If you can’t get enough of Melbournian Cang Lai, then hit up a steaming bowl of pho at his Australian Vietnamese diner that’s four doors down from Thai fried chicken heaven, Bird Bird. The decor here is bar-chic with high ceilings, industrial metal chairs and diner-styled long tables that are perfect for large groups.
There are four different varieties of the silky noodle-soup to choose from (beef, chicken, mushroom and chicken and beef) or you could opt for other carb-loaded bites like vermicelli noodle buns, banh mi and tapas-style items like rice paper rolls and broiche sliders. And if you really must go carb-free, there are salads like lemongrass pork and spiced prawns ($15) and chargrilled Vietnamese satay style chicken ($14) too. Those with a sweet tooth should check out their Vietnamese tiramisu with nutted praline and coffee creme ($7) or the 3 Color Trifle ($7) featuring a combination of palm sugar custard, pandan, red beans atop a coconut sponge cake.
