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XO

A punchy pan-Asian party in sunny Scandi-esque surrounds, with a Savage Garden soundtrack.
Ashley St George
Address
16 Iluka St, Narrabundah, ACT

REVIEW

Bite into the rice noodle skin of your pho dumpling, the sweetly spiced ball of minced tenderloin inside flooding with holy basil oil-dotted beef broth, and you’ll have the measure of Canberra’s XO. It’s a punchy pan-Asian party in sunny Scandi-esque surrounds, delivered to a soundtrack of Savage Garden, all landing on the right side of joyful versus gimmicky. The set menu shifts monthly, but expect a procession of Oz-ified dishes inspired by the co-owners’ Vietnamese and Malaysian backgrounds, with a few dabs of Japanese colour – like the char siu chicken-spiked Indomie goreng topped with a glistening onsen egg, an umami-bomb that takes the humble packet of instant noodle to saucy new heights. Throw in a few playful cocktails (the Japerol Spritz adds sake to the summer favourite) and a solid wine and sake offering, and you’re assured the kind of kiss and hug dining experience the venue’s name teases.

ABOUT

XO

16 Iluka St, Narrabundah, ACT

(02) 6295 9696

xo-restaurant.com.au

Chef Anand Kumar Ramakrishna

Price guide $$

Bookings Recommended

Wheelchair access Yes

This review was made independently for the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide. The guide’s reviewers visit unannounced and pay their way.

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide 2022

Our guide gives a yearly snapshot of the best restaurants to eat at right now. The best-rated restaurants, as judged by the reviewers’ first-hand experience, form our national Top 80.

XO
Modern Asian
16 Iluka St, Narrabundah, ACT
Chef(s)
Anand Kumar Ramakrishna
Price Guide
$$
Bookings
Recommended
Wheelchair Access
Yes

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