Any restaurant that opened in 2020 faced an uphill climb from the outset, but for Minh and Tony – owners of Wilston’s Ming Ming’s Kitchen – they managed to navigate the unlucky circumstances thanks to a few key reasons. First, they duo comes from families with hospitality in their blood, so the couple had enough savvy business acumen to pivot on the fly and nail the takeaway trend that became the norm. Second, the couple’s personable charm helped establish Ming Ming’s as a popular community go-to, where customers felt like a member of Minh and Tony’s family (which grew in 2021 with the arrival of twins). Finally, Ming Ming’s menu, which specialises in northern Vietnamese fare made from family recipes tweaked to suit Queensland’s climate and produce, has proven to be irresistible to many. The broad offering ranges from snacks (five-spiced squid, wasabi prawns and pho rolls) to salad bowls and rice-paper rolls to Vietnamese pho (including a northern-style dry pho), vermicelli and rice dishes, and a collection of sharable mains like slow-cooked pork belly, crispy teriyaki salmon, and the curry-like Bo Kho beef stew. In addition to dinner feasts, Ming Ming’s also serves delicious banh mi, boasting the restaurant’s own house-made pate and pickled veg. The restaurant’s bar is also fully stocked with an assortment of libations including tap and bottled beer, a tight wine list and a bunch of signature cocktails – we hear the Vietnamese Coffeetini, made using Vietnamese drip coffee, packs a punch! Guests are encouraged to check out Ming Ming’s weekly deals, which include $15 pho all day on Tuesday.