Roll'd Vietnamese Food - Brisbane

Sushi Kotobuki in East Brisbane has always been a favorite of mine. read more Sushi Kotobuki in East Brisbane has always been a favorite of mine.

During our stay in the city, we decided to take a stroll to find a nearby place to grab a bite to eat. The restaurant was quite busy, but we were able to find a... read more During our stay in the city, we decided to take a stroll to find a nearby place to grab a bite to eat. The restaurant was quite busy, but we were able to find a seat.

I stumbled upon this restaurant by chance, and I was pleasantly surprised by how great it was! Not only that, but it's also very affordable. read more I stumbled upon this restaurant by chance, and I was pleasantly surprised by how great it was! Not only that, but it's also very affordable.

After work one day, I was heading to meet a friend during her lunch break. She had a place in mind – this lunch spot near Wintergarden, one of her favorites. So... read more After work one day, I was heading to meet a friend during her lunch break. She had a place in mind – this lunch spot near Wintergarden, one of her favorites. So, we made a beeline straight there. Overall, I’d say this place is decent – more of a "it’ll do" than anything exceptional. The interior is simple, with a wooden aesthetic, and there’s quite a bit of outdoor seating. Setting up tables around the scaffolding is unusual for this area, as there are usually regulations to keep them separated. On some tables, condiments, cutlery, and napkins are available for customers to grab. The service is fast-casual; you get a buzzer that alerts you when your order is ready, and then you head to the counter to pick it up. It’s very much like fast food, with meals served on a tray and wrapped up. That’s pretty much the extent of the service, aside from taking orders. The menu offers Vietnamese street food, boiled down to five main meal types, each available in various flavors. You can choose from their bowls (or "B" as they call them) with rice (bun) or noodles (com), pho, cuon (rice paper rolls), bánh mì, and goi (salads). Some breakfast items are also available, along with several snack options for a few extra dollars. I opted for one of the "B" bowls with crispy chicken ribs. The rice came with a mix of carrots, cucumber, mixed herbs, dried shallots, and a vinegar-based dressing, all topped with the meat of my choice. Everything was presented to be mixed together (not the most practical, but visually appealing). It was a healthy and flavorful medley that complemented a range of tastes; it tasted great. The vibrant colors made the dish look inviting, and the chicken ribs added an interesting touch. The chicken had a nice crunch and was just the right amount spicy, which I appreciated. Of course, being a Vietnamese spot, they serve the signature iced coffee, and given that I usually just have coffee when I go out, I ordered one as well. They use coffee from Sensory Lab, and it was packed with ice, making it very refreshing. It had a sweet flavor thanks to the condensed milk, and the caffeine kick was strong. As long as it tasted good, I was happy. They also offer typical espresso blends and iced tea. Since I had already ordered two of the three items to qualify for a value meal, all that was left was to choose a side. This was even suggested by the woman at the counter, and my friend pointed out the deal on display. Why not? I looked at the menu and decided on sweet potato fries. These turned out to be just okay. While the quality of the sweet potatoes was good, they weren’t very crispy. They were a decent snack size and quite tasty, but I would recommend crisping them up a bit more instead of leaving them soft. My second visit was for a quick bite between work and a personal training session in the afternoon. I went for a classic choice: a pork bánh mì with the crackling option. I asked for chili, of course! This time, the bánh mì was fine, though a bit underwhelming compared to many others I’ve had recently. As expected, the bread roll was crusty and freshly baked. It was stuffed with all the necessary fresh ingredients: carrots, cucumber, coriander, and chili, creating a unique taste that was both fresh and flavorful. The cucumber was refreshing against the heat of the chili, while the coriander added its distinct flavor. However, the sandwich felt a bit dry. There wasn’t much sauce, pate, or dressing, which is essential to elevate the sandwich. It was decent, but certainly not among the best. Considering that Roll 'd is a franchise and the food is mass-produced, it’s definitely better than what most people can whip up at home. It might not impress die-hard Vietnamese food enthusiasts, as it caters to a broader audience. However, when compared to some other places claiming to serve authentic food, they’re closer to the real deal. The meals are fresh, packed with vegetables, and quick to prepare, giving the restaurant some solid merits.

This upscale Vietnamese restaurant offers traditional Asian cuisine. I tried their prawn salad, and it was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it for seafo... read more This upscale Vietnamese restaurant offers traditional Asian cuisine. I tried their prawn salad, and it was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it for seafood enthusiasts. They use mild spices and a variety of sauces to enhance the flavors of the dishes.