The best Southeast Asian eats in Bristol

The Saigon kitchen offers a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the centre of Bristol. The restaurant owner was brought up in Vietnam and learnt to cook at a very young age. One of the key skills prominent in Vietnamese food is balance. To be able to carefully choose and balance flavours is what makes a great dish. Fresh herbs, layers of flavour and adjustable spice levels enable the palate to taste the depth of the food.

The menu features dishes from all over Vietnam. You can see options like Pan fried cod in tamarind and caramelised onion sauce or caramelised pork meatballs & BBQ pork belly served with rice noodles & fresh herbs. The restaurant itself is cosy, and with an open kitchen and friendly staff, the comforting atmosphere enables you to truly relax and enjoy the food.

Pho serves great value, healthy Vietnamese food, specialising in one of the countries favourite dishes, you guessed it, Pho! The food is fresh, using the best seasonal produce and all prepared in the kitchen daily. Born from a love of Vietnamese cuisine, you can really taste the love and passion that goes into every one of its dishes.  The restaurant’s vibe and décor do a great job of transporting you to Asia, so you really feel like you’re getting a traditional Vietnamese experience.  As well as a range of different Pho’s, the menu offers wok fried noodles, curries, and rice paper summer rolls. One thing is for sure, you’ll definitely leave feeling nourished and satisfied no matter what you go for.

Cosmo is an amazing all you can eat buffet located on the Triangle. It offers cuisines from all around the world so you can travel from Europe to Africa to Asia all in one sitting.  With over 150 different dishes to choose from, you’re definitely going to be spoilt for choice. It offers a great range of southeast Asian dishes, from curries, to pakoras, to chicken inasal. Experience the many flavours inspired by food from Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and many more.

Fat rice is a pop-up food stall, serving delicious Malaysian comfort food. You can look on their Instagram for all the markets and locations they’ll be at across the month. The menu is usually small, serving three or four dishes, but the dishes they do, they definitely do well. Nasi lemak, and tau yeu bak and examples of some of the Malaysian classics they often serve. With strong flavours and great value for money, this little food stall is definitely doing justice for southeast Asian cuisine in Bristol.

Giggling squid is in Clifton village, and we definitely recommend trying it, it’s one of the best Thai restaurants in Bristol.  It serves Thai food, and the restaurant’s aim was to bring the buzz and vibrancy of Thai mealtimes to the UK. The food and atmosphere of the restaurant has so much personality and flavour and the menu is extensive so you’re always going to find something for everyone.

There is a range of starters, curries, noodles, light bites, and stir-fry’s, all with a good range of meat, fish and veggie options. At lunchtime it is particularly nice to go for a range of starters and share them like tapas. The bold and exotic flavours, paired with vibrant and colourful décor make this an enjoyable and friendly place to enjoy a meal.