Dong Hoa Sydney (John St) — Restaurant in Sydney

I went there with my family which 3 kids. Order 2 special beef pho noodles, one rice dish, spicy beef noodle (Bun Bo Hue)and pancake. Spicy noodles came first and then one bowl of special beef noodles. Then waiter brought another bowl of special beef noodles to our table with unusual face looked at the bowl. Then I saw there were chilli in the soup it seem like same as my husband spicy noodles but less chilli. I told him I ordered 2 special beef noodle which supposed to be the same with another bowl and no chilli. He said yes, I don’t know why? Then he took the noodles back in the kitchen talking with someone in the kitchen for few minutes and took the same bowl back. We had told that this is the same soup and not spicy or very tiny bit, tried it first. I asked if it is too spicy can i change. He said yes. But I won’t dare to change it again, worry they will split in the bowl for me or put something in my noodles. I have to swap my kids bowl with my big daughter who can eat little bit spicy who already started eating her noodles. About 10 mins later I just realised that we had ordered pancake too. In that time waiter came pass and told us pancake will come soon. So we asked to out in the take away box instead. He came back few minutes after with pancake on the plate and told us it already ready. So finally we didn’t eat pancake as we all are feel full if noodles and rice. We asked for 2 containers to put pancake and rice back home and ask container sauce for pancake too. They charged 1$ for each container. This is so expensive for normal plastic container. Very disappointed and will never go back. I thought they should find some way to solve this problem easier just took the spicy soup out and put normal beef soup in but they don’t and told us it is the same...

Now I'm not fussy on service when it comes to Cabramatta - as long as the food is good, the order is correct and it comes out reasonably promptly, all is right in the world. Unfortunately my recent experience at Dong Ba did not live up to expectations.

I ordered Bun Mam (combination noodle soup), and the pieces of fish were raw. I had to send it back (a first for me)...to be fair the older gentleman serving was quite apologetic when he brought out a replacement. If it was just that, I wouldn't complain but we had to ask for bowls of fish sauce and the drinks we ordered only appeared after prompting the servers 10 mins after our food had arrived. I feel for the boys that were serving us as the older owner lady was so mean and snarky. She also thought she deceived us by giving us two of the exact same drinks despite one being asked for with less sugar.

In general, this place has average to decent food but service could be significantly improved if the owners put some effort into caring about their customers. I probably won't be returning...

I definitely agree with prior reviews. Was told this was a pretty decent restaurant in Cabramatta and, honestly, pretty good by Sydney standards, but, having just returned from a trip to Vietnam, it is lacking a little. They offer many different classic Vietnamese dishes, perhaps might be better off focusing on just a few?

Bun bo hue Broth: A+, 7.5/10. Probably the most important aspect. Was tasty but lacking a fair bit. Soup was not very spicy or complex in its flavour. Also not very rich. Beef: S, 8/10. Tender and pretty juicy. Not bad. Noodles: S, 8/10 Garnish: A+, 7.5/10. Blood jelly, vietnamese sausage with some beansprouts were good. Not much else Value: S, 8/10. $17 is quite good for Sydney

Bo lo lat (betel leaf beef) Flavour: S, 8/10 Texture: SS, 9/10. Nice and crispy betel leaf with juicy beef. Plenty of salad, vermicelli and peanuts for other layers Value:...