Panda Panda Cafe, 8 Deptford Broadway, Deptford, SE8 4PA
THINK of Vietnamese food and there's a fair chance baguettes don't come instantly to mind.
But that's the speciality of Panda Panda which has been brightening up Deptford's Broadway for several years now.
While Deptford is a real south London hotspot for tasty Vietnamese food the likelihood is you won't want it for lunch - whereas a Panda Panda banh mi sandwich really hits the spot.
Open from 10.30am to 6pm, a steady stream of punters make their way to the fresh and colourful cafe, some eating in and having their meal accompanied by MTV.
I went for the grilled pork belly banh mi (£3.45) served with salad, peanut and chilli - when they ask if you want this try not to yell "of course" like the affronted man who came in after me.
It was ready after a five minute wait and was delicious, the pork was a little chewy in places but it had just the right kick.
I decided to go for the curry fish balls as well - eight spheres of unspecific aquatic flesh which needed the curry sauce to provide flavour.
Elsewhere on the menu, you can wrap your chops around bowls of noodles (£4.95) and salads (from £3.95) along with a range of eye-popping fruit desserts with names like Mango Mania (£2.45).
But, sandwiches aside, the cafe really comes into it's own with it's range of drinks, including a range of bubble teas (£2.45) and milkshakes (£2.95) available made from pretty much every chocolate bar in the world.
For those who don't fancy a cocoa-overload, the fresh juices (£2.75) are mighty fine too - another reason to hit the Broadway next lunchtime.
FOOD ****
Tasty, different and cheap.
SERVICE ****
Friendly and quick.
INTERIOR/DECOR ****
Bright and buzzy
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