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Michelle Wong

Tucked away on a remote lane in Wan Chai, Quan Viet boasts that it serves authentic Vietnamese pho and the menu lists a great variety of Vietnamese noodles and snacks.
At the top of the menu is rare beef noodles (HK$52) with a big thumbs-up next to it. Soon after we ordered it, a steaming bowl of noodles and soup arrived topped with beef that was still pink.
The savoury broth made from bone marrow was flavourful with a strong aroma of Thai sweet basil, coriander, and other spices and herbs. The noodles were smooth and soft.
It didn’t take long for the heat of the broth to poach the beef further, and it was tender and delicious.


We found another thumbs-up next to the dish of tomato shrimp pho (HK$62). The bowl of red soup came with smashed tomato floating in it. The soup, however, did not taste strongly of tomato; it was more like the ox bone soup we just had. It was also more oily that it should have been, and not as refreshing as a tomato soup base should be.
The pho included shrimps, minced pork, tofu puff, vermicelli and cha lua, also known as Vietnamese ham or sausage. The tofu puff was crisp on the outside and absorbed the flavour of the soup, as did the noodles. The cha lua, with pepper and tiny pieces of pork, was tasty and bouncy, while the shell-on shrimps were fresh.


Another recommended dish was shredded chicken and beef balls pho (HK$52). The shredded chicken was average but the meatballs were impressive with a bouncy texture and rich taste of beef.
After three bowls of soup noodles, we picked a dry dish of grilled chicken skewer with cold vermicelli (HK$52). The chicken was juicy with scents of herbs while the noodles were al dente. Mixed in were pickled turnips, carrots, cucumber, spring onion and dried onion.
However, the bowl failed to achieve a balance of flavours. The noodles were totally bland while the savoury ingredients failed to add flavours, and the pickled vegetables and fish sauce were too sour.



Moving on to snacks, we chose the deep-fried chicken wings (HK$38 for three pieces) which had a crispy coat with hints of lemongrass and ginger. They were not too oily, while the meat was well-cooked and moist.
We ended our meal with Vietnamese coffee (HK$28). There was no fancy dripper or glasses, but it was a good mix of coffee and condensed milk served in a steel cup to sweeten up the day.
Quan Viet, Cactus Mansion, 1-19 McGregor Street, Wan Chai, tel: 2669 9138. Open: 11am-11.30pm


While you’re in the area:
HK$128 for delicious three cups chicken at Wan Chai’s Mei Taiwan Cuisine
Mr Brown in Wan Chai: a small selection, but a meat lover’s delight
Great modern Indian dishes at Daarukhana in Wan Chai


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Vietnamese beef noodles for US$7 the highlight at pho specialist Quan Viet in Wan Chai

Tomato shrimp pho from Vietnamese restaurant Quan Viet in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Photo: Michelle Wong

Grilled chicken skewer with cold vermicelli from Quan Viet, Hong Kong.Photo: Michelle Wong[FEATURES 2019]

Shredded chicken and beef balls pho from Quan Viet, Hong Kong.Photo: Michelle Wong[FEATURES 2019]

Deep-fried chicken wings from Quan Viet, Hong Kong.Photo: Michelle Wong[FEATURES 2019]

Vietnamese coffee from Quen Viet, Hong Kong.Photo: Michelle Wong[FEATURES 2019]

Rare beef noodles from Quan Viet, Hong Kong.Photo: Michelle Wong[FEATURES 2019]

Outside Quan Viet, Hong Kong.Photo: Michelle Wong[FEATURES 2019]

The interior of Quan Viet, Hong Kong.Photo: Michelle Wong[FEATURES 2019]

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Sichuan-style marinated shredded fish maw was one of the tastiest dishes at Rùn, The St. Regis in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Photo: Tory Ho

Interior of the Rùn, at The St. Regis Hong Kong, in Wan Chai. 16MAY19 [FEATURES FOOD] SCMP / Tory Ho

Fried vermicelli with crab meat, shredded pork and egg, photographed at the Rùn, at The St. Regis Hong Kong, in Wan Chai. 16MAY19 [FEATURES FOOD] SCMP / Tory Ho

Roasted crispy pork belly photographed at the Rùn, at The St. Regis Hong Kong, in Wan Chai. 16MAY19 [FEATURES FOOD] SCMP / Tory Ho

Pan-fried bean curd with shrimp mousse, morel mushrooms and bamboo fungus, photographed at the Rùn, at The St. Regis Hong Kong, in Wan Chai. 16MAY19 [FEATURES FOOD] SCMP / Tory Ho

Thai and Vietnamese meals for less than US$12 under one roof in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

The pork chop with lemongrass cold vermicelli at  Bangkok Chiminh in Sheung Wan.

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CREDIT: Simone McCarthy

The yellow curry beef brisket rice at Bangkok Chiminh at Bangkok Chiminh in Sheung Wan.

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Interior, Bangkok Chiminh in Sheung Wan.

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CREDIT: Simone McCarthy

Exterior of Bangkok Chiminh in Sheung Wan. Photo: Simone McCarthy

Lifestyle

Food & Drink


The restaurant’s recommended rare beef noodles came with a flavourful broth and tender, delicious beef
But the grilled chicken skewer with cold vermicelli failed to balance its flavours, with bland noodles and overly sour fish sauce



The restaurant’s recommended rare beef noodles came with a flavourful broth and tender, delicious beef. But the grilled chicken skewer with cold vermicelli failed to balance its flavours, with bland noodles and overly sour fish sauce.


Food and Drinks

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