In our section “KACHEN Tests,” we conduct surprise visits to new restaurants. Last Wednesday, November 20, 2024, our journalist Marie reviewed the restaurant Moien Vietnam in Belval Plaza.
On the ground floor of Belval Plaza, the new Vietnamese restaurant, Moien Vietnam, opened its doors on 7 November. A sign announces a “soft opening,” essentially saying, “Give us a bit of time to find our rhythm.” And indeed, a few minor details are still being worked out.
A Slightly Fuzzy Concept
At first glance, the concept is a bit unclear: do you queue to order before sitting down, or is it strictly for takeaways? The answer: you queue for takeaway. If you plan to dine in, as in most restaurants, you sit down and a waitress will quickly come to take your order.
The space includes 16 table seats, 8 standing spaces indoors, and an additional 20 seats outdoors (though this means “in the shopping centre”). I arrived at noon, peak rush hour. A tip: aim for 12:20 when the pace calms down a bit, though seating remains somewhat limited. By 12:45, more seats are usually free.
Menu at €9.90
A QR code on the tables links to the menu, which is divided into categories: Combo/Spring Rolls/Summer Rolls/Noodles & Rice/Banh Mi/Coffee/Drinks/Tea.
I opted for a combo: a beef Bánh mì and a soda for €9.90. I was asked if I wanted coriander in the Bánh mì—yes, of course (a no-brainer for me, though some might not enjoy the distinct flavour of this “Chinese parsley”). I also ordered two spring rolls for €5.
The buzzer I was handed rang quickly, and I got up to collect my sandwich from the counter. Drinks are self-service from the fridge.
A Bánh Mì Worth Raving About
The Bánh mì was a triumph: the baguette was light and delightfully crisp, the pickled vegetables (grated carrots, cucumber, bell peppers), coriander, and scallions were perfectly balanced, and the lemongrass-marinated beef and onions, while a bit greasy, delivered the bold flavours fans of this Vietnamese street food classic crave. As for the spice, you add it yourself, but go easy, it’s potent.
The spring roll (not to be confused with the French “rouleau de printemps,” which appears here as the summer roll) looks similar to a fried nem. However, its texture is much lighter, with a “crispy-crunchy” wrapper. The filling – chicken and shrimp in my case – was airy and delicate, although the overall dish was undeniably greasy. Despite this, the flavour was spot-on; these rolls, served in pairs, are delicious.
“Something I Hadn’t Tasted Here Before”
My neighbour, who ordered a beef Pho and a summer roll, was delighted with his meal, summing it up as: “It’s tasty, fragrant, and well-seasoned. Something I hadn’t tasted in Luxembourg before.”
Final Thoughts : The setup is a bit spartan, but the food is excellent. Moien Vietnam is an ideal spot to diversify lunchtime options at Belval Plaza, particularly for office workers seeking a quick meal at reasonable prices.
Moien Vietnam
Belval Plaza Shopping Center
7-14, av. du Rock’n Roll
L-4361 Esch-Belval
Open 11:00—19:00, closed Sundays
moienvietnam.lu
Photos KACHEN
