By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
KASEY Pham and her partner Danny Tran saw a missing ingredient in Noble Park’s emerging foodie wonderland and pounced.
Their Peddler Tuck Shop cafe opened six months ago with a variety of home-made Vietnamese and other Asian fusion-style baguettes.
Ms Pham left her family’s Vietnamese restaurant two doors down to experiment with bold takes on classic flavours such as crackling pork belly, teriyaki chicken, poached chicken, and lemongrass pork patties.
These are embedded with cos lettuce, pickled carrots, daikon radish, cucumber as well as the sensational aromas and crunch of fried shallots, fried peanuts and crushed roasted rice.
Fresh chilli and a selection of hot sauces are optional.
Ms Pham – a self-described “foodie girl” – said the fusion concept started with the traditional Vietnamese pork bun and she took it further.
“Growing up, I loved all the authentic food that my mother cooked.
“I also love going out and trying both the authentic food – and food with a twist.”
Coming up on the menu is a beef filling stewed in coconut juice, seasoning and fish sauce.
The coconut juice helps to sweeten and caramelise the meat, Ms Pham said.
Another new addition is “sweet-and-salty” prawns caramelised in brown sugar and fish sauce.
The couple designed the café’s clean, trendy interior, drawing on Mr Tran’s strong tradie skills.
“We wanted to make it a fresh, vibrant place that was welcoming,” Ms Pham said.
“I believe we did that.”
Peddler Tuck Shop is open Monday to Saturday at 15/21a Douglas Street, Noble Park.
Phone 8555 9184.