Mister Nguyen
133 Lower Plenty Road, Rosanna
03 9455 3068
Vietnamese
$$
Food
- Chicken Spring Rolls
- Five-Spice Pork Baos
- Grilled Duck
- Fried Barramundi
- Green Papaya Salad
- Banana and Tapioca Pudding
- Chocolate Brownie
The Good
It was off to a brilliant start with the Spring Rolls. Hand-made in house, these were undoubtedly a cut above most ordinary Spring rolls one would expect. The thin, crispy outer was tried to a perfect golden brown. Within filled a generous mixture of chicken and vegetables that was appetisingly juicy, full of flavour and offers up plenty of texture variations. Wrapping them in fresh leaves of lettuce and mint provided a light yet refreshing experience. Simply delicious.
The Five-Spice Pork Baos were also rather enjoyable. Held together by the soft, fluffy buns, the pork within was slow braised in a sweet soy sauce that provided plenty of depth in flavour. The pork itself was soft though could be a tad juicier, while the peanut crumbs offered up a pleasant crunch element that perfectly contrasted the softer components of this entree.
The highlight of our meal must be the Grilled Duck, and it’s no surprise this dish came so highly recommended. The two generously sizes duck legs were cooked to perfection. With a thin, crispy outer skin, the protein within was exceptionally succulent and tender. This was well accompanied by a simple yet appetising hoi sin sauce that added a pleasant sweet and savoury flavour, a brilliant accompaniment to the beautiful duck flavour. With a fresh, crunchy Asian inspired salad sitting alongside, we found this dish exceptionally well balanced and incredibly flavourful.
The Fried Barramundi certainly did not disappoint either. Stunningly presented, the skin of the fish was seared to a perfect crisp. Adding to the delicious goodness was of course the vibrant yellow-coloured sauce, which was incredibly aromatic and had a slight sweet and tangy sensation that beautifully complemented the freshness of the fish itself. Sitting underneath was a delicate bed of rice noodles, which served as the perfect sponge to soak up the juicy goodness.
Our Green Papaya Salad was a light and refreshing side to our mains. The thin slices of papaya were incredibly fresh and offered up a satisfying crunch, which was well accompanied by plenty of rice crisps and nuts scattered throughout.
The Chocolate Brownie was just heavenly. The brownie was so soft and fudgey, with just the right density and spongy feedback that just melted away in your mouth. This was well contrasted by a brilliantly tangy lemon coulis, and was made sweeter thanks to the vanilla ice cream.
The meal concluded with the delicious Banana Tapioca. Served with a buttery, crunchy crumble on top, it was the perfect accompaniment to the creamy, milky mixture sitting underneath. The soft, almost gooey banana was well complemented by a creamy and fragrant coconut yoghurt, and made for a rather indulgent experience.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Mister Nguyen is a newly established Vietnamese eatery that offers patrons a taste of both authentic and traditional Vietnamese cuisine, as well as a more modern interpretation on Vietnamese flavours and concepts.
No matter which style of cooking you prefer, all the dishes we sampled today were not only beautifully presented, but also impeccably executed. For those looking to satisfy their Vietnamese cravings, Mister Nguyen should definitely not be missed.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Most definitely. We just can’t wait to be back to try more of their mouthwatering menu!
Penguineats would like to thank Mister Nguyen for inviting us.