Search

City Caphe

17 Ironmonger Lane, EC2V 8EY Full details & map

Café: Vietnamese

Jonathan Perugia

Time Out says 7 Users say 4/5 Rate it

By Guy Dimond Posted: Oct 7 2010

City Càphê's the best of the batch of bánh mì places to have opened in recent months. It's in the heart of the City, so attracts more sharp suits than east London flâneurs.

Owner Julie Vu has made great effort to make the tiny interior boutique-like. But above all, the Vu family have made a greater effort with their bánh mì - Vietnamese-style filled baguettes - than some of their competitors.

City Càphê uses a bakery that produces elliptical baguettes of just the right consistency, not too dry, not too chewy. The staff were giving away no recipe secrets, but this style of baguette - originating in Hoi An, where I once undertook a Vietnamese cookery course - uses rice flour in the mix.

The fillings are assembled to order. The classic pork version (£3.85), consisted of a smear of pâté, a slice of pressed ham, roasted pork and the usual salad trimmings of pickled slivers of carrot and daikon with lettuce. Although not filled as generously as, say, the renowned version at Baoguette in New York, this version would pass muster in Hoi An market.

The menu board helpfully explains the dishes. Besides the bánh mì, there are also cuôn (filled rolls), such as the 'fresh summer rolls' (wrapped in uncooked rice paper) given away with some meal deals. My summer roll had a pleasing hit of fresh mint in the wrap.

Pho (noodle soup) is often the measure of a good Vietnamese kitchen. The beef version I tried, served in a waxed-cardboard takeaway tub (£5.85), had a good, clear stock, delicate and citruous. It lacked the depth and complexity of some versions, but this is the sanitised City of London after all, and if you want to add the complex, fetid aromas and flavours of fish sauce, bottles are provided on the cute café tables. A separate little plastic-wrapped pack of immaculate garnishes held basil leaf and trimmed beansprouts.

Other dishes include chargrilled pork on rice, Vietnamese salads and Vietnamese coffees, both iced and hot. There's not a lot of room so you might have to take away - but if you're able to bag a seat, it's a lovely spot for lunch.

Tags: South-East Asia, Vietnamese, Central, City, Budget, Snack bar/Fast food, Café

Comment 12 Tweet

City Caphe details

Address

City Caphe

17 Ironmonger Lane EC2V 8EY

Transport Bank tube/DLR

City Caphe website

Meals served 11.30am-4pm Mon-Fri

Main courses £3.65-£6.50

Credit cards MC, V

Facilities

Bookings not accepted, Available for hire, Takeaway service

City Caphe map

Expand the map

Restaurants & cafés near City Caphe

See all restaurants near City Caphe

Bars & pubs near City Caphe

See all bars & pubs near City Caphe

Just drinking? See Bars & Pubs

Share your thoughts

Name (will appear on the site) *
Email (will not appear on the site) *
Add a star rating Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.
Enter text...
Tick to receive relevant updates from Time Out including news, events, offers and competitions.

* Mandatory fields for leaving a comment

Comments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 7 ratings)

By Howard W - Mar 27 2012

5/5

Excellent find. I enjoy the pork vermicelli salad and fresh tofu salad rolls. Just tried the Vietnamese coffee which is served iced and it's delicious, sweet and creamy. I shall be drinking a lot of these this summer.

Report

By M. H - Feb 8 2012

5/5

Very busy small cafe with great reasonably priced food. I prefer the rice meals and hot spicy noodle soup, large portions and high quality ingredients. Some unusual drinks on offer, aloe vera is nice. Pay cash and give your initials, they will call when food is ready about 10 mins to queue in lunch rush but worth it.

Report

By Angie - Dec 14 2011

5/5

Can't believe I just found this now lunch favorite! Fresh summer rolls so healthy and tasty and huge cups of steaming soup noodles. I love the spicy chicken soup and beef noodle salad but am still working way through menu. A gem in the city compared to Wasabi and Itsu.

Report

By Fe - Oct 28 2011

5/5

What a pleasant surprise for finally some good hot food for lunch in th City!

Report

By Milo - Oct 25 2011

2/5

I finished a grilled pork banh mi feeling disappointed and my stomach was too! I'm use to banh mi in sydney which is generous and full of flavour. That said the bread is nice and crunchy. The fillings were lacking in quantity and quality and the usual condiments were missing. I'm used to a combination of pate, mayo and a dash of soy sauce. I got the feeling that there was sweet chilli sauce in mine which was unnecessary and did not complement the other items in the bread. When you order they ask for your initials, so be on the lookout otherwise someone with the same initials might take your order.

Report

By Kay - Aug 24 2011

4/5

Just tried the classic pork banh mi, the bread roll is very good, but I didn't see any daikon in there which is my favorite, mine only has the carrots, but still it is very tasty. Would definitely want to try other things next time. Shame that city caphe is not close to my work place though.

Report

By Kristian - Apr 14 2011

Love this , you to eat these in Vietnam and was a regular lover of them in Sydney where I sused to live .... Its good to find this typp of place here ... Really great

Report

By AB - Mar 11 2011

lgood service, they always seem to smile. Lvely food but sadly they've pitched the prices far too high. Having said that the queues are massive so doesn't seem to put too many people off!

Report

By Stefan - Feb 23 2011

thumbs up!
great rolls....authentic stuff.
Go early for a lunch takeout to avoid the queue.

Report

By Simon - Jan 14 2011

The Bahn mi I had could have been padded with a little bit more meat I thought. Veg salad was nice and crispy and the roll, although nice, should be warm or toasted prior to being served.