Bun Cha Cha Grill is a spinoff of Chef Danyi Gao’s (Shake, Black Rock) ever popular contemporary Vietnamese restaurant Bun Cha Cha in Lippo Plaza, this time with a stronger emphasis on the grill side of things – BBQ meats and seafood with a handful of fresh salads and snacks.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
After taking over the old aCote Micro Brewery space in the back section of Yongping Lane, they added a handful of tables inlaid with BBQs for self-grilling, along with an open bar and nearly double the seating outside, ideal for the warmer days ahead.
Similar to Bun Cha Cha, there’s also Vietnamese coffees, teas and homemade sodas, plus Southeast Asian flavored highballs, wine, sake and shochu for when things get wilder into the night – since the venue emulates the streetside BBQ stalls of late-night Saigon.
Diners inside the restaurant can order from a variety of pork, beef, chicken and seafood cuts to grill themselves. For those aiming to take advantage of the sun, the kitchen will grill the proteins for you.
All grill sets should be paired with the Grill’s Soulmate (RMB20) – the necessary fixings for Vietnamese BBQ, like fresh herbs, pickled carrots and daikon slaw, and vermicelli noodles.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The additional famed Hung Thinh fish sauce from Phu Quoc Island, mixed with sugar and pickled veggies plus extra dipping sauces, can be used to create a sweet and savory cold 'broth' of sorts – ideal for plunging those grilled meats into.
The star of bun cha, the restaurant’s namesake dish, comes in the form of Pork Patties + Thin Cut Belly (RMB48) – charred, smoky patties matched with streaky slices of pork belly shavings.
If it’s your first time, rest assured: there’s no wrong way to eat bun cha – combine it all together in the sauce bowl like banmian cold noodles or make bun cha-‘tacos’ by wrapping the ingredients up in a piece of lettuce.
The power falls exactly where it should; in the hands of the consumer.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Complete the whole bun cha dish with an order of Fried Pork Spring Rolls (RMB38) – a perfect companion to bun cha at restaurants all over Hanoi.
Beef Oyster Blade (RMB148/150 grams), Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The fried fish sauce Chicken Wings (RMB38) are a surprise hit. Bite into the crispy batter to discover tender, umami-rich morsels of meat.
This is not the time for manners; get in there with your hands, as the flesh easily slides away from the bone.
Note: there is no spice on these wings, so if you are a chili worshipper (like us), add sriracha…
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... or spring for the addictingly spicy bar snack-esque Salted Egg Yolk Crispy Prawns (RMB68), served with a luscious sriracha aioli.
Lemongrass Grilled Tilapia (RMB98), Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Other notable cold dishes span the Laotian larb-like Raw Beef Salad (RMB88) – girthy strips of beef marinated in lime, chili, fish sauce and fresh herbs for a nibble that packs some serious heat.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
The shrimp and fish cake-filled Fresh Spring Rolls (RMB28) paired with a spicy peanut sauce.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
And the herb-laden Shrimp & Pomelo Salad (RMB45), pleasantly bitter and sour, amplified by juicy pomelo segments.
Image by Sophie Steiner/That's
Regardless of what you order, skipping the Pandan Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich (RMB58) would be a major disservice to your future self and an insult to ice cream sandwiches of the world.
A banh mi baguette is sliced open and toasted before being slathered with sweet pandan cream and stuffed with a heaping scoop of coconut ice cream, all brought together with a condensed milk drizzle.
The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, with enough variety to warrant multiple visits. Plus, you can never go wrong with Southeast Asian marinades, smoky meats and charred seafood.
A funky highball never hurts either.
Price: RMB175-300 per person
Who’s going: Vietnamese food gurus; grill lovers; Southeast Asian flavor fanatics
Good for: Protein-filled outings; rowdy groups
Bun Cha Cha Grill, 692 Yongjia Lu, by Anting Lu 永嘉路692号, 近安亭路.
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