From Saigon rolls stuffed with pate, crisp vegetables and pork to handmade rice paper rolls and bottomless bowls of noodle soup, Vietnamese street food has a lot going for it.
This week we’re on the hunt for one of Vietnam’s most recognisable culinary exports: pho. Inexpensive, filling and fresh, it’s no surprise that this famous noodle soup is a go-to lunch for many.
For the uninitiated, pho is a steaming hot bowl of full-flavoured broth, rice noodles and rare beef (or chicken, duck or seafood – though purists may frown upon the latter). It is usually served alongside a generous amount of fresh chilli, Vietnamese basil, lime wedges and beansprouts, which you add according to your own tastes.
Of course, those who’ve spent time in Vietnam will insist that the best pho can only be found on the streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but I’m confident there are plenty of Canberra restaurants serving up authentic, delicious pho that would make a Vietnamese street vendor proud.
From food court gems to fancier Vietnamese restaurants, tell me Canberra, who makes the best pho in town? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll try the two most popular options and share the verdict in next Monday’s taste off article.