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Grain – Vietnam by Chow: Vietnamese Street Food Delivered in Lisbon

Hidden away on Rua Tomás Ribeiro, Grain – Vietnam by Chow isn’t the sort of place you’d stumble across while wandering the streets of Lisbon. There’s no seating, no neon signage, no front-of-house team. But open up Uber Eats or Glovo, and you’ll find it listed amongst the city’s top Vietnamese food options, quietly serving up some of the best takeaway bowls in town.

A delivery-only kitchen with no dine-in option, Grain is part of the broader Street Chow family – a concept built around fresh, vibrant Asian street food, given a twist with Portuguese ingredients. Think rice noodle bowls, crisp-edged spring rolls, bold sauces, and plenty of herbs. It’s casual food made with care – and designed to travel well.

Reputation & First Impressions

On delivery apps like Uber Eats, Grain maintains a very solid 4.6-star rating. It also ranks near the top of the Vietnamese category in Lisbon, often appearing in the top five for fastest and most reliable service.

The vibe is unpretentious but polished – this isn’t your typical budget pho takeaway. Dishes arrive well-packaged, fresh, and thoughtfully assembled. While you’re not going to get that bustling, noisy Saigon street stall energy, the flavours do a pretty good job of bringing you a bit closer.

The Menu – Small, Focused, and Packed with Flavour

Grain’s menu is deliberately tight – no sprawling list of dishes here, just a concise range of rice noodle salads (Bo Bun), stir-fried noodles, spring rolls, and a handful of desserts and drinks. There are just over a dozen items, and they rotate occasionally depending on seasonality and availability.

Highlights include:

Bo Bun Bowls: These are the stars of the show – cold rice noodles topped with warm protein (grilled chicken, shrimp, pork, tofu or mushrooms), crunchy veg, pickles, peanuts, fresh herbs, and crispy spring rolls. They’re refreshing, filling, and properly balanced. Prices sit around €13.90–€14.90, depending on what you choose.
Fresh Spring Rolls: Rice paper parcels filled with shrimp or tofu and mango. Delicate, fresh, and served with dipping sauce – a lovely starter or light lunch.
Crispy Nem Rolls: Deep-fried, golden, and satisfying. These come in chicken or tofu versions, and they travel surprisingly well for fried food.
Woked Noodles: Stir-fried wheat noodles with vegetables, your choice of protein, and lashings of peanuts and sesame. Not quite pho, but a comforting, flavour-packed bowl all the same.
Desserts: There are two, both vegan – coconut tapioca pearls and mango sticky rice. Not overly sweet, and a nice way to finish off your order.

There are also combo deals like the Menu Saigon City (main dish + dessert) or Menu Food Market, which gives you two mains and spring rolls – ideal if you’re ordering for two.

Plant-Based Options

For vegetarians and vegans, Grain is refreshingly inclusive. The tofu and mushroom versions of their Bo Bun and noodles are clearly labelled, and most sides and desserts are plant-based too.

That said, a few reviewers on HappyCow noted that the vegan bowls, while tasty, can feel a bit small compared to their meat or prawn counterparts. Others mentioned that the noodles were occasionally a touch oily. Still, the flavours are solid, and it’s one of the better options in Lisbon if you’re after vegan Vietnamese.

Flavours & Quality

Flavour-wise, Grain leans into the punchy, citrusy, umami-rich side of Vietnamese cuisine. Their nuoc cham sauce has a good zing to it, and the use of fresh mint, coriander, and pickles across the board gives every dish a lift.

The crispy rolls are particularly popular – reviewers rave about the texture, especially paired with the cooler, softer elements in the noodle bowls. Even delivered, they retain a bit of crunch, which is no small feat.

There’s not much in the way of deep complexity (you won’t find a 12-hour bone broth here), but that’s not really the point. Grain is all about fresh, fast, well-balanced bowls that taste great and fill you up.

Value for Money

Price-wise, Grain sits somewhere in the mid-range. You’ll spend about €14–€15 for a main, a bit more if you add sides or drinks. Combo menus bring it closer to €20–€25 per person with a starter and dessert included.

It’s not cheap – especially for the vegan dishes – but the quality of ingredients, careful prep, and generous toppings mostly justify the cost. It feels like food made by people who care, not just slapped together in a dark kitchen.

Delivery Experience

Both Uber Eats and Glovo list Grain, and they usually deliver within 30–45 minutes, depending on time of day and your location in the city.

Packaging is functional and generally reliable – no soggy lettuce, no exploded sauces. The rice noodles are kept cool, the rolls stay crisp, and the dipping sauces come in separate little pots. They even ask if you want chopsticks or cutlery.

How It Compares to Other Vietnamese Spots in Lisbon

Grain doesn’t try to compete with the big-name Vietnamese sit-down restaurants in the city. It’s not aiming for traditional pho or bánh mì. Instead, it’s carving out its own niche – modern, health-focused Vietnamese street food that’s designed for delivery.

Compared to places like Ha Noi Xua, Viet House, or Tre Bambu, Grain’s menu is more limited, but also more consistent. While some places can be hit and miss depending on the day, Grain tends to deliver the same high standard across the board.

Final Thoughts: Should You Order from Grain?

If you’re in Lisbon and craving something light, bright, and packed with flavour, Grain is absolutely worth a try. Whether you’re working from home and need a proper lunch, or fancy a fresh dinner that won’t weigh you down, it’s one of the best Vietnamese delivery options in town.

It’s especially good for:

✅ Quick lunches that don’t feel too heavy

✅ Shared orders for two – the combo menus are great value

✅ Vegans and vegetarians looking for something exciting

✅ Anyone who loves a crispy spring roll

In a city where Asian food delivery can often be hit or miss, Grain – Vietnam by Chow stands out: a small kitchen doing simple things well. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you want.

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