Hao Phong — Restaurant in Melbourne

The first time we went, we were impressed overall. The price tag is higher than what you would expect from the average Vietnamese-Chinese restaurants but then, the food was better too... not by a significant amount but there was a noticeable difference... say, 15% better. The service was poor but we excused them as it was busy and we were in a corner behind the counter. We decided the place was nice overall and would return.Next time we brought friends. The food still had a slight edge over the standard Vietnamese-Chinese restaurants but the service was extremely poor. I say slight as this time we ordered some fish dishes (canh chua - a tomato based fish soup, and hot pot). Whatever you do, do NOT order fish. They may serve fresh vegetables and good pork and chicken but their fish is old. You can tell it's been sitting on ice for a long time before it went into the pot and served to you. The worst thing was that not only did it taste bad, the canh chua was extremely expensive as it accounted for over half the bill at $46.80.We also found out that the poor service we received our first night there was the norm. It wasn't because we were hidden in the back corner. The service was so horrendous, it makes you wonder if they were trying to avoid you like they do at Camy Shanghai Dumpling (i.e. dirty dumplings). Surely they couldn't be that bad you say? Well, here are some examples: food we hadn't ordered was placed on our table before we had even ordered anything yet; food we did order never came; our drinks were also MIA; the wait staff were always looking down or over our heads so we had to literally shout and wave; my husband ended up having to walk up to the counter and wait staff standing there in order to get a refill of rice; in fact, on his way back, several desperate customers tried to flag him down; when we finally managed to catch a waitress's attention, she told us she would send someone else, then promptly forgot to do so; another waiter nearly dropped the rice on my husband's lap and hot tea was spilled on me TWICE. This all happened within a span of 2 hours.If you do decide to go, I would recommend the sweet'n'sour pork or either of the chicken ribs dishes. As for us, we are NEVER going back there again and would strongly recommend you avoid this place.

UPDATE: So... it turns out the staff charged us for the smoothies even though they never brought them out. My husband called the restaurant back to complain the next day and we were offered credit. We went back a couple days later, just the 2 of us, for lunch as we were in the area and had the credit anyway. We were pleasantly surprised when the service was much better than the night we went with our friends. Then we realised something else. The wait staff working there at lunch were the same as those working at night!! No wonder dinner service was so deplorable if wait staff are working such long shifts! We will now only come eat here for lunch or...

I have been a loyal customer at this restaurant for many years. I loved their foods but unfortunately tonight around 7pm our family have had the worse experienced. I know its Friday the restaurant can get busy. We have been placed in the round corner table. After 5 mins a waiter came and gave us some menu. A few minutes later a waitress came with the tea Thermal but no cup. I have asked for some cup but she didn't come back. We saw another table came after us got served before us. We patiently waited until my son cried hungry. My Dad went & call the waiter. He came , I believed he is the owner, he was about to take order then he called another waiter (Skinny guy with glasses) to come & serve us. Mum was not happy and said why do we have to wait for so long to be served and the other table came after us but got serve b4 us. We feel like being ignored by the restaurant. Instead of apologies or say Sorry because we are so busy tonight. That would make people feel better after a long wait. He turn to my Mum with an angry tone, Can't she see its busy tonight & she is not the only customer. My question to the owner is "HOW DO U TRAIN UR STAFF? IS THAT CALLED GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE?" I KNOW U HAVE BEEN BUSIER THAN U USED TO BE. WE R JUST ONE OF UR HUNDREDS CUSTOMERS BUT TO LET U KNOW WE WON'T BE BACK EVEN IF WE LOVED UR FOODS" I am not happy with how the restaurant handle being busy. How my family got treated so we stood up & leave the restaurant! We went to Sapa Hill with great customers service & yummy foods! Note to the owner; u need to train ur staff right to continue...

Came tonight due to my friends recommendation to try his favourite dish in Melbourne - the Grilled Chicken combination on broken rice. I also ordered an extra pork chop to taste their pork chop which is my preferred meat.

The food was amazing. Succulent chicken, oozing with juices. Typically, grilled chicken can be easy to dry out in preparation. However, the chicken was marinated perfectly, keeping the authentic taste and not being too sweet. The pork chop’s marinade was amazing and is the best pork chop I have tasted in terms of flavour and quality. The pork chop is not tough as many other places and is evident that it has been tenderised perfectly. Fat is left on the pork chop which adds another depth of flavour.

I also ordered an Avocado smoothie which was one of the best I’ve had. Not too much milk and the ice ratio was spot on. The texture is amazing. However, when left out the smoothie turns more buttery which is also a texture many like however it is not for myself.

The service was slow, however, this review will still stay at 5 stars as the staff were able to communicate very nicely that it was very busy and they will serve me next as soon as possible. This is not normally done or is done so rudely by other restaurants.

There were only 3 waiters at the front which i was very surprised how efficient they were able to work. Typical , fast Chinese style serving however very polite without the screaming 😂.

The environment can be loud and the place seems to be a bit old, but it is footscray.

Will be coming back and I really recommended the Broken...