HOP Vietnamese Trafford Centre

HOP Vietnamese Trafford Centre is part of a small chain of quick, cheap South East Asian restaurants where fast food meets flavour.

Unlike your typical McMeal, HOP Vietnamese feels wholesome and nourishing. The packaging may be take away rather than fine china, but what it lacks in presentation, the food makes up for in taste.

HOP boxes are a mainstay of the menu – in fact the name comes from the Vietnamese for box – and these box boxes are worth ordering. The silver foil trays come packed with rice, salad and protein.

If that all sounds a bit ‘meh’, the rice is nicely garnished with crispy shallots, crushed peanuts and the like, the salads are zingy, vibrant and crunchy, and the third element of the trio feels hearty and authentic. Typical options include caramel chicken, chargrilled pork or vegan coconut curry – all for under a tenner.

Other popular menu choices are the beef brisket pho and the pulled mushroom banh mi.

If all that noodle broth sounds a bit healthy for a fast food hit, then tuck into the ice creams or the condensed milk bubble tea.