Brian Jeffrey
Exploring Pho in Vietnam
After moving to Vietnam over a year ago, Evan from the US shares his food adventures on YouTube, featuring local cuisines across cities like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang.
In one of his latest videos, he highlights his top three pho dishes from Da Nang, evaluating them based on their look, taste, and cost.
Evan expressed a deep fondness for pho, stating he prefers staying in Vietnam rather than returning home just to savor this dish.
His favorite was traditional northern pho, which he sampled at a location on Ho Nghinh street in Son Tra district. This restaurant is part of a well-known Hanoi chain with many outlets locally and internationally. He tried the ‘pho tai’ (beef pho) priced at VND50,000.
Describing it as classic and popular, he appreciated the naturally sweet and rich broth made from simmered bones, alongside tender noodles and well-cooked beef.
“The seasoning is straightforward yet offers a fresh and delightful taste,” Evan mentioned.
He rated its presentation a 7/10 for being basic, with clear broth and well-rounded beef, while the pricing earned an 8/10 and the flavor received a commendable 9/10.
“I appreciate the traditional cooking style that captures the unique essence of northern pho,” he added.
His second favorite was southern-style pho from a restaurant on Duong Dinh Nghe street in Son Tra district, which he ordered with tendon and ribs for VND70,000.
Evan observed the difference in preparation between Northern and Southern pho, with the latter including herbs, bean sprouts, and chili sauce.
“Northern pho is simpler, while Southern pho offers a variety of added ingredients,” he explained, enhancing the dish with chili, garlic vinegar, and more before eating.
He appreciated the appealing broth, which gained complexity with added condiments, making it a well-rounded experience. “The diverse flavors are a major reason for my move to Vietnam,” he noted.
He scored the Southern pho’s appearance 8/10 for its chewiness and noodle texture and 9/10 for flavor as the beef was tender and satisfying.
“This dish aligns with American tastes, reminiscent of pastrami or Montreal smoked meat,” he reflected, despite noting its higher price, he found the generous serving of quality meat worth it.
Evan’s third favorite was “pho sot vang” (beef in bordelaise sauce) from a reputable eatery on Nguyen Van Thoai street in Ngu Hanh Son district, priced at VND30,000.
He described it as a unique rendition of pho in Vietnam and rated its vibrant appearance an 8/10, noting the bright orange beef contrasted beautifully with green herbs.
The price received a perfect 10/10 for its great value, while the flavor scored a 7/10, as he felt it lacked the robustness found in the other pho dishes.
“It’s among my favorites, but not the best. The tender beef with a mix of lean and fatty parts was delightful, but the broth could use more flavor,” he concluded.
Da Nang is celebrated as Vietnam’s most livable city, boasting stunning landscapes, friendly locals, free wifi, beautiful beaches, and delectable cheap street food.
