Huong-Viet is a rough diamond of a canteen that churns out great quality Vietnamese food at reasonable prices off the Kingsland Road.

The Venue
You don’t stumble upon the Huong-Viet. In an inconspicuous former community centre in the depths of residential Dalston, to find it you really need to be in on the secret. Just marginally more expensive than the host of Vietnamese canteens on the Kingsland Road, the slight extra cost (and ingenuity in finding it) pays handsome dividends.

The Atmosphere
Add the bring your own booze policy to this no-nonsense approach and you have a welcoming sense of authenticity that has proved extremely popular with the locals. One of the most striking things about the Huong-Viet is that it’s almost always full to capacity. Its denizens are a motley bunch, from big groups taking advantage of the drinks' policy to the dedicated locals from Dalston’s vast Vietnamese community.

Happily, the excellent service, delivered with an air of breathless intensity, generates a high turnover. You never have to wait too long. But the general break-neck pace of the operation and the constant bustle from the kitchen is not for those after a quiet meal. Be prepared for a bit of noise.

The Food
The menu is so intimidatingly detailed that a month of regular visits wouldn’t exhaust it. But if you don’t have that long, there are a few dishes that deserve urgent attention. The kingfish with mango and the steamed seabass with ginger are highly recommended. Otherwise, there is a vast list of curry, pancake, barbecue and noodle dishes that have always proved popular. With a wide variety of vegetable dishes, including a vegetable curry and tofu with green leaves and garlic, the Huong-Viet is definitely a good option for vegetarians.

The Last Word
Huong-Viet is a great quality and atmospheric Vietnamese that has long had cult status in and around Dalston.

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