Sen Vietnamese Restaurant: Cosy Vietnamese place serving solid wagyu phở, salmon bún chả & delicious meat skewer bún
Amidst the daily grind of our fast-paced society, ask yourself this: how often have I taken my eyes off my phone screen to pay more attention to my surroundings? If you had, you might have noticed a yellow signboard at City Gate whilst walking along 371 Beach Road, home to Sen Vietnamese Restaurant.
This unassuming Vietnamese gem started in 2017 as a humble kopitiam stall called Quê, located at Toa Payoh Lorong 1 as a test bed before moving to Somerset in Jan 2020. But after 2 years, the native Vietnam-born owner decided to close the shop due to personal reasons.
Fast forward to today, and it’s back— bigger (2 combi ovens in the kitchen!), better, and ready to dazzle your taste buds with a newly revamped menu. And folks… there’s no GST and service charge.
What I tried at Sen Vietnamese Restaurant
Since no Vietnamese feast feels complete without trying their iconic appetisers, we decided to kick off the afternoon with 2 Fresh Spring Rolls (S$9.90). Expect something slightly different from the usual gỏi cuốn you’ve seen before. Sen Vietnamese Restaurant adds a twist by combining prawn and pork rolls into 1 plate; giving u the best of both worlds.
Each variety was stuffed with a lovely mix of prawn/pork, fresh lettuce and rice noodles. And when I dunked them in the zesty homemade salted bean sauce, my taste buds were sent to a party they won’t forget!
Unlike classic versions that utilise boiled pork belly, the pork spring rolls here uses grilled pork belly drizzled with a homemade marinade instead.
Moving on to the Two Jumbo Housemade Viet Fried Pork Spring Rolls (S$13.90), each crispy morsel was fried to a light golden-brown. Its thin, crackly skin encased a mouth-watering minced pork filling, sending me to flavour heaven with each mouthful.
Seeking an extra oomph? Remember to dunk it in the fish sauce concoction for a whole different experience. Savoury, a little tangy, and sweet, the simple dip was all the little golden fried fella needed to truly shine.
To pamper ourselves after a long, tiring week, we decided to order the luxurious Phở with Wagyu Slices (S$23.90)— because, why not?
Without adding anything, I dived straight into the broth (distraction-free). It was clean-tasting, hearty, and flavourful, making it the perfect accompaniment to the weather outside, which looked like it was seconds away from a thunderstorm.
Each slice of wagyu was pure indulgence. Its creamy fattiness enhanced the beefiness of the meat, and the silky thin sheets of rice noodles created a flawless combination. The bean sprouts added a crunchy texture, while the thin slivers of onions and scallions contributed a subtle touch of pungency.
We then proceeded to add the condiments in: calamansi, hoisin sauce, sriracha chilli and basil leaves; giving everything a good toss.
The smoky notes from the hoisin, citrusy brightness of the calamansi, garlicky heat from the chilli and anise-like hints of basil created a multi-dimensional blend of tastes. It definitely took me on a rollercoaster ride. One word — magnifique!
Veering not too far away is the standard Beef Phở (S$14.90), featuring tender beef ribeye slices which are just as delectable!
The next dish, Grilled Salmon Dry Noodle – Bún Skewer (S$17.90) left me sceptical as pork is usually used for Vietnamese bún chả or bún thịt nướng chả giò. My bowl of vermicelli noodles were topped with grilled salmon cubes that were drizzled with a shiny brown glaze, then garnished with fried garlic bits and fried shallots.
There was a variety of herbs like mint, coriander and lettuce. I was also surprised to discover arugula, an unorthodox addition in Viet cuisine, just like the use of Salmon here at Sen.
The owner explained that a past customer used to order this dish whenever he came to (what was then) Quê , but would always pick out the traditional Vietnamese herbs, which is considered blasphemous in a Vietnamese restaurant (oops!).
Given that the owner personally special-ordered the herbs and even went to the wet market to ensure each bowl had the freshest and finest quality, she replaced the herbs with arugula for that customer alone. Later, she discovered the magic of the unique combination and decided to make it a mainstay. I love that she listens to feedback and improves the traditional offerings based on that.
Though I’ve seen others pour fish sauce over the noodles, I, on the other hand, prefer dipping them, similar to how I eat Bún Chả Hà Nội . The owner recommended that I have everything at one go: vermicelli, sauce, salmon, arugula, herbs and fried garlic bits.
The way the ingredients mingled left me speechless. I was gobsmacked by how incredible this combination was, and its taste will likely be etched in my memory for at least a month. Born and bred at Sen during Covid, you would only find salmon like this at Sen.
I took a short break from the noodles and was excited to savour the Beef Bánh Mì (S$14.90). The baguette was stuffed with grilled beef, pickled Japanese cucumber sticks, julienned carrots, fresh coriander and sliced red chilli.
The national ‘Vietnamese sandwich’ rarely disappoints, and the version here was no exception. After taking a bite of the crispy, fluffy French loaf, my taste buds were immediately flooded with the moist and aromatic beef.
The meat had both savoury and sweet flavours fighting for attention. Just when you thought it was over, the tanginess of the crunchy Japanese cucumbers and carrots comes into play to help cut down the richness.
Lastly, the floral coriander notes and gentle heat from the chillies completes the wonderful experience.
I returned with the Grilled Pork Belly and Chicken Dry Noodle – Bún Skewer (S$13.90) with an additional stick of Grilled Pork Jowl (seasonal item).
Just when I thought the pork belly was delicious with a good meat-to-fat ratio, the pork jowl proved to be even more tender and flavourful. The pairing of fried shallots and crispy garlic bits was pure genius, adding an extra layer of crispiness and aroma.
Seeking a place to get beer after your meal? Don’t bother finding a separate venue as Sen Vietnamese Restaurant has it all! Take advantage of the limited-time promotion currently running for Sapporo Draft Beer.
You can now enjoy a 1/2 Pint for S$6 nett and a Full Pint for S$8 nett.
Coffee lovers, you must try the Vietnamese Dripped Coffee W/ Milk (S$5.50 for hot, S$6 for cold). And the best part? It’s not that sweet. Oh, before I forget, all main courses come with a complimentary soft drink.
Final thoughts
Sen Vietnamese Restaurant focuses on the authenticity of Vietnamese classics while incorporating a modern spin that keeps it current.
Whether you’re seeking a quick lunch fix, or wish to enjoy mouth-watering Vietnamese dishes priced reasonably for its quality above the usual Vietnamese fare seen here while sipping on some beer, then this hidden spot is the perfect choice. I highly recommend it!
Expected damage: S$14 – S$24 per pax
* This post is brought to you in partnership with Sen Vietnamese Restaurant.
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