Bao Chau Vietnamese

I used to frequently visit Bao Chau in high school and the restaurant is known for their spring rolls. As for myself, I have a fond memory of their pink pork hash and the rice platters which are pretty good, mostly because I love shredded pork.

Bao Chau looks like a generic Asian restaurant and there are plenty of seats available. As for the garnishes which are provided with an order of noodles, I appreciate the red chilli rather than jalapeño, and lime over lemon.

BUN BO HUE, HOT SPICY ROUND NOODLE SOUP ($7.75).

The bun bo hue is very basic (for Vancouver) and does not include pork hock or pork blood. There are hints of lemon grass and fermented shrimp paste along with a slight sweetness, and I prefer the rectangular cuts of ham than thinly sliced. As for the slices of beef, the meat tastes very tender and not chewy at all. And for the noodles, perfectly cooked as well as slippery. If anything, the bun bo hue tasted a lot better and more flavoursome with the addition of chilli oil, despite preferring an original spiciness that I do not have to add onto.

PHO DAC BITE, BAO CHAU HOUSE SPECIAL BEEF NOODLE ($7.25).
Never having ordered pho from here, I assumed it would be safe for my friend. But, unfortunately the pho tastes pretty sweet and not very flavourful (the sweetness can be subjective). As for the ingredients, there is tendon, tripe, beef balls, and slices of meat which taste quite tender. And like the bun bo hue, the pho noodles are perfectly cooked as well. If anything, the broth could have tasted more flavourful.

COM SUON BI, STEAMED RICE WITH BBQ PORK CHOP, SHREDDED PORK, PORK HASH, HAM ($8.00) AND FRIED EGG ($1.99).
The rice platter is pretty good and the value is great. The pork chop along with the pork hash has a tasty marinade and a flavourful grilled taste. In addition, both meats taste quite tender and the pink pork patty has a slightly sweeter marinade.

Moving along to the perfectly fried sunny side up egg, the bottom has a nice crisp and the yolk is runny. Further on, the pork ham tastes generic and the highlight is the shredded pork, which is properly done and topped with green onion oil. I actually really like the rice platters here because of the charred meats and would recommend the pork chop or chicken, cannot go wrong with either! And for the shredded pork… a must order in general. If anything, for those pickier, may prefer a meatloaf than a boring slice of pork ham.

CAFE SUA DA, FRESH FILTER COFFEE WITH ICE ($3.00). 

TOTAL: $29.40 + TIP $3.60 = $33.00.

Overall, the highlight at Bao Chau is definitely the rice platters. As for the service, there is none which is expected at certain Asian restaurants.

POSITIVES
- Rice platters are a good value
- Noodles are served hot
- Average eats

NEGATIVES
- Restaurant is not very ventilated and kind of stuffy

LITTLE THINGS
- Le Petit Saigon a few doors down, is a lot better
- Would have been nice if the staff said hello at least

Food: 2.5/5
Service: N/A