Ngon Ngon: Pho-nomenal Value or Pho-gettable in London

On a rainy London day, my trusty Google Maps led me to Ngon Ngon for a quick lunch during weekday, a Vietnamese spot with great ratings (4.6) and a lunch menu that promised to be a steal. I arrived in the quiet lull between lunch and dinner, so the staff were enjoying their own meals. This meant a slightly relaxed service, and my pho took an extra-long 25 minutes to arrive.

Colourful shop front, from Google Map

I started with the prawn summer rolls. The prawns were a bit bland, but the fresh herbs and vermicelli were spot on. The dipping sauce, a unique mix of hoisin and peanut butter (I was expecting the mixed fish sauce), was surprisingly delicious.

Perfect season for summer roll

The rare beef pho was the main event. The beef was beautifully pink and tender, just as it should be. Mixing the pho with beans sprout and coriander is a must for me, maybe with a tiny bit of chilli as well. The broth was a good, classic beef pho flavour—no surprises, but satisfying. My only letdown was the noodles, which were a bit too firm for my liking. I prefer a smoother, softer noodle, and these felt a little undercooked and also reminded me the noddle I can buy from normal supermarket.

Authentic beef pho

Despite the small hiccups, the portion size for the lunch price is fantastic. If you're looking for a great value pho in central London without all the frills, this is a solid choice. They do have a separate dinner which is pricier but still very reasonable. If the portion is the same, lunch is simply a steal.

You are not having pho without bean sprout and herbs

Verdict: Decent, authentic pho at an unbeatable price in central London. Worth a visit for a quick, no-frills fix.

Ratings:

Food: 3.75/5 Decent and authentic, but not the best
Service: 3.5/5 A bit less attentive as most staff were on break)

Decor: 3.5/5 Simple but cosy decor
Value: 4.5/5 Amazing value for lunch
Overall: 4/5

Estimated cost per person: £10 - £15 (lunch, excluding drinks)

Restaurant Info:

Ngon Ngon

18-20 Charing Cross Rd,

London

WC2H 0HS

020 7839 7136

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