Flavours of Vietnam — Restaurant in Mackay

Really disappointed, again. When this ship first opened, across from the Gelato shop, it was wonderful. Good size portions, a free bread roll with your meal and most importantly, it tasted like Vietnamese food!

I’ve been a few more times to the new shop and it’s always a let down. They don’t have my favourite meal anymore, the essential Bun Thit Nuong. So I ate the pho instead, and it was very very bland. Second time, I tried the chicken curry which was ok. It’s like it’s been dumbed down for Westerners though? Admittedly we had just gotten back from Vietnam, so maybe we were used to eating actual Vietnamese food? Because the food here was like a watered down version.

🫥 but months later I have decided to try again. I ordered the Wonton Soup, for about $21. Look at the photos for what I ordered, VS what I got. My wonton soup tasted likes hot broccoli soup with pork wonton and bean sprouts. NO other flavour. Just bloody broccoli 😒 I ordered Wonton soup that’s advertised on their menu with bok choy, NOT broccoli. Why? Well, because I don’t want broccoli in wonton soup! And this is why-all it tastes like is broccoli! So if you love hot broccoli soup with wonton and bean sprouts (also, no sesame oil or garnished etc-but overwhelmingly large amount of coriander!again, see the pics!

It looks sad and bland and tastes it!!! Hasn’t the chef heard that “You eat with your eyes”!? Who looks at this soup and goes wow, that looks yum? I’m so disappointed again, and still hungry.

❌Also one of the pork wontons had a small bone in it, the size of a rice grain, which hurt my teeth. It’s only small but it’s rock hard. Again, see pictures. Maybe I’ll foolishly try again in 4 months..I don’t...

I was 1 minute past 2pm to order a bahn mi roll for takeway that would take them maybe half a minute to put together - obviously no cooking is involved, I mean it is basically just a sandwich! Restaurant was still half full of patrons eating their meals and attended to by staff, I would have left the restaurant with what I came for well before any of them, but staff arrogantly turned me away, saying kitchen closes at 2, despite staff still bringing food out to other customers! I live in Mackay, have been here a number of times, but I am never coming back and neither will my family and friends! I don't appreciate dishonesty and arrogance! ZERO STARS! Update: The response from the owner below (reproduced here in case they delete it: "We are sorry to see you feel this way, we have set times we open and apologise that you arrived once our kitchen had closed. We wish you all the best in the future.") just goes to show the typically dismissive arrogant attitude of this establishment towards their customers (I mean, I was 1 minute late, and they were still bringing food out to their other customers) - check their other reviews - obviously I am not the only one who had the same experience with this mob! I think it is you who needs good luck with your restaurant business, pal!

Latest update: Obviously did not heed their customer feedback! Business closed and gone! Good riddance! Replaced by a Korean establishment! I hope...

Nice modern place. The food was very nice. Very close to the authentic Vietnamese food. But the service was bad for my taste. U need to order at the counter or use the qr scan. It is a restaurant and no customer service to take you by your tables. The food took between 20-30 minutes once placed an order. Way too long. It is not a 5 star restaurant or Michel restaurant either. So the food takes very to be ready?

Ps. This owner think they are busy. We will the first one there and the only one in the restaurant when you open the door. Had to wait to be seated and still can't choose any seat. It only booked,they say. But 45 minutes later, still not sat at the table we wanted to sit. Everyone I saw that order took over 30mins to get they food. It is a vietnamese restaurant. It isn't a 5-star restaurant. I think people will understand it a VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT. Your broth for your pho should be ready. It should only take 10 minutes max to get your pho out, not over 20 minutes to 30 minutes. If you were a busy restaurant, you should have been all full, not 30% full. Very disappointing at owner response to we are a very busy restaurant. And it ain't a fast food. How stupid can...