Adam Erace makes it out to West Philadelphia and to Vietnam Cafe where he experiences authentic cuisine in attractive surroundings.

The barbecue platter is a fitting intro to the spicy, citrusy, mint-sprinkled cooking of Vietnam, a carousel of crisp, greaseless pork spring rolls, grilled chicken strips, wonderful nem nuong (spiced pork meatballs) dusted with crushed peanuts, bo nuong la (beef-stuffed grape leaves) and tangled rice vermicelli. Cups of iceberg lettuce and rice paper wrappers encourage the university crowd to get their ssam on, flavoring the bundles with piquant quick-pickled carrot and cucumber, fresh mint, fiery crimson nuoc cham and the “house special”: sweet-and-sour paste made with nuoc mam.

Vietnam Cafe [Philadelphia Weekly]