The best Vietnamese restaurants in Canberra

The Little Saigon Banh Mi was not so good 6 months ago so the new owners must have changed it in some way.

Vietnam House 2 did a good Banh Mi except that they pre-made them which is unfortunate. They closed down 2 days ago sadly.

I haven’t tried Little Saigon but the iPho banh mi is an abomination. Stingy on filling and doesn’t even use real Saigon rolls. Bistro Nguyen on Northbourne is pretty great. Roll’d in the Canberra centre is terrible.

Little Saigon is a favourite for us: we love their spring roll and noodle salad. The only improvement needed — a liquor licence so I can enjoy my salad with a nice little glass of joy 😉

I used to not be a fan of any Canberra Vietnamese, having spent so much time in all the great Vietnamese in Cabramatta, Flemington, Regents Park, Cabra Vale, Bankstown and North Richmond, but today I’ve changed my mind.

I just had lunch today in the new Pho Phu Quoc restaurant in Dickson and we were really impressed. Different from the Sydney Vietnamese, but really great in their own right. Vietnamese food is tremendously varied, I’ve learnt not to expect the same food in every restaurant. If it is familiar it is usually not in a good way.

Pho Phu Quoc nailed every dish we tried, some I hadn’t seen before and they had a brilliant finale of dessert that left us with huge smiles on our faces as we walked out the door.

Now that I’ve lost two of my favourite Vietnamese restaurants in Sydney, not going back since they changed hands, I’d like for Pho Phu Quoc to just pick up on some of my all time love dishes like the Cambodian Pho in Flemington, and the Raw Beef and Lemon and Offal Pho that I used to have in Bankstown, and I’d be a very happy man.

btw When are we going to get some variety in style eg the vertical flame BBQs with the firey chilli sauces they have in Cabra Vale? Restaurants don’t have to all sing from the same song book. It’s OK to be different, sure the punters might be intimidated but this is not the Canberra of even 5 years ago let alone the 80’s.

Having come back from the holidays and visiting places like Cabramatta, Canley Heights, and Sydney Chinatown, I’m struck by how average and unambitious the Vietnamese and Chinese food scene is here in Canberra.

Dickson MK’s, Can Tho, Phu Quoc, Pho Viet, Simply Pho, Griffith Vietnamese, Tu Do, and the likes would simply be steamrolled by the likes of Huong Xua, Bao Truong, Tuong Lai, Thanh Binh, Pho Minh, Tan Viet etc.

To be fair, part of the mediocrity of the restaurants in question here are caused by the relatively low Vietnamese population and patronage, the lack of competition, and customers that probably don’t know any better or are just happy to accept things the way they are. It’s always disappointing visiting these Vietnamese restaurants and seeing how Chinese-Takeaway-esque the menu is, no doubt to cater to their predominately western audience (which is understandable – you got to pay the bills). I’ve lost count at how many times I’ve had to explain what Bun Dac Biet is or the odd occasion when I’ve received a Com Tam with normal rice instead of broken rice.

The Saigon place at the front of Woden Westfields is pretty decent and there was another establishment that was opposite Sammy’s but that got closed down and replaced by a Thai restaurant I believe. A shame because that restaurant made a decent Banh Xeo, Com Tam Dac Biet and Sam Bo Luong.

And don’t get me started on the Pork Rolls here in Canberra …

Postalgeek said :

I mentioned Hoang Hau in Kingston for pho in another thread. Not promising that it will rock your world, but I got a taste for pho in Vietnam and like the one in Kingston. They also sell it at the Fyshwick markets but I prefer Kingston.

Challenge accepted!

Antagonist said :

dkNigs said :

On arriving back to Canberra from Vietnam, we had a craving for some delicious Vietnamese and went on the hunt. Apparently it doesn’t exist, the Pho we found was bland, and everything else Australianised like the photo’s above. Is there anywhere that serves authentic Vietnamese food here?

You cannot get a good Pho in Canberra. I have been trying to find a good one for years. Best you go to Sydney for good Pho.

The next best thing is Tom Yum, with the best coming from Ben Than (sp?) in the Hyperdome Food Court. Yeah – you read that right: Hyperdome food court does the best Tom Yum in Canberra.

Yep, got to agree. Simply Pho in Gunners used to be great but the broth was cloudy last time I went there so the flavours were a bit muddled. Might have been an off day but haven’t been back.

There’s an art to making great broth (and not killing people at the same time)

Leon said :

Will your stomachs cope with a visit to the Pho Phu Quoc, which is probably Dickson’s favourite Vietnamese?

In my limited experience the TuDo is excellent if you know which dishes to order, but rather hit-and-miss if you don’t.

I’ll second everything said here. We live in Dickson so Pho Phu Quoc is a natural choice for convenience, but that’s not the only reason we love it so much.

I mentioned Hoang Hau in Kingston for pho in another thread. Not promising that it will rock your world, but I got a taste for pho in Vietnam and like the one in Kingston. They also sell it at the Fyshwick markets but I prefer Kingston.

Actually I like the Saigon Restaurant at Pearce Shops. Good food at reasonable prices, and not too confusing for someone used to prawn cutlets and chow mien at the local Chinese.

dkNigs said :

On arriving back to Canberra from Vietnam, we had a craving for some delicious Vietnamese and went on the hunt. Apparently it doesn’t exist, the Pho we found was bland, and everything else Australianised like the photo’s above. Is there anywhere that serves authentic Vietnamese food here?

You cannot get a good Pho in Canberra. I have been trying to find a good one for years. Best you go to Sydney for good Pho.

The next best thing is Tom Yum, with the best coming from Ben Than (sp?) in the Hyperdome Food Court. Yeah – you read that right: Hyperdome food court does the best Tom Yum in Canberra.

Postalgeek said :

dkNigs said :

On arriving back to Canberra from Vietnam, we had a craving for some delicious Vietnamese and went on the hunt. Apparently it doesn’t exist, the Pho we found was bland, and everything else Australianised like the photo’s above. Is there anywhere that serves authentic Vietnamese food here?

Where did you go for pho?

That one next to Café Garema, was like water flavoured soup. Nothing like Pho in Vietnam.

dkNigs said :

On arriving back to Canberra from Vietnam, we had a craving for some delicious Vietnamese and went on the hunt. Apparently it doesn’t exist, the Pho we found was bland, and everything else Australianised like the photo’s above. Is there anywhere that serves authentic Vietnamese food here?

Where did you go for pho?

Will your stomachs cope with a visit to the Pho Phu Quoc, which is probably Dickson’s favourite Vietnamese?

In my limited experience the TuDo is excellent if you know which dishes to order, but rather hit-and-miss if you don’t.

On arriving back to Canberra from Vietnam, we had a craving for some delicious Vietnamese and went on the hunt. Apparently it doesn’t exist, the Pho we found was bland, and everything else Australianised like the photo’s above. Is there anywhere that serves authentic Vietnamese food here?

Nice. Both are winners in my experience.

My Tu Do favourite is the Mint Beef.

My Griffith favourites are the beef/chicken in mild coconut curry and beef/chicken with basil and chilli.

Pho Phu Quoc in Dickson is great.

2604 said :

I haven’t lived in Belco for ages, but when I did, The Vietnam Village Inn at Page was the business.

Is that still there? It used to be awesome. Man that was around when I was a boy and that is a looooong time ago now, haha.

My’s Vietnamese at Cooleman Court in Weston has been around for years and just keeps going from strength to strength. We’ve never had a disappointing dish there. It’s busy and crowded, and not the kind of place to linger too long, but the food is spot on every time.

I can’t wait to read your results!

I haven’t lived in Belco for ages, but when I did, The Vietnam Village Inn at Page was the business.

+1 for the Griffith Vietnamese.

But I always go to Hoang Hau in Kingston for my beef pho. Love it.

astrojax said :

i’ve always found the hype around the griffith place misplaced; been five or six times and was never impressed. i think it is the owner’s personality and its proximity to the house so attracting ‘personalities’, who clearly have no taste.

I’ve generally found it to be pretty consistent (and yummo) at the three locations previously mentioned. And that’s over a period of more than 20 years.

Just don’t go to Griffith vietnamese and ask them to make you ‘special’ meals not listed on the menu! Left it up to the owner to choose a special meal for our family – some dishes quite nice in flavour, but nothing special than what you could have ordered off the menu. Anyway, it came time to pay and the result was twice the price of what the same amount of dishes off the menu would have cost. Queried it with the owner who said special dishes, special prices. Won’t be fooled again by that! Invoice was also written in vietnamese so we couldn’t tell what was what.

i second the tu do at o’connor shops, and would add the pho quoc in dickson.

i’ve always found the hype around the griffith place misplaced; been five or six times and was never impressed. i think it is the owner’s personality and its proximity to the house so attracting ‘personalities’, who clearly have no taste.

+ 1 for Griffith shops

Ipho in the city (near Gus’s, Cafe Essen etc) is also quite good.

Griffith and Macquarie are owned by the same family. Griffith has always been much more popular due to proximity to parliament house.

Macquarie (Kinh Do) is cheap, cheerful and tasty, although always seems like it’s on the verge of closing down. They’ve never, ever touched the decor, not even when a car crashed through the front of the shop about 6 months ago…

Tu Do Vietnamese O’conner shops

I rate the Griffith Vietnamese, its the most well known and loved, always go the Canh Chau Tom soup its the best. Chilli and sweet!

Griffith Shops.

Not sure what the restaurant’s proper title is, but in its former lives at O’Connor Shops and Hobart Place in the city it was simply called Vietnam Restaurant.

Pho Viet just opened in Belconnen. Has anyone been there?

Ohh, I meant to add that the Kin Do Vietnamese Restaurant in Macquarie others have mentioned is owned by the same guy, Tan, and is good, but isn’t as good as Griffith.

Mouthface is wrong, the reason Griffith Vietnamese is packed is because it is brilliant. I work in hospitality and the majority of chefs I have worked with, when asked where the best Vietnamese is in Canberra has said Griffith. I have been going there since I was a little kid, when it was at O’Connor, then near West Row in the city and now in Griffith. Tan is the best manager-owner of a restaurant I have ever met, when my family and friends and I eat there we just walk in, sit down and he feeds us, no questions asked.
Unfortunately I have to agree with Mouthface in saying I would also rate the Huang Huao very highly. They have a different style of Vietnamese food that is very good. I would never pass on their Roast Duck pancakes, delicious.

^ The owner/chef of My’s used to be a part owner of Phu Quoc in Dickson, I think that Phu Quoc had gone downhill since he left.

Louis said :

My’s at Coolo is also excellent – make sure you try the salt & pepper squid.

Seconded!

IMO My’s is one of the best in the ACT. Another good one is the one in Fisher – their spring rolls are simply magnificent! We regularly order home delivery from there and the service is really exceptional (they even offered to babysit the kids once (which I thought slightly odd) and another time told us we could pay later when my wife couldn’t find her visa card).

God I love Canberra – so many good places to get out and eat…

Tudo is a good feed with good service, but my current squeeze tells me its too cold near the door and it can be noisy at times.

Tudo’s in O’Connor for the all round, but got to the Griffith Viet and ask Tam to cook you salt and pepper squid (off the memu) it will change your life

i think the vietnamese kitchen that used to be on the corner in o’connor, thetruth, moved into civic, then was replaced by a tapas bar and dunno what (if anything) is in its spot now…

i never saw what the rave about the griffith place was – eaten there three or four times, always unmoved by the rather average cuisine.

tu do, tu do, tu do…

Okay, I vote for the TuDo as well. Yes, I’ve been unfaithful over the years and I’ve regretfully eaten elsewhere, but nothing compares to the vegetarian spring rolls, the special beef noodle soup, the sate chicken, curried lamb in coconut cream…at the rest at the TuDo Sure, the menu hasn’t changed in the 20 years I’ve been dining there on a frequent basis, but having tried virtually everything at least once, and many meals many times, I’ve never been disappointed, and I’ve always had exemplary service.

And I can also say that I’ve never ever been unwell after dining there – which is more than I can say for a couple of other Vietnamese restaurants in town.

but please, don’t tell me the food is good.

*shrug* Food’s a matter of opinion, I guess, like most things. Probably best if we keep it to “I didn’t like it” or “not my thing” rather than claiming it’s all bad in an objective sense, especially once we start lumping in the clientele with the food. As for the herd mentality, I’d never heard of it before I went, and when I went back it wasn’t to look at the walls.

Kinh Do in Macquarie once again. Family has been going since it opened. Got so friendly with the original owner that he and his family stayed in our holiday house and he bought us presents on his overseas trips.

Changed hands a few years ago but still great. What it lacks in decor it more than makes up in food quality

Tu Do in O’Conner is great and very authentic. The one that used to be at O’conner was pretty good so if they moved to griffith I would give that a try

@ WMC

I hear what you’re saying regarding regional cuisine, and the truth is that I am not insisting on basil and mint, they are just two of the great flavours that I usually associate with Vietnamese. However, I am yet to eat anything that has excited me at Griffith. I haven’t tried everything on the menu but after giving it a go on two or three occasions I am absolutely convinced that nothing good can come of eating there, other than not spending a lot of money.

I really think there is a little bit of a herd mentality when it comes to this place. I used to be in the hospitality industry and have seen this happen before. Maybe a few pollie’s staffers started going there because it was cheap (very high on the list of priorities with this lot). Some of them managed to bring the big-wig boss along who signed an autograph for the (genuinely lovely) owners. They stuck it up on the wall, and next thing you know, every muppet walking into the place wants to scribble some tripe on a piece of paper and stick it up next to said polly. The whole thing becomes a bit of a novelty and the joint is pumping. Good on them for capitalising on it and doing well, but please, don’t tell me the food is good.

Erindale Vietnamese is good food, the service is friendly and quick.

My’s Vietnamese @cooleman court – eat in only. Got take-away once and it was horrible. The lemon pepper chicken is to die for 🙂

I thought Fisher shops was pretty ordinary, but maybe expectations were too high?

I have been a huge fan of Vietnam Village Inn at the Page shops since birth – it’s the first restaurant I ever remember going to. They have the best prawn toast – it’s like a whole prawn encased in a small piece of toast.

Recently I have been alternating with Sue’s Kitchen in Scullin, which might just be a bit better at the moment.

Watch out – people will hold it against you whjen you become a “V-e-t-e-r-a-n Rioter” 😛 <—emoticon

It’s just based on the number os posts & comments you’ve made Clown Killer.

How did I suddenly become “trouble maker”?

I was responding to Morgan, who thought that the Tudo shouldn’t be on the list of good Viet’s. I’ve always found it to be very good – just haven’t been there for a while.

Clown Killer said :

I’ll have to register another vote for the Griffith Vietnamese. Tan who owns/runs the place is a marvelous host and seems to get great people in the kitchen as well. I first enjoyed his hospitality when he had the Viet at O’Connor shops where All Bar Nun is now.

The Tudo at O’Connor used to be pretty good, but I haven’t eater there for a few years.

Another vote for Griffith. I’m a O’Connor / Civic past customer as well. I don’t get to them as much at Griffith though, but their food is bloody good.

I haven’t had Tudo from O’Connor for a while, but I’ve always enjoyed their food when I have eaten there, so not sure what the above complaint was about???

I have a thing about Vietnamese take-away. I think it’s often the lettuce and other stuff that makes up the ‘presentation’ of many of the meat dishes that just doesn’t travel that well. Although, we’ve often frequented the small Viet at the Fisher shops for take-away.

probably all of the above will do take-away. any of them listed that don’t??

so go tudo. fab…

Griffith all the way – but only for eat in.

Which Vietnamese does the best takeaway? Any suggestions?

Tudo is tops – the fresh spring rolls are wonderful

Seconded.

Whoever said Tudo at O’connor shops should not be included – “I Strenuously object” (a’la a few good men)

@mouthface – I was surprised not to see pho too, but figured it was just a chance to try something different. Vietnam is a pretty big place, with lots of regional cuisine. There’s a lot more to it than pho and cold rolls (though they’re still my favourites, along with crab in beer), and a lot of it doesn’t contain mint and basil, especially the braises and casseroles. Perhaps Griffith just serves particularly provincial dishes most Westerners don’t think of as ‘Vietnamese’.

The one @ Cooleman Court is good….& the one at Fisher shops is fantastic for home delivered yummy Vietnamese food.

I’ve got to agree about My’s Vietnamese Restaurant @ Cooleman Court. The owners are such characters and the food great!

I have a Vietnamese-Australian friend who is in Canberra on a contract from Melbourne – he refuses to eat at any of the Vietnamese restaurants in Canberra after having tried a fair few.
He reckons its geared towards white trash tastes – and I must admit, having grown up in Brisbane and being surrounded with Vietnamese restaurants, I’d have to agree.

The vietnamese restaurant at Pearce is probably my favourite.

WMC, that is one of the biggest gripes I had at Griffith. I couldn’t actually find Pho on the menu when I was there and I do expect those lovely fresh mint and basil flavours from Vietnamese. In fact, it just reminded me of a lame, suburban Chinese of yesteryear, or a very ordinary version of a noodle hawker.

I enjoyed Griffith when I was there earlier in the year. The best pho I’ve had in Canberra is still Streets of Asia in Tuggeranong – simple, crystal clear stock, no mucking about. Not a big fan of Hoang Hau, though their pho was quite nice last time I was there.

i really like the “roast pork” in au lac, but that’s probably because i don’t eat pork..

had an egg noodle combination soup at phu pho quoc the other day, that was quite nice too

the fried duck at can tho and the fried squid are also good

That is interesting UlysseSB – once upon a time I rated their food quite highly, but maybe they have become complacent? To be honest, I haven’t been back to Griffith for a while … not since we discovered Hoang Hau!

Hoang Hau is really fantastic, great quality and flavorsome food.

I swear every dish at Griffith Vietnamese tastes the same.

Hoang Hau in Kingston has fantastic food – seriously good Vietnamese. They also cater to large groups, so ideal for work functions etc… Decor not great, but the food is so good, you don’t care. I love the Griffith place too; kid friendly, really fast and delicious.

WTF is it with Griffith Vietnamese?
This place really sucks and people keep raving about it. The only thing it has going for it is price. The management are nice enough but it looks like a dive and the food is ordinary. Every scab in Canberra (mainly pollies) goes there to be impressed by the fact that they can eat out cheaply, and they bring along a dodgy el cheapo BYO from the supermarket to slurp down without digging too far into their pockets. And if you don’t believe me go see for yourself. The walls are covered with A4 greetings from almost every federal member over the last five years- all talking it up, and proving once and for all that politicians are liars and have no taste. I am a local and am always perplexed by the fact that this joint is packed nearly every night of the week while the genuinely good Thai restaurant next door is quiet. Go figure.

As far as good places go, I haven’t tried too many in Canberra but don’t mind Tu’do in O’Connor and Hoang Hau in Kingston.

The Griffith place is excellent – I told the owner I had to be somewhere in 50 minutes and we were fed, watered and sent on our way in 40.
The Cooleman Court place, Mys is also great.

Tudo at O’connor Shops. Friendly staff (family run), nice cosy atmosphere and although the price to amount of food isn’t the best, the quality certainly is the best. My born and bred Vietnamese friend has always said that Tudo is the most authentic in Canberra.

Pho Quok in Dickson is also good, better value for money… chicken and rice hotpot can’t be beat.

ogrex, i found au lac to be entirely too salty…

as for actually good vietnamese, tudo at o’connor & pho phu cocq at dickson (sorry about the spelling) are each excellent. and great value. yum.

Tudo is tops – the fresh spring rolls are wonderful

I’m with the Griffith place. And the owner/manager is a delight. As are the A4 comments from random political figures all over the walls. And it’s BYO.

Bo Kho is one of the best winter foods. Check that it’s on when you book.

Page Vietnamese, and a hear hear from Mrs Mælinar in the kitchen over my shoulder.

What are your favourite Au Lac dishes, people? I’m a fan of the ‘chicken’ and vegetable curry, but haven’t tried to many others.

I second the Pho Quok in Dickson – great food, and the coconut milk drinks are delicious!

Au Lac is fantastic vegetarian – even dedicated meat-eaters will love it.

Huong Viet, On London Cct opp the Theatre carpark, is also a great small family-run place. Delicious noodles!

I second Kin Do.

I’ll have to register another vote for the Griffith Vietnamese. Tan who owns/runs the place is a marvelous host and seems to get great people in the kitchen as well. I first enjoyed his hospitality when he had the Viet at O’Connor shops where All Bar Nun is now.

The Tudo at O’Connor used to be pretty good, but I haven’t eater there for a few years.

The place at the Griffith shops is great, as is the one at Cooleman Court.

The hands down favourite, though, is TuDo in O’Connor (What do you mean, Morgan??!). I’ve been eating there for twenty years (granted I’m 22) and never had a bad meal. Cheap, fresh, in close proximity to ANU and oh so tasty! Just be careful about drinking from their glasses – they often taste of dishwashing liquid, egh…

As one writing from Hanoi, I’d have to second some of the previous suggestions, such as Pho Phu Quok at Dickson, but can’t go past recommending Can Tho at Weedon Close in Belconnen (6251-3682).

The Can Tho specialises in Southern Vietnamese / Delta food, and can highly recommend their Bun Bo Hue.

Griffith Vietnamese is excellent and cheap.
My’s at Coolo is also excellent – make sure you try the salt & pepper squid.

The one at Griffith is great. Excellent food, dirt cheap, and the walls are covered with bits of A4 paper from has-been politicians of all persuasions confirming these views – worth it alone to see them all not only agreeing, but telling the truth.

There is one in O’Connor shops but should not be included in your listing.

PHo PHu Quok at Dickson is great. Gets busy though.

The one at cooleman court rocks.

I’m not a veggo, but I’m really fond of Au Lac (veggie Vietnamese) in Dickson. I used to live by the motto “it’s not a meal without meat” but these folks have changed my mind. No special decor or setting, but the takeaway is just as good as eating in.

I’m a big fan of both the Vietnam Village Inn in Page, as well as the Kin Do Vietnamese Restaurant, just nearby in Macquarie. Both have decor that hasn’t been changed since the late 70s, so don’t expect five-star surroundings, but the food is great.