Wow. You know when you’re going somewhere or going to do something that you just kind of have a negative, preconceived, judgmental idea about? That was me with going to the new Sawleaf Cafe in Irvine, but I was VERY wrong, and I am VERY ashamed of myself. I typically don’t like Vietnamese food, so I figured that I wasn’t going to like Sawleaf very much- especially since I vaguely remember trying the sweet potato fries one night at the Packing House and being disappointed. I will NEVER EVER think negatively before trying a restaurant ever again.
My lunch at Sawleaf last week was one of the most satisfying, smile-worthy, wonderful meals I have had recently. When I arrived, I was greeted and Michael, the manager on duty, walked me through the menu after I told him I had never been to Sawleaf before. He did an amazing job of explaining the menu to me and giving good recommendations. After ordering, Michael and the other girl working were attentive and very hospitable towards me; which I really appreciated!
I ordered a few different items so I could try a variety and take some home. Everything was SO good, I honestly could have eaten it all…
Chicken Bun Salad Style : Vermicelli noodles, cucumbers, carrots, and lettuce with some AMAZING lemongrass chicken. It even came with 2 egg roll bites! This was a very simple, but SUPER flavorful salad. It is served with a side of their house sweet chili-sauce, and I added some hoisin sauce. Light & refreshing!!
Pork Belly Banh Mi : The Banh Mi itself was probably one of the best I have ever had. I really appreciated how their “baguette” wasn’t way too chewy (like most usually are), but wasn’t so soft that it got soggy either. Perfect. The pork belly itself was more like traditional bacon. Really good!
Egg Roll Bites : Omg. So good. Some of the crispiest, freshest tasting egg rolls ever. I love the fact that they are “bites”. Kind of like pizza rolls for egg rolls LOL
Loaded Sweet Potato Fries with Shrimp : WOW these were GOOD. I am super picky about my sweet potato fries, but these were SO GOOD! The sauce on them did NOT make them soggy at all, and the shrimp was so good. Sounds like a weird combination, but delicious. I pretty much devoured the whole plate.
I cannot wait to keep returning to Sawleaf. Simple menu, simple food, but healthy, refreshing, and flavorful! Irvine doesn’t have any “fast-casual” Vietnamese restaurants, so this is such a change! Especially since the service is so spectacular, too! I am a BIG fan!! 🙂
Sauce Boss Suggestions : SRIRACHA AIOLI, Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce, and some sort of peanut sauce that comes on the pork belly banh- mi.. All SO good! Definitely not your average Asian dipping sauces… so much tastier!
Sauce Boss Shelby 