Phở

[finecognac]

Sorry for the late chime in but Pho Xe Lua in Eden uses too much MSG in their broth. I ate there once and had to douche myself with .gallons of water to quench my thirst

If you want real authentic pho that do not use much MSG then you should try pho 50 in loehmann plaza at the corner of route 50 and graham rd

The saw tooth herb is very common nowsaday and you can get it in almost any vietnamese groceries store for 50 cents a bag. Just ask them for ngo gai. That's an essential herb for tiet canh ( gelatinous duck/chicken blood) which I doubt many will indulge given the bird flu scare.

[mdt]

Sorry for the late chime in but Pho Xe Lua in Eden uses too much MSG in their broth. I ate there once and had to douche myself with .gallons of water to quench my thirst

If you want real authentic pho that do not use much MSG then you should try pho 50 in loehmann plaza at the corner of route 50 and graham rd

The saw tooth herb is very common nowsaday and you can get it in almost any vietnamese groceries store for 50 cents a bag. Just ask them for ngo gai. That's an essential herb for tiet canh ( gelatinous duck/chicken blood) which I doubt many will indulge given the bird flu scare.

Was it a recent visit? I used to go to Pho Xe Lua pretty often and never had that experience. I have not visited in a while and am sad to hear it about this.

I agree that Pho 50 is very good.

[Gastro888]

I went to Pho Xe Lua about a month ago and had a fine (but pricey) bowl of pho. There was no MSG after shock. However, an earlier trip in the year for pho at Pho 75 left my throat drier than the desert and with a funny coating in the mouth. But that's the first time it happened to me at Pho 75. I suppose the quality of the broth depends on who cooks it. If they're stingy with the amount of meat and bones used to make the broth, they'll attempt to compensate for the poor quality of the broth with MSG.

I ate at Pho Hiep Hoa in downtown Silver Spring on Friday night and was disappointed by my #3 pho. The broth was not scalding hot (granted, it was hot, but I want that broth thermonuclear!), it tasted kinda flat, and they used LEMONS and not limes on the salad plate. The presence of sawtooth herb was not enough to make up for the fact there was no lime (in the coconut...).

[finecognac]

Was it a recent visit?  I used to go to Pho Xe Lua pretty often and never had that experience.  I have not visited in a while and am sad to hear it about this.

I agree that Pho 50 is very good.

Not too recent but I do not see the need to try again. We do not go out for pho any more. We make it at home. Now, we can slurp all the broth we want without worrying about MSG.

[Gastro888]

Actually, compared to Pho Xe Lua, the price of the pho alone is not that bad - under 6 bucks for a regular sized bowl of pho. The other stuff on the menu is pricey, for sure! 10 bucks for a banh xeo (Saigon crepe)? But I guess they have to pay for the rent and decorations somehow.

Pho Xe Lua charges about 7 and some change for their regular sized bowl of pho that has everything in it. It's highway robbery but damn, that broth is good. And they have LIMES. Praise the lovely lime!

[Drive-by Critic]

Since our beloved Tanh Tanh (Wheaton) disappeared, we have been going to My Le on Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring. It is good and satisfying but lacks the magic of Tanh Tanh (oh please. someone find out where the Tanh Tanh chef has gone!). Anyway, My Le's broth is a bit too beefy and somewhat too salty.

As for downtown, if you know anyone who works at the World Bank, try the WB cafeteria for pho. It is pretty good.

Ellen

[Escoffier]

Ah yes, the thermos of hot water.  I have still not found another place that does that. 

Any good Vietnamese restaurant will give you either a thermos of hot water or hot water in a tea pot if you ask. I prefer my cafe su dah a bit more watered down so I always ask. Haven't been turned down yet.

[Escoffier]

Why can't we have good Pho in DC?

Try Jacks in Chinatown on 5th Street (?). Jack has been selling pho in Chinatown for over 10 years. It's not gourmet, but it's not bad at all.

[mdt]

Try Jacks in Chinatown on 5th Street (?).  Jack has been selling pho in Chinatown for over 10 years.  It's not gourmet, but it's not bad at all.

Pho and gourmet in the same sentence? I never thought I would see that.

[Gastro888]

I haven't seen the thermos of hot water at Pho 75 but only at Pho Xe Lua. Maybe that's why they can justify the high pho prices? Who knows.

Pho's not supposed to be gourmet - just gooooood eats. Tendons, fat brisket and tripe. Just lovely. Speaking of tendon, Pho Hiep Hoa prepares their tendons differently. Instead of wafer thin slices of tendon, they're cut into thin slices and are about 1/4 inch thick. They could be using a different tendon than the "standard" tendons used in the pho around this area, I don't know. It tastes good, though.

I just wish I could eat pho without walking out smelling like it. I dislike the lingering smell of pho on my clothes.

[Escoffier]

Pho and gourmet in the same sentence?  I never thought I would see that. 

sure even if the gourmet part is negatory...

[Escoffier]

I haven't seen the thermos of hot water at Pho 75 but only at Pho Xe Lua.  Maybe that's why they can justify the high pho prices?  Who knows. 

Pho's not supposed to be gourmet - just gooooood eats.  Tendons, fat brisket and tripe.  Just lovely.  Speaking of tendon, Pho Hiep Hoa prepares their tendons differently.  Instead of wafer thin slices of tendon, they're cut into thin slices and are about 1/4 inch thick.  They could be using a different tendon than the "standard" tendons used in the pho around this area, I don't know.  It tastes good, though.

I just wish I could eat pho without walking out smelling like it.  I dislike the lingering smell of pho on my clothes.

Ah, it helps if you know the owner at Pho 75. When you ask, you get a white thermos filled to the brim with hot water....a second partial fill of the coffee holder (for lack of a better word), a few minutes of watching the coffee drip into the sweetened condensed milk, a bunch of stirring, into the ice and.....total bliss..just the way coffee should be (if it's not French Roast in France)

[Gastro888]

I only get the ca phe su da and never the ca phe or ca phe su at Pho 75. In all honesty, I've never seen anyone with the thermos of hot water at Pho 75 in Maryland or VA. Maybe it's just the luck of the draw who knows? Or maybe the manager in VA is nicer than the one(s) in MD. Jolly for you that you can get the thermos! I just wish they'd be more consistent in offering it so that all customers know the joy of unlimited Vietnamese coffee. Otherwise known as liquid crack.

[Escoffier]

I only get the ca phe su da and never the ca phe or ca phe su at Pho 75.  In all honesty, I've never seen anyone with the thermos of hot water at Pho 75 in Maryland or VA.  Maybe it's just the luck of the draw who knows?  Or maybe the manager in VA is nicer than the one(s) in MD.  Jolly for you that you can get the thermos!  I just wish they'd be more consistent in offering it so that all customers know the joy of unlimited Vietnamese coffee.  Otherwise known as liquid crack.

when you order your cafe su dah, just ask for "extra hot water, please"....you should get same...at least I do. I have to admit I haven't eaten at Pho 75 in Maryland so I can't speak for them but it won't hurt to ask.

[Gastro888]

I'll try that next time. We'll see what happens. What bugs me about ca phe su da is that sometimes they don't put enough sweetened condensed milk at the bottom. That makes the drink straighten your nose hair strong.

Who here gets the desserts at the pho places? I like the tapioca in coconut mlk with bananas. Stellar dessert that one is. I'm not too crazy about the other desserts, though.

[Jonathan]

is there anything better on a day like today than a bowl of pho?

its a rhetorical question so don't answer.

the answer is obviously a resounding NO.

[alan7147]

is there anything better on a day like today than a bowl of pho?

its a rhetorical question so don't answer.

the answer is obviously a resounding NO.

What is the name of the good Pho place in Rockville, I think it is on the Pike?

[DanielK]

What is the name of the good Pho place in Rockville, I think it is on the Pike?

Pho 75.

771 Hungerford Dr., on the east side of the street, about 2 blocks south of Montgomery College, or a mile north of Rte. 28. Next to the Flagship car wash.

[JPW]

Pho 75.

771 Hungerford Dr., on the east side of the street, about 2 blocks south of Montgomery College, or a mile north of Rte. 28. Next to the Flagship car wash.

Aah yes. My lunch destination today.

[alan7147]

Pho 75.

771 Hungerford Dr., on the east side of the street, about 2 blocks south of Montgomery College, or a mile north of Rte. 28. Next to the Flagship car wash.

Thats it. Do you know if they do takeout, and if so, does the quality suffer versus eating in?

[DonRocks]

Thats it. Do you know if they do takeout, and if so, does the quality suffer versus eating in?

They do takeout (fifty-cent supplement). The quality suffers in the following ways:

1. Only one microscopic plastic cup of Sriracha/plum sauce mixed together.

2. No fish sauce.

3. The rice noodles stiffen.

4. Insufficient baggie of basil and bean sprouts.

5. The beef gets dry.

6. Wooden chopsticks.

7. Tiny plastic spoon.

Other than that, if you dump everything into a mixing bowl and microwave it for a couple minutes, it's still worth getting.

Cheers,

Rocks.

[Jonathan]

They do takeout (fifty-cent supplement). The quality suffers in the following ways:

1. Only one microscopic plastic cup of Sriracha/plum sauce mixed together.

2. No fish sauce.

3. The rice noodles stiffen.

4. Insufficient baggie of basil and bean sprouts.

5. The beef gets dry.

6. Wooden chopsticks.

7. Tiny plastic spoon.

Other than that, if you dump everything into a mixing bowl and microwave it for a couple minutes, it's still worth getting.

Cheers,

Rocks.

all of these points are right on the money. eat pho in....as it tastes even better in the drab cafeteria like settings of pho 75.

note to Rocks.....I tried to search for the Pho thread, but alas, it is less than 4 letters, thus can't be searched for...so i put it in cheap eats.

I am partial to the Pho at Pho Hiep Hua on University Blvd next to Full Key in Wheaton. Great Pho, does well to go. Then you ave the dilemma of wonton soup or conjee at Full Key or Pho!

they opened one in downtown silver spring by ceviche and thai at silver spring. it is my local pho, and i like it, but pho 75 is the best.

[deangold]

they opened one in downtown silver spring by ceviche and thai at silver spring. it is my local pho, and i like it, but pho 75 is the best.

The PHH in SIlver Spring is a faded replica of the food at University Avenue. Its been a long time since I ate at Pho 75.

[The Hersch]

When I worked in the Seven Corners area, I used to frequent a little place called Pho Satay in the strip mall on Annandale Road just south of Rt. 50 (the one with a post office, a thrift shop, a grungy little supermarket). A marginally pleasanter place than many pho joints (which tend to be over-illuminated and often have large-screen TVs with lots of volume), they have full table service, beer (although nothing any good), and serve up a very tasty bowl of soup. There were probably at least twenty pho houses within a five-minute drive of my office, but Pho Satay was the one I kept going back to.

[Escoffier]

When I worked in the Seven Corners area, I used to frequent a little place called Pho Satay in the strip mall on Annandale Road just south of Rt. 50 (the one with a post office, a thrift shop, a grungy little supermarket). A marginally pleasanter place than many pho joints (which tend to be over-illuminated and often have large-screen TVs with lots of volume), they have full table service, beer (although nothing any good), and serve up a very tasty bowl of soup. There were probably at least twenty pho houses within a five-minute drive of my office, but Pho Satay was the one I kept going back to.

They also have pho with buckwheat noodles and male deer ... errrrmm, parts during hunting season. I used to go with a Vietnamese friend and he had lots of fun telling me all of the "interesting" things that you could have in pho...

[DonRocks]

note to Rocks.....I tried to search for the Pho thread, but alas, it is less than 4 letters, thus can't be searched for...so i put it in cheap eats.

And yet you triple-spaced - quadruple-spaced - you little turd.

It's easy to use Google to search for things here. In this particular instance I simply typed "Pho donrockwell" (with no space between don and rockwell) and it came right up.

[Pete]

Can good Pho be found in/near Vienna (Virginia, not Austria)?

[Escoffier]

Can good Pho be found in/near Vienna (Virginia, not Austria)?

You're not that far from Seven Corners (I know, it's not Vienna) or Loehmanns Plaza. Good pho at both places or go to Herndon, there's a Pho75 there in a strip mall on the main drag.

[xcanuck]

I am partial to the Pho at Pho Hiep Hua on University Blvd next to Full Key in Wheaton. Great Pho, does well to go. Then you ave the dilemma of wonton soup or conjee at Full Key or Pho!

A "me too" post regarding both Pho Hiep Hua and Full Key in Wheaton. Both these places serve up fine fine fine bowls of noodle soup. I'm quite partial to the Hong Kong Noodle Soup at Full Key.

I just came back from China and ate at several restaurants in Shanghai, Xian, and Beijing (even had the luck of having a Shanghai native and a Hong Kong native take us to several restaurants). I was quite impressed that the food in China matches up quite nicely with the food at places like Full Key and Oriental East. We, of course, don't get the wide variety of choice that exists in China, but whatever is done here is done quite accurately.

Oh, wait....this was a PHO thread. Guess this means the next vacation will have to be to Vietnam so I can compare PHH with the real thing!!

[lackadaisi]

Any decent pho in the city?

[ScotteeM]

Can good Pho be found in/near Vienna (Virginia, not Austria)?

My experience with Pho is limited, but I like the place in the Pan Am Shopping Center on Route 29 at Nutley, not too far from Vienna. I've had Pho to go from there, and eaten in at their sister branch on Backlick in Springfield.

I've tried other dishes at Pho Cyclo, but not the Pho itself. I've liked what I've had, and the place is usually packed at lunchtime, with lots of folks having Pho. It's in the Yorktowne Shopping Center on Gallows Road at Arlington Boulevard.

[Escoffier]

Any decent pho in the city?

Try Jack's in Chinatown. One block from the China Gate next to China Express. Good (but not great) pho. When you just have to have a star anise fix, it does quite well.

[legant]

Any decent pho in the city?

Try:

Nam-Viet Pho 79--in Cleveland Park's two-block restaurant row--is an easy choice as the best Vietnamese restaurant in the city, a spare but tidy place with cooking that matches that of some of the best Vietnamese kitchens in the Virginia suburbs.

[The Hersch]

Try:

Nam-Viet Pho 79--in Cleveland Park's two-block restaurant row--is an easy choice as the best Vietnamese restaurant in the city, a spare but tidy place with cooking that matches that of some of the best Vietnamese kitchens in the Virginia suburbs.

It should be noted that the Washingtonian review you linked to goes on to say:

Spare yourself the beef-noodle pho, a pallid version of the generously garnished classic served at the Vietnamese restaurants in Northern Virginia.

I've eaten at the Cleveland Park Nam Viet a number of times, and also had delivery from there (yes! they deliver! -- or at least they used to a few years ago), but it's all several years ago, so I don't know if my observations are worth much. I never had their pho, acting in part on the advice of a Vietnamese colleague who warned against ordering pho in a restaurant not devoted to it, which Nam Viet is not. The Vietnamese wonton soup the reviewer mentions, however, used to be really, really good. Ditto the spring rolls and the summer or garden rolls.

[legant]

Oops! My bad!

It should be noted that the Washingtonian review you linked to goes on to say:

Spare yourself the beef-noodle pho, a pallid version of the generously garnished classic served at the Vietnamese restaurants in Northern Virginia.

[cheapie]

For some Pho porn (or Vietnamese food porn) go to <http://stickyrice.typepad.com/>. My husband and I will be moving to Vietnam early next year so we've been doing our research. Yum yum, can't wait for daily 25-50 cent bowls of pho!

[smokey]

They do takeout (fifty-cent supplement). The quality suffers in the following ways:

1. Only one microscopic plastic cup of Sriracha/plum sauce mixed together.

2. No fish sauce.

3. The rice noodles stiffen.

4. Insufficient baggie of basil and bean sprouts.

5. The beef gets dry.

6. Wooden chopsticks.

7. Tiny plastic spoon.

Other than that, if you dump everything into a mixing bowl and microwave it for a couple minutes, it's still worth getting

I decided to test Don's hypothoses last night and would agree on every point he made. If I were to disagree with any portion of his statements, I would argue that they gave me more than adequate bean sprouts, but were definitely lacking in the basil. Pho survived the ride home (and dog walk that had to happen before its consumption) quite well.

[winonelson]

The problem with Nam Viet's pho is that they omit the basil! When I complained about this to the late owner, he said it was never used by the customers so they quit serving it. I grow my own asian basil so I can add it at home as I desire.

Would love to find good pho in town.

[cjsadler]

For some Pho porn (or Vietnamese food porn) go to <http://stickyrice.typepad.com/>. My husband and I will be moving to Vietnam early next year so we've been doing our research. Yum yum, can't wait for daily 25-50 cent bowls of pho!

Many other dishes I felt you could get a reasonable version of here in the US, but the pho in Vietnam was a revelation (the broths here are way too weak, at least at the places in the DC area I've been to). I couldn't get used to the fact that it's more of a breakfast food there, though.

[squidsdc]

On the way home from a root canal on Tuesday in Gburg, I needed comfort food, badly. I stopped at Pho 75 for the first time, and got take-out. Not sure if it was just the perfect thing for a chilly rainy day, but it was quite flavorful. I've never had Pho with that intense a beef flavor.

Tonight I was able to put it to the test again, eating-in this time. Once again, the beef flavor was intense and flavorful. Even my husband who is not a Pho lover, was impressed. I like that the broth is not too salty, nor does it have an overwhelming flavor of onion or anise. I think other places must overuse the anise and onion to compensate for the weak broth.

I will be attending a family gathering on Saturday at Pho Hiep Hoa in SS, so I will have an opportunity to compare it to two very recent experiences. ( I've never had an opportunity to have Pho anywhere in VA, but Pho 75 is now my favorite)

[Jonathan]

while the menu is almost exactly the same, pho 75 is superior to the place in silver spring. i am glad you had a chance to dine in, as well, because pho carry out is not as good either.

try a vietemese coffee next time. delicious.

[JeffC]

I stopped at Pho 75 for the first time, and got take-out. Not sure if it was just the perfect thing for a chilly rainy day, but it was quite flavorful. I've never had Pho with that intense a beef flavor.

This is where Pho 75 exceeds the rest, IMO. The depth and intensity of flavor is unmatched. I've eaten in many other local pho houses, but there is invariably "something" missing. I wait for the next layer of flavor and it doesn't come. If their pho was wine, I'd say it has great complexity, with a long and satisfying finish.

[ulysses]

Had lunch there today with a pho virgin and they loved it. It's true 75 can't be beat(at least in DC).

[KeithA]

Anyone ever try the Pho place in downtown DC on L street between 19th (or maybe 18th) and 20th street? It is a little place with Pho sign in the window and is around the corner from Nooshi. I've never been but was excited the other day when I saw a chance to get pho downtown for lunch. Any thoughts on its quality?

[alan7147]

Anyone ever try the Pho place in downtown DC on L street between 19th (or maybe 18th) and 20th street? It is a little place with Pho sign in the window and is around the corner from Nooshi. I've never been but was excited the other day when I saw a chance to get pho downtown for lunch. Any thoughts on its quality?

Can't attest to the quality of the Pho there, but I have had a couple of other things from here that were awful.

[edenman]

Can't attest to the quality of the Pho there, but I have had a couple of other things from here that were awful.

Ditto...I've never ordered Pho, but the other stuff on the menu has constantly disappointed every time I give it another chance. It's called Asian Bistro.

[squidsdc]

Anyone ever try the Pho place in downtown DC on L street between 19th (or maybe 18th) and 20th street? It is a little place with Pho sign in the window and is around the corner from Nooshi. I've never been but was excited the other day when I saw a chance to get pho downtown for lunch. Any thoughts on its quality?

It's between 19th and 20th on L, (it's in my building) Unfortunately, it is not great. Before the previous owners sold the place, it was at least good enough for a craving, but has gone downhill since. Sounds like everything has gone downhill--I couldn't tell ya, cuz I don't eat there anymore!

[hillvalley]

I had one of the best bowls of pho I have ever had at Pho 75 last night. The broth was layered in delicate flavors to an extent I have never tasted.

Every five minutes my friends commented "This is the perfect bowl. This is amazing!" He noted that we were one of a few nonVietnamese in the restaurant and wondered if they kept their "better broth" for certain times of the day

[Al Dente]

I had one of the best bowls of pho I have ever had at Pho 75 last night. The broth was layered in delicate flavors to an extent I have never tasted.

Every five minutes my friends commented "This is the perfect bowl. This is amazing!" He noted that we were one of a few nonVietnamese in the restaurant and wondered if they kept their "better broth" for certain times of the day

I was there Tuesday night. There were few people there, probably about 1/2 of them Vietnamese, and the broth couldn't have been better. I went outside my comfort zone and had the #2 which has tripe and tendon. Gorgeous stuff...

[Gastro888]

...He noted that we were one of a few nonVietnamese in the restaurant and wondered if they kept their "better broth" for certain times of the day

Maybe they hired a really good cook? Maybe the head cook made it? Maybe they got a really good batch of bones/meat/weather?

Asian owned businesses seems to be picked on more for this particular issue compared to other ethnic establishments. Do you really think a small mom-and-pop joint like that would go through all that work just to make two different stocks? It takes up too much time and money. Business is business and they don't care who comes in and their food as long as they enjoy and pay for it. As long as your money's green...