The tasty Vietnamese beef rice noodle soup comprising of an array of different cuts of beef in a clear broth that has been cooked for hours.
I've seen people add the sweet dark hoi sin sauce to the bowl along with the sirracha chilli sauce and not in a side dish to dip the meat
I've seen people add so much chilli in the bowl that you couldn't possibly taste anything.
I've seen people add extra lard to their bowl.
How do you eat your pho?
don't forget the lemon, and the pickled onions!
oh my bad. Yes, how forgettful!
don't forget the sliced fresh chillies and fish sauce
@limbtz:
cannot tell if being sarcastic
all recipes that i have seen for Pho soup base has fish sauce in it
nothing wrong with adding a bit more if the chef didnt add enough
in fact its a driving factor in disputes of which fish sauce is better for making PHO
Three crabs is generally well regarded
this must be from my fav shop in springy town :P
Oh this is spot on!
Are we twins? :)
I know what I'm having to dinner tonight!
Good call for dinner. Time to call mum to put an order in :)
I've learned to follow the lead of others, small dollop of hoisin sauce into the soup, otherwise the sweetness takes away the soup flavour
dipping sauce on the side for the meat
Pho sure!
My personal preference is to do the meat dipping method, mainly because I think if I put the hoisin and chilli sauce in the soup, a lot of the original flavours are drowned out. What are your thoughts and I'm interested in why you put it in the soup, especially if the chef doesn't? Does putting hoisin in good vs great pho make it harder to distinguish?
I eat my Pho as fast as I can!
Just fresh chilli's to add heat.
With my bare hands!
"Nom nom nom nom mmmh"
with chicken
first timer:
saw a customer eating noodle in red soup - ask staff can i have that one? staff said its just normal pho with lots lots of chili sauce
Bun bo hue's also good
Bun Bo Hue is one of those dishes that unless you have a Vietnamese friend, you would never try… then once you do try it, the eternal pho vs bun bo hue struggle becomes real
The real struggle is finding one that tastes like it tasted in that little shop on the corner in Hue
I get Bun Bo Hue with rice noodles, bit of both!
Ooo thanks for the tip.
Any tips for the best pho? I normally just go to Pho An in Bankstown :)
This. I had a lot of amazing bon bo hue in Vietnam and nothing I've had in Melbourne has hit the spot. I'm told Springvale is the place to go but I live on the opposite side of town.
Dong Ba in Footscray city is the absolute best Bun Bo Hue I've had.
Worth the treck.
logged in just to agree with you, cheapy!
Dong Ba is the absolute best place. Too many people enjoy Co Do but it was the worst experience of my life.
If there's a Vietnamese takeout/restaurant with BBH on the menu I'll always give it a try, just to see if it's any good.
It is much harder to find than a good BBH than it is to find a good pho.
Try Bun Bo Hue!!
Remove excess spring onion. Then tear up Vietnamese mint, squeeze lemon and add bean shoots. Swirl beef around and eat until beef and noodles are gone. Lots of swirling at end to bring noodles to surface. Even better if you add a serve of spring rolls to share. Vietnamese spring rolls are the best.
try and find spring rolls that are made from rice paper rather than wonton wrappers. they taste better
As long as they are deep fried.
yep… they sure are.
Find the ones made from the rice net paper for extra crunch ;)
i would never put the sauces in the bowl of soup… the only thing that goes in there at the table are bean sprouts sometimes cooked(requested), Vietnamese basil, chilli and sometimes a small squeeze of lemon.
the sweet (hoi sin) and chilli sauce is for dipping the meat.
That’s how I eat mine. Sometimes for dipping meat I would mix hoisin with sate
i dip until all the meat is gone then i mix the leftover hoisin into the soup, best of both worlds. i also put chilli into my hoisin
Yep. This. If you need to add sauce to the bowl then the pho was most likely no good. If it is good then you've just ruined the soup.
Dipping sauce for me consists of saté, sriracha, hoisin.
this reasoning has just blown my tiny mind - as a former soup-saucer I'm gonna try this out, makes a lot of sense!
This is wildly over-prescriptive.
I'm Vietnamese and have eaten a lot of pho, both here and in Vietnam. The only way I have ever eaten pho is by putting the chilli sauce into the broth (I don't usually add hoisin). That is extremely common. If you want to go the "dipping sauce" route, go for it. But it is really going too far to suggest that you are "ruining" the broth by adding sauces to it.
In general, pretty much the only people I have seen proclaiming that "you should never [add X / do Y] to your pho" are non-Vietnamese people who jumped on the pho trend in the last few years and like to paint themselves connoisseurs.
Claiming you're Viet doesn't give you any more authority on the etiquette of eating pho. I live in Cabramatta, does that give me more pho cred?
@Munki: I'm not professing to have "authority on the etiquette of eating pho". My point is that there is no such "etiquette" of the kind you describe. You're the one who is asserting that you have some kind of "pho cred"; that millions of people are "ruining" their pho because they don't eat it in the same way that you do; and that there is some kind of "etiquette of eating pho".
Witness, here, the difference between "I like using the hoisin and chilli as dipping sauces" and "I know the etiquette of eating pho and you are ruining your soup if you don't eat it my way".
@PeterA07: Pretty sure I never stated you're doing it wrong if it didn't comply with my way of eating. I merely suggested you've ruined the soup by adding sauces to it - which is true. You've altered the soup's taste once you've introduced sauces.
I've heard of something the same. My mum told me traditionally people dont add hoi sin sauce in it as it ruins the taste completely. Only recently people have done it if the soup isn't great.
I went to VN and I had pho hue and they told me not to add in hoi sin cause i asked for it. It made a world of difference without the sauces.. But they dont serve that type of pho here:(
I always thought that adding sauces was a bit of a regional taste thing in VN.
South viets like it sweet, add in the sauces into the soup no problem.
As you move up to the middle, they're a bit in between.
I added sauce to my Pho in the north and I got some weird looks…
One thing to keep in mind is that south viets were the refugees, so alot of what you eat around here is that southern flavour. Northern cooking is a bit different, but one that we wouldn't be exposed to as much here in Aus.
really depends where in vietnam you go. people in north vietnam think its sacrilege to add anything to pho. they are the pho purist. whereas in south vietnam, everyone puts anything including the kitchen sink in the pho.
so both ways is the right way to eat it. its just personal preference
yes this is how I do too :)
I've always put the sauces in the soup - mainly because the place I go to in lemon Grove, Chatswood, doesn't have little dishes at the table, just the sauces, so I didn't know any better. Will try this.
How does Ellen DeGeneres hold her liquor [sic] licker………….
.
.
.by the ears.
I just open my mouth like a duck and just pour it down there….no need to swallow. DELICIOUS!………especially in Vietnam….we struggle to do a good Pho in Australia!
Disagree, I think Australia's pho (particularly in Melbourne) is better than in Vietnam and I reckon it's due to the quality of our beef. Also had some good pho in the Vietnamese enclave of Paris.
Where in Vietnam have you been? Saigon pho is very sweet, and influences most Melbourne pho. If you head further north, the pho becomes more savoury. Our favourite was a place in Hoi An. Locals would turn up from all over town on their scooters to take away. Hoi An pho has crushed fried peanuts on top that just sets everything off https://photos.app.goo.gl/0Eb0fMek1HED876l2
Sydney pho is better.
Pho in Sydney is not better. The noodles are not as fresh and they're just in clumps not like in Melbourne. The noodles are fresh and the pho is far superior in Melbourne.
Almost every Vietnamese I know says the same thing.. "The Pho is better here because of the ingredients".
I've tried it in other countries too and it's not the same as the good stuff here. lol
I should be more specific - I'm in Brisbane :P - The places are pretty limited
Even out Sunnybank / Durack / Doolandella way? There's a couple in Sunnybank that's not too bad.
What about Inala?
Just came back from Vietnam all the way south from Phu Quoc to Hanoi.
The Pho in Footscray and Springvale are superior to the ones in Vietnam. I found in vietnam most places use dried noodles, the fresh noodles they use here is better. Some of the broth over there are also very good. And the beef here is far superior.
Other dishes are much better in Vietnam such as the banh xeo and bun rieu.
+1 on the fresh rice Noodles. Makes huge difference
Probably you went to wrong places. In Vietnam we don't call the bowl with dry noodle Pho. Pho must be made from fresh noodle
I just got back from Hanoi too (& Halong Bay). If you go to Vietnam, I recommend trying the beef pho once at least to compare to the Aussie beef serve, and then from then onwards order chicken pho whenever you're gonna eat pho. Can't beat the free range chicken tastiness throughout Asia. Also, the different varieties of mint & basil they have over there is yummy compared with the one or two variants we have here in Oz. I wish I could get those here!
I too was in Halong. I think the best food overall was in Saigon/HCM.
Yeah I love the chicken over there (more texture and flavour) but the beef is much better here.
I had pho nearly every day, some beef, some chicken and even duck. None were as good as my favourites in Springvale and Footscray.
The good thing is the small servings in Vietnam, I usually have 2 different servings, one noodle another main.
I did enjoy the bun rieu with snails and Bun Cha in Hanoi. My favourite Banh xeo was in Saigon. I will have to visit Hue one day to taste their Bun Bo Hue.
I loved how much herbs they give you for every dish… literally larger than the dish itself. You can get most if not all the herbs in Vietnam in the grocery stores here but not in the restaurants.
The banh mi in all parts of Vietnam was incredible. Very crunchy bread rolls, all for less than aud$1 too. I only ate them in the early morning, didn't want to risk food poisoning from the pate and meat that is left out all day.
I'm not Vietnamese but I enjoy their food more so than other Asian food, with the exception of Cantonese. Having said that, I could eat Pho Chicken and Beef special everyday :)
What would you recommend from Springvale? I'm in Keysie but don't go out for dinner much…. plus it's all kinda overwhelming with the number of choices and I don't know what's good lol
@Kiz:
For Pho- https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/pho-hung-vuong-2-springvale
For general vietnamese dishes- this is a good place to start- https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/pho-dakao-hoang-springvale
For more chinese influenced dishes- I like this place, https://www.zomato.com/melbourne/phu-linh-springvale/info This place must make a ton of money during the day as they close at 6pm.
You can't go wrong with these places. I'd start with the Pho place. Note, they only serve Pho and nothing else. That's a sign of a good Pho restuarant.
Remember to bring ca$h.
What do they call it, if they don't call it Pho?
Some places had fresh noodles, some didn't. Overall the soup and meat was better here.
Disagree, I don't think quality of beef in Australia is comparable to the one in Vietnam.
Glad you like the beef in Vietnam, I prefer my beef tender and stored in a fridge :)
@JB1: Nothing wrong with meat slaughtered that day rather than stored in a freezer or coolroom warehouse for extended periods.
Beef actually tastes better and is more tender if aged in a cool room.
I have no issues with fresh slaughtered meat eaten the same day, I just prefer it not to be sitting in the sun in 30 degree temp all day.
pho. I don't do pho.
Same. Love spicy Ramen but find Pho is almost tasteless.
then you're not eating it right.
have it in the office and slurp…
Next thread coming up on OzBargain:
Should We Ban People Who Make Loud Slurping noises in the office?
Definite should !
Worse is a certain sub-continental group with the constant sniffing / hawking
ultimately…just eat it your way but just like my Ramen…there is a sequence i generally follow like to follow
before bowl comes out
seperate dish for dipping hoi sin/chilli sauce & xo sauce so not to upset the balance of the broth
Not every place has the xo sauce on the table and some you have to ask specifically (some not at all) - certainly does add another layer to the overall taste of the beef especially the offal
only put the hoi sin into the broth if
A. they dont have seperate dish for it (may need to ask in some places)
B. if the broth needs a sweetness kick
only put the chilli sauce in the broth if there is no seperate dish (generally avoid as some chilli sauces into the broth has a sour note to it - you want fresh chillis to just bring the heat) OR
if the place doesnt have fresh chilli's..Vietnamese restaurants that doesnt have fresh chillis are subsequently auto-blacklisted!
bowl comes out…Herbs/sprouts go in
Taste soup - Lemon/fish sauce added if required
last
Fresh chilli's - spice level dependent on the heat of the chilli's themselves and what you feel like
I ask for a bowl of MSG and dip the meat.
I usually just open my mouth to eat them.
I live in Melbourne and my favourite Pho place is the one opposite the QV centre in Russell St. You can often see someone in the corner fresh chopping up the chilli. Really love the noodles they have there; they have another place in Victoria St, Richmond. What are other peoples favourite Pho places, and why. Please state the city as well.
Pho:
Pho Hung Vuong, Footscray
Pho Kim Long, St. Albans
BBH:
Song Huong, St. ALbans
PHV in Foots uses way too much MSG. Have ya tried Pho Hien in Sunshine? Also, BBH at Co Do in sunshine is yummmeh :D
I've got to agree with that, i always feel so thirsty after.
I think i have tried Pho there, i can't remember if it was good or not. BBH at Co DO is good but Song Huong makes better, might be the msg talking.
Co Do is the absolute worst. Flavourless and lukewarm soup.
Dong Ba in Footscray is where it's at.
We regularly go to Pho Nom in the basement of Emporium in Melb CBD, or Pho Dzung City Noodle Shop on Russell St, which might be the one you're referring to? We mainly have a Bun Bo Vue at the latter.
We've also been taking a quick tram ride up Victoria St in Richmond where there are a plethora of authentic pho places, and when at Chadstone shops, will always stop for a Pho in the new foodcourt at Miss Saigon - delicious!
No sprouts, onions or coriander. Squeeze some lemon in, and add fresh chili. And dip the meat on hoisin sauce :D
I order mine with the soup boiled extra hot, an extra table spoon of broth lard and blanched shallot stalks.
50/50 chilli oil/hoisin and a dash of lemon for dipping.
i have 2 favourites
pho tai bo vien ( rare beef and beef balls)
phot tai gan thit (rare beef and tendon with meat still attached to it)
i add mint and lemon to the soup, sometimes picked onions.
Hoi sin and sriracha on side as dipping for the meats
Never Hoi Sin for us… way too sweet. Chilli peanut oil, squeeze of lemon & lots of herbs.
Any adjustments really depend on where you go though. I've been places where I needed to add fish sauce to bring the sweetness down again. It's all about finding the right balance.
sometimes add fresh red chili.
haven't had pho in a while though
With chopsticks and a spoon :)
I Throw in heaps of vietnamese mint and basil, beansprouts, good dollop of hoisin then a small squirt of chilli sauce. No dipping meat into the sauce, just everything mixed in together.
Yummo