Little Rickshaw review, Fleurieu best restaurants | delicious.SA: Regional 50

There’s a noisy buzz about this space, and a friendly, casual style and classy cuisine have won it a loyal following.

One of the dishes at Little Rickshaw at Aldinga.

24 Old Coach Rd, Aldinga

0403 784 568

thelittlerickshaw.com.au

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The Little Rickshaw began life nearly three years ago as a pop-up in what used to be the shed of the 190-year-old blacksmith’s building on the edge of the Aldinga village.

Diners crammed into the tiny space, with a few tables in the courtyard, weather permitting.

Word spread fast and, if you wanted a table, you had to plan well ahead. More outdoor seating was added and, by the end of last year, owners Trinh and Mike had both quit their day jobs.

When COVID hit, they used the time to enclose their front deck, hired some excellent staff stood down from high-end establishments, and reopened with the cosy bar and kitchen feel that had always been their aim.

Trinh’s Vietnamese heritage, and her Mum’s contribution in the kitchen, underpins a menu that mixes modern South-East Asian influences in Japanese-y prawn dumplings and tofu pot stickers, or crisp Szechuan fish, kim chi and sriracha mayo nestled in a bao bun.

Larger “feasting” options include an aromatic green chicken curry or spiced duck leg with duck fat fried rice.

Desserts show a creative flair in combinations such as miso salted caramel ice cream with Jerusalem artichoke crisps.

Even with COVID-safe numbers, there’s a noisy buzz about this space, a friendly, casual style and classy cuisine that have won it a loyal following. Book way ahead.

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• Hours: L Sun D Thu-Sat
• Bill: E $10-$25 M $25-$32 D $11-$14
• Wine: Wine list plus BYO | Corkage $17
• Chef: Trinh Richards