Tonkin - Reservar uma mesa

Even at peak lunchtime hustle on a Friday, the staff at Tonkin were prompt, kind and easily got me a seat, kind enough to shift part of a reserved sign down the communal table a bit. I chose the lunch deal (one main (pho or bún) and either two sides or a side and a drink, all for $16). I got the pho with grilled vegan duck and got a side of tofu dengaku and also a black Vietnamese iced coffee, because I love strong, bitter coffee. Very promptly my drink and main arrived, and the staff member asked me if I would like some lemon and chilli for the pho. This little addition was a nice touch, both to customer service, and to the dish, as the lemon intensified the flavour of the broth, which alth...

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Tonkin always looks warm and inviting inside when I walk past, especially on a cold evening. The staff are friendly and welcoming. Service is quick and I consider the food good value for money, especially if you go for a lunchtime special. It’s not a destination meal but a fast, reliable, tasty and reasonably healthy option if you’re in the area. I went with a friend on our way to a gig last night and it really hit the spot. We shared the fried tofu that’s silky inside and bubbly/ chewy outside, topped with spring and onions, fried shallots, and hoisin that nicely balances umami and sweet flavours. We both got the vegan grilled duck pho, which comes with plentiful tender mock duck for a hear...

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As a rule of thumb, I don’t patronise carnist eateries when there are veg*n eateries available; but was keen to try Tonkin’s ‘vegan pho’, which resulted in a confirmation (other than the ethics) of this ‘rule’. A few centimetres of broth served over a handful of sloppy over cooked rice noodles, chunks of rubbery ‘duck’, a section of enoki mushrooms ripped from a pack; and NO veg on the side, because apparently a couple of basil leaves and half a dozen bean shoots comprise a sufficient quantity of vegetables. Gone are the days where vegans are grateful to be served ANYTHING anything plant based for the mere fact of being served at all, so I’m curious to see how long this place (or their promo...

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I first ate here at the end of the first lockdown and have come regularly since then. The lunch deals are good, and mains soup, vermicelli salad or rice are a reasonable price 15 at time of writing) but fairly basic. For example if you order pho you’re basically just going to get broth with noodles, spring onions and your choice of protein (with herbs, chili, and lemon on the side tofu and mushrooms or vegan duck and you have to pay extra for bok choy or anything else. That’s not unreasonable given a more substantial pho can be up to $5 more at other restaurants. This place is on our list of options for a quick, inexpensive meal.

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The highlight is without question- the Vegan duck Bao. It is really really good. Everything else is just ok. The spring rolls, nice, nothing to go back for, the tofu, fine, but small, I’d skip the pho and Bun, just get a serve of three Bao, oh and the vegan Vietnamese iced coffee, that is condensed coconut milk sweet coffee goodness.

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