietnamese rice paper wrappers are used to wrap basic ingredients such as rice noodles, bean sprouts, cucumber, lettuce and basil with meat added. These wrappers are thin, light and translucent in texture. I enjoyed eating the spring rolls as they are not only healthy but very tasty as well. The perfect finger food and good for sharing in big group too.
They are several Banh Trang Cuon (Wrap & Roll) to choose from at Kafe Vietnam. Diners can pick from the , Deluxe Mixed Platter, BBQ minced Pork, Boiled Pork Belly, Vietnamese Pancake, Sugar Cane Prawn Cake or even the Deep Fried Gurame/Tilapia.
THAP CAM CUON (Thit Nuong, Nem Nuong, Chao Tom va Cha Gio)
Deluxe Mixed Platter
RM 31.90
A combination of mixed platter of everything in the menu with Skewered BBQ Minced Pork, Chunky Pork, Sugar Cane Prawn Cake & Fried Spring Roll. With this platter, diners get to try a mix of the meat items and it's good for sharing between 4 to 6 persons. Don't forget to dip your self- made roll with the sweet, spicy and sour sauce as both goes hand in hand to brings out the flavour and texture in the roll.
BAHN XEO ~ Vietnamese Pancake
RM 15.90
Here is the Bahn Xeo, a Vietnamese Pancake made from rice flour, green pea flour mixed with some bean sprouts, pork belly and prawns and pan fried till crispy perfection. Use it as a filling together with the fresh vegetables, wrap & roll with the rice papers and pop em' into the mouth!
Wrap & Roll
This traditional Vietnamese Spring Rolls are a fresh and healthy, full of fresh vegetables and lean meat, so eat up!
PHO BO ~ Beef Clear Soup Koay Teow
RM 14.90
Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup
What is Vietnamese cuisine without the Pho? Dining experience at a Vietnamese restaurant would not be complete if you have not tried the Pho. This simple staple noodles dish is found in all major cities in Vietnam. You are bound to bump into a crowd of hungry patrons slurping delicious noodles at a makeshift pho stand.
This simple yet flavourful noodles dish consists of a beefy broth, fresh rice noodles, a sprinkling of chopped spring onions, fresh herbs and generous slices of tender beef. One of Vietnam's most popular dish makes a wonderful meal understandably why and perfect for breakfast and lunch. Loves the light and clear sweetness of the beefy flavour, definitely goes well with many beef lovers.
BO KHO ~ Mild Spicy Beef & Carrot Stew with Egg Noodles
RM 14.90
Bo Kho is basically Vietnamese beef stew, an aromatic and delicious dish cooked with fresh herbs and fragrant spices such as lemon grass, ginger, chilli, star anise, cinnamon, cloves and fresh basil.
Enjoy savouring this bowl of tender beef with lingering scents together with egg noodles at Kafe Vietnam. One of those comforting dishes that you love to have on weekends mornings when you're in no particular rush so that you can slowly savour and linger over bowls of beefy broth.
BUN BO HUE ~ Hue Slice Beef, Ham with Thick Rice Noodles in Spicy Soup
RM 14.90
Bun Bo Hue is a Vietnamese classic spicy beef soup. A light stock made with beef and pork bones, scented with lots of lemon grass and shrimp paste. You would enjoy this dish if you like its balance of spicy, sour, salty and sweet flavours and the predominant flavour of lemon grass.
Spicy fiery orange soup ladled over thick rice noodles, common toppings include sliced beef, pork ham and plenty of fresh herbs. Definitely a better option for those seeking a spicier and sizzling flavour from the other two milder noodles dish.
COM GA XOI MO ~ Special Fried Rice with Oil Seared Chicken
RM 13.90
A Vietnamese Chicken rice dish, served with an oil seared chicken drumstick with a flavoursome yellow rice. Xoi Mo is actually a cooking technique where hot oil is continually poured over the chicken to cook it.
Everyone really loves the well marinated and tasty chicken drumstick as it was juicy and tender with the crispy skin. I was told that the drumstick was marinated with 8 different type of herbs and spices for a minimum of at least 6 to 8 hours.
Justin also shared with us the yellow rice was cooked with a unique spice found only in Vietnam which was used to fry the rice with for that special fragrant it brings out.
COM THIT KHO TRUNG ~ Rice with Stewed Pork Belly & Egg
RM 13.90
A Southern Vietnamese classic dish of braised pork with hard-boiled eggs simmered with coconut juice. This dish is an everyday dish the Southern Vietnamese people enjoy year around, but also a festive dish during Tet, the Vietnamese New Year.
I love the creamy egg and tender pork belly combo, so earthy and so flavourful, so comforting to eat. Spooned over rice with plenty of sauce, it's the perfect comfort food for a rainy day. The light-tasting sauce made from coconut juice provide plenty of sweetness on its own, add depth to the juicy pork.
COM CA BASA KHO TIEU ~ Rice with Black Pepper Basa Fish
RM 14.90
For those favouring something apart from the pork and beef, can opt for this fish dish called Black Pepper Basa Fish. Basa fish is an imported fresh water cat fish from Vietnam. White fillets with no bones, and flesh that is light, firm texture with a mild fish flavour. Cooked with black pepper, fresh chillies and fish sauce, this dish goes very well with rice.
Crispy Fried Oysters
RM 17.90
Fresh Korean oysters were dipped in batter and fried to perfection. Creamier and pricer than the regular ones, it was crispy and juicy too!
HEN XUC BANH DA ~ Fried Saffron Lala Meat with Sesame Seed Rice Crackers
RM 17.90
Imported from Vietnam, the yellow lala was pan fried with fresh herbs and chillies and served with crispy sesame seed rice crackers.
Appetising starter ~ Fried Baby Squid
RM 14.90
LAU VIT NAU VHOO ~ Fermented Beancurd Duck Yam
RM 31.90
A popular Chinese Vietnamese dish with recipe from Dona's family. Justin takes pride in his Vietnamese cuisine serving his family time-honoured recipes. A crowd pleasing dish, it was mildly flavoured broth using premium fermented bean curd paste as the main ingredient. Almost a complete and balanced meal with vegetables, foo chok and chunky yam added in. Good stuff !
An intense protein laden milky broth simmered for many hours, you could taste the meaty goodness in the broth. Everyone at the dinner table really enjoyed this delicious dish eaten together with some fresh greens and noodles too. Go and try this savoury milky duck broth to delight your palate. I'm sure you won't regret it ....
NUOC GIAA KHAT ~ Special Vietnam Coffee
RM 6.90
Wrapping up the meal is none other than the famous Vietnam Coffee, a drink synonymous with Vietnam cuisine. My favourite of the night was without a doubt the NUOC GIAA KHAT ~ Special Vietnam Coffee. An in-house blend with 45% of lowland coffee, 45% of highland coffee mixed with 10% wild civet coffee beans commonly known as 'Kopi Luwak'. A must-try for coffee lovers,
You can also stock up imported Vietnamese groceries from Kafe Vietnam. Justin and his wife brought in some popular brands of Vietnam instant noodles, premium grade fish sauce, cooking sauces, condiments, crackers and many others to choose from.
Kafe Vietnam ~ Pre-packed Coffee For Sale
Kafe Vietnam also sells some pre packed coffee in their cafe. Imported from Vietnam, there are 3 types which are House Brand, Deluxe Grade & Civet Cat Premium Grade Coffee for you to pick from.
We left feeling utterly satisfied. Justin and his team are people who are truly passionate with their food, culture and heritage and with only one aim to serve tantalising and authentic Vietnamese cuisine to the local folks in Malaysia.
So, if you are looking for some real tasty and affordable Vietnam food, just come by to Kafe Vietnam and look for Justin and Dona for some good recommendations. Don't forget to mention Auntie Lilly ~ FollowMeToEatLa 'brought' your tummy there!
Kafe Vietnam
No. 1 Jalan Puteri 4/1
Bandar Puteri
47100 Puchong
Selangor.
Tel: 8052 7472
Opening Hours: 10:30am to 2:30pm, 5:30 to 10:00pm
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/kafevietnam
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So, if you are looking for some real tasty and affordable Vietnam food, just come by to Kafe Vietnam and look for Justin and Dona for some good recommendations. Don't forget to mention Auntie Lilly ~ FollowMeToEatLa 'brought' your tummy there!
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