Nem Nem is a family run Vietnamese restaurant at 279 Upper Street in Islington. Part of a family kitchen established in London in 2015, the cosy two-level venue focuses on honest, informal cooking rather than elaborate presentation.
Phở is one of the restaurant’s central dishes, balancing flat rice noodles with a broth simmered for hours and aromatics such as charred ginger and onion. The result draws on Southern Vietnamese roots while remaining light enough for a weekday lunch or evening bowl.
The wider menu includes Vietnamese pancakes, bún dishes, rolls and other family style classics. A notably extensive vegan selection uses mushrooms, tofu and plant based interpretations with the same attention as the meat and seafood dishes, rather than treating them as an afterthought.
Traditional phin-filtered Vietnamese coffee offers a slower finish, with the filter brought to the table to brew. The relaxed service, broad vegan choice and sharing friendly menu make Nem Nem useful for solo diners, mixed groups and casual dinners along Upper Street.
Address: 279 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2TZ, England
Nem Nem Menu
Starters
NEW BETEL WRAPPED BEEF / Bò lá lốt
Grilled minced beef wrapped with betel leaf, rice vermicelli, herbs & fish sauce
SELF-ROLLING TABLE GRIDDLE BEEF / Bò cuốn tại bàn
Rib-eyesteak, garlic, mixed herbs, rice papers. Price per head-minimum for 2
SPRING ROLLS / Chả nem
Crispy rolls filled by minced prawn, pork, mixed mushroom & glass noodles
SUMMER ROLLS / Gỏi cuốn
Fresh soft rice paper rolls filled with prawns, herbs, fish sauce
BETEL WRAPPED TOFU / Đậu phụ lá lốt
Tofu, mushroom, fungus, served with rice vermicelli, herbs & vegan fish sauce
SELF-ROLLING TABLE GRIDDLE MUSHROOM / Nấm cuốn tại bàn
King oyster mushroom, garlic, mixed herbs, rice paper. Price per head-minimum for 2
VEGAN SPRING ROLLS / Chả nem chay
Crispy rolls filled by mixed mushroom, mung bean, taro, kohlrabi & glass noodles
SUMMER ROLLS / Gỏi cuốn chay
Fresh soft rice paper rolls and choice of fried tofu OR fresh avocado with vegan sauce
NEM NEM/ Khai vị thập cẩm
Spring rolls, prawn summer rolls, crispy pepper prawn & squid and mixed salad. Price per head – minimum for 2pp.
BETEL WRAPPED BEEF/ Bò lá lốt
Grilled minced beef wrapped with betel leaf, rice vermicelli, herbs & fish sauce
SELF-ROLLING TABLE GRIDDLE BEEF/ Bò cuốn tại bàn
Rib-eyesteak, garlic, mixed herbs, rice papers. Price per head – minimum for 2.
SPRING ROLLS/ Chả nem
Crispy rolls filled by minced prawn, pork, mixed mushroom & glass noodles
SUMMER ROLLS/ Gỏi cuốn
Fresh soft rice paper rolls filled with prawns, herbs, fish sauce
LA VONG FISH/ Chả cá Lã Vọng
Mekong catfish with dill, turmeric, galangal, rice vermicelli, fish sauce
GOLDEN PANCAKE/ Bánh xèo
Crispy rice flour pancake filled with chicken & prawn, fish sauce
LIME-CURED BEEF/ Bò tái chanh
Served rare, herbs, lime juice and lemongrass, “hot mint”
CRISPY CHILLI & PEPPER/ Món rang muối
Prawns OR squid
CHICKEN WINGS/ Cánh gà
Crispy corn-fed chicken wings with roasted rice & lemongrass
HANOI SWEET POTATO PANCAKE / Bánh tôm Hà Nội
King prawns bedded on sweet potato cake
SWEET BASIL DUCK/ Vịt húng quế
Crispy duck breast with galangal, chilli and lemongrass
CHICKEN SALAD / Nộm gà
Cabbage, chicken, onion, Vietnamese special herbs, refined with mint- fish dressing & peanuts
PRAWN GREEN APPLE SALAD/ Nộm táo tôm
King prawn, peanuts, herbs, refined with mint-fish dressing
SQUID MANGO SALAD/ Nộm mực xoài
Fresh squid, roasted peanuts & Vietnamese herbs, refined with mint-fish dressing
Salads
CHICKEN SALAD / Nộm gà
Cabbage, chicken, onion, Vietnamese special herbs, refined with mint-fish dressing & peanuts
PRAWN GREEN APPLE SALAD / Nộm táo tôm
King prawn, peanuts, herbs, refined with mint-fish dressing
SQUID MANGO SALAD / Nộm mực xoài
Fresh squid, roasted peanuts & Vietnamese herbs, refined with mint-fish dressing
VEGETARIAN DUCK SALAD / Nộm vịt chay
Cabbage, vegan duck, peanuts & Vietnamese herbs, refined with vegetarian dressing
TOFU APPLE SALAD / Nộm táo đậu phụ
Crispy tofu, peanuts, herbs, refined with vegetarian dressing
MUSHROOM MANGO SALAD / Nộm nấm xoài
Mixed mushrooms, roasted peanuts & Vietnamese herbs, refined with vegetarian dressing
Small Eats
MUSHROOM LEMONGRASS / Nấm sả
King oyster mushroom, chili, lemongrass & mixed peppers & onions
VEGAN CASHEW CHICKEN / Gà xào hạt điều chay
Stir-fried vegan chicken with cashew nuts, mixed peppers & onions
IMPERIAL CHICKEN / Gà rô ti chay
Homemade crispy vegan chicken, king oyster mushroom & aubergine wrapped in a crispy tofu sheet and topped with soy sauce
SHAKING MUSHROOM / Nấm lúc lắc
King oyster mushroom to perfection with garlic, peppers, onions & soy sauce
VEGAN PEPPER DUCK / Vịt tiêu chay
Crispy vegan duck, topped with soured and pepper sauce
BUDA AUBERGINE / Cà tím phật
Steamed aubergine stuffed with fried tofu & “tia to” herb
MANGO VEGAN FISH / Cá xoài chay
Vegan fishy aubergine with fresh mango & fish sauce
STIR FRIED VEGAN SCALLOPS / Điệp chay xào rau
Home-made scallops by seaweed marinated king mushrooms bedded by tenderstem broccoli
GRILLED VEGAN SCALLOPS / Điệp nướng chay
Seaweed marinated king oyster mushroom, grilled with spring onion, peanuts & shallots
VEGAN HANOI FISH / Chả cá Lã Vọng chay
Seaweed marinated aubergine with dill, turmeric and galangal, rice vermicelli, roasted peanuts, vegan fish sauce
XEO TOFU PANCAKE / Bánh xèo đậu phụ
Crispy rice flour pancake filled with organic silky tofu, bean sprouts, herbs
CRISPY CHILLI & PEPPER / Món rang muối
Vegan “chicken” OR Silken tofu
HANOI SWEET POTATO PANCAKE / Bánh chuối
Banana bedded on sweet potato cake
CRISPY CHILLI & PEPPER ENOKITAKE MUSHROOMS / Nấm kim rang muối
Curry & Claypot
CURRY DUCK / Cà ri vịt
Duck thigh, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in curry sauce, coconut milk with lemongrass
MEKONG CATFISH CURRY / Cá cà ri
Fillet catfish, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in curry sauce, coconut milk with lemongrass
CARAMELISED PORK CLAY POT / Thịt kho
Slow cooked pork belly, in caramelized coconut sauce
LAMB CURRY / Cà ri cừu
Spicy lamb, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in red curry sauce, coconut
VEGAN CURRY DUCK / Vịt cà ri chay
Vegan duck, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in curry sauce, coconut milk with lemongrass.
MIXED MUSHROOM & VEGETABLE CLAYPOT / Nấm kho tộ
Braised in caramelized sauce
TOFU & AUBERGINE CURRY / Đậu phụ & cà tím cà ri
Slow cooked curry mixed with peppers, onions
Mains
CHICKEN LEMONGRASS / Gà sả
Wok-fried corn-fed chicken breast with chili and lemongrass
CASHEW CHICKEN / Gà xào hạt điều
Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, mixed peppers and onions
IMPERIAL CHICKEN / Gà rô ti
Crispy marinated chicken with honey, five spices & dried herbs
MARBLED SHAKING BEEF / Bò lúc lắc
Tender cubes of rib-eyesteak, sweet pepper, garlic onions, soy sauce
NEM NEM PEPPER DUCK / Vịt tiêu Nem Nem
Crispy duck breast, topped with soured and peppered sauce
VIETNAMESE BEEF STEW / Bò sốt vang
Slow braised brisket, lemongrass, sweet shallots, cinnamon in rich beef broth
MANGO FISH / Cá xoài
Crispy seabass with the sweet mango & fish sauce
GOLDEN KING PRAWN / Tôm sốt kim sa
Crispy king prawns in creamy salted egg sauce
LIME-CURED BEEF / Bò tái chanh
Served rare, herbs, lime juice and lemongrass, “hot mint”
LA VONG FISH / Chả cá Lã Vọng
Mekong catfish with dill, turmeric, galangal, rice vermicelli, fish sauce
GOLDEN PANCAKE / Bánh xèo
Crispy rice flour pancake filled with chicken & prawn, fish sauce
CRISPY CHILLI & PEPPER / Món rang muối
Prawns OR squid
HANOI SWEET POTATO PANCAKE / Bánh tôm Hà Nội
King prawns bedded on sweet potato cake
CHICKEN WINGS / Cánh gà
Crispy corn-fed chicken wings with roasted rice & lemongrass
SWEET BASIL DUCK / Vịt húng quế
Crispy duck breast with galangal, chilli and lemongrass
Sides
JASMINE RICE / Cơm
EGG FRIED RICE / Cơm rang
VEGAN FRIED RICE / Cơm rang chay
No egg with mixed vegetables
WOK-FRIED RICE NOODLE / Phở xào
With vegetables
GREEN PAKCHOI / Rau cải
Stir-fried in rich garlic sauce OR steamed & topped soy sauce
TENDER-STEM BROCCOLI / Rau lơ
Stir-fried in rich garlic sauce OR steamed & topped soy sauce
Noodle Soup
CLASSIC BEEF PHO / Phở bò
A choice of rare steak & well-done soft sliced of beef shin OR sliced fillet steak sauteed in garlic
BEEF STEW PHO / Phở bò sốt vang
Slow braised brisket, lemongrass, sweet shallots, cinnamon in rich beef broth
HANOI CHICKEN PHO / Phở gà
Shredded corn-fed chicken with beef broth, lime leaves
SPICY PRAWN PHO / Phở tôm cay
Prawn in spicy beef broth
BUN BO HUE / Bún bò Huế
The spicy broth from Hue imperial city with thin cut of marinated beef (choice of adding or NOT adding the home-made Vietnamese pork sausage)
SPICY FISH BUN / Bún cá cay
The spicy broth from Hue with Mekong catfish dill, turmeric & galangal
VEGAN CHICKEN PHO / Phở gà chay
With mixed vegetables & vegetable broth
TOFU & VEGETABLE PHO / Phở đậu phụ rau
Tofu & mixed seasonal vegetables in vegetable broth
MIXED MUSHROOM PHO / Phở nấm
in vegetable broth
VEGAN SPICY SCALLOPS / Bún điệp chay cay
Scallops, seaweed, king mushroom, mixed seasonal vegetables
Noodle Salad
WOK-FRIED NOODLE / Phở xào
Choice of prawns OR chicken with vegetables in soy sauce
"SOUTHERN BUN BO" / Bún bò Nam Bộ
Sauteed beef with garlic, onion, rice vermicelli, fish sauce
BUN CHA HA NOI / Bún chả Hà Nội
Charcoal grilled pork on rice vermicelli, fish sauce
BUN SA / Bún sả
Wok-fried chicken OR prawns with chili and lemongrass, Vietnamese herbs and rice vermicelli
SPICY VIETNAMESE SPECIAL FRIED RICE / Cơm rang cay
With prawns OR chicken OR mixed prawns & chicken
VEGAN WOK-FRIED NOODLE / Phở xào chay
With tofu, mushrooms and vegetables in soy sauce
VEGAN BUN CHA / Bún chả chay
BBQ pork, vegetarian spring roll, salad & vegan fish sauce
"SOUTHERN" VEGAN BUN BO / Bún bò nam bộ chay
Sauteed king oyster mushrooms with garlic, onion, rice vermicelli, vegan fish sauce
VEGAN BUN SA / Bún sả chay
Wok fried tofu & mushroom with chili and lemongrass, Vietnamese herbs and rice vermicelli
Platters
NEM NEM / Khai vị thập cẩm
Spring rolls, prawn summer rolls, crispy pepper prawn & squid and mixed salad. Price per head-minimum for 2pp
VEGAN / Khai vị chay
Vegetarian spring rolls, avocado summer rolls, crispy pepper tofu, vegan chicken & mixed salad. Price per head-minimum for 2pp
Vegan Starters
VEGAN PLATTER/ Khai vị chay
Vegetarian spring rolls, avocado summer rolls, crispy pepper tofu, vegan chicken & mixed salad. Price per head – minimum for 2pp.
BETEL WRAPPED TOFU/ Đậu phụ lá lốt
Tofu, mushroom, fungus, served with rice vermicelli, herbs & vegan fish sauce
SELF-ROLLING TABLE GRIDDLE MUSHROOM/ Nấm cuốn tại bàn
King oyster mushroom, garlic, mixed herbs, rice paper. Price per head – minimum for 2.
VEGAN SPRING ROLLS/ Chả nem chay
Crispy rolls filled by mixed mushroom, mung bean, taro, kohlrabi & glass noodles
SUMMER ROLLS/ Gỏi cuốn chay
Fresh soft rice paper rolls and choice of fried tofu OR fresh avocado with vegan sauce
VEGAN HANOI FISH/ Chả cá Lã Vọng chay
Seaweed marinated aubergine with dill, turmeric and galangal, rice vermicelli, roasted peanuts, vegan fish sauce
XEO TOFU PANCAKE/ Bánh xèo đậu phụ
Crispy rice flour pancake filled with organic silky tofu, bean sprouts, herbs
GRILLED VEGAN SCALLOPS/ Điệp nướng chay
Seaweed marinated king oyster mushroom, grilled with spring onion, peanuts & shallots
CRISPY CHILLI & PEPPER ENOKITAKE MUSHROOMS/ Nấm kim rang muối
CRISPY CHILLI & PEPPER/ Món rang muối
Vegan “chicken” OR Silken tofu
HANOI SWEET POTATO PANCAKE/ Bánh chuối
Banana bedded on sweet potato cake
VEGETARIAN DUCK SALAD/ Nộm vịt chay
Cabbage, vegan duck, peanuts & Vietnamese herbs, refined with vegetarian dressing
TOFU APPLE SALAD/ Nộm táo đậu phụ
Crispy tofu, peanuts, herbs, refined with vegetarian dressing
MUSHROOM MANGO SALAD/ Nộm nấm xoài
Mixed mushrooms, roasted peanuts & Vietnamese herbs, refined with vegetarian dressing
Main Dishes
CHICKEN LEMONGRASS/ Gà sả
Wok-fried corn-fed chicken breast with chili and lemongrass
CASHEW CHICKEN/ Gà xào hạt điều
Stir-fried chicken with cashew nuts, mixed peppers and onions
IMPERIAL CHICKEN/ Gà rô ti
Crispy marinated chicken with honey, five spices & dried herbs
MARBLED SHAKING BEEF/ Bò lúc lắc
Tender cubes of rib-eyesteak, sweet pepper, garlic onions, soy sauce
NEM NEM PEPPER DUCK/ Vịt tiêu Nem Nem
Crispy duck breast, topped with soured and peppered sauce
VIETNAMESE BEEF STEW/ Bò sốt vang
Slow braised brisket, lemongrass, sweet shallots, cinnamon in rich beef broth
MANGO FISH/ Cá xoài
Crispy seabass with the sweet mango & fish sauce
GOLDEN KING PRAWN/ Tôm sốt kim sa
Crispy king prawns in creamy salted egg sauce
CURRY DUCK/ Cà ri vịt
Duck thigh, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in curry sauce, coconut milk with lemongrass
MEKONG CATFISH CURRY/ Cá cà ri
Fillet catfish, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in curry sauce, coconut milk with lemongrass
CARAMELISED PORK CLAY POT/ Thịt kho
Slow cooked pork belly, in caramelized coconut sauce
LAMB CURRY/ Cà ri cừu
Spicy lamb, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in red curry sauce, coconut
JASMINE RICE/ Cơm
WOK-FRIED RICE NOODLE/ Phở xào
With vegetables
EGG FRIED RICE/ Cơm rang
GREEN PAKCHOI/ Rau cải
Stir-fried in rich garlic sauce OR steamed & topped soy sauce
TENDER-STEM BROCCOLI/ Rau lơ
Stir-fried in rich garlic sauce OR steamed & topped soy sauce
Vegan Main Dishes
VEGAN CASHEW CHICKEN/ Gà xào hạt điều chay
Stir-fried vegan chicken with cashew nuts, mixed peppers & onions
VEGAN IMPERIAL CHICKEN/ Gà rô ti chay
Homemade crispy vegan chicken, king oyster mushroom & aubergine wrapped in a crispy tofu sheet and topped with soy sauce
SHAKING MUSHROOM/ Nấm lúc lắc
King oyster mushroom to perfection with garlic, peppers, onions & soy sauce
VEGAN PEPPER DUCK/ Vịt tiêu chay
Crispy vegan duck, topped with soured and pepper sauce
MANGO VEGAN FISH/ Cá xoài chay
Vegan fishy aubergine with fresh mango & fish sauce
BUDA AUBERGINE/ Cà tím phật
Steamed aubergine stuffed with fried tofu & “tia to” herb
STIR FRIED VEGAN SCALLOPS/ Điệp chay xào rau
Home-made scallops by seaweed marinated king mushrooms bedded by tenderstem broccoli
TOFU & AUBERGINE CURRY/ Đậu phụ & cà tím cà ri
Slow cooked curry mixed with peppers, onions
MIXED MUSHROOM & VEGETABLE CLAYPOT/ Nấm kho tộ
Braised in caramelized sauce
VEGAN CURRY DUCK/ Vịt cà ri chay
Vegan duck, king oyster mushrooms, mixed peppers & onions in curry sauce, coconut milk with lemongrass.
VEGAN FRIED RICE/ Cơm rang chay
No egg with mixed vegetables
Noodle Dishes
CLASSIC BEEF PHO/ Phở bò
A choice of rare steak & well-done soft sliced of beef shin OR sliced fillet steak sauteed in garlic
BEEF STEW PHO/ Phở bò sốt vang
Slow braised brisket, lemongrass, sweet shallots, cinnamon in rich beef broth
HANOI CHICKEN PHO/ Phở gà
Shredded corn-fed chicken with beef broth, lime leaves
SPICY PRAWN PHO/ Phở tôm cay
Prawn in spicy beef broth
BUN BO HUE/ Bún bò Huế
The spicy broth from Hue imperial city with thin cut of marinated beef (choice of adding or NOT adding the home-made Vietnamese pork sausage)
SPICY FISH BUN/ Bún cá cay
The spicy broth from Hue with Mekong catfish dill, turmeric & galangal
WOK-FRIED NOODLE/ Phở xào
Choice of prawns OR chicken with vegetables in soy sauce
"SOUTHERN BUN BO"/ Bún bò Nam Bộ
Sauteed beef with garlic, onion, rice vermicelli, fish sauce
BUN CHA HA NOI/ Bún chả Hà Nội
Charcoal grilled pork on rice vermicelli, fish sauce
SPICY VIETNAMESE SPECIAL FRIED RICE/ Cơm rang cay
With prawns OR chicken OR mixed prawns & chicken
Vegan Noodle Dishes
VEGAN CHICKEN PHO/ Phở gà chay
With mixed vegetables & vegetable broth
TOFU & VEGETABLE PHO/ Phở đậu phụ rau
Tofu & mixed seasonal vegetables in vegetable broth
MIXED MUSHROOM PHO/ Phở nấm
in vegetable broth
VEGAN SPICY SCALLOPS/ Bún điệp chay cay
Scallops, seaweed, king mushroom, mixed seasonal vegetables
VEGAN WOK-FRIED NOODLE/ Phở xào chay
With tofu, mushrooms and vegetables in soy sauce
VEGAN BUN CHA/ Bún chả chay
BBQ pork, vegetarian spring roll, salad & vegan fish sauce
"SOUTHERN" VEGAN BUN BO/ Bún bò nam bộ chay
Sauteed king oyster mushrooms with garlic, onion, rice vermicelli, vegan fish sauce
VEGAN BUN SA/ Bún sả chay
Wok fried tofu & mushroom with chili and lemongrass, Vietnamese herbs and rice vermicelli
Tea & Coffee
Vietnamese Expresso by filter
Drinks
Royal Lime Garden
Lime wedges, sugar, soda & mint
Pink River
Orange juice, apple juice, grenadine & lime
Coco Beauty
Coconut, pineapple juice, vanilla & lemongrass
Vietnamese Beer
Fresh Lemon & Kumquat
Kumquat Mojito
Fresh kumquat, lime, rum & soda
Passion Fruit Lover
Vodka, passion fruit & lemon
Espresso Martini
Vodka, coffee, Kahlua
I’m Eating MekongFish
Gin, dill & cucumber
Sapa Bling Bling
Bacardi gold, lemongrass, vanilla syrup, pineapple
Jasmine With Love
Green Tea & Jasmine
Oriental Beauty
Green tea, Marigold & Jasmine
Lily Fairy
Green tea, Lily & Jasmine
Vietnamese Expresso by filter
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Fresh Lemongrass Tea
Lemon & Peach Ice-tea
Fresh Mint Tea
St Felix Dry Rosé, Languedoc, France
Delicious, spot-on,smooth and perky, a perfect easy going rosé for a sunny day!
Le Petit Diable Rosé, Domaine des Diables, Provence, France
Gentle red fruits, strawberry, cherry blossom and citrus note
Chaval Bobal, Bodegas Nodus, Valencia, Spain-Organic
Earthy under-note with intensity of fruit
Malbec, Gaudou Exception, South-West, France
Rich and rustic, plenty of dark fruit & a bit of spicy oak
Primitivo, Cantine de Falco, Puglia, Italy
Bright & perky,moreish as cherry skin & cooked damson
Artuke Rioja, Rioja, Spain-Organic
Juicy with loads of red fruit flavors, super refreshing
Prosecco Caposaldo Brut, Antonio Fattori, Veneto, Italy
Refreshing with lovely precision, featuring juicy peach and ripe pear, balanced by a vivacious acidity
L’Universelle Champagne Brut NV, Baron Albert, Champagne, France
Light and very fresh, showcasing the high-quality wine making
En La Parra Blanco, Bodegas Nodus, Valencia, Spain-Organic
Ripe lemon and white peach flavours
Pinot Grigio, Vina Laguna, Istria, Croatia
Pear, peach and lemon pith
'Old Hands' Sauvignon Blanc, Bodegas Purisima, Jumilla, Spain-Organic
Made by a collective, with exotic fruits and fresh green herbs, with classic Sauvignon zip
'Viognier, Domaine les Yeuses, Languedoc, France
Rich, ripe apricot and peach fruit with a fresh ginger spice finish