Pho & Bun Vietnamese Kitchen, Diep River

Updated: 25-07-2024

If you’re a fan of Asian food and haven’t yet tried proper Vietnamese food, then head out to Diep River for an authentic experience.

Pho & Bun is an unassuming casual eatery on Diep River’s Main Road. It’s not meant for languid dinners that stretch out for hours, the basic wooden seating is not forgiving enough on your bottom. Rather it is a brief stop to assuage that craving for authentic Vietnamese flavours and dishes. The small space houses about 4 tables from where you can see the food being prepared behind the counter. The cashier is also the waitress and for drinks you can help yourself from the soda fridge.

They are situated next to Khao Hom Halaal Asian Grocer. And a great thing to note is that they are growing their own herbs in a little pottery garden in the outside seating area in front of the store.

Pho pronounced “fuh” refers to a Vietnamese rice noodle soup and Bun is vermicelli noodles, grilled meat and salad. They also offer dumplings, Dim Sum, Spring rolls, Stir Fry’s, Sushi, Dessert and Vietnamese coffee.

We had the Pho with beef which was mild but easily pepped up with the chilli crisp available on all the tables. It is served with lettuce and greens which you add to the broth and allow to wilt before eating. Like ramen it’s not easy to eat noodle broth with a spoon. You need chopsticks for the noodles and a spoon for the broth. It was tasty and warming though, perfect to offset the winter chill.

The chicken fried rice was moist and filling. We also had the chicken dumplings perfectly charred and tasty. The prawn Vietnamese spring rolls for me was the stand-out. Crunchy veg and prawn encased in rice wrappers with the tastiest dipping sauces of peanut satay and soy.

Prices average about R80 for starters and R150 for mains. It’s not cheap but with rental prices in Cape Town being what it is eating out is also becoming increasingly expensive.

To end off the Vietnamese coffee was the perfect finale. It’s served in a glass with a shot of condensed milk at the bottom over which is placed a Vietnamese Pour Over Filter through which your coffee slowly drips. It takes a while so a bit of patience is required for this but it’s so worth the wait. The sweet intense beverage leaves a lasting impression on an already indelible meal.