Bao Luc and Tien Tran: proud owners of Petite Saigon, Verity Lane Market. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Vietnamese stall Petite Saigon has opened in Verity Lane this week, taking over the space formerly occupied by popular Singaporean hawker-style Lim Peh’s Wanton Noodle.
The family stall is run by Bao Luc and husband Tien Tran. While it’s their first Vietnamese restaurant, a family member helping out on the stall for their opening told Region Bao brought more than 25 years of hospitality experience running cafes.
The menu focusses on street food classics such as banh mi, with pho, rice paper rolls and snacks. It’s part of the plan to showcase a different side to Vietnamese cuisine.
“Things like the grilled Vietnamese pork sausage is a very classic homestyle dish. We want to introduce this family style of Vietnamese food to Canberra,” a team member said.
Bun noodle salad is one of my favourite Vietnamese dishes. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
I visited the family-run restaurant on their opening day at Verity Lane. I ordered my favourite Vietnamese bun salad: vermicelli noodles with fresh salad, herbs, served with a fish sauce and peanut dressing. There’s the option to have it with grilled pork sausages or with barbecued pork and spring rolls. I chose the latter, and enjoyed the smoky pork flavours and crunchy, delicious spring rolls. It’s a fresh, vibrant lunch, with plenty of fresh shiso leaves and a nice balance of texture.
I also ordered some rice paper rolls to take home: choosing lemongrass chicken from four options. The three rolls are generous and freshly made.
I’d be interested in coming back for an affordable lunchtime banh mi, or a pho with a Vietnamese iced coffee.
The family is excited to be in the new space, and eager to please customers. Tien’s friendly service along with Bao’s wholesome cooking is bound to be a hit with Verity Lane’s regular visitors.
The space was previously occupied by Lim Peh’s, now opened in Westfield Woden. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Bao and Tien join Verity Lane stallholders including Rasa Rosa’s, Seoul Food, Pizza Artigiana and Superbao. The food hall space has proven a popular launching ground for small hospitality businesses to gain a following and experience a supportive space with an established clientele.
For those already missing the wonton noodles of Lim Peh’s, fear not: it has already announced its new location in the ground floor food court at Westfield Woden. It’s rebranded slightly as Lim Peh’s Hawker Bowls, but will be serving the same menu of hearty noodles, handmade dumplings, and Singaporean hawker food staples.
Petite Saigon is located at Verity Lane Market, Sydney Building, 50 Northbourne Ave, Canberra City.
Verity Lane Market is open from midday to 10 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and from midday until late on Thursday to Saturday.
Follow Petite Saigon on Instagram.
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