Ara Vietnamese Noodles

Damansara Jaya is blessed with a Vietnamese restaurant that cooks up some of the best pho in town. Rainy day comforts include the simple and delicious Beef Noodles (RM9.50), Chicken Noodles (RM9) and the hearty Beef Stew Noodles (RM9.50) — thick and fragrant beef and carrot broth worth slurping up. Sides such as the Crispy Spring Rolls (RM2.50) and the Pork Skewer (RM6) are exceptional too.
Photo by Burppler SeenMun K

Pen down this neighbourhood joint in Damansara Jaya for pocket-friendly bowls of comforting pho on rainy days. The hearty Vietnamese Beef Stew Noodles (RM9) with silky rice noodles is stellar and "full of beef brisket flavour including the sweetness of red onions and fragrance of Chinese Five-Spice", according to Burppler Nicholas Ng. Also good is the classic Vietnamese Beef Noodles (from RM8.50) with tender slices of beef. To share, order the crispy Vietnamese Crispy Spring Rolls (from RM1.50) and sweet-savoury Vietnamese BBQ Pork Skewers (from RM3).

For delicious Vietnamese fare with a friend, head to this DJ favourite. To start, the Fresh Spring Rolls (RM6.50 for two) with fresh prawns and veggies and a sweet-spicy chilli dip is excellent. For the main event, you can't go wrong with the Beef Noodles (RM9.50) with light yet savoury beef broth and tender beef slices – everything you crave on a rainy day. Don't leave without getting the Creme Caramel (RM4), which comes with either caramel sauce or concentrated Vietnamese coffee. Go with the latter for a spot-on bittersweet flavour.
Photo by Burppler SeenMun K

The chicken was so succulent, literally falling off the bone. The sauce, generously ladled onto the rice, was spiced beautifully. With a fried egg, and some salad on the side, it’s a complete meal.

This is a pretty simple dish, consisting of rice noodles in a fragrant yet subtle broth, topped with shredded chicken, a prawn, fish balls and some iceberg lettuce. I don’t recall the exact price, but it’s definitely below RM15.

I’ve been coming here for ages and the food just keeps getting better and better. On sad and sick days, I always turn to this comforting bowl of beef noodles.