Food, Mood, and Art: Twisted Vietnamese Cuisine Arrives in Manila

PROPAGANDA BÚN w/ home-made lightly fried egg tofu & our special ginger, chilli & peanut crunchy topping

Straight from the heart of Saigon, Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro is now in the Philippines with a simple mission—to challenge what we all thought we knew about Vietnamese cuisine.

Propaganda Edamame Salad w/ organic black rice, home-made citrus-soy tofu & dried baby tomatoes

Entering Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro is like a little trip to Vietnam. From the lively décor to the style of service, everything in the restaurant is treated like art. The idea, after all, is to provide an experience that goes beyond dining. But more than the interiors, it’s really the food that showcases their artistry.

Fresh Prawn Rolls w/ julienne vegetables, rice noodles & coriander fish sauce

Gone are the notions that Asian cooking is purely traditional. At Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro, the goal is to serve twisted Vietnamese food. They do this by using traditional ingredients in a creative way, adding a modern spin without going into fusion.

Paté BÁNH MÌ w/ braised pork & floss, cilantro, pickled veggies & chilli mayo

Take for example their Propaganda Edamame Salad, which also has organic black rice and oven-dried cherry tomatoes. The menu is filled with curiosities from brown rice in spring rolls to avocados in noodle salads. It’s like a Vietnamese kitchen from a parallel universe.

Home-made frozen banana & coconut bar w/crushed peanut topping, Home-made soursop & palm sugar ice cream

Every dish is made from scratch, using only the freshest ingredients imported from Vietnam to maintain authenticity. There are no shortcuts—the kitchen avoids all artificial flavorings, premixes, and purees. Hence, the food is not just delicious, but also good for the health.

Crunchy Tri-Coloured Rice Bowl w/ BBQ chicken, vegetable and fried egg

A Taste of Modern Vietnam

There’s enough in Propaganda to satisfy every adventurous palate. It’s easy to get hooked on the Crunchy Tri-Coloured Rice Bowl with BBQ Chicken, or bite into the goodness of the Bánh Mì Paté that’s packed with braised pork floss, cilantro, grilled vegetables, and chilli mayo. For those who want something refreshing yet filling, there’s the Propaganda Bún with home-made lightly fried egg tofu, ginger, chili & peanut crunchy topping.

Chicken Pho w/chicken & Vietnamese herbs

Of course, an authentic Vietnamese meal wouldn’t be complete without the noodle soups. The restaurant also offers variants of Pho and Huế Rice Noodle Soup that are guaranteed to satisfy your appetite for adventure.

Meanwhile, the Homemade Frozen Banana & Coconut Bar as well as the Homemade Soursop and Palm Sugar Ice-Cream will give you the ultimate Vietnamese dessert experience.

Huế Rice Noodle Soup w/ beef, fresh greens & bean sprouts

There are times when all you need is a quick perk-up, and here’s where the Vietnamese’s famously strong Cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Sweetened Condensed Milk) comes in handy. You can also buy a bag of whole beans from the store to enjoy at home.

Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro also houses a bar with wide array of drinks customers can choose from. Taking cues from their history with the French, the restaurant strongly recommends the R de Roubine, which comes from Southern France and can be ordered by glass or by pitcher. The subtle hints of roses and white peaches is a good ending to a meal of prawns, chicken, and vegetables. For something closer to the local palate, Engkanto Lager Draft is also available.

Propaganda Vietnamese Bistro is now open at Level 2, Greenbelt 5 in Makati City. For more information LIKE PropagandaBistroPH on Facebook and FOLLOW @PropagandaBistroPH on Instagram.