Sydney’s vibrant food scene is a treasure trove of international cuisines, and nestled in Marrickville, VN Street Foods stands out as a destination for truly authentic Vn Food. Forget the usual suspects; this unassuming eatery offers a deeper dive into Vietnamese culinary traditions, serving up dishes that are both comforting and exciting. From crispy egg omelettes with rice cakes to flavourful Bun Cha, prepare your palate for a genuine taste of Vietnam, all without breaking the bank, with most dishes around an inviting $11.
My anticipation for visiting VN Street Foods had been building, especially knowing they had ample outdoor seating – perfect for an evening out with my dog, Mochi. Sunday arrived, bringing with it a balmy summer night and a gentle breeze, setting the stage for what turned out to be an unexpected and delightful culinary adventure. Walking in, I was greeted not just by the aroma of delicious vn food, but also a surprise encounter.
Prior to my visit, I had meticulously browsed their online menu, already curating a mental list of must-try dishes. My enthusiasm may have gotten the better of me, as my list comprised six dishes – perhaps a tad ambitious for just two people. (Okay, let’s be honest, it was definitely too much, but in the best way possible!).
As Mr. NQN settled outside with Mochi, I headed inside to place our order. To my surprise, behind the counter stood Ben, my friend JY’s boyfriend. JY, spotting my bewildered expression and Ben’s equally quizzical look, turned around. “What are you doing here? OMG!!” was the mutual exclamation as we bumped into each other unexpectedly. They had already ordered, but the serendipitous encounter led us to combine tables and embark on a shared vn food feast.
The ordering system at VN Street Foods is refreshingly straightforward. Laminated menus and whiteboard markers await, inviting you to circle your desired dishes. Two menus are available; a standard menu and another, more intriguing selection tucked away on the B-side of the drinks menu, which immediately caught my attention with its unique offerings of vn food. Orders are placed and paid for at the counter, and a number is given for table service.
Bento Boxes and Crispy Spring Rolls: Starters to Share
First to arrive were Ben and JY’s meals – Bento Boxes. VN Street Foods offers six variations of these customizable boxes. JY opted for Bento Box #1, a hearty combination of stewed pork belly and egg, stir-fried kang kong, green mustard pickle, and potato & carrot soup. Ben’s selection featured betel leaf beef rolls accompanied by a refreshing melon and shrimp soup. These Bento Boxes are a fantastic way to sample a variety of vn food in one go.
Sampling their spring rolls, I was immediately impressed by their exceptional crispiness and the subtle hint of black pepper. While I’m often indifferent to spring rolls, these were a definite standout, prompting a mental note to order them on my next visit for more vn food.
A Feast of Vietnamese Specialties: Xoi Thit Kho, Bun Cha, and More
Our main dishes arrived with surprising speed, quickly transforming our table into a vn food banquet. The sheer volume of food necessitated an additional table to accommodate the spread.
Mr. NQN chose the “Brain Freezer Avocado,” a refreshing avocado and mint slushie. JY opted for the lychee version, which I also sampled. While both were delightful, I leaned slightly towards the lychee, though the avocado slushie was undeniably delicious and authentically avocado-flavored – a unique vn food beverage experience.
The Xoi Thit Kho, steamed sticky rice with stewed pork belly and egg, elevated with the addition of lup cheong (Chinese sausage), was a highlight. As a sticky rice enthusiast, I was in vn food heaven. The dish was richly flavored, generously topped, and boasted a perfect rice-to-meat ratio.
The Bun Cha, touted as a specialty, lived up to its reputation. Adding meatballs to the grilled pork was a brilliant decision. Admittedly, this dish isn’t for the faint of heart when it comes to oil, as it does have a noticeable slick on top – but that oil is a vessel for incredible flavour. The broth, meatballs, and lemongrass pork slices were bursting with Vietnamese spices and aromas. Served with a generous portion of vermicelli noodles and fresh herbs, this Bun Cha was a resounding hit, a true representation of delicious vn food.
The Slippery Rice Noodle Roll Cake with pork mince and green young rice pork pie was a substantial dish, justifying its slightly higher price point. Accompanied by a vegetable soup, the rice roll, filled with savory pork mince, and slices of Vietnamese pork luncheon meat, offered a fresh and flavorful experience, a testament to the vibrant nature of vn food.
My adventurous side led me to order the Bún Ốc, or escargot (snail) noodle soup. The roasted snails, with their pleasantly chewy, cartilage-like texture, were intriguing. This Hanoi specialty vn food soup was further enriched with large chunks of fried tofu, shiso leaves, and served with a side of salad and lime for customization.
The Stir-fried beef with vermicelli, a classic Bun salad, was the only dish that didn’t quite capture our enthusiasm compared to the others. It was milder in flavour profile, overshadowed by the bolder and more unique vn food dishes we had selected.
Finally, the Homemade fried rice cake arrived. An omelette encasing squares of crispy rice cake, topped with an umami sauce and stir-fried sticky pork – even in our state of fullness, we couldn’t resist indulging further. The sauce was so delicious it paired perfectly with the leftover sticky rice dish, showcasing the versatility of vn food flavours.
Amidst the ordering flurry, a takeaway order and a slight mix-up meant the goat dish I had initially wanted was missed – perhaps a blessing in disguise given the sheer amount of vn food we already had (though, happily, leftovers were plentiful!).
Sweet Endings at Gelato Franco
For dessert, a short stroll led us to Gelato Franco. The enticing gelato display presented a delightful dilemma. We eventually settled on panna cotta and tiramisu gelato in one cup, and passionfruit and raspberry yogurt in another. As a frozen yogurt aficionado, the raspberry yogurt, with its jammy raspberries and tart, smooth base, was a perfect ending to our vn food adventure.
VN Street Foods is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience, a culinary journey into the heart of vn food. From the unexpected dishes to the warm atmosphere and affordable prices, it’s a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Vietnamese flavours in Sydney.
VN Street Foods
294 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
Phone: (02) 9559 4149
Monday to Thursday, Sunday 11am–9:30pm
Friday & Saturday 10:30am–10pm
Gelato Franco
281 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204
Monday Closed
Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday 2–10pm
Friday & Saturday 2–11pm
These meals were independently paid for.
