Vietnamese Restaurant Wan Soft Opens On Wudaoying Hutong With Pho-ntastic Spring Rolls

Just next to King's Joy on Wudaoying Hutong, Vietnamese restaurant Wan has just opened its doors, aiming not only to please your tastebuds but also take you on an aesthetic journey to the origins of each dish. Before we set off, it should be said that the space is still currently in soft opening and as such the menu has not been finalized.

Located in a beautifully renovated courtyard, high red wooden doorways, frames, and windows divide the separate dining rooms for added privacy, and for a traditional Chinese atmosphere. Plants adorned in each corner and even on the ceilings will most certainly win over the hearts of your general Wudaoying stroller but if that doesn't, luckily Wan delivers where it matters most with steamy bowls of pho and generous portions of spring rolls. 

The spring rolls come pretty close to what one would encounter in Vietnam; the fresh prawn and vegetable spring rolls (RMB 43, pictured at top) were crammed with plenty of herbs and sliced veggies, bringing together a number of varying textures and flavors. From the list of deep-fried spring rolls, we chose the minced pork (RMB 46). The outer layer’s crunch balanced well with the well-seasoned minced pork on the inside, and each bite provided equal amounts of meat and wrap.

Pho options come classic (RMB 88), with raw beef (RMB 58), and with cooked beef (RMB 58). We tried both the raw beef and the cooked beef renditions, and felt that while the broth’s flavors could have had more depth (it most certainly wasn't brewed over hours and hours on a street corner in Hanoi’s old town), and the egg was an interesting addition we wouldn’t usually associate with pho, the soup and noodles were tasty. Bean sprouts added texture, and a side serving of chili allows you to add as much or as little kick as you want.

Factor in the relaxing courtyard atmosphere, the skylight, and the abundance of greenery that decorates this new eatery, we'd say a visit is most certainly worth your hard-earned pennies. We're eager to see how Wan metamorphosizes from its soft opening rendition, which should happen within the next week or so.

Wan 
Daily 9am-9pm. 10 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (6401 0960)
菀：东城区五道营胡同10号

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Photos: Margaux Schreurs