This is our review of nụ (Nuu) Vietnamese Dishes & Tea (Maps), visited in February 2026.
Tucked away quietly in a residential area of Kinuta, Setagaya, “nụ (Nuu) Vietnamese Dishes & Tea” is a small spot that feels like a cozy Vietnamese eatery—one that invites you to drop by on a lazy afternoon.
A little slice of Vietnam in a quiet neighborhood
About a 15-minute walk from Soshigaya-Okura Station—and just a short turn from the “Seiiku Iryo Kenkyu Center Mae” bus stop—you’ll find a shop with white walls and a softly hand-drawn logo marking its entrance. Step inside, and a calm space unfolds: wooden tables and chairs radiate warmth, quiet displays of Vietnamese goods catch the eye, and the peaceful air makes you sigh in relief as the world outside falls away.
With only about twelve seats, the restaurant feels intimate. Gentle, welcoming staff move quietly between tables, creating the warm atmosphere of being invited into a Vietnamese home. True to its concept of “rice, fermentation, herbs, and spices on one plate,” the menu and the handwritten blackboard showcase dishes that are kind to the body yet full of flavor. At lunchtime, regulars from the neighborhood gather around tables in calm conversation.
The anticipation before the chicken phở arrives
For lunch that day, I chose the chicken phở (Phở gà). It’s one of their most popular dishes, even on Uber Eats, described as “a simple, slow-simmered chicken broth served with tender meat and aromatic spices.” It’s the perfect dish to understand what “nụ” is all about.
Soon after ordering, the kitchen fills the air with the gentle aroma of chicken bones simmering slowly—a faint sweetness mingled with the faint smokiness of sautéed aromatics. When the bowl is placed in front of you, your eyes are first drawn to the golden, translucent broth. On top rest snowy white rice noodles, moist slices of pink-tinted chicken, and a vivid mountain of bean sprouts and herbs—an artful contrast of colors and textures.
A gentle bowl that lets you travel through scent and texture
Bringing the bowl closer, you catch the rich fragrance of chicken broth layered with the freshness of herbs and spices—tickling your senses with each breath. The first sip surprises you with its lightness. The broth is almost grease-free yet deeply flavorful, spreading soft umami across the tongue, followed by a delicate sweetness of cinnamon and star anise that lingers pleasantly.
The rice noodles slide smoothly into the mouth, with a springy chew that complements the clarity of the broth. The chicken is perfectly cooked—tender and moist, releasing a natural sweetness as you chew, which merges beautifully with the savory depth of the soup. It’s simple, yet sophisticated in flavor.
Crisp bean sprouts and thinly sliced carrots add rhythm to the soft noodles, and mixing in mint and cilantro instantly transforms the aroma—like a breeze from Vietnam. A squeeze of lime sharpens the flavor, while a few drops of fish sauce bring out hidden saltiness and depth, allowing the same bowl to shift its personality again and again.
A comforting midday treat that gently warms the soul
While “nụ” also offers a daily lunch plate, the chicken phở is a reliable favorite—gentle on the stomach and perfect for days when you have plans afterward. Even after finishing the last drop, the dish leaves no heaviness; instead, it warms you from within, embodying the restaurant’s idea of “Vietnamese food that’s kind to the body.”
Here in Setagaya, this bowl captures not the intensity but the quiet beauty of Vietnam. Though the menu changes every few weeks, for a first visit, I recommend starting with the chicken phở. It’s the best way to experience “nụ’s” thoughtful craftsmanship and serene world.
