Le Vietnam, Perth CBD
I've walked past Le Vietnam many times during my lunch breaks but never tried it until today. It is situated on Barracks St not too far from the intersection between Barrack and Hay St.
Upon entering the eatery you're greeted by the inviting decor that not only makes the place really stand out compared to other eateries nearby but also highlights the little things that make up Vietnamese culture. The red lanterns from the ceiling, the traditional Vietnamese conical hat and accompanying old fashioned bicycle on display make for a pleasant atmosphere.
Of course what could be more Vietnamese than the iconic Banh Mi right? Here you'll find a range of Banh Mi in all different variants. There's lobster & prawn, chicken & guacamole, crispy roast pork, spicy pulled pork, tandoori chicken and even coca-cola chicken! Prices are around the $10 mark which is pretty good.
Crispy Roast Pork Banh Mi
I ordered the crispy roast pork and was asked by the owner (Lee) if I wanted extra chilli. I hesitantly asked "does that cost more?" and Lee's response was "no extra cost, I know other places would charge you for it but we're trying to keep things simple here", all while being extremely friendly and approachable. The rest of the staff were happy and friendly too. Simple indeed Mr Lee...it's the little things like that (i.e. good service) that make it even more pleasant to dine here.
Do note that the place is rather small and may get a bit cramp when there are many patrons but it never felt uncomfortable. One surprise was that the place was cash only so come prepared if you're on a tight lunch schedule.
The crispy roast pork was very tasty and had a good serving of carrots, herbs, pork and 2 large cucumber slices. The bun was crispy all over and wasn't soft/soggy. Like any good Banh Mi, the aroma was fresh and authentic too. Definitely keen to try the other flavours.
Overall it was a good and tasty experience at Le Vietnam. Would I come back again? the answer is a "simple" yes.