Vietnamese Food at New Day Restaurant

We had wanted to try Vietnamese cuisine at a reasonable price and New Day Restaurant was recommended to us by the Hanoi A1 hotel staff. It was mere 5-minute walk from the hotel.

New Day Restaurant main entrance with outdoor seating

Our first dining experience at New Day Restaurant was memorable (namely the food, the staff and the price) and after several days of sampling different food outlets and restaurants, we went back  to this place again before we left Hanoi. We just missed this restaurant.

Well, I had done a little research about this restaurant before we went and realised that it was always packed. So, for the first time there, we went for lunch about 2 p.m. and most patrons had finished their lunch. We were escorted to the table on the second floor. 

In general, the restaurant is rather cramped mainly because of its design. It is a tube house anyway. (Tube houses in the Old Quarter are long but narrow). This explains the narrow and steep staircases in the restaurants.

We tried the set meal which only cost USD 5. The set comprises a bowl of Pho (either chicken or beef noodle soup), two pieces of Hanoi fried spring rolls, rice and stewed chicken. On top of that, we also ordered two more dishes; sweet and sour pork and Vietnamese fresh spring rolls. The taste of all the dishes were irresistible and we managed to finish everything on the table. 

Pho Ga (Chicken noodle soup)

This is our Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup). It is like the Chinese Koay Teow soup except the soup base tastes different. Besides, the lime juice enhances the flavour of the soup. We find that the chicken meat here is more tender than the one served at our hotel.

Hanoi fried spring rolls

Hanoi fried spring rolls are the best. We savour every bite. It goes well with the dipping sauce, Nuoc Cham (made of Vietnamese fish sauce, sugar, lime / lemon juice, garlic, chilli and water).

Stewed chicken and rice

This is the stewed chicken and a plate of white rice (included in the set meal). It is delicious. The set meal portion is quite big for one person. Therefore, we share it out.

Sweet and sour pork 

The sweet and sour pork is equally tasty.

Fresh Vietnamese spring rolls

We were keen to try everything Vietnamese. So, here is our plate of fresh spring rolls. It is definitely different from our local version of spring rolls (or popiah). 

A closer look into the content of the fresh spring roll

It has rice vermicelli, a prawn and vegetables in it. It is meant to be dipped in the sauce, Nuoc Cham. The spring roll is wrapped using a transparent Vietnamese rice paper.

Brick wall on the second floor

This is the setting of the small table allocated for us. This is on the second floor of the restaurant. In total, our lunch only cost 228,000 dong (RM 33.10) for all the above and including two drinks; a glass of passion fruit juice and iced condensed milk coffee.

Our second dining experience here. 

Iced condensed milk coffee

Iced condensed milk coffee (20,000 dong / RM 2.90 per glass) is a must try in Vietnam. It has a layer of sweetened condensed milk at the bottom of the glass which is meant to be stirred before drinking. I did not know that condensed milk can mix well in cold coffee because I have only used hot water to dissolve it. But it did work. The coffee is very strong and good.

Grilled chicken leg with lemon leaf

This is the grilled chicken leg with lemon leaf (65,000 dong) (RM 9.45). It is very dry and did not meet my expectation at all. (The one at KOTO is better.)

Deep fried Saigon spring rolls

Deep fried Saigon spring rolls (12 rolls for 30,000 dong / RM 4.30) are just okay. Our favourite is still the Hanoi fried spring rolls during our first visit here.

Stir-fried green mustard

This plate of stir-fried green mustard is definitely worth its value. It is only 30,000 dong (RM 4.30) for such a big plate. 

Patrons can choose the ready cooked dishes from the kitchen

Besides ordering from their menu, the patrons are welcomed to go into their kitchen and choose the dishes they like. Just be careful as the kitchen floor is slippery!

Pork rib soup

The bowl of pork rib soup (above) (20,000 dong) (RM 2.90) is one of the ready cooked dishes that we choose from their kitchen. It is steaming hot as the staff has just heated it up before serving.

Fried instant noodle with seafood

We also ordered something that was quite common; fried instant noodle with seafood. The noodle is springy and thin (unlike some instant noodles that are over-cooked and soft). The best part is the portion of the squid fried with the noodle is a lot. The plate is 70,000 dong (RM 10).

Assorted fried rice

Assorted fried rice (as stated in the menu) (55,000 dong) (RM 8) is not disappointing. It is fragrant but a little dry. However, it goes well with the sourish pork rib soup. 

During our second time here, we spent a total of 310,000 dong (RM 44.95). In short, New Day Restaurant is the one that makes us come back for more Vietnamese food. Plus they have friendly and English-speaking staff. Their menu is in English too. We like Vietnamese food maybe because it is resembles Chinese cooking in many ways.

Some Tips:
1. It is common to share tables in New Day. To avoid this, we try to get a smaller table for two and dine at non-peak hours.
2. The washroom upstairs is cleaner than the one at the ground floor.

Details of the restaurant:
Address: 72, Ma May, Hanoi