Review - Saigon Republic

I think of Yogi Berra’s remark that nobody was going to a certain restaurant anymore because it was too crowded whenever I think of  Saigon Republic  in Englewood, New Jersey. We would be more frequent patrons if it wasn’t so popular and in such a small space. We’ve been regulars for a number of years now and it’s only improving with time.  Our advice is to catch them when they open at 5:00pm, before the big evening rush when reservations are an absolute must.

We visited the spot twice within the last few weeks and we are in no danger of getting weary of their excellent Vietnamese cuisine.  We started off with the New Zealand mussels served with a wasabi and ginger sauce that was quite naturally spicy but not so hot as to overwhelm the delectable flavor of this shellfish.  We also enjoyed the summer rolls with your choice of duck, shrimp, chicken, beef or vegetable mixed with mint, cilantro and julienne pepper wrapped in rice paper. We chose the duck filling which was tasty and not in slightest greasy. This appetizer was far superior to the dumplings which were surprisingly bland and unexciting.  Last Friday I was adventurous enough to deviate from my usual habit of selecting their terrific Phad Thai and  decided to try one of the specials. Lucy and I both went with the Asian flounder, lightly fried with caramelized onions and served with a ginger sauce. The fish was tender and flavorful and we ate every morsel. I’m not that crazy about the deserts. On our earlier outing we had the taro with sweet rice wrapped in banana leaves. I found it to be a little bit too under stated for my Western sweet tooth. Far better was the simply prepared fried bananas with vanilla ice cream that topped off our early evening meal quite nicely.

Saigon Republic does not have a liquor license but there is an excellent liquor store nearby on West Palisades Avenue that specializes in wine only. Ask them about it.  Street parking in Englewood can be as frustrating as it is in Manhattan and we suggest you allot some extra time for this hunt. They are located at 58 West Palisades Avenue in Englewood, New Jersey. Their number is 201-871 4777 and as previously noted, we strongly recommend that you call ahead for reservations.