Misschu Bondi

Charlie's Iced Tea

I'm pretty clueless when it comes to whisky, but one can always learn to appreciate it, just like I did with wine. And bar manager Ben Eakins was more than happy to show me the large range of premium and rare whiskies he's got stocked on the shelves at Misschu Bondi. Yep, you've heard me right, we now have a whisky bar in a Vietnamese eatery. 

Not a whisky fan? No problem. Wine, beer and cocktails are also on offer. The cocktail list is small but features all the main spirits, with some Asian influence mixed in. Charlie's Iced Tea (Absolute Wild Tea, Green Tea Syrup, Cucumber, mint and apple juice) was my first choice, refreshing and easy to drink. The Tree Fiddy (Beefeater 24 Gin and St Germain Elderflower liqueur with crushed pineapple and cardamom, served with cardamom pods floated over the top) was smooth and definitely had a kick to it. 

Wagyu Beef Pho & Rice Paper Rolls

Self-claimed as Queen of Rice Paper Rolls, the food at Nahji Chu's Misschu certainly do not disappoint, and that's not just limited to the rice paper rolls. The blackboard specials is a great place to start. The use of ox tail in the broth of the Wagyu Beef Pho (traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup) definitely paid off, flavourful without MSG. Even though the Traditional Duck Pancakes come highly recommended, make sure you give the Steamed Dumplings a try. Scallop & prawn and Shanghai pork are my favourites. For dessert, the Gluten free Cheery Chocolate Brownie and the Tapioca Pearl Pudding with coconut cream rounded off our meal perfectly. 

Another thing I love about this tuck shop in Bondi is their Steam Boat and all you need is two people for it. For me, eating fresh veggies, meat and seafood cooked in a delicious broth right on the table in front of you is one of the best ways to battle the winter cold. 

Unlike the hole-in-the-wall Misschu tuck shops in Darlinghurst and Regent Place, Misschu Bondi is a proper eatery where you can sit back, relax and let Liz and her team look after you. The deco is funky with lots of wood, while the rackets and helmets hung from the hooks on the wall are obviously part of the deco, coats from patrons often find their way onto the hooks. You'll also find hooks on the side of tables and under the bar, perfect for hanging handbags. The missing bricks in the wall allow you to have a peek into the newly opened Potato Ghetto next door (also from Nahji Chu). So grab a bunch of friends and have a steam boat party, or find a seat at the bar and learn all about the world of whisky. 

Misschu, Bondi: 178 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, NSW 2026