About
‘To keep the dream alive, you have to be creative’
It's a tough gig in hospo at the moment. Here's our take and what we're doing about it at Saigon Street Eats! ​Big thanks to @danivalent at @TheAge for the crafty write-up and sharing our story so beautifully
​​
"Several Melbourne hospitality ventures are splitting rent and utilities to reduce costs, build community and reach out to new customers."
By: Dani Valent
Photos: Penny Stephens
​
​
February 1, 2025
​
In St Kilda, local favourite Saigon Street Eats has bunked in with Trouper cafe. The corner premises now serves coffee in the morning, then morphs into a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch and dinner. At 11.30am, the milk cartons are put away, teaspoons are replaced with chopsticks, and customers come for pho instead of a flat white.
​
Hospitality is tough at the moment,” says Jackie Bega, who launched Trouper in 2023, after decades of experience running south-side institutions Galleon and Las Chicas. ​​In nearby Balaclava, Saigon Street Eats was bursting at the seams.​​
​
Two months ago, Saigon Street Eats made the move. “Rent is negotiated by the percentage of time, there’s a smart meter so we can work out electricity, we have separate payment systems, and our own liquor licenses,” says Le Tet.
“There are always teething issues but we’ve got open communication, respect for each other, patience and an attitude of give-and-take.” The new venue has 48 seats, which means increased sales and decent profit on the horizon.
“You don’t want to be in this business just to survive, you want to thrive.”
We're moving homes!
​We’re SO excited to be moving into a bigger & fully licenced venue, just a 5 min walk away!
Where? 141 Chapel St, St Kilda (Opposite St Kilda Police Station)
When? From 6th November 2024
​
Why? We’ve been bursting at the seams for a while now and have outgrown our beloved 249 Carlisle St shop!
​
What do I need to know? We'll be CLOSED Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th to move and settle into our new home
​
We’ re venue-sharing with our good friends at Trouper Coffee who will be serving up exceptional coffee from 7am-11am , then Saigon Street Eats will be serving up your usual favourites from 11.30am-8.30pm.
​​
Come celebrate this fantastic new change with us! The team can’t wait to continue serving up your local favourite Vietnamese, in our fresh, bigger, vibin’ new venue!!
​​
-
Double the seating space
-
Fully Licenced
-
All your SSE favourites
-
Same gorgeous staff
Celebrating 10 years
A journey of community
I love sitting amongst the crowd of our restaurant, incognito. I love listening to the hungry slurps, playful banter amongst staff and merry laughter between old friends catching up over a bowl of steaming Pho and crunchy Spring Rolls - my heart bursts with gratitude, joy and fulfilment.
​
Ten years have passed and SSE has become an institution in Balaclava. Alive with the beat of its own energy and life. The buzz and flow during peak dining is absolutely palpable to experience!
​
It hasn’t been without its challenges and struggles. Like many, we barely kept our nose above water during 2019-2021, the after effects still being felt. As a community though, we came together to support each other. Staff and customers alike. We shared our stories. We offered each other comfort. We shared struggles and tears. We helped feed the vulnerable in our community with free meals during these tough times.
​​
We’ve tearfully farewell-ed truly beloved customers (we miss your smile Ollie, may you rest peacefully). We’ve welcomed new arrivals and watched your children grow. Our gratitude and bond to this community is beyond words and we cherish the life long friendships built.​
Ten years ago, I had a vision of an unpretentious eatery, channelling the vibe and swagger of Saigon’s street food life - incredible food served with an honest smile. I couldn’t have imagined the community that we have built around us.​
​
And so, I take this special occasion and opportunity to thank you each and every one of you. Our beloved staff, customer, supplier, friends and family, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for being a part of our journey and for your support and kindness. ​Here’s to another 10 years together!
​​
With warmth,
Kim Le Tet
Founder
