We came to Non on the youngest’s recommendation prior to seeing Denize perform (admirably) in a show at the Almeida. I’m a big enthusiast for Vietnamese cooking and was more than happy to settle in early evening for some tasty stuff.

My eye was immediately taken by the sauce bottles. While they were standard south Asian brands Greg tipped me off that in fact Non make their own and decant it. Our bottle had no label but the one on the table next door was labelled ‘Very Hot’, while another at a distance had the legend ‘Super Hot’. This was very encouraging and put me in mind of Saigon from my Northampton days. Other jars were dotted around containing oil, garlic and chilli and there was also sticky thick hoi sin for dipping.

Unlike Saigon the room is canteen style and doesn’t feel like you’re eating in someone’s front room. But you do get a good view of people strolling past on Holloway Road. We had a couple of summer rolls to start, which came packed with prawns and veg. I went for a chicken Phô after that and slapped in a good dollop of sauce. Yamma hamma! I could feel the ferocious heat and swiftly ordered another draught Asahi. My mouth deliciously on fire I munched my way manfully though a goodly heap of noodles, chicken and veg in my inelegantly chopsticked style.

Non is a step up from your standard Vietnamese for the condiments alone, I only wish it was in walking distance but I guess two tube stops is worth the effort for a better offer than you get in Stroud Green.

8/10

To see where else I’ve been click on the google map below.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=18qCyiPZih_gzhGG8mwfacnNRWD3b0bo&ehbc=2E312F

Food London Food Highbury Holloway Road London Vietnamese