Hanoi Mee

Gastrology visited Hanoi Mee on behalf of the Australian Good Food Guide.

Hanoi Mee is a realisation of co-owners Ennis Le (former Head Chef at Elwood's Dandelion) and Malcolm Bond’s passion for fine food and drink.

The restaurant puts a modern spin on traditional Vietnamese eateries and presents a casual yet refined dining experience. 

Ennis and Malcolm’s rich understanding of the Melbourne hospitality scene translates into a well-oiled machine more than capable of satisfying Melbourne’s inherent love of Asian food. 

On the drinks front, there is a good and concise beer and wine list but the real attraction here is the exciting cocktail menu – which includes the P/S I Love You, made from a heady mix of Baileys, Kahlua, Amaretto, coconut cream and honey and also a scrumptious White Chocolate martini which is a twist on the classic vodka martini, made with white chocolate liqueur. 

We loved tasting our way through the menu. For starters, we loved the traditional Bo la lot featuring grilled minced Sher Wagyu beef in betel leaves, pineapple chilli dipping sauce. 

The Yellow tail king fish on betel leaves was similarly delicious. It was a dish with a multitude of intense flavours, highlighted by the luxuriously creamy young coconut balanced with the gentle tartness of the dressing and sweetness of the pomelo.  

For bao lovers the Crispy soft shell crab and pork belly buns are excellent too. 

For mains we recommend the Caramelised pork hock from Dandelion fame. Yes, it’s back and yes, it’s still amazing. Beautifully braised in chicken stock and then deep-fried, this  mammoth sized crispy pork hock, is served with tamarind caramel sauce and comes with cos lettuce, fragrant herbs, pickled carrot and papaya. Just fabulous.

To conclude your visit on a sweet note, the Marou sherry chocolate pudding with honeycomb raspberry ripple ice cream, chocolate crisps is delightful. It’s just the right amount of sweet and boasts a beautiful bitterness from the Marou chocolate. 

With beautiful and punchy food, decor to match and a team that clearly loves the food with a passion, Hanoi Mee hits all the right notes.

Location: 140 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9042 7921
Link:  http://hanoimee.com.au/