BRADDON’S Wok it Up was suggested to us by reliable “CityNews” reader Chris for the cheap lunches series.

It’s nestled just next to Debacle on Lonsdale Street and does a roaring trade of well dressed people.

The first thing I noticed on entering was that for an east asian themed restaurant the staff had a uniformly sub-continental look to them.

Despite it being the nationalist concoction of a fascist dictatorship I’ve always had a soft spot for Pad Thai so I ordered a small one for $9.90.

They gave me a number and I waited, eventually it was called and I took possession of a very small looking paper bucket of noodles.

It’s worth bearing in mind with these things that they really pack the food in. It might look small but it was plenty for lunch.

The noodles were a touch on the watery side and the flavour invariably runs down to the bottom of the bucket.

Having said that, for a sub $10 Pad Thai it had prawns (yes! more than one!) and chicken. Many a cheap Pad Thai skimps the meat completely.

On the chilli front it was pleasingly warm, without being overbearing.

It wasn’t great, but it was pretty good value.

[This article is the third in a series on cheap lunches to be found in and around the city. If you have any suggestions leave them in the comments or email them to john@citynews.com.au . The complete series can be found on our cheap lunches tag]