Viet Star

A random pop in when in Hawthorn trying the seemingly hundreds of frozen yoghurt places that have sprung up along Glenferrie Rd, we were stoked with this find and will no doubt be back. We have an ongoing love affair with our local Vietnamese place in Balwyn (Sip’n’Chat) but this was right up there too — fantastically priced and deliciously fresh tasting cold rolls and Phở. Can see why it was so busy on a Saturday arvo!

Great value for money!
Place was busy when we went in for lunch on a Monday, but we were seated immediately and given ample time to check out the menu. The time between placing our orders and receiving out meals was so short — very impressed with the speed of service. I found the portion sizes to be quite large (especially for the $ 10 lunch special of sizzling ginger beef with rice that I ordered).
There’s quite a wide range of meals on offer in the menu, and youre definitely spoilt for choice at Viet Star. Nice little neighbourhood restaurant on Glenferrie Road.

Great value and sensational Vietnamese food. This place has been a favourite of mine since I started working in the Hawthorn area in the mid 90s. Just go straight to the Viet Star Special dishes, the Salt & Pepper Chicken and Squid dishes are as good as it gets.

In the vast array of restaurants and cafes on this part of Glenferrie Road, Viet Star is a definite favourite. I often pop in on my lunch break for a quick (and affordable!) lunch, or a quick dinner during the week.
They have been here for ages! I doubt that the menu has changed for 20 years, however the restaurant has recently had a facelift and looks much more modern and fresh and they have opened up an upstairs section for larger groups too (be warned, can get noisy up there!)
I have a few dishes that I always order at Viet Star, I rarely stray into new territory. The rice vermicelli with grilled chicken, is one of the best I’ve had — including Victoria Street! In the cooler weather, I love the prawn dumpling noodle soup too!
Cheap and cheerful and fast!

I had a rather dissapointing meal at Viet Star recently.
It was about 9:30 on a Thursday night and we decided to get something to eat after a few drinks. Most places were closing however Viet Star was still open. We were shown in and seated. I saw someone sitting near me eating the dish I was thinking of getting so I asked him if it was ok, he seemed happy with it. However at this point I got told off by one of the waiters and shooed back to my table. WTF? This did not give me a good first impression.
We ordered… entrees… some ‘prawn purse’ thing… bland.
I ordered some chicken dish… the same dish the guy had ordered. There was hardly any food on it. I left very unsatisfied. My friend had the Phở and seemed happy with it.
By the time we were finishing our food they were packing up tables around us so we felt rushed.
Really will not be going back here… food and service was below average!

It does seem a little strange to be using the same star system to rate Viet Star and then Eleven Madison Park in NYC, I feel like I should rate out of 100. But Viet Star certainly holds its own in this cheap eat category so anything less than 3 would be unkind.
The service is little more than pointing and nodding with a slight disinterested glaze over the eyes but the dishes come quick, all at the same time and packed with flavour. I personally can not go past the egg wonton noodle soup, I dream of it and pretty crazily after I’ve had it. Take away is just as good as eat in and for $ 9, winner winner! Spring rolls are tasty as are numerous other dishes, I just can’t go past the soup! A regular and a local favourite for sure.

Another cheapie on Glenferrie Road, Viet Star jams them in.
The all-​male staff are quick and efficient. One of the older guys will treat you like his niece, advising you what to eat and making you feel at home. I like it. It’s bustling, quick and easy.

My winning dishes include the fresh Vietnamese spring rolls with still warm pork wrapped freshly inside, along with the the «coleslaw.» It’s crunchy and flavourful, though the chicken version is a bit gnarly (the meat could be better) so I stick to the vegetarian and get tofu instead.
It’s a busy strip and with lots of options the fact that Viet Star is packed night after night says something about the food, service and value. They get all of them right… not with flying colours but to a satisfactory level that means you will want to come back because they’re consistent.