I came here with my friends on a Friday night and we had the most amazing experience at straight outta Saigon. From the funky decor, the yummy cocktails and the banquet menu, everything was spot on! The service staff was super attentive and fun. Definitely try their strawberry waffles dessert as wellđ
Love the cocktails they have available here. Very tasty and creative! Friendly and attentive crew, cute decor, great music. Cant go wrong! Perfect for a date spot or casual eating
Had the Vietnamese chicken curry for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful flavors. I've been looking around the CBD for a good Vietnamese restaurant and this seems to tick all the boxes. Great staff and venue to relax and have some food and maybe a drink or two.
Dined here last night and loved the experience and atmosphere. Staff were super friendly and food was amazing and decently priced. They also have a stocked bar and serve some amazing cocktails!
Straight Outta Saigon definitely knows how to put on a delish spread! WOW! We had the Feed Me option which is such great value.
We started off with the ginger and prawn dumplings which were crispy on the outside and filled with the most plumpest prawns, the best dumplings I have had in a while. We also had the crispy fried chicken banh mi, not only were these cute but so full of flavour. The buns were so soft and had a sweetness and everything packed inside was tasty.
For mains we had the caramelised salmon which was in a nice zesty soy sauce and the crispy pork belly with apple slaw which had a generous amount of pork, another great dish. We had the vermicelli for a side.
The cocktail list is also really good, the cocktails we ordered not only looked stunning they tasted it too!
This was such a memorable experience, thanks for having us.
This modern and fun Vietnamese restaurant is located just across QT Hotel on Russell Street and there is so much to choose from. There is a modern and sassy design inside the restaurant with Murals and neon signs on the wall.
The menu has a good range and they do cater for the special dietary requirements. We decided on the banquet as we thought it was quite good value for money and we get to have abit of everything. For the feed me menu, you get 2 smalls, 2 large and a side which is a good amount between two.
We decided on the soft shell crab baos, the baked scallops and from the large session we went with the whole seabass and the crispy pork belly with Asian slaw and opted for the coconut rice for our side. The dishes were nicely presented, and the portions were good for sharing.
The bao was so soft and fluffy and the soft shell crab was lightly fried and we really enjoyed the baked scallops. High recommend the whole seabass, it was cooked really well and the flavours were good. I really enjoyed it and it went well with the coconut rice. The crispy pork belly with Asian slaw was seasoned nicely and was light and you get a good balance between the pork belly and the Slaw. We wanted to try their desserts but did not have room, will need to come back to try their dessert options. Really enjoyed the flavours on each dish
For drinks, we went with the Lychee Me Up and the Passionfruit Blossom and they were really refreshing and light. Love how they complemented the dishes really well.
Overall, we really enjoyed our meal here and the staff were lovely and friendly. They do get quite busy on weeknights, might be best to make a booking in advance.
Had a great meal and staff were excellent especially Hannah who helped us with the menu as we had never eaten Vietnamese before. Also the manager who got a wheelchair into a very crowded restaurant
Cool, funky spot with unreal food! Everything we ordered was delicious and the cocktails were perfect. Even though they were busy the service was great and the food came out super quick :) Our server Raisa was lovely and made our already awesome experience even better! We will be back.
I enjoyed this meal apart from the stools And the toilets . Itâs uncomfortable sitting without a back. The toilets were up three flights of stairs.... not sure how someone with any mobility impairment could have used the amenities. The door didnât shut and the seat wasnât attached. You also canât wait in the area for using the amenities. Back on the restaurant seats, we would have stayed longer for more drinks and dessert except it was so uncomfortable. All of the food was plentiful and delicious. Six of us had the banquet. Excellent.
I came here for lunch with friends. This restaurant is quite small and it was really busy, so definitely need to book ahead. I ordered the caramelised salmon with rice while my friends ordered the beef pho. The salmon was nice, well cooked, and it had just the right amount of rice. But next time I will order the beef pho which seemed to be the more popular dish.
đ±Lizzieâs first impression: Right in the heart of the CBD, this place is bustling even on a Monday night. This place does a "feed me" menu like their sister restaurant Hochi Mama. You can choose 5 dishes for 35 a head! What a bargain.Â
đ©Lizzie enjoyed: I've been twice now and I had a great experience on both. This time I tried the soft shell crab baos which had a generous amount of soft shell crab and it was topped with plenty of delicious mouth watering sauce (aka chilli mayo).Â
I had the vietnamese curry for a second time and on both occassions, it was perfectly cooked. I loved the thickness of the curry and it was so vagrant. The chicken was cooked tenderly and perfect also.Â
The pork belly salad was delicious and I was just drinking the sauce like soup.Â
đ
Lizzie did not enjoy: the space inside the restaurant is very cramped so don't expect too much of the seating arrangements. Â
đ„Lizzie rates overall: It is a great place for a shared meal of delicious fusion vietnamese food. The prices are very affordable and I definitely left feeling full and content.
Very cool, trendy decor restaurant with a pretty lady as wall art and some neon light signs. This restaurant is situated at a very convenient location in the heart of CBD.
There is also a good deal on which is: Choosing 2 small, 2 large and 1 side dish for $59 between two people.
We started off with these drinks:
FRESH PRINCE OF MELBOURNE - Cucumber, mint, celery and spinach, smashed together with 100% coconut water. Mmm I can't say this is my favourite - the taste isn't for me as I don't like celery or mint, but if you like a refreshing 'green' drink then get this.
TARO MILK TEA - I got a hot one and it had a dark purple colour, but not the usual hot taro milk tea flavour that I expected, as it might be a bit lighter in flavour.
For the Smaller dishes:
SAIGON PRAWN BITES - Saigon grilled prawns, served with woven vermicelli, pickled carrots, cucumber, mint in a cup of a lettuce served with nuoc mum sauce. This was very interesting! The prawns were neatly stacked on top of all the toppings and was covered in the nuoc mum (fish sauce) which brings out the flavour. Perhaps a bit too much fish sauce in mines.
SAIGON BAOS - One soft shell crab served with kimchi and spicy mayo and one crispy pork belly served wtih cucumber, pickled carrots and hoisin sauce. The crispy pork belly was really nice and tender, and the soft shell crab was very crunchy with a spicy kick to it.
For the Larger dishes:
CRISPY PORK BELLY WITH APPLE SLAW - Irresistible crispy pork belly, served with apple slaw & nuoc mam sauce. The crispy pork belly was really nice when served with the coconut rice (which was our side). The coconut rice was sweet and the slaw was a bit soury, and then combined with the savoury pork belly - the flavours went well together!
TRADITIONAL PHO - Beef and chicken - The good thing about this dish is that they will separate this into two smaller bowls so it's easier to eat between two! The beef and chicken pieces were so tender and no fatty bits! However, the pho broth was a bit lighter in flavour compared to the other ones I've had. It was nice when the meat is dipped into the hoi sin sauce!
Because I went with my family, we ordered some other items:
VIETNAMESE SPRING ROLLS - Seafood spring rolls served with cup of lettuce, pickled carrots and daikon choice of fish sauce - This was very crunchy and light in batter. Possibly my fave dish outta all!
RICE PAPER ROLLS - Freshly rolled rice paper rolls, served with pineapple hoisin sauce or nuoc mam. Crispy Pork belly and Prawns. I didn't get to try this...but I love prawn rice paper rolls in general!
TRADITIONAL CARAMELISED PORK BELLY - Braised traditional Vietnamese 6 hour slow cooked caramelised pork belly served with soy egg and cucumbers with broth - This meat is soooo tender and flavourful that it just melts in your mouth!! Really nice flavours too! I would recommend this dish only if you like meat with a bit of fatty to it!
VIETNAMESE CURRY - Rich coconut curry with a combination of carrots and potato served with crispy tofu. This curry was very nice and rich in flavour, I would recommend this curry with the coconut rice! YUM!
Overall, what a great experience to share and taste a lot of dishes when we go as a big group! Good value! Thank you Straight outta Saigon!
Average fusion vietnamese resto
A vibrant Vietnamese restaurant on busy Russell Street, Straight Outta Saigon has a cool vibe, fab cocktails and divine food; all served with a smile by lovely staff. It's a small venue, but is decorated with lots of neon signs and gorgeous murals, and the furnishings are comfortable with lots of natural light.
The cocktail list is quite impressive, and we had two amazing cocktails. One was served in a glass filled with smoke, and the other contained flaming absinthe. Plenty of theatrics, and both delicious!
We tried the special menu, that included two smaller, two larger and one side dish. A great way to sample a few different things, and very good value for money. For starters we had amazing spring rolls, with a web like pastry and a tasty filling. Wrapping them in lettuce adds some extra crunch, and the dipping sauce was incredible. The crispy chicken banh mi were fabulous, and quite filling for a starter. With lots of fabulous sauce, soft brioche buns and moist, tender chicken; these banh mi were fantastic and I could eat them all day.
For mains, we couldn't resist the house speciality of crispy pork belly. With a fresh salad and zingy dressing, this dish was surprisingly light, and the pork was succulent and extremely flavoursome. We also chose the salt and pepper tofu which was also fabulous. Again with a fresh, crunchy salad and loads of perfectly cooked tofu; this was an amazing dish. Some vermicelli noodles on the side and we had ourselves a delicious feast.
Not one to pass up dessert, we chose the Vietnamese coffee creme caramel and we loved this so much. Delicious and creamy, with a great coffee flavour, additional ice cream and some crumb for extra texture this was a great way to finish our dinner.
Straight Outta Saigon is a great venue for a relaxing dinner. On a Monday night when we dined here, it was still very busy; so it's clear that it's a popular venue. With it's fun ambience, fresh and tasty food and amazing service, this Vietnamese restaurant is definitely a standout in this area.
The place was amazing the staff were really lovely and the food was literally the best i have had in a while I will definitely be back soon!!!
You can smell the amazing aromas of this venue way before you see it. Simply amazing to whet your appetite to very authentic Vietnamese meal. We had seafood spring rolls that were more than flavorful. A beautiful combo of crispy pastry & freshness of lettuce. Make sure you order the chicken curry... honestly no words. Simply brilliantly balanced and totally yum worthy! The pork belly with apple slaw again no words. Make the effort you will love it!!!!
The customer service is great ^^ , dining atmosphere is great too , talk about the taste of food overall is good . And the price is reasonable.
Loved our night here! The cocktails were absolutely amazing and the place has amazing vibes which I love! The Viet food was also super yummy! Best place to go on a Friday night or even on a weeknight when you want to feel like youâre on holiday! âșïž
The Wandering Reviewer
+5
As i just finished racking up my 10,000 steps, the hunger pains arrived. Close to the office is Straight Outta Saigon in Russell Street that has tempted me for a while. Avoiding the imminent rain and hungry for something light and tasty, I ventured in and wasn't sure whether to dine at the counter, at a booth or with a window view. I chose something discreet at the rear (because I take photos of my food I don't like to be the centre of attention). Of course, on a sunny day, I could eat outdoors and watch the wonders of Melbourne go by. I chose to have the Crispy Tofu Rice Paper Rolls and the Southern Fried Chicken. Wow! Just Wow! The RPR were a good size and filled with cucumber, onion, carrots and vermicelli. The sauce on the side was perfect. The wings were delicately crumbed with a very lightly sauce with not much spice but a unique, fresh, tangy flavour. Sticky fingers meant, I had to lick every one clean. Ho hum. To wash it all down, I had an original Vietnamese Lemonade. Not too sweet and quite a thirst quencher. The whole lunch cost $26 and I won't be eating dinner tonight - pleasantly full.
Special mention to staff who were just lovely and very friendly. Bonus that the decor is quite hypnotic, particularly the mural on the wall - quite the eye catcher.
Notes: wheelchair friendly but only just. It is quite tight for space. Kid friendly. Dietaries can be catered for, so please bring it to the attention of the staff.
Kudos to ambience! Its faaaantastic! đđŒ Love the neon board! The food was little over average. $59 for a feed for two is a sweet deal! Wish you guys are on Zomato Gold!
While this spot is (sadly) no longer 24 hours, it still serves up Vietnamese fare that rivals the former venue before it's rebrand. There are classic dishes alongside some interesting contemporary variations including a cheesy vegan mushroom croquette that's delicious. The spring rolls, prepared with rice noodle web wrapping, are also really nice. While I enjoyed the caramelised tofu dish, I actually preferred the tofu that came with the rice noodles, as it was more sticky and sweet and flavourful. If you're up for a cocktail, the Tila Tequila and Land of the Rising Sun are both really refreshing. As for the space, it's vibrant with neon signage and large windows for people watching.
Excellent trendy new restaurant in the cbd. Friendly staff and awesome value for money. We did the feed me option for $29.50 per person. Out of the small dishes we selected the salmon betel leaf, the prawn bites and the soy shell crab bao. From the mains we ordered the curry with chicken, the pork belly and the salt and pepper calamari. Then we had the coconut rice and coleslaw as sides. Everything was delicious but the bao, the betel leaf and the curry were particular highlights. The cocktails were nice too. The only draw back of this restaurant is that they they donât have a toilet on the premises. Rather you have to use the Taco Bill toilets on level 2 next door.
Authentic Vietnamese cuisine! The baos were really delicious. Highly recommend to try the deal $59 for two, where you get to taste a bit of everything.
From the masterminds of Hochi Mama, this certainly lived up to expectations. Pictured below is the Vegetables spring rolls, Chicken Satay skewers, Soft Shell Crab bao, Pad See Ew, Vietnamese Curry & The Pork belly! Will be back again!!
4.5
Tonight we were lucky enough to dine at Straight Outta Saigon, the revamped Vietnamese restaurant that has taken over the 20Pho7 location. The new menu still has many of the classics but also a whole bunch of creative new dishes and we could see the influence Hochi Mama owners have had in shaping the menu.
We sat the bar and ordered the homemade lemonade which was tangy and tart and a delicious refreshing Fresh off the boat cocktail served in a Tiki mug. I loved sitting at the bar tonight and watching the skilled barman crack out the cocktails drink after drink while holding a conversation, very impressive.
The new menu leans towards sharing dishes and as such we opted to try the âa bit of everythingâ menu where you choose 2 small dishes, 2 large dishes and a side for $59 per couple.
From the small plates section we ordered the Soft shell crab baos, what an awesome start to the night these hot juicy sweet baos were just deliciousness!
Next we tried the Betel leaf salmon sashimi, OMG, there is a party in my mouth, this flavour explosion was so not expected, what an incredible complex dish of zingy flavours and textures. This dish was the bomb!
The Vietnamese chicken curry was a delightful frangrant mild green curry, with tender chicken and a great hit of veggies, I loved the inclusion of potato.
We also ordered the whole flounder which arrived under a tower of green mango coleslaw and a great set of instructions on how to debone for easy consumption. Â The fish was covered in a divine sweet sticky marinade that was perfect with the rice and salad. Â Lip smackingly good.
Straight Outta Saigon Is a cosy little venue and with such great food there Iâm sure it must book our on busier nights so suggest booking.
Thanks so much for your hospitality.
Everything we ordered was really delicious, the cocktails were great and the price was really good!! Would go back again for sure, such a cosy restaurant.
Had a lovely dinner last night. Service was excellent and food was too. We had the soft shell crab Bao, green mango salad with tofu and Vietnamese curry with tofu. Will definitely be going back soon as it was all delicious and the place had such a cool vibe. Was busy though so definitely book in advance.
Jessica Sargeant (Unbeleafablefood)
+4
This restaurant is so funky! Love the dĂ©cor and vibes. The team are super cool and friendly.Â
I love how many vegan options are on the menu too. We tried the mushroom croquettes (my fave), the veggie spring rolls, and the tofu curry. All great flavours indeed.Â
I wish the place was a little bigger, felt slightly cramped on our table for two. Still definitely worth a visit, but perhaps make a booking so you don't have to wait!
Def keen to go back and try more vegan options and perhaps a few cocktails!
My boyfriend and I were casually walking by this restaurant and it really got our attention as we walked past and ever since day we wanted to try it out. Given they also owned the popular Hochi Mama high expectations! With some popular Vietnamese options along with quirky cocktails we weren't at all left disappointed. ***Disclaimer: although the restaurant has generously invited me to their restaurant this review is still based on my genuine opinion.
Someone roll me outta here because I ate too much amazing food. . . Exceptional service, and a variety of dishes to try out! Amazing vegan options too. Thanks again.
This place takes the cake! Awesome vibe, great service, the "A Bit of Everything" menu is unbeatable in value, 5 dishes for $55!! I can't recommend it enough for the staff's knowledge and delicious advice, even showing us the best way to enjoy our whole flounder! Cocktails are perfect for the spicy and sweet menu.
There was a long line out the front but because I was solo they squeezed me in at the bar which I really appreciated. I ordered the chicken pho and crispy pork rice paper rolls. The pork rolls were fantastic. The pho was quite plain and I would have liked to be offered some chilli or something, but overall a good experience!
Jessam Carroll-Whiteley
+5
Delicious. Great flavours, great value with the Feed Me deal. We had all the vego/vegan options and my mate (who loves her meat) was super happy with the spread. Staff were friendly and food came out quickly. Will be going back ASAP
Awesome vibes, food and decor! Good place to bring a date for Vietnamese food and cocktails. Would recommend getting the spring rolls and the crispy pork belly salad
Yum yum yum! Came here as a small group and was Instantly served... amazing service from all staff. The food was really really good we got the feed me platter. There was nothing I didn't like. I'm actually planning on going back this week for another round.
My wife and I stumbled across this place on our way to a gig and were so impressed. The ambiance and service was excellent, and for $55 to feed two, I was happy even before I tasted any food... When the food promptly arrived, it all tasted fantastic and was beautifully presented! I found the food here just as good or better than some of the more well-known, trendy Asian restaurants around. You know? The ones you have to queue for hours to get in to and that cost three times more...Thank you. We'll definitely be back.
As someone who pride themselves in being an unashamed glutton and have eaten from Melbourneâs inner CBD to eastern outskirts âinside and outâ, I have never felt the utter urgency to write about something as simple, unsophisticated, and as easily accessible as this bowl of pho I had.
You know the âmorning afterâ, when not one but all symptoms of a bad hungover, including certain degrees of memory loss, are present in your body? That was my state magnified 5 folds on Saturday midday when I walked into Straight Outta Saigon. Being presumptuous, ignorant and in dire need of an emergency cure, I half-heartedly glanced at the menu and ordered the ordinary Pho Bo alongside with seafood spring roll. It was at this moment that something indicative of a great restaurant happened; the waiter serving me and my partner, whom I later learnt was the owner, identified my physical state and suggested âhow about a glass or two of coconut water my friendâ. He then took the initiative to ask how hungry we were, from which came his recommendation of eggs cooked in broth and bone marrow broth.
To top off the remarkable service, which in my opinion should always be one of making fellow patrons feel comfortable rather than overbearingly exalted, and at home instead of a palace, the food was beyond my expectations. Our meal began with the deliciously crispy hanoi style springy rolls accompanied by its iconic partner nuoc mam, which was on the tangier side compared to other Vietnamese restaurants.
As me and my partner scoffed down both the entree and our regret for have not ordered it in a bigger portion, what was to be the one dish that prompted my desire to write about this restaurant was put before me; eggs cooked in broth. In stark contrast to how bland and insignificant it may deceptively seem, the broth was anything but that. Packing a serious and almost decadent depth of flavour, every mouthful had bold notes of richness, pureness, umami, and even a gentle touch of sweetness. Had I not ordered two more dishes that were yet to come, it would be foolish not to request a carb accompaniment like rice or baguette to soak up the deliciousness. The later dishes of pho (sliced beef) and bone marrow soup, needless to say, did not disappoint our anticipation in terms of tastiness and unpretentiousness. It's not the meaningless, show-offy, hipster nonsense that you get at artsy brunch cafes where the focuses on food are more towards making it look instagramable instead of the most important component; its taste.
Are there things this gem of an eatery can improve on for the bettering of its overall dining experience for other customers who's primary focus is laid on something else? Sure! However as someone who is more old school when it comes to looking at the essence of a restaurant, I hadn't left with a single bit of dissatisfaction and would recommended this place for any like minded folks who judge places predominantly not by its decor, presentation, hype and attention, but more on its taste and ambience.
Such a nice atmosphere and service. 'a bit of everything' - menu was awesome and we had enough food for all of us (and it was so TASTY). Loved flat rice noodles with tofu and rice paper rolls! Definitely coming again đ! (Also friendly for gluten free dietary)
Love the food, drinks and the vibes!
Had a great time with friends, staffs are super friendly love crispy pork belly and the whole flounder! Highly recommend for " a bit of everything deal" gives you a wide range trying their menu.
This place is a gem! The dishes are authentic and cooked with âwok Heiâ⊠means âwell cooked over great đ„ â.. staff is friendly and and hospitable, able to assist and. Recommend⊠well done! Keep up the good work!
Booked on a whim and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of food, service and atmosphere. They were busy but made an effort to fit us in, we sat at the bar and the whole team were friends and relaxed. Excellently managed. Food was better than expected and I would highly recommend this place for a meal in the city before a night out or show. Far better than many name restaurants I have been to in the area.
I was staying in the city and Straight Outta Saigon was a two minute walk from where I was staying. After checking the old Googly I saw this place with the 4 + star rating and thought to give it a go. The wait time after ordering in person at the store wasnt too long and the service was good.
So, we had two meals to takeaway. Meal one was the Soft shell crab bao with kimchi + spicy mayo x 2. Meal two was the Crispy pork belly with appleslaw + coconut rice ( therice was an extra side) I had the bao and a taste tested a little bit of the slaw + pork belly.
All were fresh and delicious, the flavours went well together. I like savoury/sweet combos.
It was in eco friendly packaging and the serving size was about the right portion for what you would expect.
I thought it was a little pricey for the pork/slaw meal. Even if the rice was included with the meat and slaw, $26 was a bit much for grated apple with a portion of pork belly.
Overall, Im a big fan of soft shell crab, so that won out over the pork belly meal cost and the taste of course đ
Been here a few times now. WE LOVE IT!
Fried Rice with Beef and Stir Fry Diced Beef were amazing.(9/10)
Salmon Sashimi was amazing(8/10)
Satay chicken skewers were good but not great. (7/10)
Would highly recommend booking a table. The ambience, service and food is amazing and the feed me menu price is really good.
Delicious food and cocktails, very friendly staff all around the venue, great spot for a date night or to go with a table of friends! $69 for two menu offered great variety and plenty of food to share! Will be back for sure, thank you Straight Outta Saigon legends!
Had a great experience tonight and was served by Emily. She was so honest about meal sizes, best sellers/popular dishes and recommendations. She really made us feel welcome and made sure we were taken care of.
Would 100% recommend and come back. The get dishy with me deal is such good value and was a great way to try things on the menu!!
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