Warkop
I still can’t explain the chokehold that the Fillet O’Fish (in a meal with a medium Fanta) has on every Asian person I know, but it was a genius move for Warkop to make their own version. Cheddar cheese and potato roll mimic the disintegrating American cheese and steamed bun sitch at Macca’s, while the addition of sprouts and sambal matah offers the missing freshness. It might be double the price, but I reckon it’s got triple the amount of fish (in quantity and quality).
Warkop Richmond: 12 Risley St, Richmond VIC 3121
Warkop CBD: 13 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Claypots
Claypots' famous fish & bread (FNB) is available at both their remaining outlets (RIP St Kilda), but go to the South Melbourne Market store for the full experience: Claypots fires up the BBQ in the food strip (next to the massive paellas) to grill fish to order and sling a million of their fresh sandwiches. As with all fish sandwiches, less is more. Theirs: toasted pide bread, grilled fish fillets, shredduce (shredded iceberg lettuce), onion with parsley and sumac, a perfect housemade chilli sauce, and a good glug of EVOO. This is THE fish sandwich. Available from 11:30am to 3:30pm daily, but go on a market day for the vibes.
Claypots Evening Star: Market, Shop 101/116 Cecil St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Claypots Barbarossa: 79 Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Good Days Hot Bread
I’m still mad at Good Days for ciao-bye-ing their cold cuts bánh mì which was the best thing on their menu. I would’ve stopped going to Good Days all together, but Claire told me to try their turmeric fried fish roll. As always, she was right: it’s really good. Generous pieces of rockling goes hard with the classic banh mi asides (plus the addition of perilla and dill mayo here). Not recommended for office workers as a post-sandwich nap will be needed.
644 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Ca Com
I know, I know, it’s really hard to go past the jungle sausage banh mi. But a sardine bánh mì (bánh mì cá mòi) is far more commonplace in Vietnam than the West’s obsession with crispy pork would have you believe. While over there it’s often made with canned sardines in tomato sauce, Thi sources fresh sardines and makes her own tommy sauce with ingredients while still getting that nostalgia hit.
336 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
Edita’s
Edita’s went viral a while ago when it first opened because durrr, obvi Pacific Islanders are making the best fish ‘n’ chips in town. Another Fillet O’ Fish-styled sandwich, but sub the crumb for beer batter. It doesn’t have a slaw but they put a very generous amount of their very chunky tartare sauce in that serves the same purpose. Yes, yes you should also get their handcut chips.
382 Rathdowne St, Carlton North VIC 3054
Frankie's Tortas & Tacos
Hangover. Torta. 3 hour nap. A fish torta is rarely one’s first option but honestly, that’s a doo doo on the zeitgeist because, despite being deep fried, the fish is perhaps the lightest option in comparison to its al pastor or carnitas counterparts. Fried blue grenadier, lightly pickled carrot and onion, jalapeno mayo, salsa verde, shredduce. Unbelievably perfect alongside a few small beers (Modelo of course).