I have always read about Nuoc, a Vietnamese restaurant, in blogs and magazines. Even though it opened 2 years ago, I never really made the effort the go there, till now.
Located on the top floor of Orchard Central, it's basically a "rooftop restaurant", and the restaurant is surrounded by greenery from the garden.
Had a refreshing Fresh Young Coconut (S$8)
I guess when people go to Vietnamese restaurant, this is the de-facto dish to order. Deep Fried Vietnamese Spring Rolls (S$8 for 4) consisting of minced chicken, pork, crab meat, black fungus and rice vermicelli, rolled with traditional Vietnamese rice paper and deep-fried. They were generous with the stuffings.
The Sugarcane Prawns (S$20 for 2 pieces) - Home-made prawn paste with pork lard, wrapped on fresh sugarcane and grilled. Comes with lettuce, starfruit, cucumber, beansprouts, Vietnamese herbs, rice vermicelli, Vietnamese rice paper and home made sweet and sour fish sauce, was good, but not outstanding.
Guess what this is? This is actually the famous Vietnamese dripping coffee.
After the Cafe Sua Da (S$5.50) finished dripping, I transferred it into a glass of ice for Vietnamese ice coffee.
Home-made prawn paste on baguette (S$10 for 4 pieces) - Home made prawn paste with pork lard, spread on baguette and deep fried. Find it rather ordinary.
Pho - Traditional Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup (S$21 for 1 big bowl) - Australian beef tenderloin with and brisket with traditional Vietnamese flat rice noodles with home made beef broth and fresh vegetables and herbs. The version at Nuoc is good. We enjoyed the beef soup. Came in quite a large serving, so 2 small eaters could share 1 bowl.
Grilled Boneless Chicken Drumstick (S$15) marinated with caramel and Vietnamese fish sauce, served with deep-fried stick rice. Mixed review for this. Some find the chicken ordinary.
A very beautiful Fresh Prawns in Young Coconut (S$20) - The tiger prawns were steamed in the young coconut juices, and served in a young coconut.
I find the restaurant quite beautifully decorated. Do take some time to admire the decor here.
Nuoc
181 Orchard Road,
#12-01
Orchard Central