Top 7 Vietnamese & Chinese Dishes to Order on Glenferrie Road

Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn is one of Melbourne’s most celebrated dining strips. Whether you are a Swinburne student looking for a quick lunch, a family picking up weekday dinner, or friends gathering for a weekend banquet, the food choices can feel endless. At Saigon Home Kitchen (739 Glenferrie Rd), we prepare over 230 traditional dishes, bridging the fragrant, fresh-herb traditions of Southern Vietnam with the wok-tossed mastery of Cholon (Saigon’s famous Chinatown).

If you’re wondering what to order on your next visit or online takeaway order, here is our chef-curated guide to the Top 7 Vietnamese & Chinese dishes on Glenferrie Road.

1. Southern Vietnamese Beef Phở (Phở Bò)

No trip to Glenferrie Road is complete without a steaming bowl of Phở. Our broth is gently simmered for over 12 hours with roasted beef marrow bones, charred ginger, star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon. We serve it piping hot over silky flat rice noodles, loaded with tender rare Australian beef (tái), slow-braised brisket (nạm), and fragrant basil, bean sprouts, and fresh lime on the side.

Best for: Chilly Melbourne days, hangover cures, and anyone seeking comforting, authentic Vietnamese soul food.

2. Crispy Combination Wok Egg Noodles (Mì Xào Giòn Thập Cẩm)

A shining star of Chinese-Vietnamese wok cuisine. Fresh thin egg noodles are fried until golden, forming a crunchy, nest-like base. The wok chef then flash-fries fresh calamari, king prawns, sliced chicken, and seasonal greens in a savoury garlic and oyster sauce glaze, pouring it sizzling over the crunchy noodles.

Best for: Diners craving that authentic Cantonese ‘wok hei’ (breath of the wok) and satisfying texture contrast.

3. Broken Rice with Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chop (Cơm Tấm Sườn Nướng)

In Saigon, Cơm Tấm is legendary street food. Broken rice grains have a unique, fluffy texture that absorbs juices effortlessly. We marinate our pork chops with crushed lemongrass, garlic, shallots, honey, and fish sauce before grilling over high heat until caramelized and smoky. Served with pickled carrots, sliced cucumber, and our house-blended chili-garlic fish sauce dressing.

Best for: A hearty, all-day lunch or satisfying dinner that keeps you full for hours.

4. Special Fried Rice (Cơm Chiên Dương Châu)

A classic Chinese banquet staple perfected in our kitchen. High-heat wok toss separates every grain of Jasmine rice, infused with sweet Chinese sausage (lạp xưởng), plump baby prawns, barbecue pork, golden scrambled egg, and crisp green shallots. Never greasy, bursting with savoury aroma.

Best for: Sharing around the table with family, or as the ultimate comforting takeaway side.

5. Salt & Pepper Calamari (Mực Rang Muối)

One of our most popular entrées and share plates. Tender fresh calamari scored lightly, tossed in a feather-light seasoned flour, and flash-fried until shatteringly crisp. It is finished in a dry smoking wok with finely diced red chili, garlic, spring onions, and a special blend of five-spice sea salt.

Best for: Starting your banquet, pairing with an ice-cold beer, or sharing with friends.

6. Grilled Pork & Crispy Spring Roll Vermicelli Bowl (Bún Thịt Nướng Chả Giò)

If you want something light, vibrant, and crunchy, this is the ultimate Vietnamese noodle salad. A generous bowl of chilled rice vermicelli (bún) is topped with sizzling lemongrass pork, golden crispy spring rolls, fresh mint, coriander, shredded lettuce, and pickled daikon, finished with toasted crushed peanuts and warm sweet-sour nuoc cham dressing.

Best for: Warm days, healthy office lunches, or when you want all the fresh textures of Vietnam in one bowl.

7. Sizzling Clay-Pot Seafood or Chicken (Lẩu Tay Cầm)

Served bubbling hot right to your table, our clay-pot dishes preserve intense heat and deep flavours. Prepared with fresh prawns, scallops, fish fillets, and tender chicken simmered with ginger, Asian mushrooms, and scallions in a rich, caramelized master stock that clings to steamed rice.

Best for: Group dining, cozy dinners, and sharing authentic Asian home-style comfort.

Want to explore more? Read our guide on Phở vs Bún: What’s the Difference? or check our local dining guide for Hawthorn locals and visitors.