Taste Vietnamese Cuisine
152 Morrisville Square Way, Morrisville
(919) 234-6385 • Facebook.com/taste.v.cuisine
Average lunch entrée: $8-12

It’s hard to imagine  finding a Vietnamese eatery any more authentic than Taste on this side of the world. Need evidence? Consider Exhibit A: pho, a broth-based rice-noodle soup that’s traditionally considered the common people’s food in Vietnam. Large bowls are served with a side of bean sprouts, basil and cilantro, and a lime wedge.     

“Some people like to add hoisin or Sriracha hot sauce to give it more spiciness,” said co-owner Phuong Kim Nguyen, who hails from Vietnam but has lived in the United States for 30 years. She and her husband, Song Nguyen, opened Taste in January.  

A large bowl of pho is a solid representation of the traditional rice-noodle soup popular among natives of Vietnam. Authentic provisions like Vietnamese egg rolls, bahn mi and vermicelli noodles abound at Morrisville’s Taste Vietnamese Cuisine.

Further legitimacy comes in the form of goi cuon, or fresh shrimp spring rolls, filled with steamed shrimp, pork, vermicelli, mint, lettuce and bean sprouts enveloped in thin rice paper.
“The peanut sauce served for dipping purposes is also homemade,” Kim said.
 
Barbecued beef short ribs are as tender as you’ll find anywhere. Equally juicy grilled pork erupts with tanginess.

“It has a lot of sweet and salty flavors,” said Kim. “We marinate it overnight with lemongrass, paprika, garlic and oyster sauce.”

While the restaurant’s simple, airy dining room is still evolving, service is already rock-solid and enthusiastic. Daily specials are available. Taste is open for lunch daily, while dinner is served Wednesday through Monday.