Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 2 and Version 1 of Yaki Noodle Bar, IG11 8RY

Chinese and Vietnamese restaurant in Barking, conveniently located just across the road and along a bit from Barking Station.

The decor is firmly canteen-style, seating around 70 people at tables and benches fixed to the floor. It's neat and clean-looking, though, and well-lit during the daytime thanks to the full-length windows at the front.

Kake visited on a Monday lunchtime in July 2012. There were around 7 or 8 other customers when I arrived a little before 1pm. Music was playing, not too loud, but a little cheesy for my taste. A small dish of prawn crackers was placed on the table as I sat down, and my requested tap water arrived swiftly in a glass with ice.

Much of the menu looked a bit generic, but I spotted a section of Vietnamese noodle dishes and decided to try the lemongrass chicken and rice noodles with salad (£4.60) photo. The chicken component was a little on the chewy side, but there was plenty of it and the lemongrass flavour was detectable (if subtle). The salad — lettuce, cucumber, and red onion — was very fresh, the noodles themselves were fine, and the crushed peanut topping was in good proportion to the rest of the dish. The fish sauce supplied on the side wasn't quite fishy enough for my taste, though at least it wasn't too sweet.

Service was fine. No service charge was added to the bill.

Kake's verdict: I wouldn't travel to come here, but I'm in the area a lot now and hence will probably go back to try some of their tofu dishes.

Accessibility: No steps to get in — there's a ramp from the pavement. Haven't checked the toilets yet.

See also:

• Ad's Rants And Burblings review
• All In London comments

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