New Saigon Vietnamese Bistro
No, really, it’s called New Saigon. And it’s also new… ish. It’s located next door to Super H (Johns Creek) in the same strip mall. It’s so nice inside. Prices are very reasonable. Food is okay, not mind-blowing good, but not bad either.
They use good cuts of meat. The porkchop is thick (for a strip mall standard) and well marinated. The beef is tender and juicy. The combination plates are a good deal because they come with meat, fried eggs, salad and rice. I’m not a big fan of their (or any Vietnamese) crushed (or broken) rice because it’s grittier than regular rice. Broken rice originated from way back in Asia (among those developing nations) when rice became scarce. My uncle taught Agriculture in Saigon in the 70s (he showed them the American way of rice production). At that time he said the good rice was harvested and processed then shipped to fancy French restaurants and to those people who could afford to buy them. The more affordable (read: lower grade) broken rice were bagged for the masses. Me, I just never liked the texture. I like soft, chewy Korean/Japanese or Jasmine rice.
The summer rolls make really great appetizers. You get three in an order. They’re light, refreshing, and filled with plump, fresh shrimp. The thick, soy-peanut sauce is also quite good — it has just the right sweet-salty combination.
I really like the rice vermicelli bowls (bún) here. You can top them with your choice of meat. I like that the noodles are well prepared — they don’t stick to each other. They’re not gooey, gluey, and wet. It’s just like when Italian pasta is boiled the right way. Drizzle it with the accompanying sweet-sour fish sauce and you have a fantastic meal in a bowl.
Last thing. Every meal comes with a free dessert. Ice cream or flan (egg custard). Don’t scoff. The flan is amazing!
New Saigon Vietnamese Bistro
10820 Abbotts Bridge Rd., Ste 110
Johns Creek, GA 30097
(770) 495-8828
Technorati Tags: Vietnamese, Alpharetta, Johns Creek
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2 responses so far ↓
1 HC // Apr 9, 2011 at 11:01 am
whatever you do, dont order pho there. it is absolutely crap. they buy the cheap imported rice noodles from china and it is brittle.
2 Food Near Snellville // Apr 12, 2011 at 7:16 pm
Broken rice. It’s scary how many different kinds of rice there are. I like short grain myself, but my wife’s determined usage of brown rice.. well brown rice has its moments too. It’s chewier than short grain.
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