Madame Duong caters for students and office workers, serving up delicious, quick, affordable meals during the week. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Madame Duong is a recent arrival on Marcus Clarke Street, serving up delicious Vietnamese food for those short on time and low on cash.
The corner restaurant opened in September 2024, replacing Ipho, and despite the lack of a punny name it already seems to be a favourite of office workers and ANU students from the nearby resident buildings.
When I visited on a Monday, plenty of students were around enjoying the $15 Pho special. But with the late flush of autumn sunshine keeping me warm, I decided to enjoy one of my other favourite Vietnamese dishes – Banh Xao – before the cold weather comes.
Banh Xao is one of food writer Lucy Ridge’s favourite Vietnamese dishes and Madame Duong’s version hits the spot. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
I considered a fresh juice (you can combine a number of different fruits to your liking) but ultimately decided to treat myself to a Vietnamese Iced Coffee which came in a tall glass. Strong and sweet, the coffee had a nice balance and provided enough of a buzz to see me through the afternoon.
I started with a couple of rice paper rolls filled with pork and prawn, and served with a thick hoisin dipping sauce topped with peanuts.
Pre-made, the rolls came quickly and quelled my hunger while I waited for my main meal. Well constructed, plump with fillings and fragrant with mint these rolls hit the spot!
The menu at Madame Duong covers plenty of authentic Vietnamese dishes including Pho, Bun Bo Hue and broken rice with pork. Photo: Madame Duong/Instagram.
Two capable women were doing double duty as wait staff and banh mi makers. I lost count of the number of buns they were sending out the door as takeaways: most filled with crispy pork. The menu also featured a section of lunchbox specials, so there are plenty of budget-friendly options for those needing a quick, filling mid-work meal that won’t break the bank.
Banh Xao is a vermicelli noodle salad served with peanuts, vegetables and a ramekin of fish sauce dressing which I use to drench the noodles. At Madame Duong, you can choose between a range of meats or spring rolls (with a vegetarian option).
My favourite way to enjoy this salad is with the crispness of spring rolls. I love the textural crisp of the fried pastry in contrast to the slippery noodles and crunch of fresh veg. I could eat this dish a thousand times and never tire of it: every version is slightly different and every bite offers a new mix of flavours.
The Pho Special was definitely the most popular dish as I cast my eyes about the room to see what others were eating. Much blowing on spoons of soup, slurping of noodles, and everyone looked satisfied. I also spotted a delicious looking plate which I’m sure was the Special Broken Rice with Pork Chop.
If only the office was a bit closer, I’d be back tomorrow!
Madame Duong at 54 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra opens weekdays from 11 am to 2:30 pm and 4 to 9 pm. Follow Madame Duong on Facebook or Instagram.
