Salvation in Noodles, Finsbury Park

After the success of its first restaurant in Dalston, Salvation in Noodles opened a second branch in Finsbury Park. Why is this noteworthy?

Because it is close to where I live- BOOM.

Summer Spring Rolls - Pork and Prawns

Vietnamese food to me is all about fresh, zesty flavours. Add a little fish sauce here and there and you are back in South East Asia sitting with the locals eating and sharing the quality food they have.

Here in Salvation in Noodles, you have the sense that the street vibe is transported to North London alongside the Dalston Hipster scene too. This welcoming and friendly restaurant on Blackstock road surprised me as I immediately forgot my surroundings and I just wanted to sit back and drink my Vietnamese beer and forgot about "my worries and my strife".

Beef in Betal Leaf - Salad

Mi Quang - Pork Belly and Prawns

I was close to ordering too much as the menu all looks very appealing and appetising. From spring and summer rolls to fried chicken wings, I wanted to sample it all, tapas style. It wasn't to be and I went for a shared portion of summer rolls and a main course each. Laura had the salad and I went for the noodle soup.

Lovely pictures of the food above- wouldn't you agree?

Fresh, vibrant and tasty. The strong odours and fragrant spices were a delight and the relaxing nature of the restaurant means that I will be visiting again.

The summer rolls were packed full of veg, prawns and pork. Encased in very thin rice paper, the roll felt healthier and lighter to eat. These rolls were dipped in a nutty sauce and I then added some extra sirracha sauce for heat.

The reason for the shared starter was because I knew the mains would be two generous bowl of goodness. My Mi Quang was packed full of noodles, vegetables, copious servings of pork belly and prawns, herbs, chilli and lime. If it sounds like a lot, then it was. I managed to eat most of my dish and the flavoursome broth which had the spice and heat was gulped down, until I could gulp no more.

The salad that Laura had with the beef wrapped in Betal leaf which was just as filling. Noodles with salad and all the accompaniments makes you think of salads in a different way. The leaf kept the beef together and stopped it from drying out and initially with four pieces I thought it was a bit stingy. However, I was wrong. Stuffed - Full - Done - Enough.

Salad and Soup. These are now no longer the domain of the starters or sides. These are now fully fledged members of the main courses and therefore are tasked with filling your bellies and taste buds until they can take no more.

Salvation in Noodles offers all this, priced relatively well; £40 meal for two with drinks. Close by and relaxed, I will be back. Thank you Vietnam, always remain Calm. (Sorry about the rhymes there).