Thanh Long

Muted apricot tones predominate in this sparsely adorned front room of a former terrace near Cleveland Street. Tables are triple-covered, first in white napery, then paper, topped with cloths on the diagonal. This eatery has a very devoted following: on a Friday night it’s filled with regulars. Entrees, mostly $8–$9, include a great bahn xeo, the crisp rice Vietnamese pancake $12, but the most popular dishes are calamari stuffed with minced pork $9 and roast duck salad $19, though the calamari with spicy salt $21, and the braised beef with lemongrass and chilli $18 also appeal. The theatrical campfire beef $30 comprises beef strips cooked on a hotplate tableside is definitely for sharing. There are also roll-your-own ricepaper rolls $17.50–$30. Still a favourite Viet.