I'm a big, big fan of Vietnamese food, and an even bigger supporter of small businesspeople with focus and heart. As a result, nearly every Wednesday in the CBD and on the second and fourth Saturdays at the Powerhouse, I visit The Rice Hut at the Jan Power Markets for a little takeaway.
Two sisters run this business together, and deliver fresh, tasty and healthy Vietnamese food across a short but solid menu. Rice paper rolls (everything from sizzling beef to pork to prawn to tofu) are rolled up on the spot with colourful ingredients, banh mi sandwiches (get them at the Saturday markets, as they use a different bread guy on Wednesdays - it's still good mid-week, but really great on the weekends) with pork, and rice noodle salads are all on offer, and there's not a thing on that menu I've not found to be well-intended, well-prepared and super-fresh.
The CBD is growing in lunch options for Vietnamese (AJ's, Little Saigon, Pho Viet, Roll Shop, Quik Quack, etc), but when you can buy product from people who want to deliver only the freshest product and focus on making sure that everything they hand over the counter is something you'll love, that's a business worth supporting. The Rice Hut can be found towards the back of the CBD market near Bagel Boys, and on the aisle through the grass (not the sidewalk aisle) at the Powerhouse. read more