Long-time Albury business owners Jess and Tony Nguyen have opened a new family-run Vietnamese restaurant in Kiewa Street. Photo: Minerva Taylor.
The official opening of Albury’s new Vietnamese restaurant came with a rush hour reminiscent of the bustling Saigon streets from which its inspiration was born.
Long-time Albury business owners Jess and Tony Nguyen were run off their feet as they opened the doors of their family-run Saigon Bites eatery in Kiewa Street on Sunday 12 October with eager diners lining up to sample the authentic fare.
From crispy spring rolls and traditional salads to bowls brimming with broth and beef brisket, the fully licensed restaurant will operate seven days a week (8:30 am to 10 pm) from the delightfully refurbished space nestled between the NAB and Daniel’s Donuts.
The Nguyens say the food coming out of this kitchen will reflect a commitment to fresh ingredients, flavour and tradition with “every dish telling a story of home-cooked memories, vibrant spices and family recipes handed down through generations”.
Jess and Tony, who were born in Vietnam but met and married in Australia 20 years ago, are best known as the long-standing owners of Indigo Nails & Beauty salons in Albury’s West End Plaza and at Lavington.
But the pair, who moved to Albury 12 years ago and have three children, Adrian, 16, Chloe, 12, and Nicholas, 7, say they are no strangers to the food industry.
With family members running restaurants in Melbourne and a love for traditional Vietnamese cooking fostered from a young age, the couple are keen to share that passion with Border patrons.
While they now well and truly call Albury home – Jess says the family loves the community and connection here – the Nguyens want to showcase authentic Vietnamese cuisine through Saigon Bites.
“We want to take people on a journey through our Vietnamese background,” Jess says.
“Vietnamese cooking is fresh and very tasty and we hope that once people try it, they will keep coming back. We believe food is more than sustenance – it’s about connection, comfort and culture – and we want to share that with the people who have supported us over the years.”
Certainly one couldn’t help but notice the rather elegantly dressed ensemble at one table where all the women were sporting beautifully manicured and brightly polished nails. When questioned, these diners laughingly admitted they were indeed loyal nail customers of the Nguyens and were thoroughly enjoying their new foray into the food business!
Other customers remarked on the generous serving sizes and delighted in the stylishness of the modern decor, which features bamboo lighting and subtle wallpaper patterns with neutral, comfortable furnishings.
One young diner described the pork as “perfectly crispy” and dumplings as “brilliant” as he happily devoured his first ‘Mi Nuoc Heo Quay’ (crispy pork egg noodle soup) on Sunday.
The menu encompasses the likes of ‘Com Chay Dau Hu Sa Ot’ (fried tofu with lemongrass), ‘Dau Hu Tay Cam Hai San’ (a claypot seafood combination), the chef’s recommendation of ‘Com Tam’ (Vietnamese Brocken Rice) as well as a selection of curries, crispy chicken and pork, and soup dishes.
The menu includes a full drinks offering including cocktails (with the signature Saigon Bites Mist of red wine, green apple, egg white, bitters and cinnamon syrup) and food is available in takeaway options.
Saigon Bites is located at 1B/497 Kiewa St, Albury. They’re open from 8:30 am until 10 pm, seven days a week, offering Vietnamese coffee and a full array of fresh food and beverages. Follow them on Facebook for more updates.
