When someone mentions a vegan Vietnamese restaurant, you might raise an eyebrow – I certainly did. But let me tell you, this culinary experience was anything but a disappointment.

Being the health-conscious one in the family, I predictably ordered the papaya salad, much to my husband’s dismay. He was hoping for something more indulgent, but I managed to convince him to try the Vietnamese rice noodle bowl which, yes, was also my suggestion.

For drinks, I made a rookie mistake. Instead of my usual Thai iced tea, I decided to be adventurous and ordered Vietnamese coffee. Big mistake. It was way too bitter for me! I asked for extra milk and sugar, and while the staff was kind enough to accommodate, even then, I just couldn’t get through it. Meanwhile, my husband sat there, serving up generous ‘I told you so’ looks. I think I confused Vietnamese coffee with Irish coffee, definitely not the same thing! Lesson learned.

Despite the coffee fiasco, the evening was incredibly satisfying. The only downside? I completely forgot to take pictures! The restaurant had a 30-minute wait, and by the time we were seated and our food arrived, I was too famished to think about aesthetics. However, I did manage to snap a picture of my papaya salad after a few servings, a reminder that the portions here are huge. If you’re a light eater like me, sharing an appetizer and a main course is more than enough for two!

Would I go back? Absolutely. Just with a different drink order next time!