Phỏ 24

Noodle Pie says the best phỏ in Việt Nam can be had at Phỏ 24. This chain is expanding out of its original home in Sài Gòn, and just opened a shop in Huế.  Actually, the Mystery Guest Blogger and I visited the store the day before it opened officially.  They were training staff, and treating a few friends, so the place was not crowded.  (Be sure to click on the photos to see a larger version.)

The place made me feel as if I were in California.  That’s not a bad thing – its just not very Vietnamese.  It is all square angles, dark and light furniture – and of course, spotlessly clean.  I noticed the kitchen crew even wore gloves when handling food.  That is a first for me to see in Huế.  The shop is located on Lê Lợi,  the main drag running parallel to the Perfume River, and near two of the swankier hotels in town.  I assume their market is both the upscale tourists, and the upper crust Vietnamese in town.  The backpackers will avoid it as too “touristy”, and the average Vietnamese will find it is too expensive.

As expected, the only items on the menu are various kinds of phỏ.  Yes, you can get a drink (I ordered a mango sinh tố- kinda like fruit and ice, but no milk), but phỏ is the only entrée. I ordered my usual phỏ tái, which includes thinly sliced beef that is cooked by the steaming hot broth.  And it was excellent!  I would have liked a little more shrubbery served with the bowl, but the waitress brought me some extra bean sprouts when she noticed I had shoveled all mine into the soup.  The serving was generous – as well it should be for 24,000 VND.  (About $1.52.)  I know to my American readers, that is cheap – and that’s what the tourists will think – but that is expensive for phỏ in Huế.  Of course, you are paying for the nicely folded moist towels, the elegant fancy chopsticks, the air conditioning, and a fancy placemat.

I must admit, the phỏ is excellent – the question for me is if it is worth twice the money for the phỏ I eat at my usual haunt – Phỏ Saigon -  where the Mystery Guest Blogger can order something other than phỏ.

Close call.

Comments

[Nicky]

I am such a fan of pho 24. Sometimes you need a bit of clean, good sanitized service and some aircon. Even if it just so you can appreciate the delicious messes created out on the streets the rest of the time. Their service is excellent. I dont even need to order when I walk through the doors on Mac Thi Buoi street, Saigon, they immediately get me a pho bo tai, and a strawberry shake, and bring me a creme caramel for dessert. Bloody good pho too. But no oily bready donut things - that would make it absolutely perfect.

[Mrs. Young]

Safe travels. Love you.