An Viet is a popular Vietnamese restaurant chain with multiple locations across Sydney. However, none of its stores are situated in Vietnamese communities such as Bankstown, Canley Vale, or Cabramatta—a detail that, in hindsight, might have been a sign. Based on our experience, the food did not live up to expectations.

Spicy Huế Beef Noodle Soup (large, $22.90)

The broth had a sharp chilli flavour but lacked depth, missing the rich, meaty yet clear quality typically found in well-made versions. The herbal notes were present only when eating the Thai basil and other garnishes rather than being infused into the soup itself. Coriander was absent, but there was an abundance of green onion and mint. This was not the kind of soup that invited drinking on its own. The noodles were undercooked and clumped together, making them difficult to separate. The variety of meats was reasonable, with portions of chả lụa, beef brisket, and beef shank included, though the absence of pork knuckle was noticeable. The soup also did not contain the typical cubes of pork blood, which was not particularly missed. Overall, this version was disappointing compared to the superior options available in Cabramatta.

Rare Beef Phở (large, $19.90)

The broth was both savoury and sweet but lacked the deep, meaty and herbal complexity expected from a well-prepared phở. As with the previous dish, the herbal freshness came from the mint garnish rather than being present in the broth itself. The portion of beef fillet was generous, but by the time it reached the table, it was fully cooked, losing the tenderness that makes rare beef phở appealing. The noodles were smooth and silky, but the dish was missing coriander, with only green onions, and very few raw sliced onions. While the quantity of beef was commendable, the other elements of the dish were underwhelming and failed to leave a lasting impression.

Given the restaurant’s high Google rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 from 1,299 reviews, the experience was underwhelming. Most restaurants in Cabramatta would serve superior versions of these two dishes.

An Viet is located at Shop 10, 1 Glen St, Eastwood NSW 2122.