They may have won over the Eilandje neighborhood and even built a fine dining château in Antwerp’s Fine Arts Museum, but this narrow building in Sint-Jorispoort remains the first bastion of Hoa Truong and Huibrecht Berends, the place where it all began. These days, you won’t find the talented duo behind the bar, but the short menu of finger-lickin’ good options and Vietnamese soups hasn’t changed, much like the mural by local artist Steve Locatelli. So come slurp up a properly garnished bowl of broth, served with beef, tofu, chicken or crab; nibble on spring rolls stuffed with local pork; or wolf down a rice noodle salad with North Sea fish and shrimp croquettes, sprinkled with finely sliced spring onions, cabbage and cucumber, plus peanut sauce. A dash of (lemongrass) sambal, and we’re golden! // Janjan Bon

FEELING THIRSTY? There’s Saigon beer (€4.50 to €7.50) and Pony’s beer from Ghent. If you’re in the mood for something non-alcoholic, there’s also green tea (€4) and Vietnamese coffees (€4.50).
PRICE: Appetizers €8-13, mains €17 to €19.50, soups €17 to €22.50.