Pho Hien Manager Cung Nguyen was a finalist for the best Pho in Victoria. 86006 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By VANESSA VALENZUELA
A SUNSHINE restaurant has been named first runner-up in the SBS Feast Food Awards for the best Pho noodle soup in Victoria.
SBS Feast magazine announced Pho Hien as a finalist in the Pho category after the restaurant was nominated by readers.
The awards celebrate the best in international cuisine dished up by Australia’s favourite local restaurants and eateries for less than $20.
Manager of Pho Hien Cung Nguyen said he was surprised to find out the restaurant had been nominated.
Mr Nguyen opened the restaurant on Hampshire Rd in Sunshine five years ago and said he wanted to offer traditional Vietnamese food to the Brimbank community.
“I am Vietnamese and this area has many Vietnamese people, however, we want to cater for everyone. We are trying to attract different types of people,” he said.
Mr Nguyen, who is also a member of the Sunshine Business Association, said he hopes to encourage more people to visit Sunshine and experience the variety of international cuisines on offer.
“Everyone knows about Richmond and Footscray but not a lot of people travel to Sunshine and it’s just an extra five minutes down the road,” he said
Mr Nguyen would like to thank all customers that nominated his restaurant in the national food awards.
Finalists of the SBS Food Awards were judged by a panel of experts including renowned national food bloggers Lorraine Elliot (Not Quite Nigella), Claire Davie (Melbourne Gastronome) and Mei Long (Food Libertine).
A full list of national winners and finalists is available in the September issue of SBS Feast magazine.
