After trying Pho in Los Angeles years ago, I kind of stopped eating it here in New York. I was just disappointed in the quality of the broth here, which seemed like a watered down version in comparison.
When Sarah and Tim suggested trying Pho So 1 Pho So 1, I was up for the challenge but didn’t expect too much. The cellar floor restaurant looks like a pretty standard Vietnamese restaurant but the service is especially friendly and happy. The menu is laminated and full of colorful pictures, which really does help.
To my great surprise, the Pho was really good. (Sarah, Tim, and I, all got the version with everything: rib eye, flank, meatballs, tendons, and tripe.) The broth was full of flavor and comfort, seasoned perfectly, and it was one huge a** bowl. None of us were capable of finishing it.
I tossed in the bean sprouts and a squeeze of lime juice, and felt the glimmer of hope growing as I sipped. Could it be? I could resume eating pho once again?
Lon ordered the Beef Stew which comes with warm bread. It’s similar to Chinese beef stews, another great comforting dish for winter, but served with warm bread.
Lon also ordered the Fried Spring Rolls over Vermicelli, which was good too, but I feel like the spring rolls are always good, the safety food at a Vietnamese place.
I wanted to try something different too so I added a plate of Pork in Rice Noodles. The circular sliced pieces of meat did nothing for the dish. The rest is kind of similar to Chinese rice noodles but more soft, without that bounce, so it kind of missed the mark.
Tim also got the Shrimp and Lettuce Rolls, which looked pretty, but I didn’t try it because I always find these really boring and Lon said this one was no different, just cold shrimp and lettuce.
All this food (remember there was 3 mega bowls of pho) was $41 and the pho is probably the best in NY (like I said, I haven’t had it in a long while) so I will be back this winter. They seem to have a huge menu so I’m curious about trying other stuff too.
posted by jessica at 08:29 AM
Filed under Asian, Restaurants.
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That pho looks so good! And a bargain, too – Vietnamese isn’t that cheap even here in Georgia!
Keep blogging; the photos always make me hungry!
There are so many Pho restaurants in Southern California, almost overwhelming. But, they make some good pho. I can’t wait to try this NY one, when I get back.
I’m so glad you tried Pho So 1! It’s by far my favorite pho place in the City. I also had given up on finding a quality place in NY considering I grew-up on my mother’s pho, but I’ll be happy to try out more dishes here with you!
Wow–this pho looks really yummy.
If anyone finds him/herself in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, I recommend Pho Tay Ho (disclaimer: I have no financial connections to restaurant) on 86th St. It is located a couple of blocks from my subway station. Oddly, the Times positively reviewed it (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/world/asia/03chef.html?_r=1&hp;).
Did anyone see this? A Chinese chef has been awarded 3 Michelin Stars (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/world/asia/03chef.html?_r=1&hp;). It's pretty cool that he did not even have a formal culinary education.
Thanks for the comments! Let’s have a party at Pho So 1…haha
Tim, thanks for the articles. I’m really happy a Chinese chef was awarded 3 michelin stars!
If he had received “only” 2 stars and his parents were alive, they’d surely ask where the “other” star go.