Vietflames

The Verdict

Prepare to experience the flavours of Saigon at Việtflames, where you can get your fix of Vietnamese food without even stepping on a plane. Located in Sylvia Park, this eatery has reopened in a new location in the heart of the popular Mount Wellington shopping mall. 

With many colourful nods to Vietnamese culture, you can admire the lit-up umbrellas suspended from the ceiling and the funky vintage artwork plastered on the walls. There's even a mural of a dragon, a crane, a king and a queen—a reference to the myth of the origin of Vietnam and how a mountain goddess was rescued by a water dragon and birthed 100 eggs.

There are plenty of seating options depending on what you fancy. If you're with a big crew, there's the main dining area. For those seeking a tad more privacy, the right-hand side of the restaurant offers a secluded nook and tables away from the bustle. There's even outdoor seating if you prefer dining al fresco or just like some good ol' people watching with your meal.

As is traditional with Vietnamese cuisine, Việtflames' menu centres itself around the five fundamental tastes—sweet, salty, sour, bitter and spicy. Each dish features one or more of these elements with the help of ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, Vietnamese mint and chilli.

Menu options feature small and large plates, fresh yet flavoursome salads and classic Vietnamese dishes such as bahn mi and pho.

Our must-try items are the Hanoi fry spring rolls and slow-cooked pork ribs. These aren't your average spring rolls—they're delightfully crispy, stuffed to the brim with a pork and crab filling and served with a light and sweet nuoc cham dipping sauce. And don't get us started on the ribs—the marinade of tamarind and honey makes each bite a melt-in-your-mouth, sweet and salty experience.

As for dessert, the chocolate lava is the way to go. The rich, chocolatey ganache positively oozes out of the cake. Served alongside vanilla ice cream, it's practically fudgy sundae heaven. Alternatively, hit up the mango pana cotta, served up with coconut and pandan, it's light and refreshing.

If you need a drink to wash down all that food, Việtflames has a respectable selection of wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks. For those wanting to still inject Vietnamese flavour into their bevvy, there are two Saigon beer options or rich and sweetly decadent Vietnamese coffee.

The cocktail menu gives a Vietnamese twist on some classic drinks. For the coffee aficionados, there's Ca Phe Espresso—pandan and toasted coconut dark rum served with three different variants of coffee. If you're craving something a bit zesty, then try the Tom Yum Margarita. The tom yum syrup gives this old favourite a herbaceous kick.

So, whether you're hankering for a steaming bowl of pho or a crispy banh mi sandwich, Việtflames is the perfect pitstop the next time you're slogging around the shops. 

Image credit: Việtflames | Facebook