Rice Paper Rolls

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Mama Tran – Claremont – Saturday 2 January 2016 – Dinner

IMG_4547There is a significant amount that has changed about the now Claremont Quarter since my childhood going to Big W, and my uni days going to The Conti/Red Rock/The Claremont, and of course, Club Bay View. There is certainly a different atmosphere about the whole Bay View Terrace strip which is accentuated over the Christmas break.

One thing I cannot remember having access to in those earlier days was a cheap (but tasty) option for a sit down meal. And no, Hungry Jacks does not count. Tonight we get to try one of the branches of Mama Tran, which is a Vietnamese hawker cafe.
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There is nothing unusual or different about Mama Tran. It has the rice paper roll, bahn mi and pho options you would expect amongst a smattering of other dishes incorporating one of either rice or noodles. It is clean and tidy and there is a decent crowd eating for this time of year.

Catherine and I try the prawn rice paper rolls and a pho each; Catherine with her usual choice of chicken and me with the rare beef option. Everything is good with that freshness that you expect from Vietnamese food. The serves are generous and the beef broth I’ve tried has a good amount of flavour, along with rice noodles that have a nice firm texture. Really, for the price it is a very good feed.

This style of Vietnamese is one of the biggest trends in recent times with dozens of restaurants opening up across Australia. It is a trend I’m pleased with as the competition, both within the theme, and with similarly priced options, is only going to make everyday dining better for the consumer. Bring it on Mama Tran!

Mama Tran Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Miss Chu – South Yarra – Sunday 6 September 2015 – Dinner

Traditional beef pho

Traditional beef pho

Having walked past a few times before visiting there is something enticing about the entrance to Miss Chu. The model of having the takeaway at the front and the restaurant at the back doesn’t always work but in this case there is something comforting.

The fitout for this Vietnamese diner uses every inch of the long and tight rectangle room. It is funky and functional. The menu doubles as an order form immediately bringing memories of places like Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong. While we are here for soup, there are just too many enticing dishes to completely focus there.
So we begin with rice paper rolls. Beautiful, tight wrapped rice paper covers a generous roast duck filling. Combined with the rice wine vinegar based sweet chilli sauce you have way more than a snack. This could act as a light lunch.

Roast duck and banana flower rice paper rolls

Roast duck and banana flower rice paper rolls

Next we try the prawn and crab net spring rolls. Again, it strikes me that you can actually taste the prawn and crab through its generousity, which should be the usual case, but just isn’t in reality. Each bite is delicious and again the dipping sauce adds a hit of heat.

We now have our traditional Vietnamese pho filled with beef. The broth is great, but certainly no better than many on Victoria Street. What does set this pho apart is the noodles which are perfectly formed and have that elasticity and texture that puts them in the exceptional basket. The beef is tender enough, but still could be cut a little smaller in the kitchen. Put another way, it’s probably not a first date dish.

Prawn & crab net spring rolls

Prawn & crab net spring rolls

With a good selection of drinks available, Miss Chu provides a terrific dining experience. While you write your own order, the service is still interactive, and on this occasion, quick. For the price tag it is one of those experiences where you are already planning future visits as you slurp the last of those awesome noodles.

Miss Chu Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato