Hem 27 Restaurant & Asian Meal Preps — Restaurant in Melbourne

We had one of the Chef's specials of Hem 27, or alleyway 27 in Vietnamese, which is their Banh canh cua (which translates to crab noodle soup). As the name implies, it is a soup made with a thick, tapioca noodles (banh canh) in a broth and topped with thinly sliced pork belly, slices of round pork loaf, crab and shrimp balls, crab stick and the star of the dish - soft-shelled crab. The pork and shrimp broth had a bright, orange colour, with a rich, silky creamy texture. The broths texture complimented the texture of the tapioca noodles which are chewy.

We also enjoyed the Com Chien Tom Cua (Fried Rice With Shrimp And Crab) which is a hearty fried rice with an appetising colour and served with a side of fresh salad that makes the meal more delicious and attractive. The dish had plenty of shrimp and a generous serving of plump prawns cooked to prefection, but the flavour of crab was too suble to notice.

For dessert, we tried the steamed banana cake (Banh Chuoi Hap) which is topped with creamy coconut sauce. This wonderful sweet treat is typically prepared for Lunar New Year / Tet. Sweet ripened bananas are encased in a layer of sticky rice and black beans and then wrapped in banana leaves. The results are a deliciously, glutinous sweet cake with an intriguing pop of color and heavenly aroma. Something magical happens to the bananas during the cooking process and they turn a beautiful shade of pinkish-red. If you’re not prepared for it, the rosy color may surprise you but that’s the intended result.

The staff were attentive and polite. The ambiance aimed for is rustic alleyway-style, and this extends to the stools around the tiny tables, the downside being that the stools with their flat wooden seats become uncomfortable to sit on after a while. However, this may be intentional and in keeping with the theme - hawker-style food with quick turnover.

While the food was delicious and authentic, I felt that the spices and heat were subdued, compared to Vietnamese restaurants in Box Hill, Springvale, Footscray, or St Albans. Overall a pleasant...

Our first impression of Hem27 was cautious; the location seemed a bit out of the way, and we weren’t sure what to expect. As soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted by friendly staff, instantly setting a positive tone. The menu looked intriguing, while some dishes seemed straightforward, they promised a depth of flavour that piqued our curiosity.

The real surprise came when the food began to arrive. As we started sharing, it became clear that the chefs at Hem27 pour real passion into their meals. The Banh Canh Cua, a Vietnamese drop-noodle soup, was an absolute standout. Served in a thick, starchy broth, it was rich, flavourful, and generously topped with soft-shell crab. The fried rice dishes also deserve a mention; they had that wonderful wok hei charred flavour that you only get from a handful of restaurants we have been.

What impressed us even more than the food was the service. The staff at Hem27 went above and beyond, treating every customer with genuine respect and care, making us feel truly valued throughout our visit. In our view, a great review should reflect both the quality of the food and the experience as a whole, and Hem27 excels on both fronts.

Hem27 delivers consistently delicious food alongside exceptional customer service. We highly recommend this place and with convenient parking right at the doorstep. Give yourself a...

Looking for cheap eats that don’t skimp on flavour? Welcome to Hem 27 Restaurant & Asian Meal Preps. Your go-to spot for authentic Vietnamese street-style dishes made fresh and ready to go.

🥢 Bold Flavours, Made Fresh From lemongrass-grilled meats to rich curries and stews, every meal brings the taste of Vietnam’s bustling alleyways straight to Melbourne.

💸 Affordable, Delicious & Convenient Grab a rice or noodle bowl packed with flavour. All for just $13.90 each, or save more when you bulk buy: 📦 7 meals = $90.30 ($12.90 ea) 📦 10 meals = $110 ($11.00 ea) 📦 15 meals = $178.50 ($11.90 ea) 🚚 Plus, enjoy flat $7 delivery to select suburbs!

🥡 Takeaway-Only & Meal Preps Perfect for busy days. No dine-in, no stress. Just grab and go, or get a week’s worth delivered fresh to your door.

🍴 Current Menu Favourites (rotating weekly!):

🍗 Vietnamese Rotisserie Chicken

🍃 Lemongrass Chicken or Pork w/ Vietnamese Meatloaf

🍝 Vietnamese Pork Meatball Pasta

🥥 Coconut Curry Chicken

🍲 Vietnamese-style Beef Stew

🐟 Grilled Fish Fillets w/ Coriander Sauce

🍅 Shaking Beef w/ Tomato Fried Rice

🍄‍🟫 Mixed Mushrooms Wrapped Tofu (V)

📍 Delivery is available in these postcodes: 3000, 3003, 3008, 3010, 3011, 3019, 3020–3021, 3031–3032, 3039, 3040, 3051,...