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Song Que
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Budget choice
After all this time, Song Que still sets the benchmark for exceptional Vietnamese cooking in London. It’s an efficient, canteen-like operation commanding the corner of Kingsland Road and Pearson Street. Diners of all types are attracted (be prepared to share tables at busy times). The beef pho is the best in London – an unmatchable broth that’s rich in spices, with a complexity that can only come from hours of simmering beef bones and meat together with star anise, ginger and cinnamon. It is served with a plateful of fresh, verdant herbs: ngo gai (saw-leaf herb), rau que (Asian basil) and mint. The beef la lot (minced beef wrapped in betel leaves) came in generous portions, the juicy meat complemented by the chargrilled, slightly crisp betel leaves. Muc rang ruoi (chilli salted squid) was perfectly battered and seasoned, the squid springy and fresh. Simple stir-fried rau muong (morning glory) surprised us with its crisp texture and smoky wok flavours. The only disappointment was dessert, a tepid che bam au (a parfait-like drink consisting of red beans, green jelly, mung beans and coconut milk) that was sickeningly sweet: easily forgiven considering the rest of the meal.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 134 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2 8DY
- Area: Shoreditch
- Tel: 020 7613 3222
- Category: Vietnamese
- Travel: Old Street tube/rail/26, 48, 55, 67, 149, 242, 243 bus
- Times: Lunch served noon-3pm, dinner served 5.30-11pm Mon-Sat. Meals served 12.30-11pm Sun
- Price: Main courses £4.50-£6.20
- Credit cards: MC, V
- Services:
- Child facilities: Babies and children welcome: high chairs
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Being vietnamese and having a mother who is an exceptional cook, I'm pretty fussy and even I have to say this restaurant is pretty good considering the other options you have in London. The beef wrapped in betel leaves are always amazing, full of flavour and the scent of smoky coals. I'm from Melbourne, Australia and the Vietnamese in Melbourne is so cheap and exceptional, but I have to agree with TO, this is by far the best and most authentic vietnamese restaurant in London.
This has to be the most over-rated and over-hyped VN restaurant in London. Fine if you've never tasted real VN food and want to be surrounded by a room full of British.
Enjoyed our evening at Song Que but the whole five stars, best-place-evah praise is drivel, and TO must be on commission or over-excited after too many McDonald's. Friday night and we were served immediately + staff were friendly, so we obviously got lucky. Food nothing to write home about, just filled a gap. Downstairs is amazing, the washing machine is a superb touch.
Yes i agree - completely overrated. Song Que tastes great because it is cooked with loads of MSG! Ive been eating Vietnamese here for a good number of years now but i have to admit that it really doesn't deserve the glowing review. The food is average and the staff are incredibly rude.
Magnificent dining in Song Que, best beef pho I had tasted in London. I have visited the eatery four times, and it never fails to impress me. Personally, i think the beef pho is a must-try!!
great food. unbelievably cheap. and absolutely no quibbles with the service -- i got what i ordered and quickly, which is all that counts.
not quite sure what some reviewers mean when they complain about dishes arriving seperately. in asia -- and i lived there for a decade -- food's never served at once. as for the disinterested service, again, that's the point. go to any food hall in singapore, market stall in bangkok or izakaya in tokyo and food is dished out like a vending machine gives you a soft drink. you order it, it's handed to you, you eat it, then pay. no-one in your face upselling something w/a higher margin on it, and no waiters pretending to be your mate b/c they want a tip. i barely tipped. almost none of the vietnamese at my table tipped. and they were fine w/that. perfect!
Song Que is the best pho on Kingsland, but that in no way qualifies it as good pho. London pho is mediocre at its best -- I would be quite surprised if the broth at any vietnamese restaurant in London is anything more than bullion with a vietnamese bouquet garni!
I have been coming to this place for years now after reading rave reviews by TO, and I am always impressed by the freshness of the ingredients and the amazing food. I happen to know the owner, she is delightful, it is very much a family run business. It is a real shame about the staff, service is inattentive at best.
Went with my mom after reading the Time Out review and we were very disappointed. The food is not special at all, the broth was not full of flavour, but rather full of MSG and the dishes generally equalled take-away dishes.
I have no idea why it is so highly rated, maybe that is because there are not that many excellent Vietnamese places around and people can't compare to tasteful and good-quality Vietnamese food. Nothing in comparison to the (streeet)food in Vietnam or the Vietnamese restaurants in Paris. Just a normal cheap Asian place.
Love it here,
bowl in with friends, order some great food, down a Hue and revel in the fun atmosphere, never dissapointed always leave happy, full, and wanting more.