babu-bal Restaurant

Take a sip of the broth crafted by layering bonito and kombu dashi over a chicken bone base, and a comforting, familiar depth unfolds right alongside fresh Asian herbal notes. babu-bal Restaurant operates as a relaxed Vietnamese bar, serving not only its signature bowls of pho but also casual small plates and a well-curated drinks list. Inside the calm dining room, time spent waiting for your food while sipping a drink across the counter feels unhurried and easy.

Lunch Options Spanning Noodles and Rice

Midday choices go well beyond the classic pho, which comes with a choice of chicken or beef. The menu also evokes a true street-stall feel with bun cha—the Hanoi dipping noodle dish pairing pork belly, minced meat patties, and fresh herbs with a sweet, sour, and mildly spicy dipping sauce—and com ga, which tops rice cooked in chicken broth with moist steamed chicken. Distinctive options include curry pho, merging house broth with spiced curry, as well as a noodle-free "vegetables only" bowl for those seeking a lighter, produce-packed meal. Main dishes can be turned into custom sets by adding half-size banh mi, che, or Vietnamese coffee, allowing diners to build their ideal portion size.

Evening Small Plates Where Spices Meet Japanese Accents

Come evening, the kitchen turns out an inventive roster of small plates tailored for drinking. Fresh spring rolls accented with shibazuke pickles, steamed chicken, and Hatcho miso sauce, or potato salad enlivened with sea bream shutou and herbs, showcase how Japanese fermented seasonings and ingredients seamlessly encourage another sip. Hot dishes are equally varied, featuring shell-on garlic shrimp, crisp fried spring rolls, and banh xeo, the savory Vietnamese pancake. Many dishes can be ordered in half portions, making it easy to assemble a varied spread whether dining solo or with companions.

Rounding Off with Vietnamese Spirits and Sweets

The beverage lineup highlights Vietnamese beers such as 333 and dark beer, alongside distinctive distilled spirits like Nep Moi and Lua Moi, crafted from glutinous and non-glutinous rice. Original lemon sours spiked with Vietnamese spirits and crisp wines offer plenty of room to explore different pairings. To finish, consider ordering house pudding flavored with Vietnamese coffee syrup instead of traditional caramel, or a coconut milk che to end on a sweet note.