Vietnamese Cafes Conquer Novosibirsk: Seven Popular Eateries

Vietnamese cuisine has overtaken the seemingly more familiar Georgian and Uzbek cuisines in Novosibirsk. In terms of the density of establishments offering it, the Siberian capital has already surpassed Moscow and almost all major Russian cities. An NGS reviewer decided to compile a guide to the most interesting and popular spots, as well as the dishes you can try there.

The boom in Vietnamese cuisine in Novosibirsk happened over the last ten years. During this time, the city has seen local chains, dozens of separate establishments, and even outlets of chain projects from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Moreover, most visitors to such places go because the spot is near work or simply out of habit. This is not surprising: at first glance, the set of dishes in «Vietnamese cafes» differs little. The taste, of course, can vary in places, but overall, a person coming for an inexpensive lunch is not so picky. Nevertheless, out of almost 70 establishments, notable ones can be highlighted for various reasons.

Pho (Seven Establishments)

The first «Vietnamese cafe» with a name (back then, one syllable was enough), which opened back in 2018, and the first «Vietnamese cafe» at the Central Market. The spot on Kommunisticheskaya Street, where it all began, no longer operates, but the design style chosen at that time is reproduced to a greater or lesser extent in new establishments.

The public values it for consistent quality and reasonable prices: a portion of pho-bo here costs 320 rubles (about $4 at current rates). At lunch, it«s usually crowded here. Besides, it»s a good option for those who might feel uncomfortable in more «authentic» places out of habit.

Huong Sen on Frunze

Perhaps the most «authoritative» «Vietnamese cafe» (rating on 2GIS — 4.8 with almost 1.5 thousand reviews), where people go specially and return again and again. Last year, the owners opened a branch in «European Bereg». And the very first spot expanded, acquiring an additional hall with a separate entrance.

Prices here are a bit higher (all noodle soups cost 400 rubles and above, about $4+ at current rates), but there«s more variety. For example, here you can order soup with chicken and mushroom meatballs (bun tom moc), fried beef with salad and rice (com bo xien), and a plate of fried seafood (hai san sao tam cam). The last one is probably the most expensive dish in Novosibirsk»s «Vietnamese cafes»: 900 rubles (about $10 at current rates).

Pho Luu on Guryevskaya

Another veteran of the «Vietnamese movement», and initially the owners of the establishment had just a grocery store in an annex to a private house. The location for a snack bar seems hopeless, but at lunch, you can regularly find it fully seated. Novosibirsk residents accustomed to modern catering might find the establishment tacky and not perfectly clean in places, but it has its own charm.

Prices for pho-bo start from 300 rubles (about $3 at current rates). Besides the obligatory program in the form of noodle soups, nem rolls, salads, and fried rice, here you can order just cutlets (they don«t even have any Vietnamese name) and braised pork ribs. The dish might be unpretentious, but it»s hearty: includes meat, rich broth, and cabbage salad with rice.

Pho bisoc on Shchetinkina

A relatively new (opened last year) establishment that attempts to raise the status of Vietnamese cafes a bit higher. Here, visitors are greeted by a large spacious hall with painted walls, and the menu offers several items unique to Novosibirsk so far.

The main feature is broth with beef bone in a stone bowl, which is heated before serving so that the liquid literally boils. The noodles are served separately, and you just need to dip them in the broth.

Bo at «Gastrokort»

A spot of the Moscow chain, with establishments at Danilovsky Market, essentially, where the «Vietnamese boom» began. However, it hasn«t had particular success in Novosibirsk yet, getting lost among a dozen other »Vietnamese cafes« at »Gastrokort«.

Nevertheless, the place deserves attention. Here, there«s good pho-bo with rich bone broth and tender beef. The local specialty can be considered bun cha — grilled meat with noodles and a bowl of sauce, in which the noodles are meant to be dipped.

Pho Nem at «European Bereg»

Perhaps the least Vietnamese «Vietnamese cafe» with practically no traditional elements in the design and surroundings, more typical for coffee shops and bars. The establishment is located on the embankment of a residential complex, and in summer, light tables can be set outside.

There are minimal Vietnamese words in the menu — the owner, an ethnic Vietnamese who grew up in Novosibirsk, doesn«t see the need to torture visitors with incomprehensible names. Breaded chicken pieces with sauce and rice are called »Chicken Passepartout«, braised ribs are Saigon-style ribs, and combos, which in Vietnamese can have names of four or five syllables, are simply called »Saigon«, »Nha Trang«, etc.

Pho Dai Viet on Krasny Prospekt

A promising newcomer, notable also for occupying the place of a closed store of the «Kalina-Malina» chain — a clear demonstration of the «trend for local cuisine» that experts like to discuss lately. The hall looks simple but fresh, with an unexpected bonus — a TV with karaoke. Those who know Vietnamese can start singing along.

The menu has a more or less standard set, but there are items not found in all «Vietnamese cafes». For example, mi tom — spicy broth with coconut milk, instant noodles, shrimp, and fried egg.

Among popular establishments with good reviews, one can also note Ben Thanh on Marx Avenue, Sai Gon on Voshod, Kong on Berdskoye Highway, and Pho Loan on Ippodromskaya.

To learn why so many Vietnamese cafes appeared in Novosibirsk, read the material by NGS reviewer Stas Sokolov.