Saigon Saigon

Having eaten at many Vietnamese restaurants in London, I can honesty say that Saigon Saigon is by far my favourite! My first impression of the restaurant is the engaging décor and the attention to detail which illustrated everything you can associate with Vietnam. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who delightfully showed us to our table. Compared to other Vietnamese restaurants, the ambience here is definitely more serene and staff are not rushing to get your order or throwing your food on the table and they can actually speak English!!

We had the soft shell crab and crispy pancakes for starters which was extremely delicious and tasteful! Pho here is divine and they even offer starter size portion which is fantastic (you would not find this anywhere else). As for dessert, we had the ice-cream filled mochi which tasted extremely scrumptious (especially because the choice of flavours were coconut, green tea and black sesame which are ALL my favourite).

Overall, I was very happy with the service and the food here especially is amazing and I will definitely come back. I have also recommended this place to all my friends and family and those who have visited certainly agreed that Saigon Saigon is now their favourite Vietnamese restaurant.
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Summer Pham
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 15, 2010

Went here on Saturday night and had to wait 20 minutes for a table...lucky we waited! The food was wonderful - colourful, fresh and flavoursome and the waiters were so helpful in guiding us through their vast menu for our first ever Vietnamese meal. We'll be returning again before xmas and next time we'll book...but if we forget to, it's well worth the wait anyway!!
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K Mcfadden
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 15, 2010

We lived in Hanoi for many years. We love Vietnamese food as it is a good diet and not oily. My family and friends visit this restaurant quite often, average once every month since they opened roughly about 5 years ago. This is NOT a Mitchelin restaurant but their food is simply outstanding and tasty. There is no comparision with the others in the East of London and we never had problem at all with food and service here, many young students staffs here but they are polite and attentive. Were we lucky ?. Highly recommended as always . Closing time on Sunday and Monday is a bit early, 10pm!
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Alan James Ford
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 20, 2010

We were a party of ten and had booked for 8.30. It was a surprise birthday celebration. Because the staff were hovering pointedly, and despite the fact that people were still chatting to one another, we ordered quickly: at about 8.45. The food came fairly promptly and was good, apart fromt he fact that one of our number had specifically asked for her food not to be too spicy and was served with something far too hot for her. (It was replaced.) At 10.30 coffees and teas were requested. We were told that this would be impossible because the bar was closed. Quite why being served coffee and tea was dependent on the bar, or why the bar had closed at 10.30 wasn't made clear. From this point on, the staff began to hover, stare at our table, walk in and out of the room until, finally, the (not inconsiderable) bill was asked for and paid. People continued to chat and enjoy each other's company until, at 10.55, we were informed, quite brusquely, that 'the restaurant was closed'. In effect, we were being asked to leave. Which we did. we won't be back. So, food: OK. Attitude to customers: atrocious.
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3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Went here last Friday night and had an enjoyable meal. For me, the starters were the best course, traditional 'non fried' spring rolls were lovely as were the pork meatball pancakes - accompanied by fresh herbs and a dip with a kick. Mains were OK but overpowering lemongrass in one dish, which was a bit off putting. Duck main was great though which made up for it. The service was prompt and efficient, staff were friendly - all in all a good evening and good quality food - would recommend to friends.
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D. Windana
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Thoroughly enjoyed our evening and left feeling we had had a very special dinner. The service was warm and friendly, the food exquisite, unique, well presented and packed with unusual flavours, and the atmosphere classy, yet relaxed. Highly recommended.
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Jane Bailet
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, November 14, 2009

We have attended this restaurant several times, due to the quality of the food. It is simply excellent, we have tried a variety of dishes & none have disappointed. They tend to be decent sized portions too, so VFM is definitely high.

The service is generally poor, though - don't visit if you wish to get away quickly! - & most of the staff have a tenuous command of English at best. This is an area where they could certainly improve, & their tendency to add the tip on automatically (they are far from alone in this practice, it must be said) should be challenged.

Overall - recommended, but with reservations...
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Edward Parlett
6 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

This is a top Vietnamese restaurant we have been visiting along with other on East side of London. Not like the others, we find food served here without mixing any Chinese dishes in their menus. We enjoy the variety of the big menu with freshness and well balanced ingredients. This is a busy restaurant but service is maintained adequate, great ambience with very Vietnamese setting. We never had problem with meals or service here. It is highly recommended. Avoid weekend as it is always too busy! We enjoy our meals better on weekdays.
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Tim C Lynch
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Tried this on a Wednesday night for the first time. It was fairly busy and service was slow. Five minutes after we'd been seated we still hadn't been given menus. Wine list was disappointing and somewhat overpriced given the quality of what was on offer, the house red just about drinkable. The Saigon beer was good.

Starters: we had the stuffed crab and the asparagus and crab meat soup, both very tasty. Mains: prawn, aubergine, potato, okra, green pepper and aubergine curry in a rich sauce was above average. My companion ordered the 'sizzling monkfish with dill & spring onion, served with boiled vermicelli, vegetable, herbs & roasted peanuts'. However, the fish he was given was NOT monkfish. I notice on the web menu it's just described as 'fish'. This was not pointed out when he ordered. Maybe they thought we could not tell the difference? He enjoyed it, but we felt a little cheated by this all the same.

What particularly annoyed us about our visit is that the bill was brought to us before we'd asked for it, and we weren't ready to leave (it was about 10:15 at that stage, and there were a couple of other tables, each with more than two people, still being served food). The staff were generally grumpy when we ordered more drinks, which leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
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6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Thursday, August 06, 2009

I love this place. The food's very fresh tasting, with interesting flavours and so much variety. We haven't had a bad meal here yet.
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Georgia
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 05, 2009