There are so many Vietnamese restaurants on Kingsland Road, how does on choose where to spend his hard earned cash? Our choice is usually defined by which one’s still open as we rock up starving a little wobbly on our feet. However last Sunday we followed the crowd and headed for the busiest restaurant on the strip – even at 6pm on a Sunday this place was heaving!
The family owned restaurant serves reasonably priced, authentic Vietnamese food. We started with the Fresh Green Papaya Salad with Prawns, a tangy, crunchy salad which tasted as vibrant as it looked. Another starter of Chargrilled King Prawns with Butter & Garlic were served sizzling with enough garlic to ward off vampires for a whole week – perhaps Rupert Sanders should have eaten some of these before he locked lips with K-Stew.
To follow the Chargrilled Chicken with Honey and Spices was a generous plate of tender meat coated in a sweet, sticky glaze. The Whole Crispy Fried Sea Bream with Lemongrass and Chilli came served as a whole fish, coated in a spicy sauce with soft onions topping the crunchy skin. A side dish of Noodles with Beansprouts was another generous portion of steaming noodles – we also ordered the Egg Fried Rice but these portions are enough for two to share.
We couldn’t fault the food at Mein Tay, nor the prices, for £30 you get a meal for two and more than enough food. If you like to team your Asian food with a beer then check out the Saigon, a Vietnamese beer and goes down a treat with spicy dishes.
For authentic, fresh, Vietnamese food Mein Tay ticks all the boxes.
122 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, E2
www.mientay.co.uk
