Your School. Your Paper. Since 1936.

The Suffolk Journal

Your School. Your Paper. Since 1936.

The Suffolk Journal

Your School. Your Paper. Since 1936.

The Suffolk Journal

SA PA offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a modern twist

By Aiyana Edmund

SA PA, a Vietnamese restaurant with its first location just outside Chinatown, offers authentic cuisine, spiced with a unique and modern flare.

Proprietor Ky Nguyen is foraging a new frontier and has recently opened SA PA’s second location in Cleveland Circle. With pho broth simmering fresh each day and build-your-own bánh mì served on bread baked in-house, Nguyen has found a way to incorporate the authentic Asian cuisine he grew up on in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with a touch of European and American flare.

Sa Pa, a small town in Vietnam, was Nguyen’s inspiration for the growing restaurant’s name. A mix of traditional Vietnamese flavors is found in the beef or vegetable pho noodle bowls and in the Sriracha-lime coated chicken.

Courtesy of Sa Pa website

“The idea was to take those flavors and make them more accessible,” Nguyen said, on his inspiration for Asian cuisine.

Growing up with no refrigeration, baguettes had to be baked daily and meals had to be fresh and fast. Nguyen’s childhood influences have been a tremendous  inspiration for his growing restaurant and style of cooking.

Pictures of Nguyen and his family in Ho Chi Minh City adorn the bright red walls, giving the air a comfortable, laid back ambiance, as if you too were dining with the locals.

With a cafeteria-style system of ordering, you can watch your made-to-order pho, bánh mì burritos, sandwiches and rice bowls being hand crafted. Thai Iced Tea is brewed fresh along with Vietnamese Iced Coffee and Chili Mint Limeade. The prompt and speedy service at SA PA allows you to grab a bite to go or navigate yourself and your tray to a seat in the open dining room.

Vegetarian and gluten free options draw a more diverse crowd to SA PA. Pickled carrots and Daikon (a winter radish), fish sauce, star anise and Umami are just a smattering of flavors that can be found at the two-location restaurant. It is the perfect place to take a break from homework and travel down the green line or order online and discover SA PA treats on your doorstep in no time.

“This is not your typical Chinatown fair,” says Nguyen.

Indeed it is not. Head downtown or to Cleveland Circle to taste for yourself. Enjoy an authentic Vietnamese beer to pair with your pork bánh mì while you watch the game, or have SA PA cater your next event with sandwiches and burritos you’ll be the most gastronomical party of the year.

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SA PA offers authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a modern twist