Saigon Queen: Vietnamese, Darlinghurst (25 July 2012)

137 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

Pho time on Oxford

I've been curious to try this new Vietnamese eatery I keep passing by each day on the bus. I'm always on the look out for a good pho soup. I noticed lunch time offered a special priced menu for two dish options. I chose the Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup with thinly sliced rare beef ($8 lunch special). Served in a generous bowl with plenty of beef and ingredients makes it good value and the broth has enough flavour to make it enjoyable. The side of freshly cut chilli is very hot so I'd be surprised if anyone could actually use all of the generous serving. I also ordered the Crispy Pork Spring Rolls ($12, 6 pieces) which are cooked to a good crisp and quite tasty although more filling would have made them even better. It came with a more than plentiful supply of super fresh mint and just enough crisp fresh iceberg lettuce. The dipping sauce was flavoursome but a slightly larger bowl would have made it easier for dipping the wrapped spring roll. My favourite springs rolls are still to be found at Pasteur in Haymarket.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Polite and friendly service, Reasonably priced menu, Fresh ingredients, Generous serving size of pho

CONS: Not close enough to the CBD for a regular lunch spot for me, Spring rolls could do with a bit more filling to pastry ratio

MUST TRY: Pho, Returning to try other menu items

VERDICT: A pleasant eatery for reasonably priced dishes that are served by friendly staff entices me to return to try other dishes

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Pho Tai: Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup with thinly sliced rare beef ($8 lunch special)

Wrapping up the spring roll

A bit more filling versus pastry would be good

Cha Gio: Crispy Pork Spring Rolls ($12, 6 pieces)

Table water — sponsored by Coca-Cola glasses

Menu

Wine menu

Beer menu

Spirits menu

Drinks menu

$8 Lunch Special Menu

Table setting

Seating and decor

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