The first bite, the first feeling
Just one bite – a little sour, fresh and crunchy, fragrant with herbs – and suddenly you feel hungrier, a little more excited for what’s to come. That first bite is also when you start getting to know us. So every time a starter leaves our kitchen, we hope it’s welcomed with a smile.
A hello from our kitchen
We’d rather let our food do the talking. Through our starter, we hope you can taste the Saigon we love: fresh, full of herbs, a gentle balance of sour, sweet and salty – simple, honest and full of warmth.
Letting the meal slow down a little
Life outside is busy enough. When you sit down at our table, we hope you can take your time – nibble a few bites, sip your drink, ask the person next to you how their day has been. The starter is there to give you that gentle moment while your main course is on its way, piping hot.
One plate in the middle, everyone sharing
Our favourite sight is a family or a group of friends gathered around one plate, passing bites to each other, handing round the little bowl of dipping sauce. No dish can create that warmth on its own, but a good starter can certainly play its part.
Just enough, so you feel light
A starter is there to open the conversation, not to fill you up. Fresh greens, something light, something crispy, all in a sensible portion – so you still have room to truly enjoy your bowl of phở or plate of bún when it arrives.
With all this in mind, our chef carefully chose four dishes to sit side by side on the Little Saigon Platter, made for two or more to share.
There are prawn summer rolls – soft rice paper, fresh prawns and plenty of fragrant herbs, never fried, light and refreshing. There’s green papaya salad with prawns, crunchy, sweet and gently tangy to wake up your taste buds. Next to them sit golden imperial spring rolls filled with pork and prawn, and a little salt and chilli squid and prawns – aromatic, with a mild kick, and perfect with a cold Saigon beer.
Fresh beside crispy, light beside rich, with plenty of fresh herbs and greens to keep everything in balance. That’s how Little Saigon likes to look after our guests: not only so the food tastes good, but so you leave feeling light and comfortable. If you’re vegetarian, our Vegetable Platter is prepared separately, with just as much care.
Whenever you’re looking for a meal that tastes like home, or simply a place to sit a little longer with the people you love, come and visit Little Saigon. We’ll be waiting for you, with your first starter made with all our heart.
03 Church Street, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2LY
01279 798895
