Grab roast-pork banh mi and bowls of hot pho from Burleigh’s new Vietnamese pit stop Little Quán 55
The duo behind Chirn Park favourite Quán 55 have brought their signature Vietnamese flavours south, opening a new grab-and-go outpost in Burleigh Heads. If you’re into crisp, crackling-loaded banh mi or steaming bowls of pho, this one deserves a spot on your lunch list.
It’s only been open a few weeks, but there’s already a rhythm to the mornings at Little Quán 55. Baguettes are stacked behind the counter, the scent of roast pork drifts out onto James Street, and in the open kitchen, everything is being prepped from scratch – pate, pickled veg, fresh herbs and fragrant pho, all lined up for the lunch rush.
This compact takeaway shop at the top of James Street (in between Burleigh Baker and Restaurant Labart) is the work of husband-and-wife team Wynn Huynh and Thanh Tram, who’ve returned to familiar ground – in the early 2000s, they ran a grocer in this very spot. Now, it’s been transformed into a Vietnamese pit stop built for quick, flavour-packed lunches on the go. The kitchen takes up most of the footprint, inviting customers to watch it all unfold – from baguettes being filled to pork sliced fresh to order.
Taking cues from the colourful city of Hoi An, the bright-yellow space is purposefully pared back, with the focus firmly on the food. Everything is made in-house using quality ingredients – the pate, Vietnamese ham and pho broth included. For Wynn, it’s about more than being a convenient dispensary, it’s about bringing Vietnamese food back to where it should be – rooted in tradition, made with care and built on quality ingredients, with no processed meats and no pre-made shortcuts.
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Banh mi is the main event – served on crusty, lightly toasted baguettes and layered with house-made pate, pickled vegetables, herbs and your choice of protein. The roasted pork belly – slow-cooked each morning and finished with golden crackling – is a clear favourite, but there’s a line-up of other traditional fillings too, including lemongrass beef, crispy tofu, and a classic cold-cut combo of roast pork and Vietnamese ham.
Pho fans can warm up with an aromatic beef broth, served with rare eye fillet, tender brisket and a fresh heap of herbs. The menu also features freshly wrapped rice paper rolls, crisp golden spring rolls, and lighter noodle salad bowls topped with pickled veg and classic dressing. Sides like Saigon fried chicken offer a hit of crunch and spice, alongside crispy tofu squares that come golden and soft-centred, served with ginger and shallot sauce. And for those chasing a caffeine kick, the Vietnamese coffee is brewed strong and sweet, finished with condensed milk and a splash of coconut juice.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch on the run or pulling up at one of the few outside tables, Little Quán 55 has all of your Vietnamese favourites in one small, unassuming package.
For openings hours and contact info, head over to The Directory.