Noodle and Roll is a two-storey restaurant serving up bun bo nam bo, bun cha and other tasty, well-priced Vietnamese dishes. It’s the perfect choice if you like street food but either you can’t agree with your companion about what to eat, you don’t like sitting on plastic chairs or stools or it just plain scares you.

Rice noodles, beef, salad, peanuts and crispy onion? Must be bun bo nam bo.

When you eat on the street, or in an open restaurant, you generally only have one choice, maybe with a few variations. That’s all well and good, but sometimes a bit of choice is a good thing, and that’s where Noodle and Roll comes in. The menu, chalked on a blackboard and on table top standees, is still compact but includes favourites such as bun bo nam bo (rice noodles with beef, salad and peanuts), bun cha (rice noodles with pork), goi cuon tom thit (fresh spring rolls), my xao thit bo (stir-fried instant noodles with beef) and banh my bi tet (beefsteak with bread roll).

Don’t worry, menus are on the tables as well.

Food is tasty and well-presented and portions are adequate, though if you’re the hungry type we suggest ordering some amazing fried spring rolls on the side. Oh go on, order them anyway.

Some of the best crab spring rolls we’ve tasted.

Prices are very reasonable and on a par with similar places nearby, such as Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, and even with more typical street food places. Rice noodle dishes are 35,000 VND and prices rise to 70,000 VND for the beefsteak. Drinks are also good value, with juices, soft drinks, beer and tea all under 20,000 VND. So for two people, with drinks, you’ll pay around 100,000 VND (US$5).

Seating is at solid wooden tables on benches, with most of the seating upstairs. For those on the “plain scared” side of the fence, you’ll be pleased to hear Noodle and Roll is also very clean — you walk past the kitchen on your way in, so have a look. Food is freshly prepared, as you’d expect from this style of cooking. And with a menu in Vietnamese and English, with photos, you can feel more confident in what you’re ordering. Staff speak enough English to make ordering and paying easy, though don’t expect an in-depth conversation. Service is quick and polite.

Or just sit on the balcony with a beer.

Noodle and Roll is on Ly Quoc Su, not far from St Josephs Cathedral and at the end of popular backpacker street, Ngo Huyen.

More still
» Previous post: Review: Banh Xeo 46a, Saigon
» Next post: Getting your motorbike licence in Vietnam

Disclaimer
Travelfish.org always pays its way. No exceptions.