1 /5 Pháp Sư Tô: Today, February 21, 2026—the 5th day of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse).
At 11:00 AM, I called Thao Kim Sunshine Restaurant to book a table for 10 people. About half an hour later, the restaurant confirmed they had crab available. I told them I would arrive at 6:00 PM. However, at 4:30 PM, I called back to inform them I would be arriving early and asked them to start preparing the food. While on my way, I also ordered a large fish to be prepared two ways: sour soup hotpot and braised in a clay pot.
I arrived at the restaurant at 5:30 PM. At that time, there was only one other customer dining. I proceeded to order four plates of snails and drinks for everyone. About half an hour later, the snails arrived. However, the main dishes I had pre-ordered—which I expected to be ready—still hadnt appeared by 6:00 PM. It wasnt until then that three cans of Coke were finally served, thirty minutes after I had ordered the drinks. Noticing the staff was short-handed and busy, I reminded them very tactfully.
At 6:20 PM, I gave a final reminder, noting that I had been waiting for nearly an hour.
By 6:30 PM, after waiting for exactly one hour, the food I had ordered at noon and 4:30 PM still hadnt arrived. I asked to pay only for the items already on the table and the drinks; I decided to cancel the rest of the meal.
At that point, someone from the kitchen came out to plead with me, claiming my food had been ready for a while but they were too busy to bring it out. They begged me to stay, saying it would be difficult for them if I left.
Regardless, I paid the full bill for everything and took my family to the restaurant next door.
It was a very sad experience for the beginning of the year.
I sent a message to the owner. I told her to consider the meal my treat to her and her husband for the 5th day of Tet. My crab and fish can be seen as an act of charity to start the year.
After eating a bowl of Bun Bo next door, my heart felt light again, and I suddenly realized something: Not every business owner respects or views their customers as people who are there to support their business.
I will always remember that I should only dine at places opened by my close friends ("my besties"). Eating elsewhere often turns out like this. It is better to just have a quick bowl of Pho or noodles to get through the day. Dont expect a happy family experience to hold onto in your memories.
This has grown too long. Happy New Year to everyone.
List 15 Budget-Friendly Restaurants Near You in Sunshine, VIC (part 2)
