iMasticate

Just a short rant about To To Vietnamese because my unpleasant visit is stuck in my memory. Please forgive this post for the scant detail because I’m just writing a quick one today.

You should always be suss when a restaurant claims it can cook ‘Asian’ cuisine.

First complaint: the restaurant chooses not to provide free water. How rude. I shared a lemon ice tea with my mum ($3.80).

Vietnamese spring rolls with prawns (approx $6 for 2 rolls)

Vietnamese spring rolls use softened rice paper and the contents vary greatly. We ordered an entree because I love to make these at home and wanted to suss out how to improve my own efforts! What a waste of time. The thin slices of prawn on the top were far from generous and the rolls were mostly filled with vermicelli (rice) noodles, lettuce and mint. The sweet dipping sauce was basically hoisin from the bottle with some chilli sauce and peanuts thrown in. Rip off! My dipping sauce is far tastier - I’ll post my recipe sometime so you’re convinced.

Combination beef rice noodle soup ($12)

Pho is a popular Vietnamese vermicelli noodle soup that usually includes a variety of bits of meat and is often accompanied by hoisin sauce, mint leaves and fresh bean spouts to throw in. The soup was flavoursome, there were plenty of beef bits and the noodles were well-cooked and slippery. This dish was the highlight of our rather disappointing meal.

Random beef dish with rice (approx $16)

We ordered this dish on the waiter’s poorly informed recommendation. The beef cubes were very tender, but the flavours were unremarkable. It would be easily forgotten, but for the fact I took photos during our meal.

Also, a waitress dropped the teatowel used to clean cutlery onto the floor, but picked it up as if nothing had happened. Eww?

Summary
Likes: decent pho in suburbs south of the river

Dislikes: average westernised ‘Asian’ cuisine, no free water

Value for money: not great

Overall: convenient location when I’m craving pho, but I’ll stick to the noodle soups

Contact
Address:
875 Albany Highway
Victoria Park WA

(08) 9355 2388

———EDIT——— 26 December 2012

Boxing Day left my group of four with few dining options along Albany Highway, so we headed into the crowded restaurant with strict instructions from me to only order noodle soups.

Wonton noodle soup ($12)

I chose with a trusty wonton noodle soup, which no Asian restaurant can stuff up too badly. Thankfully, the soup was tasty and the four large dumplings were stuffed with pork, prawn, and mushrooms.

Beef ball and raw beef rice noodle soup (usually $12)

My friend ordered the phowith beef balls and rare beef. He found a small, sharp pieces of plastic in his soup. Fortunately, he spotted it on his spoon because it would have cut him pretty badly if he swallowed it. The meal itsef was filling and quite tasty, with salty flavoursome soup.

I told the guy at the cash register about the plastic and the pho was struck off the bill without any argument. Discounts make me happy, but I’m concerned about their health and safety standards in this restaurant. Also, we went without water during our dinner because I will not be forced to pay for overpriced ice tea or similar beverages. Seriously, free water or GTFO.