Travel Channel

Thy Thy 1

Favourite budget haunt

Level 1, 142 Victoria Street
Melbourne, VIC 3121

Nearest Train: North Richmond train station (Epping and Hurstbridge lines); tram 109

Phone: +61 3 9429 1104

Located up a dingy and nondescript staircase, this restaurant is almost an institution amongst Melbourne's budget gourmets. In fact its popularity has resulted in an offshoot, Thy Thy 2, just down the road at 116. The original's claim to fame is a dark, crowded, noisy room with a student feel, serving inexpensive and utterly authentic Vietnamese dishes. The large menu consists of dozens of rice noodle dishes, soups, pork and chicken combinations and the like, some of which may not appeal to the average non-Vietnamese diner. Pig skin with rice, anyone? For value for the money and truly Vietnamese cooking, Thy Thy cannot be beaten.