Rice Paper Rolls, Sweatshop Style

Guess Who: she’s been likened to the Soup Nazi in Seinfeld? Chances are you’re already thinking of Miss Chu – Sydney’s Queen of Rice Paper Rolls.

She’s done for Vietnamese hawker-style food what El Loco did for $5.50 tacos, earning fans from the Dalai Lama to Cate Blanchett along the way.

Her hole-in-the-wall tuckshops are synonymous with killer Peking duck pancakes, tuna sashimi rice paper rolls and warm vermicelli noodle boxes.

Now the flavours of Ho Chi Minh City have made their way to Bondi with the opening of Miss Chu’s debut beachside tuckshop – and this one includes breakfast! Try the traditional Vietnamese fried doughnuts or bánh mi (Viet baguettes) – and if you stop in past noon, a tempting new sake selection to boot. Saigon Sling, anyone?

In keeping with Miss Chu’s lighthearted approach to her refugee past (remember the Visa paper menus?) the Bondi tuckshop doubles as a ‘sweatshop’. Miss Chu knows how to do more than just roll rice paper – now you can get your clothing hemmed while you sit and savour a spot of lunch.

Her business might be expanding British Empire-style, but this is one member of the Royal Family who has her feet firmly on the ground.