There’s something magical about experiencing the street food of different places – it’s an express ticket to the heart of a nation’s food culture, and it allows us to connect with the local way of life without even needing to speak the language. We Canberrans have always loved our street food, and for a taste of Saigon there’s no better place to go than Miss Vân’s, which has quickly gained a loyal following for its unique brand of Vietnamese street food since opening in mid-2015.
Miss Vân’s is located in the Westside Acton Park village, and it’s impossible to miss thanks to the bright yellow branding and oversized QR code that adorns the shipping container it’s housed in. Grab a seat at one of the tables right in front (with their matching yellow chairs), and you’ll have a relaxing view of the lake, while also being able to soak up all of the action inside the village (which today, is a friendly game of 3-on-3 basketball).
For Andrew Duong, who is no stranger to the local hospitality scene, Miss Vân’s is an expression of his family’s long history of cooking across southeast Asia. His dishes are all based on secret family recipes that have been passed down from his mother, Miss Vân herself, who in turn was taught the same recipes from her mother and grandmother. Just as importantly, the dishes also represent the countless meals that have been eaten together and shared at the family table through the generations.
It’s this traditional way of cooking and the family connection that is central to the philosophy at Miss Vân’s. “Everything we cook is exactly how we do it for our family at home”, Andrew tell us, as he points towards the broth for the phở, which is gently simmered for at least 24 hours. “We don’t take any shortcuts here and that’s what makes our food so special”.
This evening, we start things off with a few of Miss Vân’s specialty drinks, which are a must-have with your meal. The iced coffee is characteristic of the slow-drip coffees of Vietnam – strong, but well balanced with the sweetness of condensed milk. The soya bean milk is infused with pandan, adding a vanilla-like aroma and soft green hue, while the sweet coconut juice, extracted from a freshly cracked coconut, is the ultimate refreshing drink.
When it comes to sandwiches, nothing beats a great bánh mì, and the ones at Miss Vân’s are exceptional. Whether you order the pork, chicken or vegetarian versions, it all starts with the baguette roll, which is satisfyingly crunchy on the outside and perfectly fluffy in the middle. The fillings are fresh and full of flavour – the house-made pate adds a wonderful richness and depth to the pork and chicken bánh mì, and the marinated tofu in the vegetarian version will satisfy even the most ardent meat-eater.
The bún (noodle salad bowls) are light yet filling, making them a perfect meal for a warm summer’s day. There are two versions – ginger soy chicken, and lemongrass and chilli tofu – each served on a bed of vermicelli noodles and accompanied by a crunchy salad of bean shoots, cucumber, mint, coriander, pickles and toasted peanuts. The nước chấm dressing adds some background acidity and saltiness to the dish, without overpowering the flavour of the ingredients themselves.
Lastly, a hearty bowl of phở đặc biệt (special beef noodle soup), perhaps one of the best comfort foods known to man, makes its way to the table. The broth is rich and clear, the noodles are fresh, and the mix of rare beef, braised brisket, beef balls and slow-cooked oxtail provides plenty of variety as you savour your way through the bowl.
Miss Vân’s is undoubtedly one of the star attractions at Westside Acton Park, providing great food with generous servings, and at very affordable prices. It’s a perfect spot to pick up a quick lunch, or have a casual dinner while enjoying the fresh air and lakeside location.
