I have to admit I’ve never gotten too excited about pho before. Chris and I had it a handful of times while in Thailand, but it was always at this weird chain fast food style restaurant, so I had a feeling there was certainly better pho to be had. Still, it just seemed like noodles in brothy water. Yummy, but nothing to write home about.
Or so I thought, anyway…
On Chris’s birthday we checked out Phở Văn on Hawthorne for lunch, which my best friend has mentioned a few times. We were lucky to be there on a Wednesday, as all pho is $6, large or small.
To celebrate the lunch special we ordered an appetizer, Gá»i Cuốn: rice paper rolls with shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, mint leaves, bean sprouts, lettuce, chives and a side of peanut sauce.
We also ordered a few Vietnamese coffees, which I have been dying to try for almost ever. It lived up to the hype and beyond as being silky smooth and sweet but with a strong coffee presence as well.
Our food was served with mung bean sprouts, fresh basil, jalapeno slices and lime on the side. I was timid about the jalapeno, but they really add a nice little zing to the broth.
I had the Tái Nạm (steak), Ben had the Bò Viên (beef meatball– his favorite, but it makes me squirm), I think Chris had Phở Gà (chicken) and Katie had some crazy looking seafood and noodle soup in lieu of pho.
And of course I couldn’t resist taking photos of us slurping up our noodles. Ben was the only champ willing to put on a show for me.
Thanks, Ben! For the fun photos and for the awesome new food addiction.
Photo 4 shot by Chris Photos 8 and 10 shot by Ben
yumna
on April 25, 2010 10:05 amomg! pho is one of my favorite foods in the world! cure all for EVERYTHING! NOMNOMNOM
Cedar
on April 25, 2010 6:15 pmYum, god timing on this post!! The husband just placed an order for take out pho at a Thai place down the street.
Katie
on April 26, 2010 1:25 amThese pictures are sooo great and yummy! The next time I am in Portland, I will already have a full list of places to eat, thanks to you! :D
Tamara
on April 26, 2010 2:19 pmoooh looks awesome! and i loooove Vietnamese coffee. you always make me hungry! heh
Ali
on April 26, 2010 6:30 pmthat looks good! :) I love all the pics!!
Sara
on April 27, 2010 8:41 amI'm so terribly timid when it comes to spicy food, but these photos look lovely!
Kim
on April 27, 2010 2:48 pmSeriously, ME TOO! The food wasn't spicy at ALL, though. The jalapenos didn't make it overpowering, especially since it was just two little slices in a huge bowl of broth (and they're on the side so you can omit 'em if you want!). If you've never had pho, give it a whirl! So good.
Alesia
on April 28, 2010 1:06 pmMy high school roommate was half Thai and tried take me to several pho restaurants before I finally agreed to eat there. I was soooo skeptical. "Soup isn't a meal!" But once I finally tried it, I was hooked! My favorite part of pho is the plate of goodies that they bring to add to your soup. My pho is always completely full of bean sprouts.