Cuisine Focus: Vietnam
In celebration of
Australia’s wonderful food scene, we’ve compiled a list of the top five feeder
countries of international students into the Australian tertiary education
sector and listed our favourite places to indulge in the corresponding
countries’ culinary delights.
#3. Vietnam
Melbourne
Melbourne is littered with Vietnamese eateries but CBD outpost Little Brother is a standout. While they offer old school options in the vein of bo kho (beef stew) and bun bo hue (spicy noodle soup), the fried chicken banh mi (available on Fry-Days only) is as good as you’ll find.
Sydney
Upmarket, modern Vietnamese is all the rage at Ms G’s, where
dishes like cheeseburger spring rolls, chicken katsu banh mi and doughnut ice
cream dominant the menu. If you’re having trouble deciding, the $67 banquet
will satisfy any cravings.
Brisbane
West End’s Quan Thanh keeps
things simple in the best possible way, serving up traditional Vietnamese fare
for eating in or taking away. Get more bang for your buck with the $22 dinner
special, featuring four spring rolls, steamed rice and a choice of a beef,
chicken or pork dish valued up to $14.50.
Hobart
Get things started at Sapa Rose with a mixed entrée of prawn
rolled with avocado in ham and crispy roast duck skin before graduating to a
bowl of chicken pho ga. Make sure to save room for bo cuon la lop, beef morsels
wrapped in betel leaves, sprinkled with crushed nuts and served with fish
sauce.
Darwin
There are Thai and Malaysian tendencies on the menu at Chow but there is
no need to look beyond the Vietnamese offerings. Tender beef pho, pork belly
banh mi and shredded chicken rice paper rolls are all available, as is a
traditional Vietnamese iced coffee to wash it all down.
Perth
Traditional Vietnamese is the name of the game at Tra Vinh, which
offers not only pho, bun and rice paper rolls but other less known dishes
including banh canh cua (drop rice noodle with crab meat). Pair it with some
prawn spring rolls and you’re laughing.
Adelaide
Ngh Ngan Quan, or NNQ as the locals call it, offers a great dining experience
by fusing traditional and modern Vietnamese techniques. Stick with a classic beef
combination pho or get creative by rolling your own cold roll and getting stuck
into a goat and taro steam boat.
Canberra
Pho Phu Quoc is a Canberra staple, serving up traditional Vietnamese noodle
soups and vermicelli bowls, as well as some more exotic options like a
jellyfish salad entrée. Dine in or take advantage of the free home delivery for
those living nearby.
