42 Restaurants in Sydney: Vietnamese

If you’re new to Vietnamese food, you’ll be amazed by the sheer variety of dishes on offer. Vietnam’s signature dish is pho which consists of rice noodles, vegetables and meat or eggs in a spiced broth. Hot and filling, it is actually the country’s traditional breakfast dish but can be enjoyed any time. For a main course, try rice or noodles served with grilled marinated pork, chicken, duck or fish. Piquant with the tang of herbs and fermented fish sauce, these dishes are a delight for the tastebuds. With all these exciting flavours, one thing’s for sure – you’ll never be bored in Sydney’s Vietnamese restaurants.

Sydney is extremely multicultural as a city, meaning that you will find plenty Vietnamese restaurants dotted around, but for sheer variety you can’t beat heading to Marrickville for a feed. This suburb is packed with eateries serving up a full range of Vietnamese dishes including spicy baguettes, spring rolls and, of course, pho. Just visit popular Merrick establishments such as Pho Hai Duong and Pho Quyen to see (and taste) just how creative chefs can get with this staple dish. When it comes to Vietnamese restaurants, the Sydney CBD has some gems of its own including Bene Cafe Bar & Restaurant. Offering an extensive repertoire of Vietnamese fare including pho, pancakes, and lemongrass chicken, it fills up fast so be sure to book your table with Quandoo.

Snacking is a national pastime throughout Asia and the Vietnamese have it down to a fine art. Be sure to try Goi Cuon, the diaphanous spring rolls stuffed with crab, shrimp, or pork, along with rice, vermicelli and spices. Dipped in a spicy peanut sauce, they go down wonderfully with tea or or your favourite tipple. Another filling tidbit is the Vietnamese sandwich called Banh Mi. Inspired by French baguettes, they’re traditionally made with rice flour and are deliciously crisp and fluffy. Stuffed with everything from pate to cold cuts and tofu, and garnished with pepper, these tasty submarines have now achieved the status of Sydney’s official sandwich.

Simplicity is one of the hallmarks of Vietnamese cuisine but that doesn’t mean you can’t go gourmet. Indeed, the attention to detail and the reverence with which the chefs prepare food assures every meal will be a grand experience. To enjoy Vietnamese food in a special setting, try Hue royal cuisine, the foods of the former imperial capital. The emperor’s menu ran to 300 dishes, but a pomelo salad and fish stewed with lemongrass and turmeric should be enough to help you imagine you’re dining on the banks of the Perfume River!