Vietnamese Catering in the Barossa: What to Order and How to Book

Asian Tucker does catering, functions and events across the Barossa, with the same food we make at our Tanunda counter: bánh mì rolls, cold rolls, sushi rolls, dimmies, spring rolls and plates of fried rice or noodles. To book, ring Shandy or Lisa on 0426 288 098, or send the date, time, rough numbers and any dietary needs through our enquiry form. Our catering van also does functions and events.

Vietnamese food suits a crowd. Most of it is easy to eat with your hands, and the meat lovers and the vegetarians can share the same table. Here is how we would plan Vietnamese catering for a work lunch, a party or an event in the Barossa.

What we cater

• Work lunches and meetings: a weekday lunch for the office, a team on site, or a training day.
• Functions and parties: birthdays, engagements and family get-togethers that want something different from the usual sandwiches.
• Events: bigger functions and events, where our catering van can come along.

Every job is a little different, so we do not publish set packages or a per-head price. Tell us what you are planning and we will come back to you with what we would do and what it costs.

What travels well for a crowd

Some dishes are made for catering. These are the ones we would point a group towards:

• Bánh mì rolls. Crusty rolls with roast pork, BBQ pork, crispy chicken or a vegetarian filling, plus pickles and fresh herbs. Easy to eat standing up. New to them? Our bánh mì guide explains what goes in.
• Cold rolls. Rice paper rolls with grilled chicken, prawns or vegetables. Light, fresh and good for warm days.
• Sushi rolls. A mix of fillings that people can grab as they go.
• Dimmies and spring rolls. The finger-food favourites. Our dim sim guide covers steamed vs fried.
• Fried rice and fried noodles. The filling base for a buffet-style spread.
• Phở or chicken laksa, when they are on the specials board. Ask when you book whether they suit your event.

How much to order

For a working lunch, most groups do well with about one roll or main serve per person, plus a few pieces of finger food each. If the food is the main event of a longer function, plan a bit more and mix in the rice and noodles so nobody leaves hungry.

To give you a feel for the food, here are a few everyday counter prices. Catering quotes are confirmed by Shandy or Lisa, and prices are subject to change without notice.

Dietary needs

There are vegetarian options right across our menu: vegetarian rolls, salad bowls, sticky rice and cold rolls. Bánh mì rolls are wheat bread and dim sim wrappers are usually wheat-based, so they are not gluten free. Rice-based dishes may suit better, but toppings and sauces vary, so tell us about any gluten free needs or allergies when you enquire and list each allergy by name. We will tell you honestly what we can do.

Keeping food safe on the day

Fresh food and long afternoons need a bit of planning. Food Standards Australia New Zealand's 2-hour/4-hour rule is a good guide: cooked or perishable food at room temperature for under 2 hours can go back in the fridge, between 2 and 4 hours should be eaten straight away, and after 4 hours should be thrown out (FSANZ: Food safety basics).

• Put the food out when people are ready to eat, not an hour before.
• Keep cold rolls and sushi in the fridge or shade until serving.
• For a long event, bring the food out in rounds rather than all at once.

How to book

1. Get in touch early. Ring 0426 288 098, or use the enquiry form on our home page.
2. Send the basics: the date and time, where it is, roughly how many people, and any dietary needs or allergies.
3. We come back to you with what we would make and a quote.
4. Confirm your numbers closer to the day.

Our shop is at Shop 3, 1A Para Road, Tanunda, open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, so ringing during those hours is the quickest way to reach us. We are about five minutes from Nuriootpa, ten from Angaston and fifteen from Lyndoch. Planning something further afield, like Gawler? Ask, and we will let you know if we can get there.

Just need lunch for a small crew today? Our takeaway lunch guide explains how to ring ahead so it is ready when you arrive.