Munchie Adventure: Vietnam Garden Restaurant, Esqimalt (Victoria)

WORST. Experience. Ever. I wonder why it's even rated so highly on Urbanspoon. Or maybe it's just not suitable for my tastes. One could say they're very. . . different than the majority of Vietnamese restaurants-- not in a good way. They have a LOT of room for improvement =)

Restaurant: Vietnam Garden Restaurant
Location: 524 Admirals Road, Esquimalt
Cuisine: Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Vegetarian
Price range: $10-15




Date of visit: June 3, 2013
Atmosphere: 2/5
Staff/service: 4/5
Food variety: 3.5/5
Food quality: 1/5
Buck worthy? 1/5

We came here because it was nearby the place we're staying at, and when we walked in, it wasn't very full. People started trickling in afterwards. Saw the lunch specials and decided to try their lunch special A: Red Curry Chicken with Rice, Spring Roll, and Vegetables ($8.95). I was excited about the spring roll... and I guess it's the least disappointing thing we had (I was still quite disappointed). It was not very crispy, made with rice flour wrap instead of the traditional spring roll wrap. Ingredients weren't flavored right either. It was bland and chewy in a bad way. Rice was cooked badly too. The curry wasn't even real red curry. Chicken was a few slices of bland chicken. Utterly horrid.

On the side we could order Wontons ($2.50), and I gotta say they're pretty expensive wontons. . . And not good either. Way too overcooked the wrapping was so soggy and mushy. The meat inside didn't taste fresh either-- actually quite bland once again. There were 3 wontons in the bowl.

Glad we only ordered three things. I didn't want to put anything else in me. This was the Rare Beef Noodles in Soup ($9.50) and let's say, I was sad they didn't have limes. NO LIMES. I was so very sad. As well, the soup wasn't very hot, the bean sprouts were mixed in with the noodles already, onions were undercooked. And noodles weren't very chewy. I'm pretty sure the times I've made it at home were better. No offense.

They even charged us for their tea. $0.65 per person! Not that it's a large amount, but not worth that money because that tea was bad quality. Sheesh. Will not be back for sure.