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Just Open: Rudimentary shipping container cafe, Footscray

Leanne Clancey

Three shipping containers form the bones of Rudimentary.
Three shipping containers form the bones of Rudimentary.Supplied

Beyond Dimmeys and the Doggies, two of Footscray's more enduring icons would have to be its Vietnamese food and the shipping containers that flank Dynon Road on the way in. Recently, these two seemingly disparate elements merged to produce what just might be Footscray's coolest new cafe.

Occupying what was an empty corner plot (belonging to co-owner Desmond Huynh's father), you'll now find a bright and cheery cafe that's been niftily fashioned out of three 40-foot shipping containers.

Huynh grew up in the area and conferred with chef Shane Donelly (ex-Duchess of Spotswood) to create a menu that honours both his Vietnamese heritage and his love of a good cafe brunch.

Menu faves include red rice pudding with whipped coconut, mango and ginger crumble; braised pork belly with crispy pig's ear, tamarind and fried eggs; and the soft-shell crab burger with chilli mayo, green mango and mint.

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Coffee comes from Small Batch and there's a big, sunny, herb-filled permaculture garden to loaf in too.

Open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm; Sat-Sun 8am-4pm.

Rudimentary, 16 Leeds Street, Footscray, rudimentary.com.au

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