While the Spanish capital may be renowned for its tapas bars and charming outdoor terraces, tucked away in its bustling streets are hidden gems offering a taste of Vietnam.
Yes, Vietnamese cuisine has found its home in Madrid, bringing with it a delightful array of flavors, textures, and aromas.
Now, you might be wondering, why Vietnamese? In a city where the likes of sushi often steal the spotlight in the Asian food scene, Vietnamese cuisine stands out as a surprising and healthy alternative.
Whether you are craving a comforting bowl of pho on a chilly evening or are eager to explore the diverse flavors of Vietnamese street food, these are the best Vietnamese restaurants in Madrid.
Where to Eat Vietnamese Food in Madrid
Why not step out of your culinary comfort zone and embark on a gastronomic adventure at a Vietnamese restaurant in Madrid?
With its surprising flavors, healthy ingredients, and welcoming ambiance, it is an experience you won’t soon forget.
The 3 Best Vietnamese Restaurants in Madrid
1. Distrito 1
Address: C. Delicias 24, 28045, Madrid
Phone: +34 915 285 307
Website: https://www.distrito1restaurante.com/
Distrito 1 is a restaurant that surprises from the first moment. Its premises maintain the tile facade of the previous business, a local brewery, which can initially mislead many customers.
Inside, everything changes. And although the decoration is simple, the typical aromas of this delicious cuisine are immediately noticeable. Its menu offers a wide variety of traditional dishes full of flavor that you will want to repeat.
Among the most popular starters are the rolls. Here, perhaps the simplest option is to choose the Nem tasting to try three of the country’s most typical rolls. The “Goi Cuon” is filled with prawns, tofu, and cooked ham, the “Nem Vietnam” with pork, mushrooms, and soybean sprouts, and the “Nem Hai San” with seafood and vegetables with Sriracha mayonnaise sauce.
The “Ha Cao Chay”, Vietnamese steamed vegetable dumplings with a sweet soy sauce, and the “Bao Muc”, filled with squid meatballs, are also two of the most recommended specialties.
Among the main courses, the “Pho Bo”, the typical Vietnamese soup, and the “Bun Cha”, grilled meat with rice noodles, cannot be missed. If you fancy a curry, the “Ca-Ri Ga” is a yellow chicken and mushroom curry wok-cooked with coconut milk, lemongrass, and onion served with jasmine white rice.
For many locals, Distrito 1 1 is one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Madrid.
2. Vietnam Express
Address: C. Bretón de los Herreros 45, 28003, Madrid
Phone: +34 911 107 377
At Vietnam Express, you will discover the most authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. While you won’t find a dazzling venue in terms of size and decoration, this restaurant will win you over with the flavor of its food and the friendliness of its staff.
The menu is not extensive but includes all the specialties of Vietnamese cuisine. Among their starters, their rolls stand out, one of Vietnam Express’s most popular dishes. There is the “Gói Cuón”, made with rice paper and filled with shrimp, tofu, and Vietnamese ham, served cold and unfried.
I also recommend the “Nem Hái Sán”, similar to spring rolls but filled with seafood cream, and the “Nem Vietnam”, filled with pork, shrimp, and fresh herbs.
As for mains, Vietnam Express demonstrates that Vietnamese food goes far beyond the popular Pho. The “Bún Chá” and the “Cá Ri Chay” are some of the specialties that make it one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Madrid and that I am sure will convince you to come back for more.
3. Viet Nam Restaurante
Address: C. Huertas 4, 28012, Madrid
Phone: +34 917 553 126
Vietnam is currently one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Undoubtedly, this has also influenced the increasing popularity of Vietnamese restaurants in Madrid.
In Viet Nam, you will find a small and cozy restaurant with an excellent location in one of the busiest areas of Madrid, close to the capital´s main attractions. The attention to customers shines through, as they are advised in the selection of each dish.
Among the starters, the “Nem Tom Cua” stands out, rolls filled with minced pork and seafood wrapped in various vegetable leaves and dipped in sauce. Also dipped in sauce are the crispy rice squares, topped with vegetables and pork, and the popular “Goi Cuon”.
As for main courses, highlights include the “My Xao Mem”, the “Canh Ga”, and the popular “Bun Cha”, one of the most traditional Vietnamese dishes made with grilled pork, rice noodles, and herbs.
Popular Vietnamese Foods
So, what can you expect from a typical Vietnamese meal?
What truly sets Vietnamese cuisine apart is the harmonious balance of flavors, where the delicate interplay of sweet, savory, sour, and spicy elements creates an unforgettable culinary experience.
Let´s explore some of its most popular dishes that you can expect to find in the Vietnamese restaurants of Madrid:
- Pho: The most iconic Vietnamese dish. Pho is a flavorful noodle soup that typically features a rich and aromatic broth, rice noodles, and your choice of protein, such as beef (pho bo) or chicken (pho ga). It is garnished with fresh herbs like basil and mint, as well as bean sprouts and lime wedges.
- Banh Mi: A delicious Vietnamese sandwich served on a crispy baguette. Banh Mi typically includes a variety of fillings such as grilled pork, pickled vegetables (carrots, daikon radish, and cucumber), cilantro, and chili peppers, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
- Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Spring Rolls): These fresh spring rolls are made with rice paper wrappers filled with a combination of shrimp, pork, rice vermicelli noodles, lettuce, and fresh herbs. They are light, refreshing, and often served with a side of peanut dipping sauce.
- Bun Cha: Originating from Hanoi, Bun Cha consists of grilled pork patties and slices of pork belly served with a bowl of vermicelli noodles, fresh herbs, lettuce, and a dipping sauce typically made with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili.
- Com Tam: Translating to “broken rice”, Com Tam is a popular Vietnamese dish made with fractured rice grains, often served with grilled pork chop, shredded pork skin, a steamed pork omelet, pickled vegetables, and a side of fish sauce dressing.
- Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake): A crispy pancake made from rice flour batter, coconut milk, and turmeric powder. Banh Xeo is filled with a combination of shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and green onions. It is served with lettuce leaves and herbs for wrapping, along with a side of dipping sauce.
These are just a few highlights of the diverse and flavorful dishes you can expect to encounter at Vietnamese spots in Madrid.
Final Words
Whichever restaurant you choose, you are sure to be transported to the bustling streets of Vietnam with every bite.
So gather your friends, plan your visit, and get ready to savor the unforgettable flavors of Vietnamese cuisine right here in Madrid.
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