Banoi

Melbourne CBD is not a stranger to Vietnamese cuisine.  Indeed, there appears to be a Vietnamese eatery popping up on every corner - so it's safe to say that in order to survive, you better be a good one.  Banoi, in my view, is one which will stick around for awhile.

Situated on Little Bourke Street in the Legal District, it's the ideal spot for a mid-week lunch if you're wanting somewhere casual to eat that still serves alcoholic options. The venue itself has a trendy hawker-style feel, and the menu is absolutely drool worthy.

To eat I ordered the chicken pho.  Fresh, fragrant and flavoursome - it is definitely an excellent option.

However, my friend ordered the Cao Lau Noodles (thick wheat flour noodles served with sliced sticky soy glazed pork loin, prawns, Vietnamese croutons, grilled green chilli and fresh Asian greens) which was rather disappointing. Whilst it definitely wasn't unpleasant tasting it lacked the flavours and presentation (i.e. the wow factor) that the other dishes coming out of the kitchen had (resulting in my friend having incredible food envy) and I would not recommend ordering this dish if coming to Banoi.

Another annoyance was that all the meals did not come out all at the same time (indeed, they were about 10 minutes apart). 

Otherwise, with its friendly service and fantastic value, I will be back to Banoi to try other items from their menu.

Décor: 4.5/5

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Total: 11/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point