If I was going to put my money on London’s next big restaurant trend, it would have to be Vietnamese. The scene has been bubbling away for a while, quietly taking over entire streets in East London and getting London’s sandwich connoisseurs into a bit of a lather with their Bahn Mi. In fact the cuisine even has its very own chain of restaurants by the name of Pho popping up all over the city.
As is often the way with these quirky chains, it has been launched by a husband and wife team who fell in love with the food and culture whilst on their travels in Vietnam. As such, a visit to their Soho branch reveals a smart Oriental influenced interior, with an extensive use of chunky wooden furniture and subtle decor.
The menu specialises in ‘Pho’, a delicious and nutritious noodle soup dish commonly eaten by the Vietnamese from breakfast through to dinner. Healthy it may be, but Pho soups are also wonderfully aromatic, flavoursome and thoroughly filling, with varieties including anything from steak, brisket & meatballs to tofu & mushrooms. Not being a massive fan of soups, especially over warmer months, other dishes are also available, including ‘Bun’ vermicelli noodles with pork & lemongrass meatballs and Wok fried flat rice noodles with chicken. Starters and sides include traditional Vietnamese snacks including goi (salads) and spring rolls. Even the drinks are authentic, with the option Vietnamese beers and the rare and intriguing Weasel digested coffee!
Food: 3.5/5
Value: 4/5
Venue: 3/5
Cuisine Type: Vietnamese
Meal for two (excluding drinks): £25
Beers: £3
Pho
Various locations including:
Soho, Oxford Circus, Clerkenwell & Shepherds Bush
Full details at: www.phocafe.co.uk
