Vietnamese street food in Cape Town

A flavour-filled exploration of Vietnam + the best pho in town

Last updated: Wednesday, 2 February, 2022

Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food is a one-way ticket to Vietnam via its food. It’s speciality is Vietnamese street food; it has the best pho and bao buns in the city, and bonus, nothing on the menu costs more than R100.

Vietnamese street food is a real sensory experience, and you'll find it here in the heart of De Waterkant. Image: Katleho Mohale

EAT THE BEST PHO IN TOWN 

The menu is very simple but what dishes it does, it does brilliantly. A customer favourite and must-have is pho which is a flavourful broth, rice noodles, herbs and meat bowl (there are vegetarian options, too). On any given day, hot or cold, most of the people in the restaurant have a bowl of pho in front of them and don’t leave until the bowl is completely clean. Pho is a popular food in Vietnam and is served in households, street stalls and restaurants countrywide.

The flavour-filled bowl of pho at Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food is its most popular dish. Image: @coupledining_cpt

TRY THE APPETIZING STARTERS  

There are great starter options. Try the thick and flavourful chicken or vegetable spring rolls and rice paper rolls, common Vietnamese street food. It comes with chicken, pork belly, prawn, salmon, avo and tofu. Also try the dim sum, which will keep you coming back for more, or another favourite, the bao bun. 

Try the dim sum, spring rolls or rice paper rolls. Image: Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food

A FEAST FOR THE EYES  

The walls inside have patches of exposed brick that give a street feel alongside old, vintage posters that look like they come from Vietnam. There are also old ads, newspaper clippings and photos of streets and street markets in Vietnam – there’s a lot to entertain you as you eat.

There’s so much to look at inside the space. Image: @no.one.asked.us

The greenery hanging from the ceiling gives the space an exotic, tropical feel, accentuated by the suspended traditional hats. The space is dog friendly. There’s  a really spacious indoor area as well as outdoor seating, with shady trees. It feels like you’re sitting in Vietnam and have a great view of  De Waterkant’s colourful streets.

It’s easy to find a great place to sit and feast at Yen’s. Image: @no.one.asked.us

NEXT STEP: WHEN + WHERE TO GO 

Yen’s Vietnamese Street Food is open: Monday, 10am to 6pm and Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 9pm (Closed on Sundays)

Find it: 19 Dixon St | De Waterkant | Cape Town

Price range: R20 to R100

Contact it on: 071 156 6782 or

Follow Yen's on Instagram: @yensvietnamesestreet

By Katleho Mohale

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