"Pick 6 dishes that represent Vietnam"...

Says my new journo friend, Daisy Dumas, she's doing a story for CNNGo.com. Oh, and they have to be in Cabramatta and we need to eat them in one sitting... I was soooo up for the challenge!

I selected six dishes that transport me back to Vietnam, dishes that we commonly eat and one or two that are just so uniquely Vietnamese... What do you think of my selection? Leave a comment...

1. Pho: at Pho Tau Bay

No list would be complete without Pho, Vietnam's most famous soup. It comes in several types: beef, chicken, vegetarian, even seafood. And Pho Tau Bay was voted Sydney's best Pho in 2010.

Dong Ba Bun Bo Hue, Cabramatta

Bun bo hue is a fearsome, authentic and uncompromising Vietnamese soup. It demands more and it gives more. Where you would appreciate the subtle sweetness of Pho, you're whacked in the face with chili and lemongrass, as well as a congealed blood cube and a pig trotter or two.

Dong Ba Vietnamese, Cabramatta

Bún bò Huế, is literally translated as beef noodles from the central region of Vietnam (Hue being the capital).  As you can see it's much fiercer in taste and appearance, predominant flavours are chilli, prawn paste and lemon grass.

There are several types of meat include pork; quite a fatty cut, beef and even a pig trotter or two.  It's not the sort of dish you'd think people can have regularly like the much milder pho.

Bun bo Hue is Dong Ba's specialty.  When they first opened over five years ago, I thought they were brave given the stronger flavours.  But from day one, it has been doing a roaring trade.

Dong Ba is one of the best bun bo Hue Vietnamese restaurants in Sydney.  One of the reasons for their success is that these noodles are astoundingly good and at amazingly cheap prices. This enormous bowl, which came with the extensive vegetables and mints was just $9.50.

And they are not alone, Gia Hoi Bun Bo Hue is always busy in Canley Heights and Haymarket.

Dong Ba Vietnamese Restaurant
40 Park Rd
Cabramatta NSW 2166
(02) 9755 0727