Kim Khanh Restaurant

My family has been coming to Kim Khanh for years and every time I’m visiting, we come here for at least one meal. On this most recent trip home, on the first day of my arrival, we came here for lunch. My parents had said they hadn’t been here in ages because of the quality slipping, but then my god-​father had told them that he came here recently and it was good again.
The funny thing is, I used to eat at a lot of Vietnamese places when I was living here going to university and there was another restaurant which was owned by this guy — never found out his name — who c
alls everyone «My Friend». Anyway, that’s going off track a bit, but when I arrived this time, I asked my dad where «my friend» is now because I’ve always loved eating at his restaurant. My dad said «I don’t know, haven’t seen him in a while»
So we arrive at Kim Khanh and guess who is there? «My friend»! We were so happy to see him and he remembers us saying he’s been serving us for 20 years — which is about right.
The food here is good. It isn’t Orange County Vietnamese food, but it is decent. We always order the Bánh hi not because we love the vermecelli, but I think it’s really, the novelty of making our own rolls.
The bún is always good and our fave is usually Bún tht nng (grilled pork) is stellar. My mom always loves that one.
On this particular trip, my son orders the salt and pepper tofu — very tasty — and they serve it with chili slices soaked in soy sauce. In fact, one of the things I love about eating Asian food in Australia is that this is a vital condiment they have. Just ask for it, chances are they will have some to give you.
The Com tam (broken rice) dish was the only one which wasn’t as great as I’d like. We will be going there again as soon as my brother arrives — I’m going to try some other stuff… maybe the duck noodles.

If you want an enjoyable, cheap and tasty night out Kim Khanh’s is fantastic. Dining in someone’s garage has never been so fun. Décor is ‘interesting’!

Kim Khanh’s takeaway menu lays in close reach to the phone at all times, so for any nights where I’m either too busy or lazy to cook, this place works in my top 3 local takeaway joints to go to.
I love their dishes; so delicious, tasty and hard to stop eating so for takeaway nights, I order around 5 dishes to fulfil my every crave for Chinese food. I usually order ‘Soft Shell Crab’, ‘Chilli Prawns’, a noodle dish, ‘Szechuan Beef’ and ‘Lemon Chicken’. Nom nom nom.
There is a slight language barrier I experience when coming here. One time when I went by to pick up my order from the restaurant, I’ve forgotten what I’ve ordered so I asked the lady to repeat what dishes are in the takeaway containers. I strained to understand what dishes she was saying, although I still couldn’t quite get it, I commend her for continually repeating it for me. Very kind service here.

My family and I have been going here for ages. While the interior looked a bit malnourished if you can call it that, the vietnamese phở or noodle soups were to die for. And value for money $ 8-​$ 9 per bowl! Lots of bean sprouts and mint to go with it as well. The vietnamese springroll and grilled pork salad was my ultimate favourite. It was bought over last year by someone else, and the two sisters that ran the place run it no more. My friend works here every now and then (he is the one common thing in all vietnamese restaurants in Darra, sure gets around he does) and he is a great waiter.
I would recommend the deep fried quail or curry puffs for an appetiser, and the salt and pepper calamari is something a lot of people order, the dishes are affordable, yummy and come out quickly.
If you want to order appetizers, drinks and meals under $ 30 between the two of you, this is the place to be. It’s also one of the only places in Darra open until 10pm.

If you’re serious about Vietnamese food, then you must try Kim Khanh out at Darra. In fact, Darra is pretty much the suburb to go to for authentic Vietnamese groceries and restaurants.
I’m not one of those people who will repeatedly patronise the same restaurant but I do have a regular rotation system happening for cheap, fast Asian food and Kim Khanh is in that rotation.
The restaurant won’t win any prizes for interior décor unless being kitsch makes a comeback but for flavoursome, fresh Vietnamese fare, try their pork ball and vermicelli hand rolls.
Opening Hours: Lunch and Dinner Tuesday to Sunday from 11am