As far back as I can remember, this has been a place we patronised as a kid for family-style meals. It meant lots of food and the application of a sharing is caring concept.
A decade later, walking in, this place remains more or less the same with the same tacky furniture, stained tablecloths and poor choice of a colour palette.
Dodgy or untrendy places like these has never deterred me from visiting. Food is what I came for afterall.
Service is mediocre, as we constantly had to flag down staff for every request.
We decided to try the deal where you select three dishes from their dinner menu for $45.00. A soup of the day is included. Rice is priced at $1.50 per head.
We made our selection and food came out in a matter of minutes. Not even exaggerating!
All six dishes came out within 20 minutes. First one was delivered after 10 minutes of ordering. We couldn't be happier.
First was the seaweed soup in pork broth. Then the seafood salad, followed closely by the Sichuan beef. Next came tofu with stuffed prawns. Salt and pepper squid made an appearance, with steamed flounder following behind. Last to arrive was the battered duck in plum sauce.
Every dish was good. Nothing amazing, but nothing offensive. It was just simple Vietnamese and Chinese fare that is commonly found in most household of those origins. Which is what I like about it. We come here to be fed well and charged reasonably. I believe this is why they have survived as long as they have in this ever growing competitive market.
Hurrah for places like Phuong Yen! read more