Lunch & Nostalgia @ Basu Coffee Bar & Vietnamese Eatery

Jun 19, 2021Food, Illinois, Reviews

thumbs up smiley
  • Food Quality 90% 90%
  • Service 87% 87%
  • Atmosphere 80% 80%

1361 Shermer Road
Northbrook, IL 60062

(224) 904-3364

Spring rolls with tofu, avocado, lettuce, vermicelli noodles, cucumber, and a pineapple peanut dipping sauce

We were hoping to try their pho, but while they did have a “Crispy Tofu Pho”—the broth was a bone broth, so it was not plant-based.

So, we decided to have the Garden Spring Rolls (“vegetarian”) as an appetizer and the “Veggiecado” Ban Mi (vegetarian or vegan w/o mayo), a Vietnamese sandwich.

It was pretty tasty. The appetizer was simple, and perfectly wrapped [I would, however, have loved some mint or perilla in it–Cara].The baguette, was especially good: soft, and with a nice texture.

Finally, my wife ordered an iced mocha. It was really good! [Yes it was! — Cara] The taste was really nostalgic for me–reminding me of  the milk coffee I had with Japanese school lunches. I loved it!

–Moe

Moe smiling at table
Storefront of Basu eatery (brick building with curved window)

Some Minor Complaints:

TEMPERATURE ISSUES
The self-service water was not cold, and the temperature of the cafe itself was not particularly cool either. This was a bit unsatisfying for a very hot and humid day!

MORE PLANT-BASED OPTIONS NEEDED
It would be nice if they offered a vegetarian/vegan broth for their veggie pho. We believe it would be a very popular menu item, since more and more people are switching to a plant-based diet. We would definitely try it!

illustration of iced coffee with abstract green & yellow background
the Veggiecado ban mi: crispy tofu pieces, avocado, tomato, lettuce, and sweet chili sauce on a baguette

Have you eaten here? What did you think?