Canley Vale is a flourishing community on Cabrogal land with a strong South-East Asian population. Bursting with colour and the aroma of fresh food, Canley Vale is an incredible example of the cultural diversity found in Western Sydney. A walk down Canley Vale Road is a great way to experience this buzzing area and you’ll find an array of great Asian foods to try.
But where to start? Well, The WEST Journal has created this list of signature dishes to try along Canley Vale Road giving you a taste of Asia. You simply must try them all!
BANH MI
NGUYEN HOT BREAD | 33 CANLEY VALE ROAD
Banh Mi is a popular Vietnamese sandwich filled with meat, veggies, and special sauce. You can find many versions around Sydney, but one bakery that has perfected the art is Nguyen Hot Bread. Known for their incredibly crunchy pork crackling and perfectly pickled carrots, they nail the filling every single time.
And because they’re a bakery, you’ll enjoy the crunch of fresh bread made on-site every day. So, be sure to pick up some dinner rolls and baguettes to enjoy afterwards!
BBQ PORK BUNS
HENRY STEAM BUNS | 3/17 CANLEY VALE ROAD
When a store is named after one dish they do best, you know you’re in for a treat. At Henry Steam Buns, it’s their Bánh bao xá xíu or BBQ Pork Buns that steal the show.
These fluffy white buns are steamed and filled with fresh and sticky BBQ Pork – a combination made in heaven. Enjoy these with an iced coffee, or simply on their own.
You’ll also want to try their sweet buns which are just as fluffy and filled with taro, custard, or bean.
GÀ NƯỚNG XÔI NẾP - GRILLED CHICKEN
HAI AU LANG NUONG | 48 CANLEY VALE ROAD
From the moment you set foot in this well-known Vietnamese restaurant, you know you’re in for a one-of-a-kind experience. There is simply no other restaurant as vibrantly decorated and filled as Hai Au Lang Nuong. And their menu is no exception, boasting many authentic Vietnamese dishes from all regions of the country.
Known for their grill, one signature dish is Gà Nướng Xôi Nếp – organic grilled chicken wrapped in banana leaf and served with special sauce and sticky rice. It’s made fresh to order and bursting with flavour and juiciness every time.
You’ll find other favourites like Bún (vermicelli salad), fried rice, and pho. When in doubt, ask the friendly staff.
MA LA TANG
MASTER HOTPOT | 36-38 CANLEY VALE ROAD
Ma La Tang is a very popular spicy soup dish originating from Sichuan in southwestern China. At Master Hotpot, you choose your own ingredients from a huge refrigerator filled with fresh produce.
Grab a bowl and a pair of tongs, then take as much or as little as you think you can eat. There is a huge range of seafood like octopus, squid, fish, and mussels as well as other meats and many different Asian vegetables.
Once you’ve chosen your ingredients, simply hand the bowl over to the chefs to work their magic.
Ma La Tang is the best way to try something new, as the hands-on experience of selecting your own ingredients means you get to create a winning combination.
NUOC MIA – SUGARCANE JUICE
VGY CAFÉ | 2 CANLEY VALE ROAD
Nuoc Mia, or Sugarcane Juice, is a delicious and refreshing drink perfect after a hearty meal or as an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s a popular Vietnamese beverage and is best enjoyed freshly crushed and filtered.
VGY Café is a vegan café on the corner of Canley Vale Road across from the station serving Nuoc Mia and other Vietnamese drinks.
Order the Sugarcane Juice and watch the process of shredding cane stalks to produce this delightfully sweet drink. You can also try the Combination Juice which is a blend of sugarcane, durian, jackfruit, and coconut which are all iconic Vietnamese flavours.
Canley Vale is filled with people who are proud of the dishes they’ve crafted and perfected. It is a place where authentic traditions are generously shared, a reason worth returning time and time again.
This article is proudly presented by Fairfield City Council