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Vietnamese food is also my go-to cuisine whenever I’m craving something comforting yet healthy, and the newly-opened Le Saigon Cafe provides just that.
Le Saigon Cafe is conveniently located along Liang Seah Street, opposite Bugis Junction. It has an extensive menu which includes classic Vietnamese dishes like Pho, Bahn Mi and more.
Pho Premium (S$29.80) is an all-out dish that comes with a big bowl of broth, four types of beef, including beef slices and beef meatballs, a variety of vegetables and dipping sauces.
I found the lightness of the broth to be incredibly refreshing and comforting. Paired with the soft rice noodles and tender cuts of beef, I was thoroughly impressed by this dish, which certainly lived up to its premium status.
You could also opt to grab a quick bite with the selection of Viet Bites. The Vietnam Fried Spring Rolls (S$6.80) were outstanding, with a light and crispy exterior, yet soft and warm fillings. Paired with tomato sauce, these rolls were incredibly addictive.
My personal favourite was the Vietnam Mini Pizza (S$5.80), which came with a thin, crepe-like crust which was topped generously with sausage slices, chives, meat floss, nacho cheese, mayonnaise and ketchup. The sweet, savoury and salty elements combined beautifully to form yet another addictive umami-bomb.
If you’re extra peckish, why not settle for one of Le Saigon Cafe’s platters? Served in multi-tier baskets, these platters are ultra Instagram-worthy. The Snack Platter Set (S$18.80) comes with an assortment of fried delights including cheese sticks, fries and popcorn chicken.
The Set Bún Đậu (S$24.80), on the other hand, came with ingredients like rice noodles, pork belly slices, fried tofu and fried pig organ sausages. Served with fermented shrimp paste, this platter was slightly more pungent, but flavourful and exciting with its variety of ingredients.
If you’re a bread lover like me, try the Set Mini Bahn Mi Mix (S$12.80 for three pieces), containing toasted bread filled with Vietnam ham slices, eggs, onions, cucumbers and tomatoes. I loved the crunchy yet chewy texture of the bread, and you can’t go wrong with such classic and satisfying fillings.
The Viet Smoky BBQ Sausages Skews (S$24.80) is a more fun, hands-on dish to try. Served with Vietnamese sausages, rice noodles, tomatoes, cucumbers, vegetables, sauce and dry rice paper, this dish requires a bit of assembly. Start off by spraying some water on the rice paper, then lay your choice of ingredients inside and roll it up to make your very own rice paper wrap.
Of course, if you’re unsure of how to go about making this dish, Le Saigon Cafe’s staff are more than willing to help you make the rolls.
End off your hearty meal with a sweet treat, and select from 19 Viet Desserts, including their Pandan Sago Ball (S$5.80), Tapioca Banana Bowl (S$4.80) and Corn Dessert Bowl (S$4.80), which are warm desserts served with hot coconut milk.
The Le Saigon Handmade Yogurt, on the other hand, comes in seven variations: Original (S$4.80), Strawberry (S$6.80), Peach (S$6.80), Mango (S$6.80), Blueberry (S$6.80), Chocolate (S$6.80) and Mix Fruit (S$7.80). I was impressed at the milky and aromatic flavours of the yogurt, which far surpassed my expectations. They definitely taste far better than regular store-bought versions.
The addition of Le Saigon Cafe makes the already bustling Bugis vicinity an even more pho-nomenal place to dine at, and with their incredibly extensive menu of authentic Vietnamese dishes, you’ll easily be able to find something pho you and your dining companions.
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