Eight places to get a taste of Asia in Gungahlin
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Perfect for when you’re craving that balance of sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami, here’s where to get a taste of Asia without leaving the northside.
Packed with vegetables and protein, overflowing with flavour and always a good choice on a night out, Asian cuisine is one of the most complex and comforting you can order. And it just so happens that Gungahlin is packed full of options when it comes to places to eat – from Korean and Chinese to Japanese, Vietnamese and more!
Here are eight places to cure your cravings when they hit.
Seoul Soban
Newly opened in Marketplace Gungahlin in the space that previously housed Tong Dak, Seoul Soban is a love letter to Korea. Serving traditional Korean dishes including beef bulgogi, bibimbab, and tteokbokki, the focus is on flavour, texture and temperature – with chilli pepper paste, soybean paste, garlic, ginger and chilli pepper flakes heroing many of the options. Take the Korean sweet chilli chicken: double-fried for extra crunch and coated in their signature, a savoury, tangy, and mildly spicy Korean chili sauce. Yum.
Shop 23a/30 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
Banh Mi House
Banh Mi House’s delicious Vietnamese street food ranges from Saigon rolls (also known as Banh Mi), to rice paper rolls, soups and more. And while everything is worth trying, you can’t go past the French/Vietnamese hybrid of the Banh Mi – an airy baguette packed with sour pickled daikon and carrot, crisp cilantro, spicy chilis, and a cool sliver of cucumber surrounding any number of protein options. Make sure to also grab a Vietnamese iced coffee for a true taste of the Southeast Asian country.
Shop H50a, 30 & 33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
Simply Pho
Recently re-opening after undergoing renovations, Simply Pho is dedicated to one of Vietnam’s most loved dishes: pho – a soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat. Simply Pho’s standard bowl of pho includes rare beef and meat balls, but there are many other variations to try, from the Pho Xtreme (rare beef, soft tendon and beef tripe) to the Pho Combo (rare beef, brisket, tripe, soft tendon and meat balls). Simply choose your spice level and leave feeling pho-tastic.
Shop 28/30-33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | marketplacegungahlin.com.au
CocoNine
CocoNine is a favourite of those searching for a taste of Thailand and are known for serving dishes not commonly available at other Thai restaurants. The Boat Noodles (a secret family recipe noodle soup with beef, fresh noodles, beef ball and tripe) and the Yum Zaab Zeed (anchovy sauce, prawns, salmon sashimi, fish roe, sweet corn, onion, chilli and sweet corn) are just two examples of what dishes you can discover.
Unit 3/45 Gungahlin Place, Gungahlin | coconine.com.au
Ginger and Spice
Craving traditional Chinese? You don’t have to go far. Located on Hibberson Street, Ginger and Spice is known for serving classic Chinese dishes that the whole family loves. Mud crab, dumplings, Szechuan chicken and sizzling Mongolian lamb are familiar standouts on the menu along with fried rice and Chow Mein. As for dessert? Banana fritters and ice-cream is always a good choice.
110 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | gingerandspice.com.au
Ikigai Ramen
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a little slice of Tokyo when you sit down for a meal at Ikigai Ramen. Canberra’s only late-night ramen spot, Ikigai was inspired by a trip to Japan and it’s quickly made a name for itself as one of the best ramen joints in Canberra. Make sure to try the Takoyaki and the Tonkotsu.
43 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | ikigairamen.au
Little Siam
This relaxed eatery is a hidden gem for Thai lovers. Offering a comprehensive array of Thai favourites (plus some lesser-known dishes), the options here range from curries to sautéed dishes and succulent slippery noodles. There’s something for everyone (including gluten-free and vegetarian dietary requirements), and the food is authentic and full of flavour.
105 Gungahlin Place, Gungahlin | littlesiamthairestaurant.com.au
Kokoro
Boasting a unique blend of traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine, Kokoro serves up sushi, sashimi, and stir-fries from their open kitchen. Bento boxes, donburi, curry and udon are also highlights. Leave room for their matcha cheesecake and take your time perusing the Sake and Soju menu – they have the perfect pairing for every dish.
2H/46-50 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin | facebook.com/Kokoro-Japanese-Restaurant
Feature image: Ben Calvert Photo.
