Review

One of the joys of dining is unearthing hidden gems; Son of Saigon is such a discovery. A casual eatery specialising in authentic Saigon street food. Owner and head chef Shaun Pham moved to the US at five as a "son of Saigon". His mother's home cooked recipes "made sure we never forgot the taste of home". Now, experience those authentic tastes in Bangkok. Seating is either in the colourful main room decorated with contemporary art by Phu Anh Tran and classic Phin, or Vietnamese coffee makers, or breezy outdoor seating. The menu, a "Saigon Times" newspaper, spans tasty appetisers, classic banh minh, noodle bowls, and broken rice dishes. Try one of the classics. Banh mi pairs a French baguette with aromatic grilled chicken, pork, vegetables and tangy sauce or choose bun thit nurong cold noodles offering a delightful experience of sweet, sour, aromatic herbs and crunch in a single dish or the banh xeo, literally rice batter hitting a hot skillet, a crispy rice pancake stuffed with pork and shrimp served with homemade dipping sauces. There is an extensive array of cold drinks and coffees. The show-stopper, however, is weasel coffee, produced from cherries digested by Asian civets. The brew is rich and smooth with undertones of coconut and chocolate; a perfect ending to your "taste of home" experience.