Ba Noi's: Fresh Flavors of Vietnam in Makati

I've always loved Vietnamese Cuisine because I love the herbs and all the vegetables.  But, there is only a few dining selections available here in Metro Manila.  For many years now, my family would always eat at Pho Hoa whenever we would crave for Vietnamese Cuisine.  Last night, I was fortunate enough to be invited to Ba Noi's, a hidden gem for fresh flavors of Vietnam in Makati, with a group of foodies whom I've always looked up to.  I'm so glad i get to meet them for the first time.

Ba Noi's has a casual yet comfortable ambiance.  It has a simple yet beautiful interior with its Vietnamese designed lights, dramatic portraits of Vietnam and wooden tables and benches.  

Although Ba Noi's is new to me, it has already won distinguishing awards.  I did not find it it surprising since their food has a lot of potential.

Right in the middle of its counter is their Sugarcane Press.  I usually see this in China Town so its the first time I've seen one inside a restaurant.  After seeing this, I can't wait to order their freshly made Sugarcane juice.  It's my favorite!

Vietnamese Cuisine Instructions

Located in the middle of each wooden table is their Vietnamese Cuisine Instructions.  I then realized that I've been eating Vietnamese food for quite some time and never have I been taught on how to eat them in the right way.  I find their guide very helpful.  I'm glad to know that I was eating "pho" the right way. 

Food

Lobster Crackers

While waiting for my companions, the hospitable owner Henry offered us some Lobster Crackers.  I've never met anyone who doesn't enjoy munching on these.  I usually see this with Chinese Cuisines but I guess the Vietnamese serve this too.

Noodles

♥Pho Bo (220 php) *photo is only half size

Pho Condiments

The Pho Bo is probably one of the most popular Vietnamese dish.  The Pho Bo is beef noodle soup served with various herbs and spices.  It came with a platter of bean sprouts, lime, basil, chili.  It also came with some hoisin sauce and a chili sauce (tasted like "Sriracha").  The best feature of this dish is that you can add your your desired condiments and sauces to created your preferred taste.  The way I do it is to add everything except for the sauces because I enjoy the light naturally beefy and herb-y taste and a little bit of spiciness.  The thinly sliced beef was so tender that it felt like I hardly had the chance to chew it.  This is the best Pho Bo I have ever tasted!

Appetizers

Goi Cuon (300 php)

The Goi Cuon is a famous Vietnamese appetizer.  The Goi Cuon is pork, shrimp, and rice vermicelli, rolled in rice paper.  It is served with Ba Noi's peanut sauce.  I have always enjoyed the Goi Cuon.  Ba Noi's version with the protruding large shrimps is delicious!  You get to enjoy the natural light sweet taste from the shrimp and the meaty flavor of pork.  The peanut sauce adds more flavor into it too.  I was glad that it was wrapped really tight so it was easy to eat with their wooden chopsticks.

♥Banh Xeo (250 php)

The Banh Xeo is something new for me.  The Banh Xeo is a crispy thin crepe filled with sauteed pork and shrimp bits, mung bean and bean sprouts.  It is served with fresh vegetables such as lettuce, basil, carrots and radishes and nuoc nam sauce (fish sauce).  I liked the Banh Xeo because of its crunchiness and flavorful ingredients.  This is a must try!

How to eat Banh Xeo?

How to eat Banh Xeo

At first glance, I was wondering how to eat the dish.  I'm glad we dined with Henry because he thought us how to eat one.  Allow me to share it with you.

Step 1: Place the lettuce flat on your place.

Step 2: Cut a portion of the crispy crepe and place all of them on top of your lettuce.

Step 3: Add the rest of the veggies you see on the plate dish

Step 4: Grab the wrapped lettuce and dip in into the nuoc nam sauce and eat it.

♥Cha Gio (190 php)

The Cha Gio is deep fried spring rolls with a mixture of ground pork, shrimp, taro and black fungus.  It is served with fresh lettuces, basic and the nuoc nam sauce.  This dish is exploding with flavors.  

How to eat  Cha Gio?

How to eat  Cha Gio

I really thought eating this dish is as simple as our custom spring rolls but it isn't.  To eat this correctly, you have to eat this by placing your lettuce on your plate, add some basil and then the deep fried Cha Gio.  Grab everything and then dip it in the nuoc nam sauce.  

Beef Dish

♥Bo Luc Lac (320 php)

The Bo Luc Lac is stir-fried spiced beef cubes topped with sesame seeds served with chili and fried basil.  I really enjoyed this!  The beef cubes were so tender and each bite is so flavorful.  It goes well with the fried basil too.  This dish reminds me of Beef Salpicao but it was more fragrant with the sesame and spices and it was not oily.

Chicken Dish

Ba Kho Cari Xa (240 php)

The Ba Kho Cari Xa is braised chicken slowly cooked in lemongrass and curry powder and infused with fresh chillies, shallots and spring onions.  The chicken was very juicy and tender with a strong taste of lemon grass, curry and other spices.  This dish goes well with rice.  

Ca Kho To (250 php)

The Ca Kho To is catfish simmered in rich caramel sauce with some spring onions and fresh chili bits.  I love catfish ("hito" in tagalog)!  Catfish always had this distinguishing soft texture and delicious flavor.  During my childhood, we used to buy live catfish in supermarkets but over the years they have become quite rare.  I also don't encounter much catfish dishes being offered at restaurants so I was quite glad that this was available at Ba Noi's.  The sweetness of the caramel sauce was contrasted by the spring onions and fresh chili bits.  The taste was just right and the catfish was cooked with precise timing.

Beverages

♥ Sugarcane Juice (90 php)

Ba Noi's makes their own Sugarcane Juice so I was enticed to order one.  I am accustomed to China Town's fresh sugarcane juice ever since I was a child.  Ba Noi's is just as good.  Plus, I think its the best beverage to pair with Vietnamese Cuisine.  The sweetness of the Sugarcane Juice allowed me to reset my palate after each spicy or herb-y dish I ate.

Teas

Hot Jasmine Tea (65 php)

Rose Wine

Dessert

Banh Dan Long (135 php)

The Banh Dan Long is a warm pandan cake filled with a layer of mung beans in the middle.  It is topped with coconut cream and toasted sesame seeds.  I always enjoyed this dessert.  I love the fragrant pandan taste and the mild sweet taste of mung beans.  The coconut cream and toasted sesame seeds compliments the cake too.  This refreshing dessert is the best way to end a heavy meal.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Ba Noi's certainly delivers the fresh flavors of Vietnam.  It has a wide range of great tasting dishes that I have yet to try.  Their dishes are with the freshest and premium quality.  The taste of their offerings is authentic Vietnamese.  I also greatly appreciate their good intent to educate us on how to eat Vietnamese Cuisines properly.  Ambiance is great for hanging out with friends or family.  Prices are justified as they serve in large proportion that makes it great for sharing.  I highly recommend this place!

Tsinoy Foodies Review Rating
Ambiance	★★★
Taste	★★★★
Service	★★★
Price	★★★
♥=Favorites or Recommended

Ba Noi's  Menu Noodles | Appetizers and Salads | Pork and Beef | Chicken and Seafood | Vegetable and Extras | New Dishes | New Dishes 2 | Desserts and Beverages | Other Beverages | 

Ba Noi's
Business Address	G/F Greenbelt Mansions 106 Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati
Business Hours	11am-9pm
Payment Options	Cash
Service Charge	10%
Budget/Person	250-500
Contact	(02) 893-7359
Other

Ba Noi's Map