I've never really had Vietnamese dishes out in Melbourne. My experience has largely been limited to noodles and banh xeo. Until Pho Phu Quoc in Canberra, I hadn't appreciated the homestyle flavours that probably fill my Luke Nguyen and Andrea Nguyen cookbooks. Now in Footscray I was looking for a good Vietnamese restaurant for dishes. The main contenders seem to be Thien An (a classic favourite apparently) and Sapa Hills (where two independent Vietnamese people who live/work locally have nominated).
3 colour drink was nice but a little too much ice and a bit too thick with the shavings.
- Fried squid with salted duck egg $18.5 - ever since Red Chilli Sichuan's prawns fried with salted duck egg I've been looking for an equally potent alternative. Although less flavoured here, still a decent offering and different to the typical salt & pepper & chilli versions;
- Mom's green papaya slaw with beef jerky $13 - a nice goi salad with the beef jerky adding a meaty flavour and chewy textural element. The halved peanuts do the same;
- Barramundi with soy bean & pepper in claypot $35 - opted for the family size in anticipation of takeaway. Nice soft fish, tofu and a dark savoury sauce. Not as good (and more expensive than) Pho Phu Quoc but still good and fine the next day for lunch.
I also tried the Pho here once which was very good - much less intense and a cleaner beef broth, perhaps reflecting the Northern style.
It's difficult to know whether to stick to the tried and true or venture out to the less popular other competing restaurants surrounding them. Who knows but it's safe to go back here.