Aditya Kuswanto
Google
To be honest, I was confused. I've studied past reviews and prepared myself well before visiting, only to find that the restaurant had a new menu, which was much shorter than what was previously posted, and the food that I was looking forward to try wasn't there anymore. Perhaps the cafe had a change of management, but I was willing to give it a try.
We ordered the Bun Bo Hue and beef oxtail soup, considering that it was a rainy day in LA, and I wanted something to warm myself before bedtime. The two soup bowls came covered with saran wraps, and judging from the temperature, they had just been heated separately (the Bun Bo Hue was hot, while the oxtail soup was a bit lukewarm). I had to grab my own utensils and napkins from a different counter, as the tables in the cafe were devoid of any articles.
The flavours were on the right notes. The Bun Bo Hue had a mild kick, and the noodles were a great feature of the dish. The dish came with a small cup of kimchi, but it was nothing to write about. The oxtail soup was great, the soup was refreshing and subtle, and the oxtails were tender. My only complaint was that I wished mine came in warmer.
All in all, I'd come again for the food, either to savour the soups, or perhaps try other dishes, though there is more to a great dining experience than just good food.