La Taste is one of our favorite Vietnamese restaurants in Hong Kong. Sometimes, if we can't decide on some place new to grab a meal, we go to La Taste as our backup option. We know that when we go to there, we always get good food at reasonable prices.
On the visit specific to this write-up, we went to the Central district location, which is where we were first discovered La Taste. However, there are also other convenient locations worth visiting.
If you're not paying attention, you might miss the entrance to La Taste and walk right by. Since there isn't a lot of space to spread out, most shops and restaurants have narrow storefronts and either go deep inside, or up. Sidewalks are also narrow, so you aren't far back enough from the shop fronts to get a good perspective and lay of the land unless you're across the street.
La Taste's front door is simply a staircase. The name is there, but it's not obvious. If there's one thing I've learned from living in Hong Kong, it's that you have to look up and not just at eye level. If you don't look up, you'll miss the shop sign, or you'll miss out on all the restaurants or shops that are on upper floors in buildings.
This is a case where it would be good to look up to keep an eye out for La Taste's sign. Alternatively, pay close attention to every store front as you walk by to spot the name. Blink and you might miss it!
Once you find the entrance, there's a non-descript stairway leading you up into the restaurant. Upon looking at the stairway, you can't imagine the restaurant would be that big. But surprisingly, it opens up into a fair-sized room that houses several tables. That being said, this is a popular weekday lunch spot and it fills up quickly come 12:30pm. It's common to see a queue of people lining the stairs and out onto the sidewalk.
One of our favorite dishes at La Taste is their pho, or Vietnamese noodle soup. Simple and basic and oh-so-good. The boys always get the tried-and-true rare sliced beef pho, whereas I, the more adventurous one, enjoy the mixed pho. Regardless of whether you get the rare sliced beef, the mixed, or even their chicken pho, it is really tasty with a deep flavorful broth and oodles of noodles.
There is something that's just so satisfying about noodles and hot soup...YUM.
They serve traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho, but they also have a variety of other options. Choose from the assortment of offerings in their menu...curries, stir-fried noodles, fish, etc. We have tried a few of their dishes and have been happy with all of them. For example, their roast chicken and pork chop and rice dish was one really tasty option. Crispy fried garlic slices topped the meat, all accompanied by a sweet-sour vinegar dipping sauce. All the flavors complimented each other nicely.
Service is attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere is casual and comfortable. It can get a bit cozy if you're there during the lunch rush as they try to squeeze in as many customers as possible. But it's not all that bad. And hey, cozy dining with strangers is the Hong Kong way! Service is also quick and efficient, so most people sit, order, eat, pay and go without mucking about. Order off the Lunch Set menu on weekdays and your drink is included.
If you live in Hong Kong, take the time to go check out La Taste. And if you're due to visit Hong Kong, put La Taste on your list of must-eat restaurants!
Where to find La Taste:
Here are three locations we have been to. They have all been great!
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