You could be forgiven for walking right past Cyclo Vietnamese restaurant in Yangon. If it was not for my friendly taxi driver, I would have gone directly from outside unpretentious. At 11 am Wednesday lunchtime rush had not yet begun. My dining partner and I were greeted with friendly smiles and a quick run to turn on the fans.
First out of the kitchen, a few minutes after our order was the flower of banana chicken salad, which took us both by surprise. It ‘was very refreshing, tasty with a balance of mint and citrus fruit. The shredded chicken was tender and the dish was sprayed in peanuts.
I’d only been happy with the salad, but shortly after a chicken stir fried with lemongrass came to the table. The salad has set a high standard, and the second course left me a bit ‘disappointed. The chicken was cut more or less, as is typical in this region, and some boning should be done to minimize the risk of losing teeth. You probably will not get away with this part of New Zealand, where they are, but still, lemongrass dressing was zingy and well-cooked chicken.
Also on the plate, a bowl of beef pho was served as it should be, with bean sprouts, chilli, lime and swimming in a savory broth. Some say that the key to an authentic pho is in the broth and spices, and praise Cyclo to achieve it.
That said, the pho certainly did raise the temperature of my body. This is the hot to mid-March the air conditioning would be a welcome addition to the hot space, in particular for the kiwi. The drinks menu, while not extensive, covered all the bases. Two arrived cold Vietnamese coffee, one with condensed milk, one without. Both he verged too sweet, but full of a nasty blow caffeine buzz that leaves us even our food.
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Among the dishes, I went back to the salad of banana flowers, for practical reasons, to clean my palette and reduce heat. But really, I could not get enough of it, that was shared by my dining companion sensation. Spring rolls Tofu easily took the title of my second favorite dish, and may be sprayed with a peanut sauce. pork and shrimp spring rolls are also the only K500’s menu.
Salt chilli accompanied our small fruit plate, composed of mandarin, pineapple, watermelon and apple. I tried to be adventurous and challenge my spice-ometer, but the mixture of salt just was not for me. It took an hour to his mouth to regain a sense of normalcy.
What was missing in Cyclo interior design – a handful of Vietnamese scenes in small paintings on the walls – it is made up of friendly service and simple food done well. Of about 12, he started the buzz, and the opaque space has been brought to life. I’m sure it’s the same for dinner. These guys are not trying to be something they are not. If the authenticity and traditional Vietnamese food is what you are looking for, I would start here.