Viet Quan - Vietnamese Street Food

If you’re wandering along Landport Terrace and catch the scent of fresh herbs, simmering broth, and something unmistakably comforting, you’ve probably found Viet Quan. This independently owned, family-run Vietnamese street food café has transformed a former pub into one of Portsmouth’s most inviting spots for vibrant, flavour-packed dishes.

Viet Quan’s team describes their mission with real clarity: to bring authentic Vietnamese cooking to Portsmouth using sustainable produce and locally sourced ingredients. That ethos runs through every bowl, plate, and steaming cup they serve, from vegan and vegetarian options to their slow-cooked classics.

The Philosophy Behind the Flavour

Vietnamese cuisine is anchored in the principle of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, which translate on the plate into sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty. The magic lies in balance, and Viet Quan delivers it beautifully.

Fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, aromatic spices, and clean broths form the heart of the menu, giving every dish a brightness and depth that keeps customers returning again and again.

Pho Worth Talking About

Their signature Pho is a labour of love. The broth simmers for more than ten hours, only reaching perfection when it’s rich, clear, and deeply aromatic. It’s comfort food done with patience and respect, exactly how traditional Pho should be.

Award Winning Local Favourite

Viet Quan’s approach hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2021, they earned the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award, placing them among the top-rated eateries globally. Not bad for a cosy corner spot in Southsea’s student quarter.

Whether you’re after a quick lunch, a nourishing bowl of noodles, or a relaxed dinner full of fresh flavour, Viet Quan brings the warmth of Vietnamese street food right to Portsmouth’s doorstep.

Authentic, family-led, and cooked with real heart — it’s well worth a visit.

What to Order at Viet Quan

Viet Quan’s menu is built on a balance of fresh herbs, slow-cooked broths, bright salads, and bold stir-fries. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a guide to the dishes that really show off what this family-run spot does best.

Start Fresh

Begin with Prawn Summer Rolls: light, colourful and packed with herbs, vermicelli and prawns, all wrapped in delicate rice paper. They come with a dipping sauce that swings between sweet and savoury, an instant snapshot of Vietnamese flavour balance.

If you prefer something meat-free, Salt & Pepper Tofu is a brilliant alternative: crispy, fragrant, and surprisingly addictive.

The Star of the Show: Pho

Pho is Vietnam’s most famous dish, and Viet Quan’s Beef Pho Bo easily deserves its reputation. The stock is cooked for over ten hours, developing that deep, quietly powerful flavour you only get from proper slow simmering. It arrives at the table steaming, aromatic, and dotted with herbs a bowl that feels like both dinner and a warm hug.

A Little More Indulgent

If you want something richer, go for the Shaking Beef, tender cubes of beef flash-fried with garlic and a savoury glaze, served with noodles or rice.

Prefer pork? The Crispy Pork Belly delivers golden crackling and soft layers of meat, perfect for anyone who likes their flavours bold and satisfying.

Light, Bright & Zesty

For a refreshing option, the Mango & Prawn Salad is a standout. It’s vibrant, crunchy, and hits those classic Vietnamese notes of sweet, sour, and spicy ideal as a starter or a lighter main.

To Finish

Round it all off with a Vietnamese Iced Coffee: strong, sweet, and wonderfully punchy. Or choose the house-made lemonade for something cool and palate-cleansing.