When you want Vietnamese food in the Twin Cities, where do you normally go? Usually it means heading down to University in St Paul or maybe Eat Street in Minneapolis. Well too often I'm in the mood for Vietnamese but I'm even less in the mood for that type of traffic and parking.
So where can I go where I don't have to contend with traffic? I know of at least one place now. It's Vietnam Star Restaurant located in the strip mall just east of Maplewood Mall.
To be candid, we didn't go in with the most open mind. We believed that since it was ways away from the competition that the food would be Americanized Vietnamese food. The decor was clean, uplifting, and tight seemingly to cater to the expectations of American clientele. This wasn't a typical Twin Cities Vietnamese restaurant.
As usual I ordered the fried Vietnamese egg rolls (or spring rolls as called in other regions). They serve as one of the acid tests for good Vietnamese food. They came out beautiful. They tasted very good but the inside was a bit too fluffy for me. They could have been a little denser with meat.
Pho. Here's another acid test of good Vietnamese food. This one passed with flying colors. Hot and so good for a chilly day. It ranks right up there with the best in the Twin Cities. (Upcoming post on best pho in the Cities). However the price was higher than the competition's.
Singapore Noodle with beef. Very good infused curry flavor. It was mildly spicy as ordered. I'd order this again. My complaint: the dish was on the small side.
A combination plate often served at other Vietnamese restaurants. Pretty big portions but I'd have to say that this was the weakest of the dishes ordered. The grilled pork didn't have a grilled taste or even the grill marks. The shrimp was OK with little grilled flavor.
Bottom line: Unexpectedly good Vietnamese food out in the burbs. Small dishes that cost higher than the competition but that's a trade off to avoid traffic and mileage.
Vietnam Star
3035 White Bear Ave N # 23
Maplewood, MN
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Vietnam Star Restaurant, Maplewood
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2 comments:
We love this place. The food is really good and consistent. The service is friendly and fast. I love the spring rolls, they're always fresh. My husband doesn't like broccoli so he asks them to use snow peas instead and they're always happy to accommodate. It's the kind of neighborhood restaurant everyone wants, friendly, clean, reasonably priced with really great food. It's a treasure!
This is an authentic Vietnamese restaurant that allows you to experience fresh food and great taste. The staff is always friendly and helpful and they make for an enjoyable dining experience. Try it and you'll be back!
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