Banh mi, oh my! The best Vietnamese restaurant in Bangkok is…

Have we discovered the best Vietnamese food in Bangkok?

Vietnamese and More is so homey that customers leave their shoes at the door and most are on a first name basis with the owner. Regulars make themselves comfortable, working at Macbooks, sipping Vietnamese coffee, relishing the easygoing atmosphere. But it’s the food that’s the star here, with no dish failing to impress.

We heard about this small restaurant at the end of Soi Paisinghto from a foodie friend who frequents Vietnam. Trusting his opinion, we came for the pho and stayed for… well, pretty much everything.

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The pho (vegetarian, chicken, pork or beef THB75-85) is a must try, with broth that’s refreshing and satisfying at the same time. The flavor is layered with herbs and fragrant spices that must have simmered for hours. Homemade chili oil, chili vinegar, lime and the usual Siracha, are all on hand to personalize each bowl.

Unlike other phos that are heavy on the carbs, this one emphasizes the broth with just a handful of noodles, high quality meat, fresh greens and plenty of herbs. Perfect to save room for other dishes.

Banh mi, the ultimate fusion food, comes in five variations. We recommend the lemongrass pork (THB120) or the xui mai meatball with tomato sauce (THB130).

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The meatballs, seasoned with garlic and pepper, are tender and juicy, against the crisp homemade pickled veggies. But dripping in savory marinara sauce, it might not be the best first date choice. On the other hand, if your date sticks around after watching you go to town on this bad boy, we’d take it as a good sign.

More manageable, but equally impressive, the lemongrass-marinated pork holds together nicely in the soft, surprisingly tasty baguette. The jury’s still out on which sandwich is the victor. Feel free to weigh in.

Cha ca la vong, tilapia fish marinated with galangal and tumeric (THB185) is full of simple fresh flavors artfully combined. The perfectly cooked fish is flaky and tender with a crisp coating. A bed of dill and cabbage is packed with fresh herbs – a nice contrast to the spiced, fried fish. The dipping sauce is tangy, reminiscent of nam phrik kapi, but lighter and more citrus-y.

Cari ga, Vietnamese chicken curry (THB185), is a familiar comfort food with a Vietnamese twist. The right levels of salt and spice bring out the flavor in generous chunks of tender chicken, potato and carrot. Somehow, it manages to be hearty but not heavy. It’s accompanied by a warm baguette, convenient for sopping up the thick curry.

The “more” promised in the name must be the thought and care that goes into each dish, in addition to high quality ingredients. Plus, the owners really make customers feel at home. The friendly staff is always nearby, but part of the charm is not having a waiter hovering around for your every need.

Top it all off with coffee and desserts that are as much a reason to come as the main course, and we’re sold. If you stop by, you might just find us getting comfortable behind a laptop, a dripping banh mi in hand.

 

FIND IT:

VIETNAMESE AND MORE

458 Soi Paisinghto (next to Monterey Place condo)

02 259 0675

 



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