The inviting sliding door entrance to Thuy Huong Vietnamese Restaurant, located at 304 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, NSW (the former address of Pho James). Thuy Huong Vietnamese Restaurant was formerly called Thuy Houng Coffee Lounge, and previously located at 252 Illawarra Road.
[dropcap]It[/dropcap] appears that some restaurants in Sydney (and elsewhere too, I guess) come and go as often as people do in our lives. And just like people – some restaurants also relocate, go through name changes and revamp their old look to keep up with the times. Change is inevitably a wonderful thing and I embrace it – I love seeing new things happening/popping up, and as I’ve discovered, the food scene in Sydney is full of surprises.
From my online research, “Thuy Huong” was formerly called Thuy Houng Coffee Lounge and was located at 252 Illawarra Road, Marrickville. Today, it is named “Thuy Huong Vietnamese Restaurant”, and has moved a little further up the road to become part of “Photown”, with its new address being 304 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, NSW (the same address of the former Pho James). Thuy Huong also has a new phone number – (02) 9558 4022 – the same as Pho James’s old number. 1
I don’t know why Thuy Houng changed their name and relocated up the road, but I do know that the new place looks great and makes excellent Vietnamese food, including a delicious and generous bowl of special beef rice noodle soup (phở đặc biệt) and a totally flavourful seafood hotpot. We never went to Thuy Huong at its previous location, so I can’t make a comparison between its old and the new incarnations, but I can say that the food is super delicious and the service is fast, friendly and helpful too.
Judging from some of the recent posts that I’ve seen online/social media by fellow Oz food bloggers, it seems that I’m not the only one who’s naturally responding to the current cool weather with a comforting/satiating bowl of hot noodle soup. Pho, laksa, ramen, udon, etc – you name it – it’s being munched, slurped, burped and snapped, and satisfying the grumpy hungry tummies of many foodies alike.
For me, I love all sorts of noodle soups – but having been brought up on a diet of Lao-style pho and laksa, it’s only natural that I gravitate towards pho as one of my favourite noodle soup dishes, although, don’t worry laksa, ramen, udon and friends – I haven’t forgotten about you guys either and will catch up soon.
We already know a couple of awesome pho places in Marrickville/Photown (PHD being one of them), but restaurants often have their special recipes/twist for classic dishes so it’s always great to try new renditions. Also, after starting this food blog, I’ve made it a goal of ours to try and taste/eat at different places/restaurants and different cuisines too – simply to explore and appreciate new flavours/food, and share our experiences with you – all in the name of research and love/understanding, of course.
We recently visited Thuy Huong Vietnamese Restaurant for a late lunch on Anzac day. We browsed past the Photown strip and chose Thuy Huong from the other restaurants, based on the number of joyful customers they already had inside, and also the comfortable looking, modern interior/setting as well. We soon realised that our decision was a wise one, for after entering, we were quickly presented with friendly, smiling waitstaff, a pot of complimentary soothing hot tea, and a lovely meal. Thanks Thuy Huong for a great afternoon – we’ll be back for more, wherever you’re located.
The first few pages of the menu. Love the intro summary on Vietnamese cuisine. I can see some similarities to Lao cuisine, in particular the freshness of food and the presence of herbs and vegetables.
The weekend’s special blackboard displaying some very cool handwriting. Love the tail of the y in Crispy and the scrolls on the Prawn’s P.
Wayville Estate Cabernet Merlot, South Eastern Australia.
A flavourful cab merlot that paired very well with our Vietnamese meal/flavours. It was befitting for the cool weather too.
The complimentary pot of tea – it’s such a lovely gesture – I think more restaurants should offer it.
Vietnamese pancake – Bánh xèo chay.
A classic Vietnamese dish of vibrant tumeric-yellow, crispy and crunchy, pan-fried wafer-thin, mildly-flavoured rice flour pancake envelope encasing a filling of moreish subtly flavoured, warm diced/sliced tofu, mixed veges, mung bean sprouts, etc. It was served with a side salad of super fresh greens – lettuce, coriander, and a tasty sweet/savoury dipping sauce.
The appetizingly sweet/savoury dipping sauce for the Vietnamese pancake. It was decorated with chopped/sliced vegetable abstractions – pretty.
A portion of the Vietnamese pancake revealing its fillings – a medley of mild flavours – warm/cooked diced tofu, mixed veges, bean sprouts, etc. Delicious combo with the lettuce and the dipping sauce.
Plate of bean sprouts, basil, chopped red chilies, and a wedge of lemon/lime – the precursor of the forthcoming bowl of pho.
Special beef rice noodle soup – Phở đặc biệt.
Tra-da! A beautifully presented bowl of one of my favourite noodle soups. A deep flavour-rich ocean of freshly made beef broth/stock – served with a web of firm rice noodles and a selection of my favourite meat pieces – rare beef slices, briskets, beef balls, tripe, tendons, fatty meats, etc. Mmmm. Garnished with sweet aromatic herbs – chopped spring onions and thin slices of red onions. Chopsticks in my left hand, spoon in my right – let’s dig in.
Seafood hotpot.
A steamy, bubbly hot pot of flavours when it was presented on the table. A classic dish that is rich in sweet/savoury/umami flavours – a combo of crunchy seasonal vegetables, tofu and fresh juicy seafood – prawns, fish, squid, etc – stir-fried, and bathing in a deliciously syrupy sauce – garnished with a generous amount of chopped spring onions and crunchy fried onion flakes. Yum.
A bowl of steamed rice – that’s all it is – fluffy and naturally aromatic. Tastes great as it is and even better when matched with the seafood hotpot, soaking up the rich sauce.
Happy, dancing (head swings left and right) auspicious figurine in the restaurant on the cupboard by the window. A happy carefree looking character with impressive vibrant generous lips. I want one.
Thuy Huong Vietnamese Restaurant
Address: 304 Illawarra Road, Marrickville, NSW, 2204
Phone: (02) 9558 4022
Open Hours: Open 7 days (8am – 10pm)
Notes:
- By the way, if you’re wondering and if my memory serves me correctly – I asked the waitress and she informed us that the name “Thuy Houng” translates to “flavour of the ocean”. Please let me know if this is incorrect. ↩
Delightful and illuminating ‘tour’ of this cafe. Loved reading the menu notes, and you are right about the little details of chalkboard menu script and good-luck-guy on the cupboard. I feel richer just by feasting on this story. I adore that banh xeo pancake, which we see occasionally in Vietnamese restaurants around here, but not as common as many Viet dishes. The caramel fish in clay pot looks fantastic. Hungry now…
Thanks so much for your lovely comment Nancie. Your comments are always a joy for me to read. Thanks for your encouragement and overlooking. I really appreciate it. Best wishes! :D
FYI Thuy Huong had to move as the site was taken over by The Ritz development. Having been since they relocated but food still looks tempting!
Aha! Thanks Helen. The Ritz looks like a nice new establishment for the area. Good thing Thuy Huong didn’t close down because their pho, etc is very good in deed, as also reflected by the # clientele when we were there. Sometimes, flipping a coin is the best way to choose where to eat. Have a great day! :D
Those photos! Everything looks so fresh and lovely. Am always envious of peeps who live in Melbourne and Sydney, you guys have the great food!
Thanks Emma for the compliment on the photos – I really appreciate it. :) I love Vietnamese food, especially my phos and the ones at Thuy Huong are delicious! Yes, Sydney has many great places to eat although we don’t eat out often. Looking forward to visiting Brisbane’s food scene soon – I’m sure there are some good surprises. Have a great day!