Nong La Café – Los Angeles

When Nong La first opened on Sawtelle, skeptics probably thought it wouldn’t last. A cute, clean little café roaming on a road of ramen, this place serves a different kind of noodle. I had my doubts too when I glanced at the affordable menu, which was as short-n-sweet as the cafe. But sometimes good food does come cheap, even on a street like Sawtelle in a neighborhood like Westwood.

The Goi Cuon, or spring rolls are loaded full, and unless you have a friend with whom to share this so-called “snack”, these refreshing rolls will fill you up in no time. I’ve never had Vietnamese fresh rolls with pork before, but from now on that’ll change. The combination of pork and shrimp is a little more savory, the lettuce keeps it light, and the herbs can only help.

It was too hot for pho that day and for once I’m glad it was. I never would have tried the Bun otherwise. Pho is always good, but this bun with Bo Nuong was better.  Flavorful steak with a sweet sesame/lemongrass marinade blends so perfectly with the fish sauce. Mix it all together with chewy vermicelli and crispy vegetables, and you have a bowl of blissful cool on a hot summer day.

Nong La may seem like a standard Vietnamese place at first glance, and the food is just the staples, but something but the polish and crisp composure with which each item is put together turns a seemingly mundane meal into something memorable. Just watch out for the food coma that comes with consuming so many affordable carbs.