Max’s Culinary Adventures in Vietnam

Max boasts a significant following in Vietnam, with his channel reaching 715,000 subscribers. He often shares engaging content about his food experiences in different cities.

In one of his videos featuring large dishes available in Ho Chi Minh City, he highlights a remarkable pho served in an exceptionally large bowl that caught his attention.

This massive pho was enjoyed at a small restaurant tucked away on an alley off Le Lai Street in Ho Chi Minh City, where it is not a regular menu item. Instead, it is prepared upon request if customers provide their own large bowls. Max brought along a bowl much larger than the usual size.

He explained that his pho bowl was four times greater than standard servings. The dish, costing VND180,000, was filled with an assortment of toppings, including rare beef, beef tendon, brisket, flank, and beef balls.

To savor the authentic taste of the beef pho, Max first sampled the broth without any additions. He was thrilled by the flavor, stating that it “touches the soul,” due to its naturally sweet and light profile.

Afterward, he chopped some herbs, added lemon juice and garlic vinegar, and began to enjoy his meal. He praised the fresh and tender beef and noted the noodles were thin, soft, and easy to eat.

The dish presented a vibrant look with the pink hue of the rare beef, the white noodles, and the green herbs, which Max appreciated, especially the variety of herbs available in Vietnam.

The charming YouTuber shared his admiration for the unique flavor of the beef meatballs, which are made from ground beef mixed with fat and seasoned with sugar and pepper, yet have a surprisingly soft texture and rich taste, distinct from sausages.

Max highlighted the thick black bean dipping sauce as a standout feature of the pho, prepared using a special recipe by the restaurant owner.

As he concluded his meal, he rated the giant pho outstanding in both flavor and presentation. He was pleasantly surprised when the restaurant owner offered him the dish at no charge.

Huynh Thi Yen Xuan, the owner of the restaurant Max visited, has been in business for over 30 years. The restaurant was originally run by her mother-in-law, Hoang Thi Kim Lan, who primarily sold hu tieu bo (beef noodle soup). After taking over, Xuan expanded the menu to include beef pho.