Perth Voice Interactive

JUST when you thought it was time to pack away your canary yellow Speedos, the summer has a sting in its tail.

It’s been nuclear hot this week and it has created some interesting culinary dilemmas.

Is salad weather over and should you blow the dust off the slow cooker and the crock-pot?

On Wednesday evening, we decided to go for something light at Viet Deli in Myaree.

It used to be called District 1 Saigon Cafe, but in March the owners rebranded.

A wise move as District 1 Saigon Cafe sounds like something out of a dystopian sci-fi movie.

“Sorry, you don’t have banh mi clearance. Rice only. Please complete the retina scan.”

Viet Deli is small, simple and uncluttered. Neat wooden tables rub shoulders with unassuming decor. Like most of the eateries situated in Hulme Court, it’s unpretentious and affordable.

The menu had a nice range of pho, banh mi, vermicelli, rice dishes, bao, salads and fresh rolls.

The menu was just the right size and had enough variation to keep you coming back for more.

Some menus in Asian restaurants are longer than War and Peace, and by the time you have finished reading them, your children have graduated from uni and humans have landed on Mars.

Menu highlights included the rare beef pho (always a classic), sugar cane prawn vermicelli, crispy tofu rice, and Vietnamese Ice Coffee with Milk.

I opted for the Vietnamese beef salad ($16.50).

On first inspection, I was a bit disappointed. It looked very simple and didn’t have the visual pyrotechnics of other Asian salads I’ve tried.

But when I mixed together the salad and beef, and added the zesty fish sauce dressing, the whole thing came to life.

Beautiful fresh flavours and a lovely mix of crunchy salad, pickled carrot, cucumber, coriander and the odd sprig of mint.

The scattering of crushed peanuts added a nice texture and kept things interesting.

The all important beef was good quality – no fatty or stringy bits – and there was plenty of it.

Light, fragrant and moreish, it was perfect for a balmy evening.

Across the table, my wife “Special K” was tucking into her grilled chicken vermicelli ($16.50).

“I’m really impressed by the quality of the chicken. It’s right up there – tender and succulent with a lovely grilled skin,” she said.

“The Nuoc Cham dipping sauce really brings it all together and there’s a nice mix of shredded carrot and coriander.

“The vermicelli is perfectly cooked and the portion size is bang on.”

My young daughter was just back from her contemporary dance class, where she did the foxtrot to Doctor Who. The mind boggles.

She enjoyed her crispy roast pork belly banh mi ($13.90).

The Vietnamese baguette was big and crunchy and crammed with juicy pork, pickled carrots, cucumbers and coriander.

Youngsters watch out – there is a few jalapeños in there.

I had a sneaky taste and it was delicious with lots of vibrant, fresh ingredients.

I really enjoyed the homemade sauce drizzled on top. It added an exotic tang.

My son had the grilled chicken banh mi ($11.90) and it was just as nice.

Our meal at Viet Deli was very enjoyable.

The flavours do the talking and it’s fresh, simple and affordable.

Now, where did I put my tartan Speedos…

Viet Deli
47 McCoy Street, Myaree
vietdeli.com.au

by STEPHEN POLLOCK