Says my new journo friend, Daisy Dumas, she’s doing a story for CNNGo.com. Oh, and they have to be in Cabramatta and we need to eat them in one sitting… I was soooo up for the challenge!
I selected six dishes that transport me back to Vietnam, dishes that we commonly eat and one or two that are just so uniquely Vietnamese… What do you think of my selection? Leave a comment…
1. Pho: at Pho Tau Bay
No list would be complete without Pho, Vietnam’s most famous soup. It comes in several types: beef, chicken, vegetarian, even seafood. And Pho Tau Bay was voted Sydney’s best Pho in 2010.
2. Com Tam (broken rice) at Pho Tau Bay
Com tam, is ‘broken rice’ with pork chop, cha (baked minced pork), bi (thin slices of pig skin) and runny fried egg is an optional extra.
3. Banh Cuon at Phu Quoc
Banh cuon are little ice noodle pockets are filled with mince served with cured pork, fried onions and range of mints including coriander and basil. A good banh cuon is distinguished by how thin the rice noodle is, and by the dipping sauce. There are only two places I know of in Cabramatta that sell this dish and I reckon Phu Quoc serves probably the best in all of Sydney.
4. Bun Bo Hue at Dong Ba
This challenging dish is for those who graduate beyond pho. Bun bo hue in fierce, lemongrass and chili dominate, that red isn’t from tomato paste! There are several types of meat, including beef, pork, pork devon, and congealed pork blood as well as pig trotters. One of my favourite dishes!
5. Goi ga (chicken salad) at Dem Hen
Goi ga, with congee is one of my all time favourite things. At Dem Hen we order goi ga chay bo, running chicken or free range chicken. The meat is tougher gamier, but ultimately more satisfying. The cabbage, mint and lettuce and other greens, together with the lemon juice with a touch of fish sauce really works with the chicken. And a couple of chicken feet indicates this place will never compromise.
WARNING: please don’t read on if you’re squeamish – the following is about fertilised eggs.
6. Hot vit lon
Hot vit lon are soft boiled fertilised duck eggs, eaten for protein and to aid fertility. They’re also eaten in many south east Asian countries, including the Philippines where they’re called balut.
For a full description on how to eat hot vit lon and what it tastes like, visit this noodlies Sydney food blog post.
The challenge started today at 10am and five and a half hours later, at 3.30pm we finished, full, satisfied – it was such an enjoyable and filling experience!
Pho Tau Bay
12/117 John St, Cabramatta
9726 4583
Phu Quoc
11/117 John St, Cabramatta
9724 2188
Dong Ba
40 Park Rd, Cabramatta
9755 0727
Diem Hen
205 Canley Vale Road, Canley Heights
9724 9800
Sorry but my vote would be pho, pho, pho, pho, pho, bun bo hue. As much as I'm curious about the eggs, I think I'll pass on that one 🙂
Well at least bun bo hue got a mention, I couldn't help but add the eggs in
i was like pho!!!!!!! then i scrolled down and saw the balut then im like ahhhhhh!!!
did u eat it with ur eyes open or you gulped it down?
Ha, I actually ate it as a child in VN so I'm pretty ok with it.. for the friend I was with, it was a much harder experience!
The first 3 are up there as my favourite Vietnamese dishes, but my favourite off all time is bun nem nuong. If that is on a menu, I will always order it.
I like bun nem nuong as well, it makes me think there are so many yummy Vietnamese dishes.
Great selection, what about 'vietnamese pizza' congealed blood with herbs
Is that cha? or do you mean banh xeo Kat?
great photos… when i am on your blog… i often wish i could reach into the monitor… and take out all that delicious food….
it was luke nguyen's show on SBS that really got me interested in vietnam and vietnamese food… i think he showcased the nation and its culture in a very lovely way… i never missed an episode when it was on…
i really need to find some time to try some of this delicious looking food.
i was just at pho an in bankstown two weeks ago to have pho…. and i am really itching to give the pho at pho tau bay a try… given that u and so many others here have spoken so highly of it…
You should give Pho Tau Bay a try… it's all subjective but I really like it!
What about the crispy chicken with tomato rice!! lol that's my favourite thing to order along with spring rolls ^^
i don't know if i'll ever work up the courage to try the eggs 😛
Ha, ha Vivian.. I'm sure I could tempt you with those eggs!
Thanks for the list, it's super useful for people who are not that familiar with Vietnamese food, although it'll take me a few years to try Bun Bo Hue 🙂
pho without doubt..
YES for the love of banh cuon 🙂 .. how about banh beo?
ive never eaten duck egg b4 🙁 it looks scary!
yes @ dumplinggirl and boy.. OMG how could you forget NEM NUONG.
for me its not a bbq without nem !!!!
Hey Dolly, I love nem too, but pho is still it for me.
Do your parents eat duck eggs?
lateraleating, you have to try bun bo hue.. it's really very good!
Oh My God !! Fantastic this post for recipes . really yummy dish and that's good look. best info share in the post and nice your idea .thanks
Ah…nothing like feasting for 5 hours solid! And with Vietnamese delights…you can't go wrong. Love it!
Hey Adrian,
It was a very solid 5 hours of food… won't be able to do it soon, but it was very enjoyable!
nice selection.
My vote goes to Pho: at Pho Tau Bay
Love Pho Tau Bay
she actually ate the fertilised duck egg…. hats off to her…. that's something i would've never done…..
i'm sure she didn't want to write about it without having tried it….. but that is something i would've definitely declined hahaha….. i'm really bad with things like this….
whenever people tell me to try things…. without first telling me what it is……
i always decline hahaha…….. i always say…. u tell me what it is first……. and if i am fearful of it i don't dare eat it……
I respect a journo who actually experiences before they write about it.
That's credibility in my books!
Great selection. The other uniquely Vietnamese dishes that I would add to the list are banh xeo and banh mi. I think that banh mi has like a cult following in Australia.
You’re killing me! Wish I was there! how good does that goi ga and bun bo hue look?