Vietnamese food never ceases to appeal to our gastronomic senses. It’s no wonder why with its notoriously fresh, vibrant and healthy reputation. So when we stumbled upon a new purveyor of the much-loved Southeast Asian street food on Hardinge Street in Auckland’s CBD, we knew we simply had to find out more.

Saying goodbye to rushed lunchtime decisions, we’ve discovered a quick and healthy alternative — Hello Mister. At the helm is talented duo Mike Lee and Jason Kit who have worked their concise menu around traditional recipes of Vietnamese club favourites. For summer roll fanatics, the Mister Rolls are bound to please and are available in an array of flavour combinations including traditional pork and prawn or crispy pork, Peking duck and crumbed fish to name a few. The phở is utterly soul-warming with its deeply flavoured broth perfect for crisp winter days, while the vermicelli noodle salad is light yet satisfying — our pick being the succulent crispy pork (pictured). As for the bánh mí, we’d happily say it’s up there with to the best we’ve ever had. Choose either a white or grain baguette and select from these proteins: lemongrass chicken or beef, grilled pork, crispy pork or chicken, or tofu, each jam-packed with paté, cucumber, pickled carrots, coriander, spring onion, mayo, and the ever essential Sriracha chilli sauce, the only hardship comes with choosing which one.

She’s quick and she’s easy, and she’s perfect for those who crave delicious food that also ticks the healthy box. Whether you dine in or take away, we’re placing our bets on the fact that Hello Mister will become a firm favourite amongst the corporate folk working nearby, as well as anyone who appreciates fresh and fragrant Vietnamese fare on-the-go.

Open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.