Vic Park Express Mart…doesn’t sound like a likely choice for a good meal does it? You know the place…the once-was deli that then morphed into mostly flowers, between the Commonwealth Bank and Yummy House?
The shop has been divided down the middle and is now half a flower shop and the other half, this awesome little Vietnamese fast food joint. Give it a go – you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I guarantee you’ll walk out with a full warm belly for $10 or less!
With just a few dishes on the menu, the friendly young owner, Monica and her uncle are working to get everything just right and sussing out the general interest of the Vic Park Peeps (that’s you!), before a planned official launch around August/September.
I’ve been in during my lunch break a few times and it’s slowly catching on with the 9-5 office crowd, but the place was deserted when we arrived for an early Thursday night feed last week.
Classic ‘Phở Tái’ (rare beef noodle soup) at just $10, is a filling, nourishing and warming option served in a round cardboard tub, suitable to take away if you’re on the run, or eat at one of the long tables in-store. Served with fresh bean shoots, mint and chilli it’s a fantastic cheap and healthy choice for lunch or dinner.
With Phở Tái being my usual go-to, this time I branched out and tried the Bún Thịt Nướng (grilled pork and rice noodles). I guiltily devoured the fatty but perfectly crunchy and caramelised chopped pork piled on top of silky rice noodles and pickled veggies, drizzled with a fresh dressing. I them drowned it in Hoisin and Sriracha. Naughty. But nice. (Pictured)
A friend had the Bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) – ordered by mistake as she’s not a huge fan of spicy food but she managed it as it’s not super spicy unless you add the extra spoonful of chilli paste provided! Also served with fresh bean shoots and mint on the side. (Pictured).
Saving the best news until last – where else in Perth can you get a fairly spot on Bánh Mì (Vietnamese meat-filled baguette) for a measly $6.50?! With all the traditional fillings and flavours, then add as much Hoisin and Sriracha as you like (yes, I’m a fan of condiments). In true pig-like fashion and completely unnecessarily, the other half and I ordered one to share as a ‘side’ to our mains (insert guilty-face emoticon here). The Bánh Mì’s come in a choice of pork or chicken. I’ve tried both and they’re damn good. (Pictured)
The owner also lent us some glasses so we could drink our bottle of red. Not sure if that’s officially allowed, or because I now claim to be a V.I.P. at this establishment.
I would love to see this little cheap and cheerful do well. Next time you’re hungry and don’t feel like forking out too much dosh, give Vic Park Express Mart a go.
Jane McGellin
