Last week when the call went out for Canberra’s best rice raper rolls, two of my favourite Vietnamese places were nominated: Saigon Foodies in Kingston and iPho in Garema Place.
I frequently visit iPho on my lunch breaks for chicken and wonton noodle soup (it’s really good!), so I thought I would start there. The rice paper rolls are pre-made and come served with a rich hoisin sauce. I ordered pork and prawn. They were very yummy, but the ratio of noodles and salad to protein was overpowering – the rolls definitely would have been tastier with more prawn and pork. When I put the call out for the best rolls, a reader noted that a lot of restaurants are watering down their hoisin sauce. Just to confirm he hoisin was thick and saucy, just the way it should be.
My next stop was Saigon Foodies in Kingston, and I just have to tell you how excited I was when this Vietnamese gem opened last October just around the corner from my place. Saigon Foodies has a great set up; all their ingredients are on display and everything is made fresh to order. I ordered the same, pork and prawn rice paper rolls (one has to make the taste off fair!). They were delicious, and the ratio of ingredients was perfect, as was the hoisin sauce. I should make note that their soup is also wonderful; so good for the soul.
I was definitely reminded this week of how much I love rice paper rolls, so much so that they have found themselves back on my regular foods list.
And now to choose a winner … drum roll … As much as I like iPho, Saigon’s freshness and flavour takes the win for me.
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