Mekong

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

On 27 Dec 2011, we had lunch in this Mekong restaurant located in CBD Melbourne at around 12:05pm, there was a rude waitress who was holding order machine, around 1.53m height and she acted like a boss (but actually she is not a boss) she only speaks Mandarin and English.

When we called her to ask about the beans sprout then she stared at us with the rude eyes, didn't answer and walked away to another table, this is extremely rude services which I have never seen this kind of bad and rude waitress in any restaurant before, her attitude told us like she doesn't need the customers to come to this restaurant then we had to wait until 10' later but beans sprout still didn't come out and we had to tell another waitress to bring over for us, I don't know why the boss of this restaurant will hire this kind of rubbish waitress, gave bad services to the customers.

Every customer needs to pay when they have a meal there so the customer should receive the proper services there although this is just a restaurant not 5 star hotel.

Jan 02, 2012 

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  8      Value  7     

This place was packed each time we went past. Ate there on a Thurs night and again a high turnover of people. Food was good value tho' not particularly special. Rice paper rolls were disappointing. Pho was good (not that we're experts) and broken rice was Ok.

Aug 01, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  3      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  8     

The Pho at this joint is absolutely awful. I don't know how anyone can pass this off as authentic. I ordered Pho Bo Tai (Sliced raw beef). My girlfriend ordered Pho Bo Tuy (Beef marrow).

I don't know how it was possible to stuff this up. Sliced beef was supposed to be laid raw on top of rice noodle and then the boiling soup is poured over to cook the beef. My beef was cooked, then sliced!

The soup failed on all accounts. The soup has to have a deep yet smooth flavour. Cooked for at least 8 hours in beef marrow and meat. It should have the presence of charred onion/star anise/ginger and various seasonings/spices. But I can tell this was rushed to meet the demands of a full house. It was bland and lacking in aroma. The soup to solid ratio was awful. There was just too much soup that left me deep sea diving half way through my meal.

Each mouthful you're supposed to get a spoonful of soup, a slice of beef, some herbs and a chopstick full of rice noodles. Even when drinking a few extra mouthfuls of soup, I'm still having to find things.

I looked over at my girlfriends Pho. The marrow looked like witchetty grubs! I tried one and it was like a tasteless soft chew with its life force sucked out of it. Probably the result of the restaurant taking shortcuts by using the same bones and meat repeatedly to make their soup.

Being a bit of an aussie I ordered rice paper rolls. Traditionally people are meant to make it themselves at the dinner table in their own household. The flavours were good but nothing more special than others. If you want an area with better Pho, opt for Richmond, Springvale, St.Albans or Footscray.

Apr 13, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  9     

A very good pho, I eat here when I'm in Melbourne. The soup base is well balanced and the innards of the combination are clean and tasty. My personal preference in Melbourne when it comes to eating pho.

Dec 12, 2009 

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  5      Service  6      Value  7     

Always seems crowded, my friend told me the best pho in Melbourne is here, but I don't eat pho but he thought it was great! I've tried other things on the menu and it was average at best. I guess if you don't come here for the pho, don't come!

Nov 15, 2008 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  5      Value  6     

There is nothing special. Sometime, the Vietnamese noodle soup is ok. Sometime, it's awful. Never come back.

Oct 17, 2008 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  8     

Just brilliant! I go here regularly now as I can't get enough! Easily the best Pho in Melbourne!

May 02, 2008 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

One of the best Pho ever tasted! soup base is very authentic, you can tell instantly it's really beef bone soup, instead of powder soup in some of Sydney's Pho places, not too sweet either. Rice noodle is thin enough hence is perfectly blended into the delicious soup base.

Small and cheap place but really worth it if you want authentic, tasty beef noodle soup. Can now understand why many celebs go there! will definitely go back!

Mar 30, 2008 

6 Average

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  6      Value  7     

The portions are massive but the quality is lacking somewhat. There's no vegetables in the soups with the exception of the odd bok choy. The chargrilled chicken is excellent though. Soup stocks often need doctoring up, hence all the sauces on the table. Says they served Bill Clinton - but where's the proof?

Feb 07, 2008 

3.5 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  4      Value  3     

Pho here is so-so. Not that good. Pho noodle is always overcooked and too soft. Soup is not aromatic and rather bland. Food is roughly prepare. However, Broken Rice With Grilled Pork Shop is ok but have to check if the meat is cooked alright or not, it can be undercooked sometimes.

Dec 05, 2007