Pho Sure
Lately, Seattle food bloggers have been focused on finding ways to deal with the onset of winter, whether diving in the San Juans (Margaritas and Mad Hatters) or holing up at home with baking projects (Orangette). One of my favorite ways to pass the endless expanse of night--not to mention generate some much-needed warmth--is by dining on that simple, elegant Vietnamese staple, Pho.
Pho-king highlights the best pho from San Francisco to Toronto, with a headline riff on Run DMC's "King of Rock":
I'm the King of Pho/There is none higher/Sucker recipes can call me sire
Indeed! Chicken noodle soup-from-a-can has nothing on the soothing combination of broth, noodles, and meats (or tofu) dressed up with lime, chilies, basil, bean sprouts, 2 dollops of hoisin sauce and 1 of sriracha (or maybe that's just me). Pho-King mentions Pho Cuong in Tacoma, and makes the obligatory reference to Bellevue's What the Pho?, but allows Than Brothers to chiefly represent Seattle. Though there are dozens of pho eateries in town with their particular take on the dish, many will agree that the chain is King. Is it the flavorful, not-too-salty broth? The creampuffs?
I also want to recommend Capitol Hill's Ballet as the sole place I've found to offer broccoli, carrots, and tofu in your pho. Vegetarians, rejoice! That said, be sure to let us know which pho house is your favorite, and why.
8 comment(s)
Geoff says:
Sorry...not even close. I like Thahn Bros -- especially the cream puffs -- but the winner hands-down is Pho Bac at the corner of Jackson and Rainier. Broccoli and carrots in my pho?! Why not freakin\' chocolate-chip bagels while you\'re at it...
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 6 2006 @ 2:43PM
Jonathan says:
Right now, I\'m all about Pho Bac on Rainier. Half because I love their pho (mmmm...tendon), half because I love the garlands of plastic flowers and vines hanging from the ceiling.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 6 2006 @ 3:20PM
tracy says:
Pho Tran on the Ave (near Than Brothers) also has broccoli, carrots, and tofu in their veggie pho. (Also mushrooms!) It\'s quite yummy, especially on a cold day.
Posted On: Wednesday, Dec. 6 2006 @ 4:12PM
C says:
Pho Hoa on 6th and Weller in the I.D. or in Bellevue on 24th are the only places to get your fix of authentic tasting pho. The real, true broth they cultivate is from hours and hours of simmering in herbs and beef bones. Trust me, if you want to taste what Pho is supposed to be like, go there.
Than Brothers is watered down pho. They\'ve made their empire on novice eaters who have yet to learn and appreciate what the real flavors of vietnamese noodle soup are. Such a shame that Seattlites think that they have the pho of all phos...such a shame indeed.
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 7 2006 @ 3:53PM
eensy says:
You MUST go to Pho 99 on Broadway. It\'s slightly expensive, but the veggie pho is amazing. You get a veritable forest of mushrooms, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, tofu etc on top of your noodles. The bowl is so full you can barely eat out of it without spilling something. The broth is good, too. Pho Than on q45th and Aurora has the best broth I\'ve tasted. I think Than Bros is highly overrated.
Posted On: Friday, Dec. 8 2006 @ 4:19PM
yuyu says:
For those you don\'t know Pho Hoa, they are probably the biggest Pho Chain around the world. Go to their website and check it out. They are the Taco Bell/KFC of Pho. They don\'t even make Pho the traditional way with Beef Bones and simmering it for 7-10hrs to get the flavor out.
I admit, they use to be my favorite Pho spot, but since I learned how they really make their pho two years ago, I haven\'t returned to eat there again.
I also heard Than Brothers cooks their Pho in a similar \"fast-food\" manner but I have only eaten at their Broadway location once. But if the 25cent creampuffs keeps you coming back, all the power to them. I prefer to pay 25cents for a cream puff at QFC and get real Pho some where else.
For authentice pho, I like Pho So 1 in International District or What the Pho in Bellevue.
What the Pho is a bit pricier but well worth the cleaniness and service. I would imagine they are paying 4times the rent since they are in downtown Bellevue vs downtown Kent or Chinatown.
Posted On: Tuesday, Jan. 2 2007 @ 4:38PM
doug rice says:
Strange, to see all these listings but not one for Pho Cyclo across from Sears on 1st Ave. So. The tip came from seeing lines out the door at noon time--every noon time. I think they are low on the radar, because they are strictly open for lunch. There\'s more than Pho but the stock is multidimensional and those with ginger sauce on the side are to die for. Pho So 1 in the I.D. is OK, but their egg rolls are arguably the best in the world.
Posted On: Friday, Jan. 4 2008 @ 3:48PM
phopho says:
Ballet isn't the only place that has veggie pho (though it is good). Than Brothers, Pho Cyclo & What the Pho all have good veggie options. Pho Tai is okay too but I don't think it's a 'real' Vietnamese restaurant (why is there Thai & Japanese food on the menu?). What the Pho and Pho Cyclo have the best service and atmosphere. The one place I really don't like is Pho Hoa, the broth was a strange mixture of oily and stale.
Posted On: Thursday, Oct. 23 2008 @ 7:58PM