Saigon Saigon is clearly very popular, as the only reservation they can give us is a very early 6.30pm. We arrive to a cacophony of noisy chatter (hen party included), which contradicts the sleek, dimly lit, bamboo-adorned dining area that would otherwise lend itself perfectly to an intimate rendezvous.
It soon becomes clear why this Hammersmith eatery is full to the brim when the food arrives (and in typically Vietnamese style, all dishes arrive at once), slices of medium rare beef steak are tender but crisp on the outside, marinated in lime juice and so flavoursome that most of the accompanying salad goes untouched. A thin crispy pancake is filled with succulent baby prawns and beansprouts; velvety slices of duck breast swim in ginger sauce with salad leaves, and the most triumphant dish is the slow-cooked pork belly, which falls apart when prodded and melts in the mouth, served in a gravy-like, medium spicy sauce with a boiled egg and bean sprouts.
Vietnamese food is a healthy option, as our table is filled with meat, crunchy vegetables, fresh herbs and noodles. Spicier than Thai but milder than Chinese, garlic, citrus and fish sauce are the prevalent flavours, the latter being used to great effect with stir-fried morning glory, a dish that is certainly not for those who aren’t fans of the strong tang of the sea.
The downstairs reveals an ornately decorated bar for pre or post-dinner drinks, however despite the upstairs bustle it’s almost completely empty as the food is just so damn good – it’s also a steal at roughly £30 for a meal for two.
