SAPA Vietnamese Restaurant

Just a few steps from the "Marktplatz" S-Bahn station, on the car-free path between Berliner Strasse and Büsingpalais, an unusual culinary oasis opens up: the Vietnamese restaurant Sapa.

Sa Pa is located in northern Vietnam at an altitude of 1,600 meters. It gets so cold there in winter that it even snows. That's something very special in Vietnam," we learn as we nibble on one of the country's specialties, deliciously crispy spring rolls, at one of the wooden tables in our summer dresses and pirate pants. "Can I bring some more sauce?" asks Than Chien Nguyen solicitously. The attentive owner of the restaurant and his kitchen team are clearly delighted when their guests enjoy their food. And they do: whether it's traditional rice ribbon noodle soup, deep-fried vegetables or aromatic, tender duck skewers with teriyaki sauce refined according to a home recipe - all starters are home-made and crispy fresh. "No ready-made sauces, no glutamate" is the rule at Sapa. Typical of the country, the dishes are fried very hot and briefly, prepared in wok pans and grilled food is served on a hot iron plate.

In Vietnam, people traditionally eat at bar stools or standing up at small street stalls, the cookshops. In Herrnstrasse, the atmosphere is almost elegant - outside on garden chairs or in the modern interior, which is styled like a bar without any Asian kitsch. One decoration that many of the dishes lovingly served on white plates could not do without is fresh mint. The leaves are not just ornamental, but round off the food aromatically: the cool freshness goes just as well with the house specialty, "Bo cuon lá Lot" (beef in lot leaves), as it does with "Do bien xào gùng" (salmon, prawns, crab meat and Tingen fish with celery, fresh ginger and oyster sauce).

The menu at Sapa offers a wide selection for vegetarians. Most dishes can also be ordered in small portions. This means you can put together a varied menu in no time at all or, for a larger group of guests, a richly laid table with dishes to suit every taste. We recommend trying chopsticks and a rice bowl instead of a knife, fork and plate. Than Cien is happy to patiently show his guests how best to do this.

The popular Vietnamese drink is green tea - which goes best with the food at Sapa. Saigon beer is also available, as is a wine list. Than Cien has dispensed with traditional snake schnapps for digestion on its specialty menu. But there is one thing you should definitely not miss: "Kem Chien" - deep-fried vanilla and chocolate ice cream in a coconut-peanut coating. This delicious dessert is not a typical local specialty, but Than Chien's own creation "made in Offenbach".

Sapa also offers a reasonably priced lunch menu and a delivery service. An additional 2 euros is charged for orders under 12 euros and outside Offenbach.

Price check:
Starters from €3.50 to €11.50 (finger food plate for 2 people)
Soups and salads from €3 to €5.
Main courses from €9 to €15.50.
Desserts from €3 to €4.50.