Phat Phuc Noodle Bar

I have been in search of a great Vietnamese street food joint in London for some time. The joys of social media meant I found one a couple of days before the 14th of February, unintentionally igniting a habit I would like to make a tradition. Vietnamese food on Valentine’s Day.

Set in an alley tightly squeezed between two buildings, Phat Phuc Noodle Bar is somewhere you could easily miss, but wouldn’t want to. Pop down the stairs and right into the South East Asian food street scene. With a little noodle shack and an outdoor seating area, it sticks out in West London. But in all the best ways.

Fuck me though, it’s busy. I am definitely late to the party. This is no longer Chelsea’s best-kept secret. The cat’s out of the bag. But it’s still perfectly affordable. Just avoid Kings Road, eat here. It won’t break the bank.

It’s the perfect lunchtime spot. Workers on their break gather for a quick bowl of Pho or Laksa for a tenner. Get there early, it fills up before 1 o’clock. Amazingly, despite the size of the kitchen and the array of customers, the staff keep up. The service is smooth and food comes out of the kitchen fast and tastes phenomenal.

The menu is small, cheap, and full of tasty options. Some authentically Vietnamese, some not. Either way, it’s all fab. Their Laksa, however, is the shack’s standout dish. It’s fucking great. I’d recommend choosing it with prawns over chicken or beef. It’s a big hot orange liquid-filled bowl of comfort. One spoonful of the stuff and you feel like you’ve been given the best hug ever. The rich creamy coconut punch is delicately balanced by the sweetness of the prawns and the fresh Thai basil floating through the dish. Whilst you’re slurping up your noodles, try to avoid any unintentional orange stains as an assortment of herbs and spices hold your tastebuds captive. A swig of ice-cold Singha only adds to the satisfaction. Maybe not the best decision on your lunch break, but who knows? It might help with your work.

Sitting and eating in Phat Phuc Noodle bar reminds me of my time in South East Asia and China. The simplicity of ordering from a shack in the street, taking a seat, and indulging in a generous bowl of noodle soup fills me with nostalgia. This spot celebrates what food is all about. The food, the feelings it brings and nothing else.

The Courtyard, 151 Sydney St, London SW3 6NT