Bò 7 Món THANH TÂM: Vietnamese, CBD Sydney (25 July 2011)

50 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 8252 7815

Gaining lunch time popularity

Options for decent Vietnamese around the Hunter Street area is pretty limited so it's good to see this place gaining popularity over the months I've been casually visiting. Sometimes during peak lunch times it gets so popular I can't get even get seat (which isn't good for me), and there's a lot of seating available compared to Malay Chinese next door. I've discovered another favourite of Fried spring rolls ($6, 4 pieces) which reminds me of the ones at Pasteur which you wrap in lettuce with fresh mint. The new special of Steamed chicken rice ($8.50) is pretty moist and tender as hoped and comes with soup and Chinese vegetables although missing cucumber and tomato as you might find with Malaysian versions. Only thigh is available so you'll need to look out for the bones. Wish they did a boneless version like Singapore Shiok although I'm suspecting it'll become a popular choice for the regulars. The Grilled pork and spring roll with rice noodle ($10.50) is worth trying although be prepared for your breathe to smell like garlic from the sauce that you pour over it. Vietnamese coffee is available and comes with condensed milk then poured over ice. It pulls no punches on both sugar and coffee taste. A bit of an acquired taste I think but seems fairly palatable — you might like it.

Other visits to Bò 7 Món THANH TÂM:

• 25 July 2011 - Fried Spring Rolls, Steamed Chicken Rice, Vietnamese Coffee, Grilled pork and spring roll with rice noodle

• 29 Nov 2010, 3 Dec 2010 - Beef Noodle Soup, Crispy Chicken with Egg Noodle, Pork Chop, Chicken Rice Noodle Soup, Pork Rice Noodle

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Plenty of seating, Reasonably priced, Tasty dishes, Alcoholic drinks available at the bar, Toilets available, Friendly service, Open for lunch and dinner

CONS: Queue for ordering can get long when busy, No windows or natural light, Decor could be perhaps nicer, Tables are sometimes not cleaned of dirty dishes as quickly as hoped

MUST TRY: Fried spring rolls

—

Fried spring rolls ($6, 4 pieces)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Steamed chicken rice ($8.50) — a variation of the Malaysian version. Ginger and shallot sauce was pretty salty though

Steamed rice bone factor — they only serve as thigh

Grilled pork and spring roll with rice noodle ($10.50)

WORTH TRYING :-)

Vietnamese coffee

Chefs and owners Mrs Anh Tran and Mr Phuoc Hoang

Menu specials

Seating options

Ask for a soup spoon if you prefer

View Larger Map

Bò 7 Món THANH TÂM: Vietnamese, CBD Sydney (29 Nov, 3 Dec 2010)

50 Hunter Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 8252 7815

Hunting down a new Vietnamese

If you can't get a seat at the ever popular Malay-Chinese then check out the new Vietnamese restaurant next door and downstairs in the Hunter Bar which has only been opened for about 6 weeks. It's got plenty of seating, the owner always seems to be smiling and the dishes are reasonably priced and pretty tasty. On my first visit the Beef Noodle Soup ($8) is decently sized and the broth isn't too oily. The meat could be a little rarer and thinner but I'm pretty happy with it. The Crispy Chicken with Egg Noodle Soup ($9.50) is certainly crispy and one of the better ones I've come across in the city with it's moist meat. Accompanied with a large bowl of noodle soup it's quite good value. The Pork Chop, Shredded Pork and Fried Egg Rice ($9.50) is served on a large plate and comes with a nicely cooked soft egg ready to combine with the rice.

On the second visit a few days later it's noticeably more busy and the Chicken rice noodle soup ($8) is reasonably sized and not too oily as well. There seems to be an introduction of set menus and the Set 4 menu ($10) comes with a Fried Won ton which unfortunately wasn't particularly hot but the freshly cooked Grilled charcoal pork rice noodle was reportedly pretty tasty. The set menu includes a drink for which a soft drink was chosen. A beer or wine can be chosen with the set menu but there's a supplement to pay for this which wasn't clearly stated. Orders receive a buzzer so you know when your meal is ready to collect from the service counter giving you time to purchase your drinks from the bar and find a seat. I'm looking forward to trying other dishes on the menu.

Other visits to Bò 7 Món THANH TÂM:

• 25 July 2011 - Fried Spring Rolls, Steamed Chicken Rice, Vietnamese Coffee, Grilled pork and spring roll with rice noodle

• 29 Nov 2010, 3 Dec 2010 - Beef Noodle Soup, Crispy Chicken with Egg Noodle, Pork Chop, Chicken Rice Noodle Soup, Pork Rice Noodle

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Plenty of seating, Reasonably priced, Tasty dishes, Alcoholic drinks available at the bar, Toilets available, Friendly service, Open for lunch and dinner

CONS: Queue for ordering can get long when busy, No windows and natural light, Decor a bit dark, Service can struggle a bit as they find their feet when very busy, There seems to be different menus outside and inside so it can be a little confusing what's available, Wine and beer supplement on set menu isn't clearly specified, Possibly MSG used

MUST TRY: Crispy Chicken with Egg Noodle Soup, More of the menu

—

Beef Noodle Soup ($8)

Crispy Chicken with Egg Noodle Soup ($9.50)

Pork Chop, Shredded Pork and Fried Egg Rice ($9.50)

Chicken rice noodle soup ($8)

Set 4: Fried Won ton, Grilled charcoal pork rice noodle, Lemonade ($10)

Lunch menus

Service counter and dining area

Dining area

Bar area

Downstairs to restaurant and bar

View Larger Map