Kambri precinct at the Australian National University. Photo: ANU.
After the long summer recess, ANU is back in full swing, with a hive of activity and student life unfolding across the sprawl of lawns and lecture halls. Nowhere is this more obvious than in Kambri, the beating heart of ANU’s social and cultural life.
When I popped by to pick up my son, I wandered through Kambri and was overwhelmed and excited by the wide range of well-priced dining options available. When I was at university, the closest food trap was a very basic burger joint, and I could only ever afford the fries, but Kambri offers a smorgasbord of choice!
Thirsty? Hydrate at Chatime, Sharetea or Baba juice, or caffeinate at Coffee Lab or Otto’s Kiosk Cafe.
My son indulges in a weekly Broger Burger. He tells me that his friends love the snack packs from Kebaba.
A lemongrass pork banh mi. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Hot Star produces impossibly sized fried chicken. Find fusion bento at Yori and enjoy Canberra’s only Chinese breakfast at Urban by Chinese Tiger. Korner Kapri offers a wide range of Indian delicacies.
And there is so much more!
We drop in to What the Pho to taste their version of the Vietnamese soup staple, pho, and to grab another classic, a banh mi. Owner Leo Nguyen tells me that pho from the south of Vietnam is worlds apart from that of the North. “Our pho is stronger, with more herbs and aromatics.”
Details in the shop’s decor give hungry patrons a glimpse of Vietnam, such as the light shades and the mustard-textured walls.
We order a lemongrass pork banh mi and rare beef combination pho with brisket.
I think banh mi is my favourite sandwich, and this one is spot on, not skimping on the complex mix of flavours. An extra crispy bun filled with crisp-ended lemongrass-infused pork pieces, delicately pickled carrots, lengths of cucumber and springs of coriander on an umami slather of pate. Such delicious mouthfuls!
Then we try the pho. Thin slices of beef and plump chunks of beef sausage top our bowl, which is already brimming with broth, noodles, and aromatics.
The broth is a delicate balance of umami, fragrant with herbs and pungent with red onions and shallots. It is mouthfuls of comfort food.
What the Pho has a wide-ranging menu that will fit most student budgets. Rice paper rolls start at $4.50, and you can get a bowl of pho for $9.50
We also pop into Ballistic Burrito to indulge in some burrito bowl deliciousness.
Our burrito bowl: grilled chicken in a spicy garlic sauce on a bed of rice and black beans. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
Owner Nurudin Jahangir, a chef of 15 years, has had experience chefing at Bellucci’s, Park Hyatt and Rex hotel, as well as cafes across Canberra. Turning his hand to Tex-Mex felt like something entirely different. However, we can see his skill in the vibrant hues of our bowl and in the beautifully marinated and grilled chicken. Nurudin says his food is preservative free and made fresh in-house daily; their slow cooked meats are a speciality.
We order a super fresh, grilled tender chicken in a spicy garlic sauce on a bed of rice and black beans. I was expecting simple, yet tasty Tex-Mex, but the deliciousness surprises us! The meal is flavoursome, healthy and filling.
The loaded fries, coated with secret seasoning, then doused in melted cheese, fresh salsa, and guac, are scrumptious! A small, loaded fries is $5.50.
You can find budget-friendly combos at Ballistic Burrito too.
What is your favourite Kambri food stop?
What the Pho is located at Shop 155-B5 Joplin Lane. It is open daily from 10 am. What the Pho also does catering! Look at their website to find out more. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Ballistic Burrito is located at Shop 154-13, the lawn, Kambri. It is open from 11 am to 5 pm on weekdays. Follow Ballistic Burrito on Facebook and Instagram.
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