Vietnamese Cuisine with a Smile: Ngoc Linh Restaurant Review

Photos

Vietnamese Cuisine with a Smile: Ngoc Linh Restaurant Review

see larger image

uploaded by Kenneth L

• 

  uploaded by Kenneth L | add comment

• 

  uploaded by Kenneth L | add comment

Before I begin the review, I would like to
point out my background on restaurant dining. I, as well as my friends, enjoy
eating out together in inexpensive restaurants. (Being a student isn't a very
high paying occupation.) Pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup, is an excellent
choice of filling and cheap dining. It is mostly served as pho bo, or
beef noodle soup. I myself have been to at least ten different Vietnamese
restaurants all over the Vancouver Lower Mainland, and I enjoy the experience
each time I visit one. My personal favourite pho order is the “Number
One.” This is commonly called the “House Special” or “House Combination,” which
consists of all of the parts and cuts of beef. It is usually listed first in
the menu, hence the name “Number One.” If a restaurant doesn’t have this order
or listing, I simply find the pho dish with the most kinds of cuts of
beef in the menu. That’s enough about me, on with the review.

Inside the Surrey-residing Ngoc Linh
Restaurant, there are nine tables and booths, two waiters, and
background music playing from surrounding speakers. It gives me the impression
of a small, homely, family restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere. (On a side
note, the restaurant came under new management the previous September.)  The restaurant is half full and I am seated
quickly. In the menu there is the typical variety of pho bo, along with
an order of pho ga (chicken noodle soup), spring and garden rolls,
various dishes of vermicelli, egg noodle, and rice noodle, and combos. Ngoc
Linh also makes Vietnamese subs, a sandwich that is good on the go. I order
a “Number One Small,” which is a slightly overpriced, yet reasonable $5.75
meal, and hot tea.

After about five minutes, my order comes
along with the usual complementary side of bean sprouts, lemon, lime, basil,
and hot peppers to add to the pho. If you hadn’t ordered a bowl of pho before, the thing
about it that will first grab your attention is the intoxicating scent of it,
and Ngoc Linh’s is no different. The garnishes of parsley, green onion,
white onion, and other herbs are plentiful and so is the noodle. The broth is
smooth and has a subtle kick of spice. The cuts of well-done flanks, rare
steak, and beef balls are in nice bite sizes, have decent texture, and are not
too soft or hard. However I only receive one piece of tendon, and three strands
of tripe. These two cuts of beef are my favourites because they are real
delicacies; therefore it’s logical that I only received that little for a small
bowl size order. On the topic of the tripe, they are skinny pieces, and don’t
look like the better quality.

The waiters of Ngoc Linh work at
an exceptional pace. Besides a minor mishap of a delayed order of tea, the
service is consistent. I am given the “is everything alright?” check up twice,
and it feels like I am the most important (but definitely not the only)
customer. When it comes to paying the bill, I am presented with a mint. To my
embarrassment, I fail to read the “Cash Only” sign on the counter, and I don’t have any green on me. Remarkably,
the waiter doesn’t mind, keeps her smile, and even offers the meal to be free.
(To my insistence, I run to the bank across the street to make a withdrawl and
pay up.) It is definitely the best and friendly service I have received
compared to all of the Vietnamese restaurants I have ever been in.

Overall, Ngoc Linh is a special joint to
just drop by for a quick bite, pick up order, or to have a lasting meal with
friends and family, all thanks to its terrific service. Interestingly, there is
another Vietnamese restaurant next door on the same address called Pho Tam.
I’ll definitely pay a visit to that eatery, and be coming back to Ngoc Linh
in the future.

Ngoc Linh Restaurant
4-10302 135 St. Surrey, BC
Telephone#: 604.588.8890