Pho

[MoFo]

COME ON. I know some of you Vietnamese peeps gots a secret recipe from their moms that they can share with the masses.

SPILL IT.

[Thirty Nine]

I heard Pho 79 in alhambra recycles their soups sometimes!

[mpyre]

Pho-get about it.

Worst Pho: some Vietnamese place in LA Chinatown. My buddy got soup that looked and tasted like mop water (and they admitted it was bad and took it back).

--shudder---

[Robocon^^]

Sorry, no secret recipies, I just buy my pho from the restaurant. No horror stories from Honolulu's Chinatown, just long lines 7 days a week and good soup.

[Liver_on_a_Stick]

I asked about the "secret" recipe once. No dice!

[beanie]

but a grace in the ass to take.

[Robocon^^]

I had tendon, flank with thin slices of raw meat pho today. Perfect rainy weather food.

[fmstlr]

Originally posted by Thirty Nine
I heard Pho 79 in alhambra recycles their soups sometimes!

There's no easier way to hurt one's business competitors by starting rumors about them, it don't cost a thing and there's always plenty of idiots who are more than eager to spread it every chance they get.

[fmstlr]

Originally posted by Robocon^^
I had tendon, flank with thin slices of raw meat pho today. Perfect rainy weather food.

me too! (and it's raining here also)

HIT THAT SPOT JUST RIGHT

[AnimalCub]

My dad used to make Pho. He made it really good, too... we're black.
He passed away and I forgot how it's made...

[MoFo]

No recipes, eh?

Hm. I make noodles at home all the time and I would totally love to take the time to make this.

I mean, if I can spend 2 hours making a lamb masala, I think I can handle the pho.

I eat it 4 times a week sometimes and would like to perfect it for myself when I have those 3 AM cravings.

[cellout]

http://www.everything2.com/?node=pho
not my stuff, but thougth it might help you out. there's a recipe a ways down.

[Thirty Nine]

Is that Pho Shizzle Pho Reals?

[Sukebe]

I managed to piece together a secret pho soup recipe by doing extensive research thru gathering rumors.

Take 1 pail mop water, add pharmaceutical lab animal meat , flesh of cat skinned in back alley on cardboard box (or alternatively pickup truck bed) and pork from diseased slaughterhouse reject pigs bought at incredible discount. Bring to simmer, season w/ rat droppings to taste. Don't forget to pick nose w/ long pinky nail before serving. Add recycled leftovers for next batch.

Enjoy!

[tangent23]

hmmm...i think my mom [who is korean] has been doing her own secret squirrel research and made a reasonable pho broth recently, i'll ask her what she used. i remember star anise somewhere there...

[Liver_on_a_Stick]

Ah, I heard the "secret ingredient' was 5 spice powder, which has star anise in it... ahhhhH!!!!!!!!

[GONG_LORD]

When the family in laws make Pho, they start Friday night with the bones cooking in the broth all night and on Saturday morning, you start your day with a huge bowl of Pho. Home made is better than any shop i have been to.

pho-life

[tangent23]

pho-reals

:p

[EK-4000]

Originally posted by Thirty Nine
Is that Pho Shizzle Pho Reals?

fuck. you beat me to it.

gigli.

[Phong-One]

Originally posted by Sukebe
I managed to piece together a secret pho soup recipe by doing extensive research thru gathering rumors.

Take 1 pail mop water, add pharmaceutical lab animal meat , flesh of cat skinned in back alley on cardboard box (or alternatively pickup truck bed) and pork from diseased slaughterhouse reject pigs bought at incredible discount. Bring to simmer, season w/ rat droppings to taste. Don't forget to pick nose w/ long pinky nail before serving. Add recycled leftovers for next batch.

Enjoy!


Not funny.

[onique]

Pho

3 large onions
1 Tbsp peanut oil
5 pounds combination of meaty beef and chicken bones
4 ginger slices julienned
2 carrots julienned
1 small stick cinnamon
1 star anise
2 whole cloves
1 tsp whole black peppercorn
2 cloves garlic, unpeeled, smashed
2 cups (1/2 lb) fresh bean sprouts
1/2 lb beef sirloin, sliced very thin across grain, bitesize
1 green onion, finely sliced
1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves (cilantro)
4 fresh red or green chiles, sliced
2 limes cut into wedges
8 ounces rice sticks, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, drained
2 - 3 Tbsp fish sauce (nuoc mam / nam pla)
Fresh black pepper to taste

Slice two of the onions into 1/4 inch slices. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in
a frying pan. Add the sliced onion, and cook, stirring, until the
outside has browned. Remove and drain. Slice the remaining onion into paper-thin slices and set aside.

Rinse the bones and place in a stockpot. Cover with cold water.
Bring slowly to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered. For a
clear broth skim off foam. After 10 - 15 minutes, add browned onion and ginger, carrots, cinnamon, cardomom, star anise, cloves, garlic and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Simmer the stock, partially covered for 6 to 12 hours, skimming regularly. If necesary add more water to keep the bones covered. Strain the stock, skim off, and discard any fat.

At serving time, arrange the sliced beef on a platter. Garnish with
reserved white and green onion. On another platter, arrange the
bean sprouts, coriander, chiles and limes. Meanwhile, plunge the
rice sticks in boilin water to heat. Drain. Place equal portions
in each soup bowl. Cover to keep warm. Heat beef stock to boiling. Season with fish sauce and pepper. Pour into a soup tureen or chafing dish. At the table, place the soup on a portable warmer to keep hot. Offer each guest a bowl of warm rice noodles. Each diner adds some beef and onion to a bowl. Ladle the hot stock over the meat, stirring to cook the meat. Add the bean sprouts, coriander, chiles, and lime to taste.

[niubi]

Originally posted by Robocon^^
I had tendon, flank with thin slices of raw meat pho today. Perfect rainy weather food.add some other goodies like tripe and i would be happy. though, i have to say i much prefer the lighter, refreshing soup of hu tieu tom thit (clear noodles soup with shrimp and pork).

[tangent23]

onique: thank for the recipe! i'll pass it on to my mum, i think i'll try it myself as well...cheers!

[j_simone]

um, i've never eaten pho...
but it looks yummy! is it sweet? spicy? both?
i've only started venturing into unexplored food territories fairly recently...

pho shizzle... :D

[AzN^StryDeR]

Originally posted by Thirty Nine
Is that Pho Shizzle Pho Reals?

somebody answer the man

[Robocon^^]

Originally posted by niubi
add some other goodies like tripe and i would be happy.
You're right, the tripe was worth including! It's weird ordering stuff that as a little kid I went...ewwww over.

[kut3AnGeL]

Originally posted by Tarasitah
http://images4.fotki.com/v47/photos/1/131027/484139/pho-vi.jpg
LOL! i think I remember seeing that somewhere. Pho is soo goood... if only it was lunchtime now.. hahahah

[utinni2]

If your not careful you may end up saying 'city' instead of the soup, is that right?

[Remy]

yes, thanh pho means city....or pho means market/shopping area....its all in the different pronunciation marks. pho=soup is pronounced with a more "ugh" sound and pho=city is pronounced with a more"Oh" sound.

[bpark]

am i the only one that doesnt enjoy pho?
is it an acquired taste?
________
GA (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Kawasaki_GA)

[vegAsian]

pho shizzle

[tangent23]

i just ate my mum's pho with beef and tripe...mmmm...

[GONG_LORD]

what you say, Pho is a type of noodle boi.

Originally posted by Remy
yes, thanh pho means city....or pho means market/shopping area....its all in the different pronunciation marks. pho=soup is pronounced with a more "ugh" sound and pho=city is pronounced with a more"Oh" sound.

[Remy]

yes thank you. i know what pho is. im vietnamese. boi.

[DJ LunchBox]

PHO 999 is da place to go here in the valley. Good stuff. The best one is that looks decent and clean, is the one on Sepulveda in Van Nuys.

[atomicscissors]

Originally posted by Aniki
PHO 999 is da place to go here in the valley. Good stuff. The best one is that looks decent and clean, is the one on Sepulveda in Van Nuys.

Really? How'd you figure that one out? What other Vietnamese restaurants have you been to other than 999?

[TypeFiend]

Originally posted by Aniki
PHO 999 is da place to go here in the valley. Good stuff. The best one is that looks decent and clean, is the one on Sepulveda in Van Nuys.

I'm a fan of Pho 999 also. Maybe not tops compared to places in Rosemead/Alhambra or Little Saigon, but very good especially considering it's Valley location. Its my girlfriend's favourite since seeing Better Luck Tomorrow badboy Sung Kang eating there :D

[shampoo]

if you guys are truly into sung kang, as far as i know he still works at woo lae ook. the one on la cienega. one of my friends knows him, when we went in for dinner i met him, this was before the BLT buzz went around.

[tangent23]

my mum has been on a pho making frenzy lately, packaging single serve take home packs for me [with the soup in plastic bottles]...i love my mum:heart:

her broth is a little thicker than the proper vietnamese version [more koreany i guess] but it tastes pretty good. i think she's trying to hone down the technique...she gets like that when something gets into her mind...

[DJ LunchBox]

Great day for pho.

[AzN^StryDeR]

every time i see this thread, i CRAVE for pho....but im to lazy to go all the way to the other side of the town to get some. (im 16, no car, id have to bus there)

[fmstlr]

why don't you set your teleporter?

[scrub]

I just had pho for the first time last night in Little Saigon.

It was pretty darn good! I was always curious to try it, but never got around to it. I ordered a number 1 which was just the steak version. There were scallions and broth and what not. I added that brown stuff and some hot sauce to mine.

I was probably eating it wrong. Because I didn't add any of the garnishes they gave us. And I didn't try the meatballs either.

Recommendations on other ways to eat this? This was pretty good!

[fmstlr]

Originally posted by AzN^StryDeR
every time i see this thread, i CRAVE for pho....but im to lazy to go all the way to the other side of the town to get some.

ditto.

Pavlov's bot.

[savvysearch]

I have a family recipe for one of the many versions, but I would never share it with anybody.

I seriously think that Pho is the most brilliant dish ever invented. It's deceptively simple. The best can take about 5 or 6 hours to prepare, that's why most restaurants have only decent Pho as they probably take only 2 or 3 hours.
If it's really good, I don't add a thing because I want to be able to appreciate the broth. The Hoison sauce and chili sauce just disguise it. I never understand why most people add that, sometimes before even tasting it.
If it's not so good, then I add the Hoison sauce and chili sauce. BUt I never add the leaves and sprouts.

[tangent23]

Originally posted by savvysearch
I have a family recipe for one of the many versions, but I would never share it with anybody.

come on! you know you want to... ;)

[savvysearch]

Originally posted by tangent23


come on! you know you want to... ;)

I do want to! Otherwise I wouldn't mention it! Here's a delicious pic I found on the Yahoo!

http://www.saigonpalace.com/images/XE%20LUA.jpg

[yamchild]

so after years of pondering about the reasoning behind the pho numbering system, somebody at work gave me the lowdown on it:

pho 79: owners moved from vietnam to the US in 1979
pho 54: owners moved from north to south vietnam in 1954

sounds pretty plausible. i've also heard the explanation that the numbering is based upon the street number of the original shop in vietnam.

[GONG_LORD]

Try to limit your Pho consumption, that shot will kill you.

Too much sodium.
A ton of calories.

Once a week people, and get some exercise.

[Sukebe]

Tonight, I had the #25 at Pho Sho'.

[cvcgolf]

man that picture looks so damn tasty!..you guys ever heard of a city named La Mirada?..that's what i figured..and that's why i was surprised when a Pho restaurant opened up in the neighborhood..what the hell are they doing here?..but these people worked really hard getting the place set up..they have a kick ass aquarium right when you walk in..it's a nice place and the people are cool..so i've been eating a lot of pho there..just the beef or chicken..(tripe? you kidding me, hell no)..i'm going to drive on over to Little Saigon where the mother load of Pho is..must truly rock there..

when i eat pho, i use the sticks to shove the noodles and beef in my mouth and the spoon for the broth only..sometimes i see girls putting little bits of meat, some noodles, a few pieces of sprouts into the spoon, then daintily shove it in there mouth..looks like to much work..even though i want to, i've yet to pick up the bowl at the end and drink the broth down..i use the spoon..but i do dump everything into the bowl!..

how do you guys eat pho?..

[fmstlr]

slurp city

[poly800rock]

I was in Saigon last year, was raised on my momma's pho, and man i'll tell you that Pho in America is no match for the Pho in Viet Nam. Not like that is unexpected, but I feel like every bowl i have now is just trying to match the apex i got last year....

[ERO-OYAJI]

Does authentic Vietnamese pho come with the daikon radish chunk in it? I had it in HK, which is the closest I've been to Vietnam, and thought that the little radish piece made a nice addition...

[nagasawa]

We're in dire need of Vietnamese food in my fair city. Apparently some plucky people realized there's a niche to fill here and they've just opened a new Saigon fare restaurant. Reviews to follow soon.

[YelloKitty]

For the love of pho
We scour S.F.'s Little Saigon to find the best Vietnamese beef noodle soup (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/11/03/FDGRN9HG5P1.DTL)

Of the 14 restaurants we tried in and around San Francisco's Little Saigon, we can recommend four without reservation -- Turtle Tower, Hung Ky, Pho Hoa and Pho Kien Giang. Three others also made our list. Pho ranges from $3.95 to $6.95, depending on bowl size and ingredients.

1. Turtle Tower, 631 Larkin St. (at Willow Street, between Eddy and Ellis); (415) 409-3333. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Pho-geddabout anywhere else. This is our top choice, although its delicate northern style won't please people who want south Vietnamese spice. Pale, clear broth with silky rice noodles. Quality beef. Combination beef pho lacks tendon and beef balls. Jalapenos and lime served alongside, but no fresh herbs, as is the Northern way.

2. Hung Ky, 337 Jones St. (between Eddy and Ellis); (415) 674-8278. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. This pho looks pretty, with the red, rare beef contrasting with the bright green scallions. Broth is dark, clean and beefy tasting with good anise undertone but too much clove. On one visit the broth was salty. Beef tastes great, and the combination delivers a circus of textures. Included is the basic "table salad" of accompaniments: Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime wedge and jalapeno slices.

3. Pho Hoa, 431 Jones St. (between Ellis and O'Farrell); (415) 673-3163. Open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. This is not part of the national chain with the same name. The large beef pho combo is truly huge and attractively arranged with the beef balls on one side. The broth is not clear but pungent, dark, beefy, spicy and salty. Tendon is melting and the beef is generally good though there's an occasional hint of the freezer. Flank was too chewy on one visit. Thin noodles in the typical al dente wad

4. Pho Kien Giang, 1017 Larkin St. (near Sutter); (415) 931-6775. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Only 3 months old, this sweet little restaurant serves a good pho in a light and balanced broth, with all the usual herbs. Very appealing beef -- beef balls are smoky, tripe is crunchy, tendon is soft and the rare beef arrives rosy. Thin noodles are soft and not clumped.

5. Pagolac, 655 Larkin St. (near Ellis); (415) 776-3234. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Not a pho-centric restaurant. The one beef pho on the menu comes in a smaller bowl but is generally fine though not consistent. One time it was salty; cloves stood out another time. (Reopening in a few days after renovations.)

6. Bodega Bistro, 607 Larkin St. (near Eddy); (415) 921-1218. Open 10 a.m. -3 p.m., 5-10 p.m. daily. This lovely Northern Vietnamese restaurant has a limited pho selection. The light, clear broth tastes very clean and the meat is quality. Noodles were a bit chewy and on several visits the tendon and tripe were missing.

7. Ngoc Mai, 547 Hyde St. (near Geary); (415) 931-4899. Open 10 a.m.-6 p. m. daily. A friendly restaurant with good pho, although the soup is a bit sweet. Rau ram and mint join the basil and sprouts in the table salad. Beef balls were some of the best we had.

[GONG_LORD]

heh, just had my sister in laws Pho on Sunday.

Damn that is a close to Vietnam as you get. Mom still grows half the shit that goes in that bowl in the backyard :)

Oh, when I eat Pho, I put noodles in the spoon and then in my mouth. Beef goes from the bowl to the sauce dish and then into my mouth.

[mikee]

Originally posted by YelloKitty
For the love of pho
We scour S.F.'s Little Saigon to find the best Vietnamese beef noodle soup (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2004/11/03/FDGRN9HG5P1.DTL)

Of the 14 restaurants we tried in and around San Francisco's Little Saigon, we can recommend four without reservation -- Turtle Tower, Hung Ky, Pho Hoa and Pho Kien Giang. Three others also made our list. Pho ranges from $3.95 to $6.95, depending on bowl size and ingredients.

1. Turtle Tower, 631 Larkin St. (at Willow Street, between Eddy and Ellis); (415) 409-3333. Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Pho-geddabout anywhere else. This is our top choice, although its delicate northern style won't please people who want south Vietnamese spice. Pale, clear broth with silky rice noodles. Quality beef. Combination beef pho lacks tendon and beef balls. Jalapenos and lime served alongside, but no fresh herbs, as is the Northern way.

2. Hung Ky, 337 Jones St. (between Eddy and Ellis); (415) 674-8278. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. This pho looks pretty, with the red, rare beef contrasting with the bright green scallions. Broth is dark, clean and beefy tasting with good anise undertone but too much clove. On one visit the broth was salty. Beef tastes great, and the combination delivers a circus of textures. Included is the basic "table salad" of accompaniments: Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime wedge and jalapeno slices.

3. Pho Hoa, 431 Jones St. (between Ellis and O'Farrell); (415) 673-3163. Open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. This is not part of the national chain with the same name. The large beef pho combo is truly huge and attractively arranged with the beef balls on one side. The broth is not clear but pungent, dark, beefy, spicy and salty. Tendon is melting and the beef is generally good though there's an occasional hint of the freezer. Flank was too chewy on one visit. Thin noodles in the typical al dente wad

4. Pho Kien Giang, 1017 Larkin St. (near Sutter); (415) 931-6775. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Only 3 months old, this sweet little restaurant serves a good pho in a light and balanced broth, with all the usual herbs. Very appealing beef -- beef balls are smoky, tripe is crunchy, tendon is soft and the rare beef arrives rosy. Thin noodles are soft and not clumped.

5. Pagolac, 655 Larkin St. (near Ellis); (415) 776-3234. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Not a pho-centric restaurant. The one beef pho on the menu comes in a smaller bowl but is generally fine though not consistent. One time it was salty; cloves stood out another time. (Reopening in a few days after renovations.)

6. Bodega Bistro, 607 Larkin St. (near Eddy); (415) 921-1218. Open 10 a.m. -3 p.m., 5-10 p.m. daily. This lovely Northern Vietnamese restaurant has a limited pho selection. The light, clear broth tastes very clean and the meat is quality. Noodles were a bit chewy and on several visits the tendon and tripe were missing.

7. Ngoc Mai, 547 Hyde St. (near Geary); (415) 931-4899. Open 10 a.m.-6 p. m. daily. A friendly restaurant with good pho, although the soup is a bit sweet. Rau ram and mint join the basil and sprouts in the table salad. Beef balls were some of the best we had.

i tried a bunch of those joints, but still think golden star on walter u lum place (by chinatown playground) is by far the best.

[tangent23]

just had my mum's pho.. she's got it down to a more korean style broth [a bit more chile, thicker]..

tasty..

[Remy]

Originally posted by GONG_LORD
Try to limit your Pho consumption, that shot will kill you.

Too much sodium.
A ton of calories.

Once a week people, and get some exercise.

Actually if you know what goes into making a bowl of pho(the ingredients, the preparation, etc) pho is a relatively healthy entree.

I am biased, but in general I think vietnamese food is the healthiest and cleanest out there.

Vietnamese ppl eat that shit everyday and they're hella skinny.

[YelloKitty]

true!

(hi remy! :heart: )

[Remy]

hey YK.
grab a bowl of pho with ya next time? I cant make it but i can buy it!

[fmstlr]

I've been sick as fuck the last couple a days, and I testify in Jesus Name, that Pho is the mofo OG restorer of health and life itself, Allelujah.

I feel 110% better now, coach carter.

[tangent23]

amen

[tangent23]

i was craving pad thai but couldn't find a place close enough so i ended up having beef combination pho..

mmm.. tripe, rare beef, jelly bits, and those strange beef ball things..

[Aser]

pho without tripe is not worth having...

[tangent23]

mmm tripe

[coxon]

yes, tripe and beef tendon is an absolute must !

[Aser]

Originally posted by Olene


when i was in VN i saw a lady in the kitchen preparing them - it's horrendous...disgusting... like fetal, umbilical stuff, urghhh

ehhh, it's just your hangups, growing up in n. america will do that to you.

tripe is peasant food, coxing flavour out of discarded bits. It perfectly encapsulates what I believe food should be, turning nothing into something magical.

Necessity is the mother of all inventions.

[tangent23]

she's aussie btw..
[i dunno if that's better or worse]

[poly800rock]

Originally posted by Olene


YICK! i never have those tripey guts and goopy things in my pho. and i avoid those beef balls like the plague. don't know wat's in them. could be processed up cat or dog meat for all u know. don't eat them people!

i never go mixing all those sauces in either. that's just ruining the perfectly good soup.

and remember to put in ur fresh herbs, lots and lots. don't put in the sprouts or the lemon juice - no good - dilutes the flavour down.

remember these tips guys and u will be eating pho like a pro in no time.

:heart:

i have no idea how you can eat pho without sauces and lime. without that stuff it reminds me of those disgusting roadside places in vn..

[coxon]

sauces are a must.. but i prefer putting it in a small dish for dipping the meat/tripe/balls into... i dont ever pour the sauces into the soup bowl ~

[Phong-One]

Originally posted by Olene


YICK! i never have those tripey guts and goopy things in my pho. and i avoid those beef balls like the plague. don't know wat's in them. could be processed up cat or dog meat for all u know. don't eat them people!

i never go mixing all those sauces in either. that's just ruining the perfectly good soup.

and remember to put in ur fresh herbs, lots and lots. don't put in the sprouts or the lemon juice - no good - dilutes the flavour down.

remember these tips guys and u will be eating pho like a pro in no time.

:heart:


yo, shut the fuck up.

[fmstlr]

her style of 'humor' is so nostalgic, it's so, like, from the 90's.

[puppy fields]

hey chocolate cake,

any pho to be found in the westside?

[chocolate cake]

I'll have to get back to you on this one, maybe Eric or yamchild knows?

[chocolate cake]

hey chocolate cake,

any pho to be found in the westside?


pf, I talked to my Vietnamese friend today who used to live on the Westside
and she recommended Le Saigon on Santa Monica Blvd. I've never been there myself, but my friend has pretty high standards so it probably is good.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-saigon-los-angeles

[puppy fields]

thanks CC!

[randall fairbrook]

plenty of pho in my hood yo

[puppy fields]

westminster?

[puppy fields]

i guess i should just read this thread

[randall fairbrook]

santa ana, a hop and a skip over to garden grove and all the pho you can choke on...there are some good pho joynts u can peepz in this hood too, cosign on tha rizzle

[puppy fields]

thanks RF.

why is pho so far away from me?

is it a message?

[Telephone]

Once you've tasted my mommy's pho, everything else will seem like shit. Nothing seems up to standard! :)

Then again, I live in Michigan, so Vietnamese restaurants always fail and are really crummy here. California's got some very legit places. Gotta order that TRAIN size!

[yamchild]

thanks RF.

why is pho so far away from me?

is it a message?

you can go to the sgv for decent pho. not up to oc standards, but more than passable. there's golden deli in san gabriel (intersection of mission and las tunas), and pho 79 in alhambra (near main street) is not bad.

[puppy fields]

thanks YC, SGV is far from me too.

I'm in southbay.