Savor the Flavors of Vietnam at Vietnamese Foodies new Downtown Branch

  • Category: Food
  • May 7, 2019

With their original branch at Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Vietnamese Foodies has launched their second branch at Burj Vista, The Boulevard which is across from the Dubai Opera. They boast fresh and healthy ‘farm-to-the-table’ meals inspired by the authentic flavors of South Vietnam.

The venue is set up like a modern family styled eatery with an indoor area and al fresco dining. Vietnamese Foodies Downtown also includes an open concept kitchen where you can actually observe live cooking. And Founder and Executive Chef Lily Hoa Nguyen is the brains behind Vietnamese Foodies and creates meals inspired by the street food of Ho Chi Minh City where she grew up using lots of fresh vegetables and herbs to create a juxtaposition of flavors and textures. The best part is the food here is healthy as much of it is prepared in broth or water instead of oil and she offers many vegan, dairy free, gluten-free and Paleo options on the menu.

Our first dishes were the Goi Cuon Tom which was rice paper shrimp rolls with crunchy iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, sweet basil and coriander with flavorful shrimp. It was crispy and fresh and the shrimp was muted in flavors.

One of our favorites was the Chef’s signature Ga Quay Banh Bao—roast chicken with Bao buns with flavorful overnight marinade roast chicken served with steamed buns, hoisin sauce, and greens. We packed our Bao buns with the chicken and the sauce and enjoyed it straight up.

From the skewers, we indulged in the crowd pleasing Ga Nuong Sate—which was chicken satay with salt and lemon pepper sauce. These were really tender and juicy. We also loved the Honey Barbequed Chicken Steamed Buns or Char Siu Chicken meat encased in freshly steamed fluffy buns.  For an added salad element, we tried the Goi Ga Bap Cai or chicken and coriander cabbage salad which was the ideal accompaniment to the dishes that were served.

One of our mains was the Bo Xao Hung Que which was a succulent beef stir fry with capsicums, basil, served with steamed jasmine rice. I loved the vegan curry—Dau Hu Xao Rau Cu with long beans and stir fried tofu with carrots and garlic, in chili bean sauce and served with Jasmine rice.

Of course no Vietnamese meal would be complete without one of my all-time favorites—Pho noodle soups, coked in a 14 hour broth complete with a bean sprouts, an herbs platter, and chili hoisin sauce—we enjoyed ours with beef brisket for a rich flavor.

Desserts were also authentic Vietnamese and we tucked into the light, but rich cream caramel as well as the soy custard with a mango puree on top; both were a perfect finale to end the meal on a light, but immensely satisfying note.

The Verdict: Really delicious food at one of Dubai’s most Insta-worthy areas, Vietnamese Foodies Downtown Dubai takes you from dish to dish, offering the freshest and healthiest meals inspired by Vietnam. Take you entire family and enjoy socializing over these farm to the table meals. 

Visit: www.vietnamesefoodies.com