The Miniature Hanoi Food Capital in Penang @ Ăn Viet, Gurney Plaza

Ăn Viet, a Hanoi cuisine restaurant in Gurney Plaza offers more than just conventional Vietnamese dishes that we are aware such as Pho or Banh Mi as their culinary draws. Taking cues from the essence of culinary plethora of Hanoi with the help from a Hanoi chef, the restaurant features an inspiring menu that includes traditional Hanoi dishes that are little known to us, such as clams in coconut broth, grilled rice paper and etc. The success of the dishes here are yielded from an aggregate efforts of usage of quality & fresh ingredients, coupled with the cooked-to-order practise. 

We started off the gastronomy journey with a seemingly normal Clam in Coconut Broth (RM 14.06) but the taste was awesome. Introduction of coconut water into the clams soup catapulted the taste of the soup into a next level, with a richer taste, thicker texture and a slight tanginess that serves well as the opening dish. Without doubt, the freshly daily procured clams added to the soup was the uttermost important factor that made the soup shines.

Grilled Rice Paper with Minced Pork (RM 9.34), or known as Bánh Tráng Nướng is something you should not miss out here. We will call it as a Vietnamese pizza, as the thin rice cake is served hot and crispy with nice meat filling. The homemade white sauces imparted an unique taste into it, though our taste buds were not discerning enough to spell out the sauce. A little bit of spiciness kick that diffuse through the tongue added an extra dimension to the food.

Of course, for those who has an affection toward the Vietnam's national dish - Pho, then Vietnamese Beef Noodle Special (RM 22.55) should be on your menu. It is served generously with raw beef, beef brisket, shank, tripe, tendon, and homemade 100% pure beef balls! Oh my god, the beef balls are wondrous creation that we could not forget its taste! Depending on your preference, you may add beansprouts and basil to the soup while the soup is hot, then squeeze some limes and sriracha chili sauce to spice it up.

One great thing about Ăn Viet is they are echoing the Food & Agriculture Organisation's initiative to reduce food wastage, thus you can customize the quantity of noodles during initial order, and request for top up later should you feel more without additional charges. Eat moderately, guys!

The real deal we discovered at the restaurant is the Hanoian Style Fish with Turmeric & Dill (RM 22.55). This specialty dish originated from Cha Ca La Vong Restaurant and was named by US's MSNBC as the 5th of top 10 places you must visit before dying, and is famous til the street it is located has been renamed after it! The fish is soft, flaky and unique on its texture. If we were to compare, we would say it was something like Unagi with a nice smoky flavor. The vermicelli, when topped with the soup, fish, peanuts and herbs gave a layering of dimension to enjoy.

Another traditional Vietnamese dish - Vietnamese Baguette with Grilled Lemongrass (RM 14.06) is available here too. Check it out for its ultra crispy crust that will shatters upon biting, and its generous stuffing with grilled lemongrass chicken, pate, pickles, vegetables, coriander and etc.

Give a sweet end here with a Caramel Pudding (RM 6.51) with a hint of bitterness that well neutralize the sugar rush. Another thing we discovered in the restaurant is Vietnamese Coffee with Egg, which a layer of egg is topping the coffee to give it a creamy texture. You may request for more egg if you can take it. As a matter of fact, we could not tell it was egg till we were being told, and it substituted the role of cream or milk perfectly!

Vietnamese Coffee with Condensed Milk here packs a punch of caffeine while the Ice Blended Coconut is rich. 

Ăn Viet also operate in Klang Valley in 2 establishments, namely in Sunway Pyramid and The Gardens. In the Sunway Pyramid branch, you may pluck the basil from the gardens and put it to your dishes as you like!