Another relative newcomer to the growing number of Vietnamese restaurants in London, Banzi have been trading for the last 6 months without much fanfare but they’re gaining a good reputation for decent Vietnamese grub amongst the picky residents of South London, who also get to choose between Cafe East and Mama Pho with all three restaurants down the road from each other.
Banh Xeo - Vietnames crepe
Wheareas Cafe East and Mama Pho have gone the minimalist route opting for a balanced but limited menu and quick diner interiors, Banzi have opted to go for the full shebang. The menu is vast with over 100 items and the warm interior with regionalised art is more conducive to a more sociable meal.
Speaking to the friendly girl who waited up on us (rudely I didn’t ask her, her name), she told us that they always try to use well sourced ingredients – organic if possible and if not, free range. I love great value food but if it’s ethically sourced then so much the better.
So how was it? Very good indeed. There’s not much that’s been written about Banzi but I’ve read the Banh Mi (Vietnamese baguette) they serve is a little disappointing. I didn’t come here for the baguette, but to feed a hungry family of four: Starters were the spring rolls and minced prawn on sugarcane followed by the mains of Bun Rieu Cha Ca (rice noodles with fish cakes and prawns in a tamarind soup) and Banh Xeo (crispy crepe filled with pork, prawns and beansprouts). The kids had their own menu which was a welcome surprise. All it is, is a more limited menu with smaller portions but at £3 for spring rolls with noodles and salad as an
Kids meal 
example, then it does provide a more wallet friendly option.
Bun Rieu
We liked Banzi. The spring rolls where the only disappointment being a bit on the small and dry side but my bun rieu tasted as it should – sour from the tamarind, salty from the shrimp paste and sweetness from the pineapple and tomatoes. Some dill on the side would’ve been welcome though. The banh xeo was light and crispy with nicely seasoned, clean tasting sprouts, prawns and pork filling and the kids were full from their fresh banana and strawberry smoothies that they barely touched their generously sized portions.
The sweet drinks deserve some recognition with the aforementioned creamy thick smoothies and the red bean/coconut dessert drink one of the moreish thirst quenchers I’ve had in a long while.
Big thumbs up.
237 Lower Road, Surrey Quays, London, SE16 2LW.
020 7394 0906 – they also do delivery
Possibly Related Posts:
- Panda Panda, Deptford Broadway, Vietnamese Cafe
- Banh Mi 11 – Broadway Market, Hackney
- Cafe East, a great Vietnamese Restaurant in Surrey Quays
- Baguette and More-Vietnamese Food Stall in Greenwich that sells Banh Mi
- Mama Pho, Vietnamese cafe on Evelyn Street, Deptford
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I have visited this restaurant a few times and no longer can recommend it. On my first visit we waited for our food for 30mins, when it did turn up the spring rolls were still frozen in the middle and the rest of the starters cold. We decided to pay for our beers and left. Our last 2 visits also resulted in us leaving without having a meal. On the first occasion the heating was not switched on and being the coldest night of the winter thus far we were due to have dinner wrapped up in our coats if we decided to stay. Last night we placed our food and drinks order, we have grown use to the slow service, but it took them 15min before we were told that they did not have the beer we ordered, in fact, they did not have any beer at all. There are 3 beers on the menu, two of these have not been available since August, the 3rd which we now order as default was not available either.