Old Thanh Huong, Marrickville

The Old Thanh Huong is one of our favourite places in Sydney to satisfy cravings for pho noodle soup, calamari with lemongrass and chilli, and che ba mau (three colour drink).

Situated on the Woolworths' end of Illawarra Road, the Old Thanh Huong is usually identifiable by the queue of locals outside, waiting patiently for a table. Locals rarely venture into the Thanh Huong 2, two doors down, which is owned by different management and according to the grapevine, has inferior food and higher prices. Indeed the sight and sound of the pushy woman at the front door trying to convince people to come in is usually warning sign enough.

The Old Thanh Huong decor is typical family-run Asian--hello wall-to-wall mirrors, cramped tables, chopsticks in jars on tables and the ubiquitous box of tissues. However the menu offers a staggering array of choice and the food is always fresh, tasty and unbelievable value.

We feasted like kings and after shared entrees, main and dessert the bill still only came to $21 a head. We highly recommend the calamari with lemongrass and chilli which is spicy fried goodness in all its glory. One of our group couldn't resist ordering the crocodile which tasted like "amphibious chicken" it was decided, or meaty chicken. The Massaman curry was also very more-ish with its creamy nutty spiciness--perfect for drizzling and soaking into fluffy white rice.

Favourites like fresh prawn rolls, ban xeo pancake, stuffed chicken wings and pho noodle soup are fresh, tasty and zingy like all good Vietnamese should be. Go for good food, a happy tummy and a jubilant wallet.


Fresh prawn rolls


Banh xeo - traditional Vietnamese pancake filled with prawns and bean sprouts, wrapped in lettuce and dipped in nuoc cham sauce


Calamari with lemongrass and chilli--our favourite!


Massaman beef curry


Che ba mau (three colour drink)

Old Thanh Huong
358 Illawarra Road, Marrickville
Tel: 02 9559 7044