For the past few days, I’ve been craving Vietnamese noodles.
I think I really wanted to eat that!
I even tried to visit a Vietnamese restaurant, but it was closed.
Where can I go to get some tasty Vietnamese noodles?
While browsing the Chope app, I came across a Vietnamese restaurant called MeVui.
After a quick Google search, I realized there are seven locations in Bali—Kuta, Sanur, Renon, Canggu, Nusa Penida, and Lovina—and I felt only I didn’t know that.
I bought a set menu voucher for a two that’s currently available on the Chope app (the voucher is valid for 60 days after purchase).
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The restaurant is called MeVui Kuta Beachfront, located at Discovery Mall in Kuta.
In Vietnamese, “Mệ” means “grandma” and “vui” means “happy.” So “MệVui” can be translated as “happy grandma”.
Since I needed someone to go with, I told a friend:
“We’re going to Vietnam soon.”
That day came. My friend and I headed to Discovery Mall.
Since my friend was driving that day, I didn’t have to worry about traffic jams.
I was just excited about going to Kuta.
After parking in the lot, we went up to the first floor.
MeVui Kuta Beachfront restaurant was located on the outdoor area on the first floor of Discovery Mall, with a view of the sea.
It didn’t take long to find the MeVui restaurant.
In front of the restaurant, there were several Vietnamese conical hats, called Nón lá, hanging up, making it easy to recognize that this was the MeVui restaurant.
There were bamboo blinds with drawings of lanterns and the restaurant’s logo on them.
Bamboo blinds are common, but in the Vietnamese restaurant, they give the space a more traditional feel.
Outside, there were tables and low chairs about 30 cm high.
This seating area has a nice view of the sea. It’s not a perfect sea view, but anyway you can still enjoy your meal while looking at the sea.
I found out that anyone can order the two-person set menu at a discounted price on-site without needing to buy a voucher through the app.
(The price is slightly lower if you buy the voucher from Chope.)
The colorful Lồng đèn (Vietnamese lantern) decorations hanging from the restaurant ceiling added a warm atmosphere to the space. Lanterns in different colors and patterns were hanging down, giving a vibrant feel unique to Vietnam.
In front of the kitchen, the menu was displayed on a traditional Mâm tre (bamboo tray), creating an exotic ambiance.
On the walls inside, there were several pictures that reminded me of Vietnam. (even though I have never been there.)
I entered the restaurant, showed the voucher I purchased from the Chope app to the staff, and chose a table to sit at.
(Note: The voucher must be presented on-site in advance when using it.)
First, the menu featured a variety of Vietnamese dishes, such as Fresh Spring Rolls, Noodle Salad, and Grilled Skewers.
The two-person set menu I chose included 2 bowls of Vietnamese noodles, 1 plate of Spring rolls, 1 plate of Cakwe, and 2 glasses of Iced tea—a very satisfying selection.
Among the noodles, I could choose one from the following three options:
- Phở Sài Gòn (Sliced sirloin, Sliced brisket, Beef meatball)
- Phở Hà Nội (Wok-seared sirloin, scallions, onion)
- Phở Gà (Chicken slices, chicken meatball)
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I chose Phở Sài Gòn, while my friend opted for Phở Hà Nội.
The noodles are served in a medium size.
Before the meal, I first sipped the Iced tea.
Noticing a hint of ginger in the flavor, I asked the staff about it, and they told me the tea was called Pandan Ginger Infused Iced Tea.
Pandan is a type of plant known as Pandanus, commonly used as a spice in the cuisines of various Southeast Asian countries, adding color and fragrance to dishes.
In Indonesia, you can frequently find foods and desserts flavored with Pandan.
The aroma of Pandan combines a slight grassiness with a sweet floral scent. The leaves themselves have a mild flavor, but when added to dishes, they impart a subtle sweetness and a unique fragrance.
As I savored the Iced tea, I looked over the condiments prepared on each table.
There was Sriracha sauce, Chili sauce, and Tương đen (Hoisin) sauce.
The ordered dishes began to arrive.
The Chả giò (Fried Spring Roll) was filled with minced chicken, Rice vermicelli, and vegetables.
Chả giò is served with the accompanying Nước chấm sauce to dip into.
Taking a bite of the Chả giò, juices flowed out from the crispy fried coating.
Two pieces of Cakwe also arrived.
I learned that Cakwe is the name used in Indonesia, while in Vietnam, it’s called Bánh quẩy.
Bánh quẩy is a fried dough made from flour, typically served with rice noodles or dipped in soups in Vietnam.
Its crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior make it an appealing dish.
Finally, the main dish of noodles was served with Nước chấm sauce.
To accompany the noodles, a plate of bean sprouts, lemon basil (Kemangi), and lime was also provided.
The table was set with a total of five sauces, including those served with the food.
So, If you enjoy sweet and sour sauces or herbs, there are plenty of different sauces to try.
I chose to eat without adding sauces, fearing their strong flavors might overpower the natural taste of the noodles.
The broth of the rice noodles had a well-balanced blend of spices, allowing the rich flavor of the broth to shine through.
The rice noodles had a soft and chewy texture, and with each bite, the juices from the beef burst forth, enhancing the overall flavor.
Even after finishing my meal, the lingering richness of the broth and the subtle aftertaste of the spices continued to dance on my palate.
I felt delighted to finally enjoy the Vietnamese noodles that I had been thinking about for days.
I definitely planned to just have my meal and then leave the mall, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought.
I ended up shopping at Discovery Mall for quite a while, and by the time I came out, my food had digested.
The sun was still blazing down.
The MeVui restaurant has slightly different decor at each location, which makes visiting them more fun.
Next time, I plan to go to the MeVui SaiGon (Renon branch) for a beer along with Gỏi Cuốn (Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls).
Oh, and I think I’ll be using the Chope app more often in the future.
It’s easy to check the menu on the app, and there are also many discount promotions, making it really useful.
