Lilla Hanoi
“Are you PHO real?”
Lilla Hanoi is a little Vietnamese place right next to the buzzing central area, but in a quiet street. You need to know your Gothenburg a little bit, to know about Lilla Hanoi. I am a big fan of Vietnamese food. It’s probably my favourite food from the Asian continent, so I tend to be a bit picky about it. Lilla Hanoi got a second chance from me after the first time was a little bit unimpressive. So, how did it do in the final verdict?
First up, the location of Lilla Hanoi is fantastic. It is super central, but in the residential area next to Nordstan, separated by some massive, and beautiful stone buildings. Hence, the street is quiet and looks cool. It really feels like you escape the messy rush hour traffic.
The locale itself is decorated in a modern touch, with some classic style furniture and Vietnamese accents. To me, it feels a bit cold due to the choice of colours (primarily blue), but it works well in any case.
The menu offers a selection of starters and mains with focus on the central region of Vietnam, so you will find your Pho, your Crepe (Banh Xeo) and your Bun Thit. For me, I am missing my dau hu kho sa ot (lemongrass tofu), but that’s alright. I went for Summer Rolls and Pho.
Extra kudos to the lovely waiter, who was just fun, entertaining and attentive. That’s the kind of service you love to get, but receive to rarely in Sweden. Much appreciated!
The food came after a short while. The Pho has a rich broth, that might be short on fragrant spices, but feels very filling in any case. The vegetables tend to be overboiled in Lilla Hanoi instead of crunchy, but that’s just regional differences in the way Pho is prepared. To me, it reminds me of a typical slavic winter soup with such soft carrots. Still, the taste profile is great, and the tofu has a nice consistency to accompany the dish.
The Summer rolls are filled with a good amount of well-done tofu and served with a tamarind-peanut sauce. Good consistency and composition, but maybe a bit short on herbs.
Contrary to my first visit, this time the Pho was on point and the summer rolls much better. While the first visit wasn’t bad at all, it was a bit underwhelming compared to the price-point and reputation. Now, they were in top form. It’s still not my favourite way of eating Pho, as I prefer crunchy vegetables and a more spice-fragrant broth, it still was a fantastic experience. Lilla Hanoi, you will be visited again.
Price:
2x Summer Rolls: 85 SEK
Pho: 169 SEK
The Verdict
Lilla Hanoi is indeed a little escape to the capital of Vietnam. The staff will receive you with all friendliness, the food is warm and filling for the soul and you will have a good time coming here. The price-point is slightly above other Vietnamese places, but it’s reasonable considering the quality. Bring your friends, date, or family. They will be happy.
5/5 Leaves
Pro
Great staff
Good and competent vegan options
Good tofu
Con
Can be crowded fast
Vegetables in Pho very overboiled
Slightly higher price-point than other Vietnamese restaurants in Gothenburg
Location
Torggatan 4
Opening Hours
Mo-Th: 11:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 21:00
Fr: 11:00 - 14:00, 16:00 - 22:00
Sa: 14:00 - 22:00
Su: closed
