Home cook shares her special dishes at Vietnamese restaurant
Every dish at this Warrawong eatery is cooked with love from family recipes
It was Thi Bao Van Tran’s husband’s idea that she start a restaurant in the space above their Asian grocery shop in Cowper Street, Warrawong.
Having moved their business down the street to the building they bought (where Steve’s Quality Meats used to be), they had been unable to find a tenant.
The former restaurant had been vacant for a number of years, despite being large, light-filled and having a big kitchen.
“He said, 'You love cooking and are such a good cook, you should do it',” she says with a laugh.
“I had never even worked in a restaurant let alone cooked at one, so I was scared but he had faith in me.”
His faith and her hard work has proved a winning combination, with Special Dish attracting a strong following by day and by night over the past year.
“I called it Special Dish because I want people to know that everything I cook for them is from my family recipes, so everything is special to me,” Van says.
“There was a lot to do and learn to get the restaurant up and running, but my family knows when I get stressed I cook more so that worked out well!
“It is still hard work but I really enjoy seeing the customers happy when they visit.
“I always cook with love.”
Van arrived in Australia from Ninh Thuận province in South Central Vietnam almost 25 years ago. Located between Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An, it is a coastal region with beautiful beaches surrounded by mountainous national parks. Now where does that sound like?
While all the dishes on the menu are home recipes, she says Crispy Pancakes (with pork and prawn, or chicken fillings) and Hainan Chicken are particular specialities of her region.
The menu includes a wide range of fresh and fried rice paper rolls, grilled chicken and pork, refreshing vermicelli salads and, of course, classic pho – all accompanied by fresh herbs and pickled vegetables.
On the weekend, there are also yum cha dishes at lunchtime.
Having the shop downstairs gives Van access to the freshest ingredients at a good price.
“We started that business eight years ago, just after we were married,” says Van.
“I used to work there three days a week so people who were our regular customers were the first to try our new restaurant.
“I just love to see them and others enjoying my food.”
She still makes the commute from Liverpool – where they live with her children – each day, apart from Monday when the restaurant is closed.
“I love this area and hope to move down here one day,” says Van.
Visit Special Dish Vietnamese Restaurant
- Lunch Tues-Sun, 11am-3pm
- Dinner Tues-Thurs 5-8pm; Fri-Sun 5-9pm
- Special Dish is at Level 1, 260 Cowper St, Warrawong, 0452 431 876.
