This post is not paid and only based on my opinions and experience. For more information please look at the official website: https://www.hoasen.co.uk
Before they find me, I was craving Vietnamese food, more specifically Pho. So like any other, I dragged my best friend to have some delicious food with me. There were many places to go to in London, but I wanted to try a new place. And with Google search I was able to find Hoa Sen, which was only five minutes away from Covent Gardens station.
It was really busy today because it was the weekend Jubilee, but I was lucky to have booked a place as the restaurant was full when we arrived. The space inside the restaurant was overly small, with tables being quite close to each other, but felt cozy.
To drink I ordered lychee juice and it came in a very adorable mug jar. There was iced coffee, which my friend ordered and both drinks were about £4, which is a typically price range for London. Since it was a very warm day, I knew I definitely wanted to have their summer rolls (£6.50), which was a refreshing salad rolled into rice paper, combined with hoisin sauce and it was just perfect for me.
Lastly, I ordered the veggie Pho which was the dish I was looking forward to the most. Personally, I would have preferred a broth with richer flavours as I found the broth a little plain. And compared to other Pho I tried, this was definitely missing something and I’m unsure if this is because of western infulences. I think it’s quite difficult to find a really good vegetarian pho as the heavy broth which is easily made from the meat in most pho is difficult to replicate.
Overall, I paid £26 for a starter, drink and a main which I think is quite average for London. And although my friend quite liked the place I personally was a little disappointed with my Pho. I rate the restaurant a 6/10 and I think I need to give the other menu options a chance before I make my final decision on this place.