I love Vietnamese pork rolls. No, let me say that again: I LOVE pork rolls. So when my husband came home raving about a pork roll he’d had for lunch I was naturally intrigued and made him promise to buy me one ASAP.
I was introduced to my very first pork roll by my good friend, Vi Tran, in the 90s when were both studying Chinese at university. One day she took me to a nondescript bakery on Hanson Road and ordered me a pork roll. Ka-bam!! I was immediately hooked. It was love at first bite.
Why the fuss? Well, picture a gorgeously crisp, crusty roll halved and buttered with mayonaise and pate, stuffed with three different kinds of cold pork meat slices, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, white radish sticks, fresh coriander, and fresh birds eye chilli, and seasoned with a sprinkling of soya sauce and white pepper. You can also buy pork rolls stuffed with roasted pork meat and crackling instead of the processed meat – like the one above – and these are even better. Other variations include steamed meatball rolls, BBQ pork rolls, grilled chicken rolls and combination rolls.
And now my husband had found a new pork roll supplier. I was desperate to try them.
A couple of weekends ago, we’d arranged to catch up with good friends at a playground in North Adelaide. Our kids could run around while we adults caught up over caffeine and carbs. It was the perfect opportunity to sample my husband’s latest find. So we agreed that we’d bring the pork rolls, and our friends would bring the coffees, baby cinos and fruit.
On Saturday morning we set out early, our stomaches rumbling and our eyes bleary eyed from a 6am start courtesy of the kids. We arrived at the bakery and my husband went in to order while the kids and I waited impatiently in the car.
Then we were off to North Adelaide to meet our friends at the playground outside the Aquatic Centre.
And now for the moment of truth. Were the pork rolls any good? Well, actually they were pretty sensational. I’d even go so far as to say it was the best pork roll I’ve had in Adelaide to date. I say to date because I’ve only eaten pork rolls at a half dozen establishments since we moved back to Adelaide seven months ago.
Why were they so good? Well, the roll was immaculately fresh, the pork was succulent and flavoursome and the mixed salad fresh and crispy, with the addition of white radish adding an interesting texture. I’m a sucker for pork crackling and here it was generously wedged throughout the roll, adding bursts of crunchy, salty flavour. The fresh chilli was finely sliced, so that you got the heat, but not the dreaded chilli explosion in your mouth as you ate. All in all, it was a definite winner.
Viet Nam (Bhan Mi Thit) Asian Food Bar in Croydon Park has set the bar very high. Guys, we salute you. And we’ll be back again very soon.
Viet Nam Asian Food Bar (Banh Mi Thit)
2/113 Days Road, Croydon Park, SA (enter via Durrant Road)
Tel (08) 8340 8555
Open Monday – Saturday, 6am – 5:30pm
Catering and function platters also available
