Kids Review: Vietnam Palace in Stratford via AsherZeats
Asher is an 8th grader at Fairfield Country Day School. He has a true passion for food and started his blog, AsherZeats, in September of 2012. Asher reviews everything from Michelin starred restaurants to great dives. This review originally ran on AsherZeats.
“Anyone who tells a lie has not a pure heart, and cannot make a good soup. “-- Ludwig Van Beethoven.
This Saturday we traveled to Vietnam Palace (a new restaurant, opened this past June) located at- 955 Ferry Boulevard, Stratford, CT in a very busy shopping center.
When we entered, we noticed two very cool statues of lions and a statue of a Buddha. The ceilings were filled with many upside down umbrellas and the restaurant was extremely clean. We also saw that it was a family run business (the best kind of business) with a very small number of people working there. When we were seated, we were greeted by an EXTREMELY friendly Husband/Wife pair who could not be any nicer.
We quickly ordered appetizers, crispy egg rolls erupting with goodies (tender pork and juicy mushrooms), 2 yummy Summer Rolls (one with crispy delicious tofu and the other with succulent pork and shrimp), Tofu Summer Rolls, Shrimp and Pork Summer Rolls, crunchy, fresh papaya salad that was quite refreshing, Cool Refreshing Papaya Salad with Tofu and a Banh Mi Sandwich (toothsome bread with a smooth, delicious mayo, yummy lettuce, carrots, moist ham, and mouth watering pork).
One of the best Banh Mi ever!
For our main meal we had a BBQ pork bowl with divine noodles and a sauce with chopped up hot peppers in it (the sauce was to-die-for), and a plain pork bowl with luscious pork that was seasoned to perfection.
In addition my brother ordered Chicken Pho (Chicken Soup with noodles, that he said was delicious), a vegetarian bun (like pho, without the broth), and a pork bun that were all enjoyed.
We also ordered smooth, creamy bubble tea (iced coffee and lychee).
The food was UNBELIEVABLE – some of the best Vietnamese food in CT, in my opinion. In addition, the atmosphere was simple and clean. The value was out of this world for the amazing food we obtained and the kindness we were shown. The service could not be better and the Husband/Wife team was awesome. PLEASE go to Vietnam Palace and tell your friends as well!
ZZZZV= 4 1/2 Z’s= Awesome!
1 Reference | tagged Asian, Delicious Dives, Stratford, Vietnamese, kid friendly
Reader Comments (10)
Asher's reviews are SO good-- entertaining, very well written and informative. It would be great to have him be a regular contributor to CTBITES!
Fresh perspective from a young man with well honed taste buds:)
What a great addition to the Stratford area! Interesting options, would love to try on my way home from the Mohegan Sun Winefest :)
Great review Asher. You have a great future ahead of you in either food or journalism. :)
Awesome and informatiave review! I didn't even know there was a Vietnamese restaurant in Stratford and am always looking for them in CT :) Thanks for reviewing - I wil definitely try it now! P.S. I stumbled upon this review through Max Joseph's Facebook page -- please thank him for sharing your foodie page!
We went last night based on your review and it was incredibly good. Not only was everything fresh and perfectly prepared, but the sauces are a little bit of heaven. Thanks for turning us on to Vietnamese Palace, we'll definitely go back.
Based on the reviews will definitely have to try Vietnamese Palace, I love good food and wine, that's why I would love the opportunity to go to the Sun Winefes!
Thank you for reviewing this place, and for trying some dishes I haven't tried yet! I found out about Vietnam Palace a month or so ago and have been back twice: I discovered Vietnamese food a long time ago and have had it in many cities, and I agree that this is some of the best. When Vietnamese food is at its best, it is simple, fresh, light and clean-tasting - the lightest, in my opinion, of all Asian foods (except maybe sushi). The pho (pronounced "fuh") here is fragrant with beef stock, star anise, cinnamon and clove, and the noodles (gluten-free, by the way) are chewy and slippery. Tear up all the stuff they give you on the side plate (bean sprouts, basil, mint, and some other lovely herb I couldn't identify) and throw it into the bowl, squeeze in the lime, and you have a giant bowl of deliciousness that will cure all that ails you. Perfect for flu season!
I absolutely love Pho Ga! Had a bowl on this past cold Friday after seeing "Zero Dark Thirty". Good Pho, I have learned is all about the broth and freshness of the chicken breast. The bowl shown In this photo looks good, if lacking enough garnish like fresh mint leaves, cut jalapeño peppers, bean sprouts, lime, etc. I live blocks from San Francisco's "Little Saigon ". I have learned that Pho from the north and south are different. I preferred Southern Pho Ga, a Vietnamese fresh spring roll for appetizer and I'm good to Ga (get it...good to Ga.....okay not that funny).
I've never had this type of food. I also have nevf been to the sun wine fest and I would love to have you help me out with that!!!
One of my very favorite places!! Bahn mi is "to DIE for!"