Alfie Ngo Shares Hanoi's Culinary Heritage at Cafe Palat in Geelong
In the industrial suburb of Breakwater, Cafe Palat stands as a surprising oasis of authentic Hanoi flavors, brought to life by owner Alfie Ngo. Nestled in a concrete warehouse opposite Geelong racecourse, this cafe has become a beloved destination for those seeking a genuine taste of Vietnam's capital city.
A Personal Connection to Hanoi's Old Quarter
Alfie Ngo's deep connection to Hanoi forms the heart of Cafe Palat's identity. Growing up in the city's famed Old Quarter, where his family operated restaurants for four decades, Ngo carries these culinary traditions in his blood. "I was born and raised with the flavor of the north, of Hanoi," he explains, noting that this authentic northern Vietnamese taste remains rare in Australian restaurants, which typically feature southern Vietnamese cuisine.
The cafe's interior reflects Ngo's heritage, with photographs of his childhood neighborhood adorning the walls and repurposed wooden pallets creating a rustic, welcoming atmosphere. Despite his background in entertainment and marketing, Ngo embraced the restaurant business to support his wife April's dream of owning a dining establishment.
Overcoming an Unlikely Location
Cafe Palat's location presents unique challenges. Situated behind a service station and car wash on Fellmongers Road, the venue sees substantial vehicle traffic but minimal foot traffic. "It's very unusual, it's like in the middle of nowhere," Ngo acknowledges. However, he and his wife have transformed this potential disadvantage into an opportunity, leveraging the spacious venue and ample parking to create a destination dining experience.
The couple's perseverance has paid off, with the original Breakwater location now complemented by a second Cafe Palat in Geelong West's Pakington Street, which offers dinner service alongside the breakfast and lunch available at both sites.
Championing Authentic Hanoi Cuisine
At Cafe Palat, Ngo focuses on presenting the distinct flavors of his upbringing rather than reinventing Vietnamese cuisine. The menu features Hanoi-style pho, which differs significantly from the southern version commonly found in Australia. "On every corner of Hanoi you can find a pho restaurant," Ngo notes. "Each has a different taste, different flavor, and a lot are really good."
Another standout dish is bún cha, a Hanoi specialty of pork patties, pork belly, broth, fish sauce, and noodles that gained international fame when President Barack Obama and chef Anthony Bourdain enjoyed it during Bourdain's Parts Unknown series. Ngo proudly describes bún cha as "about as typical and uniquely a Hanoi dish as there is."
Diverse Menu Offerings
Cafe Palat's breakfast menu combines international favorites with Vietnamese specialties:
- Smashed avocado, omelettes, eggs benedict, and Canadian pancakes
- Banh mi variations with crispy pork belly or kaffir lime chicken in panini form
- Burgers including breakfast, barbecued pulled beef, bun cha, and Angus options
- Souvlaki, nachos, and burritos
The lunch and dinner menus emphasize Asian flavors more strongly, featuring:
- Three types of spring rolls, including a DIY version
- Dumplings and san choy bow among the entrees
- Four salad options, five Hanoi fried rice dishes, six jasmine rice dishes, and seven vermicelli noodle salads with various proteins
This culinary diversity reflects Ngo's approach to "sell something to match the market" while staying true to his Hanoi roots.
A Growing Success Story
Despite starting "from scratch with a lot of difficulties," as Ngo describes it, Cafe Palat has not only survived but thrived. The business has grown to two locations, building a reputation for quality and authenticity that draws customers despite its unconventional locations. "We learnt a lot," Ngo reflects. "We're still there, we grow. So, for us, we got more than we lost."
Cafe Palat at 1/6-10 Apparel Close, Breakwater, operates Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch, while the Geelong West location adds dinner service from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Both establishments continue to spread the tastes of Hanoi through Alfie Ngo's personal culinary journey.
