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Sunday, November 8, 2009

Hai Au Restaurant

When I think of Vietnamese food, my first thought will be Pho - a Vietnamese flat rice noodles in a bowl of soup with your preference of meat and a side dish of bean sprout, basil/mint , lemon and chili as an option to served together with the soup. But thanks to my brother in law, he introduces and expand my knowledge of Vietnamese food more than just Pho.

The latest encounter of Vietnamese food is at Hai Au Restaurant at Canley Vale.

D.I.Y rice paper rolls with variety of filings

To make your own rice paper roll may seems a bit messy, having to first dip the rice paper in the bowl of hot water until soft , then lay it on a plate and have your pick of fillings such as mint, rice vermicelli, cucumber with cooked meat. It's all worth it as you get to choose the fillings and sort of play with different food flavors and texture at the same time. Saying that, I remember my mum used to say "don't play with your food" (with a angry tone). Guess she will say this must be the only exception.

Spring rolls
Deep fried quill
Minced Prawn on Sugar cane

Like many food bloggers, trying to take photos of the food before start eating, this must be one of a kind ... evidence of my fail attempt ... wasn't able to take a proper photo as all dig straight into it once arrived ! While at least it shows partial form of the dish ?! It just shows how popular this one simple dish. Strong lovely prawn flavor with the sweetness of the sugarcane.

Self grilled marinated Deer and Beef

Yes to my surprise as well, they do sell deer meat and I'm keen to try. Deer is more gamy, but it doesn't really taste much different to beef at all.

Stewed fish in bowl with rice
Sour soup with Fish

While my most favorite must be the Canh Chua, a sour soup made up of more than a dozen types of vegetable and herbs. Such as pineapple, lemongrass, tamarind, tomatoes, coriander, bac ha (taro stem/elephant ear) and okra pods. All these flavor combination makes up one very unique soup that I could not stop refilling my bowl.

Maybe I should plan a trip to Vietnam, while for the time being, to satisfy my desire, I just have to watch Luke Nguyen's Vietnam on SBS.

Hai Au Restaurant
48a Canley Vale Road
Canley Vale, NSW 2166
Phone: (02)97249156

Hai Au Seagull Chinese & Vietnamese Restaurant on Urbanspoon

3 comments:

  1. The food looks great! I love vietnamese food :)
    I've never had deer before....it sounds interesting!

    I used to have to remind people not to eat yet....my family's used to me taking photos now =]

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  2. Hi Von, you the first to make a comment on my blog !!! Thanks a lot , this must be the highlight of my day ;) Do let me know what you think of deer meat once you have the chance to try it.

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  3. Food food food, all the yummy fooooooood,
    you gotta take me to all the restaurants that you went.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    love all ur blogs, all written nicely and beautifully, makes one mouthwatering seeing all the nice YUMMAY food

    ReplyDelete