| Situated in the multicultural hub of Footscray village, Hien Vuong is a friendly, family-run diner specialising in at least 20 different varieties of the traditional Vietnamese rice noodle soup, pho. The popularity of chef Thanh Phong Dang's original beef- and chicken-based soup dishes, as well as the very reasonably priced menu, has landed the eatery many notable mentions in the foodie media, but that hasn't changed the humble atmosphere of this little place. The decor is sparse and very basic, with bare formica tables, white tiled floors and vinyl-topped chairs, but this all becomes irrelevant when confronted with the tempting savoury scents saturating the understated dining room.
As well as the cockle-warming pho, the kitchen serves such flavour-packed dishes as their signature seafood stir fry or the wholesome lemon chicken. The restaurant also draws a regular lunch crowd, attracted by the relaxed atmosphere and the range of light meals - think rice paper rolls, mountainous salads with sprouts and fresh chilli, and clear broths for virtuous comfort eating.
Chef: Thanh Phong Dang
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