By Gary Lee
Vietnamese restaurants in Footscray often feature a delightful blend of authenticity and simplicity, offering traditional dishes that reflect the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam.
Whenever I spend time with friends who hail from Vietnam at these restaurants, I find it to be an educational experience, as I gain insights into the origins of various dishes and the traditional ways in which they are enjoyed.
We found this charming establishment, Xuan Anh Banh Cuon, located at the Footscray Market, to be quite appealing. It can be accessed from Hopkins Street or from within the market itself. The decor is understated, which ensures that the emphasis stays on the food. As you are seated, utensils are readily available and there is complimentary tea on the tables, inviting patrons to enjoy their meals in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
There’s plenty of hardcopy menus to go around and their best sellers are prominently displayed above the cashier.
This visit, we had our eyes on two dishes, one being their recommended item, the original bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) filled with minced pork, finely chopped black fungus and garnished with deep fried shallots. The dish is served with a delicious meatloaf on the side and there is also an option to add a piece of ‘hash brown’ (sweet potato fries and prawn fritters).
Bánh cuốn have similarities to the Cantonese cheung fun at yum cha restaurants, but these rice rolls are more delicate and are served with a bowl of nước chấm (dipping sauce usually made from a blend of fish sauce, water, sugar, chilly and citrus).
The other dish, one that I have not tasted before, is bánh đa cua; red rice noodles with crab, a specialty of the port city Hai Phong. These noodles, which have an earthy hue, are served in a rich, pork-based broth, making it one of the more distinctive selections at this restaurant. The bowl is generously packed with various ingredients, including crab paste and, notably, the homemade fish cakes that I particularly enjoyed.
Most dishes here are served with a side of chopped lettuce, fresh bean sprouts and fresh chilli, introducing an element of freshness and texture to elevate the overall dining experience.
Chúc ngon miệng (bon appetit)!
