Bun Cha Co Dao

I had the pleasure to try out this place in Footscray on a rainy day. The staffs are quite prompt, for come out fast. They have one of the best rice vermicelli bun in town, very fresh and soft almost like in Vietnam. However I found that my noodles soup lack the depth with the broth. The bun cha is decent however it doesn’t not has the fragrance as being grilled over charcoal to stay true to its name. In overall it was a pleasant experience.

Recommend by a friend who said that this her favourite Vietnamese restaurant in Footscray. However I found the food to be ok, not any different from other Vietnamese places. Portion size is reasonable, taste is average, but the main reason for the 3 stars is the smell of the restaurant. Not sure what is causing the smell, however I didn’t really like it and it has somehow affected my overall dining experience. Hopefully it will improve.

Such delicious Bun Cha! If you want authentic flavours reminiscent of Hanoi, then Bun Cha Co Dao is worth a visit. Decent prices and very generous helpings

Bun Cha Co Dao sits on Barkly Street near Nicholson Street Mall and looks just like a casual Vietnamese eatery you’d find back in Vietnam—simple decor and a menu focused on their namesake dish, bun cha. We visited on a quiet weekday evening and were the only customers. Unfortunately, the food was underwhelming. The grilled pork lacked that signature smokiness, and the herbs and veg weren’t as fresh as they should be. It's passable, but not memorable. Service was slack. No one checked on us, and I had to wait quite a while just to pay at the counter. Cleanliness wasn’t great either—floors, tables, and even the menu had that familiar greasy film some might overlook, but if you’re particular, it’ll stand out. That said, I love Asian food and might still come back—expectations adjusted.

Tried Bun Cha Co Dao Footscray and was impressed by the fresh noodles and ingredients—everything tasted clean and well-prepared. Compared to Quan Lua, the broth here wasn’t as sweet or smoky, missing that signature northern-style balance I enjoyed. Still, it was a solid, filling meal and definitely worth exploring if you’re in the area and craving Vietnamese. A good spot for a casual, hearty meal—just don’t expect the same sweetness as other versions.

This was my first time trying bun cha, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a solid experience. The vermicelli noodles were incredibly soft—so much so that they’d fall right off the chopsticks when dipped in the sauce, which was delicious. The dip and noodles were definitely the highlights. The portion of meat was decent, though I would’ve liked a little more, but it was still satisfying. Everything was cooked fresh to order—I even saw them grilling and frying the ingredients as I walked by the kitchen (I think) . The meat was good, though not particularly standout. The spring rolls were crunchy and fine, though I’ve had better. I tried the bun cha lem, priced at $18. Overall, it was worth trying. One last thing: the Viet music was playing pretty loud in the background.

4.5 Stars. I came here for the Bun Cha and it did not disappoint. I wish they had more of the excellent charred pork, and they give you such little lettuce to eat the food with. But overall, highly recommended.

Tried the Bun ca Hai Phong- fish rice vermicelli. Quite good and authentic