Khoai Cafe (Crouch End)

We went on a Friday night - it was busy but the staff were able to find a table for 3 after a short wait. Staff were friendly and competent and kept us up-to-date on timings etc.

The menu had quite a few Vietnamese specialties to tempt and we tried the hot prawn noodle soup, spicy chicken & noodle salad and a beef in a spicy sauce.

Overall we thought the food was very fresh tasting and quite authentic [we've been to Vietnam] but could've been spicier [or asked how spicy we wanted it when we ordered] and the meat/fish element wasn't very generous - but these are minor points. Nice local venue, reasonable prices and we'll definitely return.
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cut2qwik - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, November 19, 2011

The food and service here have really gone downhill. We had to re-order the starter twice as the quality was so poor and the mains were not much better! The waiters were grumpy and couldn't care less. I would definitely not recommend this place.
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felicity hampton
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The food is, on average, fine but avoid the set lunch (cheap it may be, but the quality is poor with doubts about the freshness of the food), The service could, at best, be described as business-like and, at worst, as charmless.
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5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Sunday, July 10, 2011

Its not often I write reviews after eating out but I was so impressed with the food at Khoai that I felt an impulse to do so.

Being a trained chef and self admitting foody I am quite critical of food when eating out. I've not eaten Vietnamese food in London before so this was a first experience. Well if Khoai is anything to go by Vietnamese food is wonderfully fresh, fragrant and subtly cooked.

For main I had the famous Pho dish whish was a wonderfully simple and beautifully balanced dish with fresh chicken, mint, parsley, and noodles. The starters were equally tasting, order 2 and share seems a good idea.

Overall I'm impressed with the Khoai cafe, it appears to produce authentic traditional cuisine, not fine dining, but thats not why you would visit a Vietnamese Cafe is it?

Service was more than adequate but if one the waiters just smiled a bit more it would have been perfect! Take note Khoai Cafe!
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Nedfeister
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Oh Dear, this place really has gone down hill! Most starters were pre prepared and microwaved when necessary. The service was lackadaisical. We asked 3 times for hot sauce! They no longer make an effort so we will just have to travel for the more authentic vietnamese food which can be found in abundance between Hoxton and Hackney!
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BC
5 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I have visited several times and always have a lovely meal. The staff are always really friendly and helpful and all the dishes I have tried have been lovely! Infact the 4 of us always order 4 different starters and mains and dig into all of them as we can't decide our favourites on the menu.

Never had a bad meal here
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Lucy
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Vietnamese food can sometimes be a bit bland but here the dishes are full of flavour and nicely done. It compares well to the eateries of Kingsland road and in some cases I think they do it slightly better. They do a lovely dish of white fish and dill along with the usual favourites of Pho and hot beef salad. The service isn't exactly overwhelming but perfectly adequate for a local restaurant like this. The main thing is that's is really good food, fresh and healthy very reasonably priced. I'd definitely recomend checking this place out.
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6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Saturday, March 13, 2010

went to this restaurant 3 days ago coz i was really looking forward to have an easy going experience but good food after i gave birth to my child . It was nearly the closing time in the afternoon around 2.30pm which they close at 3.30pm. I ordered a plate of spring rolls & noodle which co-incidently have spring rolls as one of the ingredient too. The starter came quick, piping hot crispy 5 of them in a plate but contain nearly nothing inside even though the dipping sauce was quite good . Then come the noodle which when he was serving the waiter said to me in the impolite way 'spring rolls again?' grinning then walk away. I was left feeling a bit offended then but nevermind I got my food. Put the first bite in my mouth found out it was under cooked, noodles still very stiff I can't really eat it. By that time was 3.00pm everyone from the kitchen came out sit on the table near me with full table of foods and looking at me eating just one of my noodle bowl. I called the waitress told her about the noodle and I want her to do something about it ie new cook or even at least put it in a microwave for me for the sake of them who were eating. She then passed the bowl to the guy, he put his finger straight into my bowl ,pick the noodle up with his finger...looked at me & look at the guy who problably cooked it and walk back into the kitchen.Came back 2 mins after,they microwaved it up for me...the same bowl he put his finger into...coz the spring rolls gone soggy that's how i known. I will never ever recommend this restaurant to anyone in term of manner & hygienic and a very improfessional of the chef.
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mrs. ord
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, March 05, 2010

This place pretty much achieves what it aims to be. It's quick and easy oriental food. It's a little echoey and roomy, but this is not a problem. I went when the restaurant was near-empty, so I can't comment on the speed of the service, as I nearly had the place to myself. However, the staff were polite enough and attentive.

Food portions were perhaps a little smaller than I expected, but not necessarily a problem as I left feeling quite full.

I don't mean to sound lukewarm, as I basically quite like this place. I will be back. It's not outstanding, but it's worth a second visit.
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

went there other other day as my parents are from vietnam i thought i give it a try, even tho prices were quite high.

We had the vietnamese pancake, summer rolls and noodle with meat.

The pancake was rubbish, so was the noodles. the sauce was really bland.

If you're looking for a good vietnamese restaurant, you should try viet on greek street in soho or go to hoxton or hackney.

As i eat alot of vietnamese food from my parents and aunts home cooking, these are the best places me and my friends have found. Also there a pub in elephant and castle called the william or pacific kitchen on harper road that does really good vietnamese food.
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Tinh van Dinh
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Sunday, September 13, 2009