Little Bún

The story

Little Bún Antwerp: Authentic Vietnamese Street Food in Sint-Jorispoort

Little Bún serves authentic Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Antwerp, turning traditional street food recipes into a much loved neighborhood spot. Founder Huibrecht Berends brings his background as a North Sea chef to this narrow Sint-Jorispoort space, creating Vietnamese cooking that honors both Vietnam and Belgium's coastal harvest.

The chef and the kitchen

Huibrecht Berends anchors the kitchen, drawing on years spent championing sustainable fishing and local catch. He pairs these North Sea sensibilities with family recipes adapted for the Antwerp palate. The result is Vietnamese cooking that respects tradition while embracing regional ingredients like Kempisch pork and Holstein beef. This approach earned the restaurant a spot on the Le Fooding list, recognizing how the duo maintains their original vision across multiple venues.

Standout plates and flavors

The menu highlights rice noodle bowls topped with grilled beef hanger steak or curry-marinated chicken skewers. Spring rolls stuffed with deep-fried Kempisch pork offer a crisp contrast to tender herb salads dressed in fish sauce vinaigrette. Vegetarians can choose between fried tofu and shiitake mushroom rolls, proving the kitchen accommodates diverse diets without compromising flavor. A signature rice noodle salad features North Sea fish and shrimp croquettes alongside fresh cabbage, cucumber, and a spicy lemongrass sambal.

The room and the ritual

You won't need a reservation at this walk-in counter, where the rhythm moves quickly and seats fill with friends and neighbors. A mural by artist Steve Locatelli covers one wall, adding color to the compact dining area that feels more like a local canteen than a destination restaurant. The team keeps service straightforward, inviting guests to slurp broth or grab takeaway boxes for the table. It remains the first bastion of the founders' work, preserving the intimate scale that launched their wider culinary presence.