Vegans and non-vegans alike will be thrilled to hear that the team behind the much-loved Au Lac, in Dickson, have opened a new chapter in Woden. For those who don’t know, Au Lac was Canberra’s first restaurant to specialise in vegan Asian cuisine. The menu features predominately Vietnamese cuisine, with notable influences from Chinese and Thai cooking.

The tiles in the restaurant are inspired by the ceiling of owner Linh’s childhood home, and manager Tony depicts the overall look of the new space as being ‘a lot trendier’ than its Dickson counterpart. The walls are decorated with Vietnamese artwork, painted by an artist who’s a friend of Tony’s and all the beautiful ceramics come from MIJ, in Melbourne, who import high-quality tableware from small family-run Japanese businesses.

Who says vegan food is boring? Au Lac’s menu boasts all the favourites including the much-loved laska, which is our top pick off the menu! This dish is loaded with fresh vegetables, soy chicken, tofu and noodles, topped with peanuts and crunchy bean sprouts. The texture and taste of the soy chicken was so close to the real thing that it’s guaranteed to win over some meat-eaters. The generous serving of this spicy, creamy coconut soup makes a filling meal that’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied.

Au Lac Woden is open seven days a week, from 11am-3pm for lunch, and 5pm-10pm for dinner, at Westfield Woden, Corinna St, Phillip. Whether you’re a seasoned regular, or visiting for the first time, there’s sure to be something on the menu to keep you coming back!