Philadelphia, PA 19143-3613
(215) 729-0260
Website
![](http://www.gabriellelavin.com/PPhoodie/3_cheesesteakSM.gif)
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I have had Vietnam on my list for a long, long time. Unfortunately I am rarely in University City, and so I had not yet ventured to this restaurant. I recently found myself in the area, however, and I decided this would be a perfect opportunity to give it a try. The interior is well decorated, sleek and interesting. As I was in a particularly good mood, I decided to splurge on the $14 "flaming volcano" cocktail. It is well worth the money, as it arrives on fire, and is loaded with liquor. A good start to any weekend dinner.
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For an appetizer, felt I had to try the "char grilled pork rolls." I love rice paper, and when it is rolled around char-grilled pork, lettuce, bean sprouts and fresh basil, there is no question it would be good. Well, there was a question, I suppose - I have eaten at some pretty shady Vietnamese restaurants - but this promised to be top notch.
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The dipping sauce was made up of some shredded carrots, chili sauce, and ground peanuts in a hoisin-type sauce. The pork was crispy, with char-grilled ends, and when paired with the rich nutty dipping sauce, it was incredible. I think I could have eaten ten of these and gone home happy. But alas, I needed to try some entrees, and so I asked the server what he recommended. He recommended his favorite, the "Saigon noodle." It came out quickly, and was a savory blend of pan-fried soft flat noodles, shrimp, chicken, bean sprouts, tender greens, cucumber and crushed peanuts. I was blown away by the taste profile that came from this dish. It was served with a ramekin that had a rice wine vinegar sauce that I drizzled over the plate. I absolutely loved this dish. If there was a take-out place near my house that served this, I would order this on a regular basis. I was surprised with the subtlety that came through the combination of the sauce and the cooking liquid. It was amazing.
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My dining partner chose the "shrimp curry." As most curries, it was served with sauteed shrimp with bell pepper, onion, lemon grass and light yellow coconut curry. It was not a spicy curry, but it was rich. I liked the curry, but I was sold on the Saigon noodle.
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It had everything I was looking for in a comforting noodle dish. I will be back to Vietnam Cafe, and I can't wait. As an aside, they had the coolest hand dryer in the bathroom I have ever seen. It is made by Dyson, and is like a car-wash air-dryer for your hands. So cool. The air comes out in 400mph sheets. If that isn't reason enough to try this place, I don't know what would be.
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