Eclectic Kim Review: Vietnamese Noodle House

On Sundays in Yellowknife, there are very limited selections of food within walking distance of The Explorer Hotel. Plus, with the landscape illuminating around 11am and setting around 3pm, it’s a very small amount of time for getting to the business of eating in a way that feels relatively normal.

Sitting in my hotel room, I started going through various great sounding spots on my computer. One after the other, I realized that everything I was searching for was closed. Not only restaurants – but business as well.

But, there was one food spot that was open on Sunday and was relatively close to the hotel: Vietnamese Noodle House. So, I bundled – and even added more to my bundle – and made my way down the stairs and outside.

I walked – as a marshmallow – down 48th Street and up Franklin Avenue to the restaurant.

The restaurant was a very small, family run affair. There was one server who was busy tending to a full group. I waited patiently, debundling and getting warm before she came to me and I ordered.

First to arrive was the Vietnamese coffee. It was slow filtered and steamy. She brought out a cup with ice in it. But it was -23 outside. I wanted all the hot sweet coffee I could handle.

The Vermicelli with Charbroiled Beef With Vietnamese spring rolls (served with special fish sauce & topped with lettuce, cucumber, shredded carrots & roasted peanuts) with an additional side of sate sauce arrived next.

But, I made it a point to finish my Xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings) first. These were surprisingly comforting and good.

On a Sunday, this was the most delicious meal I could have. It was cozy, shielded me safely from the weather and allowed me to shuffle to the Yellowknife Visitor Centre with a warmed and satisfied.