By Gary Lee (@garyleecious / @divers_eat_y)
Feeling a bit peckish while wandering through Footscray can lead to delightful culinary discoveries. This vibrant neighbourhood offers a variety of tempting treats, from authentic Vietnamese pho and banh mi to decadent Italian pastries. Regardless of whether you are really hungry or just seeking a snack, there are plenty of food options for every occasion.
Here is a list of my favourite treats from these Footscray establishments:
Xuan Anh Banh Cuon
194/81 Hopkins St, Footscray, Au, 3011 – bánh cuốn quẩy (Chinese donuts wrapped in steamed rice rolls)
I grew up ordering this dish as ‘jaa leung’ (Cantonese) but in Vietnamese it’s called bánh cuốn quẩy. Basically this dish consist of Chinese donuts, or crispy fried dough sticks (quẩy) wrapped in steamed rice rolls (bánh cuốn). For easier consumption, they are served cut into bite-sized pieces then dipped in a classic Vietnamese fish sauce vinaigrette or nước chấm. The Cantonese version garnishes the dish with a drizzle of sweet soy sauce instead (you can get them at Golden Horse on the same street). The pairing of the tender, gentle rice rolls with the crispy dough sticks provides a contrasting and enjoyable dining experience.
Papelon
190/81 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC 3011 – cassava chips
Cassava chips are a beloved staple in Latin American cuisine, known for their delightful texture that combines a crispy exterior with a tender interior. Also known as yuca or tapioca chips, they have a nutty flavour. At Papelon, they serve their cassava chips with a guasacaca (‘wah-sah-KAH-kah’ – how fun is that to pronounce?), a vibrant and tangy Venezuelan avocado sauce, which is like guacamole but smoother in texture.
Kariton Sorbetes
50 Leeds St, Footscray VIC 3011 – gelato
Kariton Sorbetes in Footscray receives rave reviews for its unique, Filipino-inspired gelato, offering unique flavours Ube Halaya (purple yam gelato with purple yam fudge, blackberry jam and caramelised coconut curds), Durian Chiffon (durian gelato with chiffon cake and palm sugar jelly), Milo Dinosaur (Milo gelato with malted milk chocolate ganache and Milo honeycomb) and Keso (cheddar cheese gelato with ‘SkyFlakes’ crackers, roasted cashews and lots of grated cheddar). Kariton also offers the option of having your gelato served in a soft, house-made milk bun (pandesal).
Street vendor
Leeds Street – chuối chiên (banana fritter)
Every once and again, a group of elderly community members will host a pop-up market on Leeds St, Footscray. This is a much-loved market that has been operating for over a decade, with vendors selling a whole range of things including homegrown plants, fruits, vegetables, and seeds. If lucky, you will find an elderly woman selling chuối chiên, or Vietnamese banana fritters. Bananas are peeled, flattened, and dipped in a light rice flour batter before frying. If you get there at the right time, these flat fritters (shaped like a potato cake) will still be warm and crispy. Each bite is crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside—the perfect Vietnamese snack that is also naturally gluten-free and grain-free.
Black and White Milk Tea 2
44 Byron St, Footscray VIC 3011- bubble tea
For the cheapest bubble tea in Footscray, check out Black and White Milk Tea. You can get a refreshing drink for as low as $5. They have a wide range of options from original milk tea to matcha, chocolate, taro, peach, grape, salt coffee and lychee.
