Tan Viet, Eastwood

Tan Viet has been synonymous with crispy chicken for quite some time, and with good reason! With outlets at Cabramatta and Canley Heights, they provide chicken that is crispy not crispy because of any 'aids' like batters or breadcrumbs, but from it's own...chickenyness.

Naturally, when restaurants in Australia seem to thrive on variety - have you seen Asian restaurants with a menu as long as your arm? - I just had to find out how anyone has managed to specialise in a particular thing to such a degree.


If you go at dinner time, there is usually a loooooong queue out the door. Sometimes I wonder if the whole of the Eastwood population is split between them, and Pho Nam Viet next door. Thankfully, the turnover is super quick, and harried looking staff usher you to a table where you're sitting elbow to elbow with the other diners.

More atmosphere!

I ended up ordering the crispy chicken with tomato rice, which came with a side of pickles. On a personal level, this meal is large enough for two small meals, when I'm not particularly ravenous. I absolutely love LOVE the pickles - they remind me of dinners out with my family as a kid, where small plates of the same pickles come out before the meal. The chicken was suitably crispy, as expected, and the rice? Well, it was okay, but I don't think it added thaaaaat much to the meal.

The service can be a bit brusque, especially when it gets busy. In my experience, they've been efficient, though not particularly friendly. Which is fine by me, since I'm not one for an excess amount of chitchat anyway.

The only downside was that when I asked what the price was if I were to place a larger order of just chicken - a cheat's way to a dinner party - and I was told that the price of the chicken would stay the same, which is a good $8+ per piece. Not exactly the most economical way to add to a dinner party methinks.

But otherwise, Tan Viet is great for a weekday lunch or dinner, especially if you're after something fast and delicious!