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