Fresh broth, fresh vegetables. Can be difficult to find seating during certain times, so takeaway is more convenient.

Approximate cost: $10

Love no. 2, chicken breast pho. Excellent rice paper rolls, very nice spring rolls and like the homemade iced tea too. Not sure what they are washing their dishes with but they smell like bleach - hence the lower overall score. I think they need to discover dishwashing liquid and rinse the dishes properly as I worry about ingesting bleach whenever I eat there. Food is unfortunately so good that I keep going back!

The soups and noodles taste very authentic, and the free accompanying bean sprouts, vietnamese mint and coriander is a huge plus. However, apparently this restaurant has been shut down before due to poor hygiene practices. Not sure if I'll be going there again.

I had the broken rice with beef and it was alright- the beef a bit dry though. The pho is quite delicious, I recommend chargrilled chicken or pork, as the beef pho is a little stringy. The shop is very busy so be prepared for much noise inside, not a good location for an important conversation.

Approximate cost: $10

A Melbourne institution - I remember going to Mekong at least 10 years ago. The noodle soups are still as fantastic, and still as good quality and full of flavour. It's only the price that's different ... a small bowl is no longer $5, but closer to $8. It's still cheaper than a lot of other meal options, and it's delicious and fresh!

They also have a fantastic range of drinks, from a lime sorbet (tastes just like a good Mohito!), three colour and four colour drinks, green tea milk and more.

Of course they have more on their menu, but the noodle soups have always been my favourite, along with their spring rolls that you wrap in lettuce, add mint and dip into fish sauce.

Yum!

Approximate cost: $8.00