Pho West Hollywood
In early 2009, after years of talking about opening up shop in west Los Angeles, restaurateur Chris Nguyen finally made his move. He spent months scouting potential sites before deciding to take over an underwhelming restaurant that was going out with grace.
Nguyen tore down walls, painted new ones, and completely redone the interior of what is now known as Pho West Hollywood. When he was done, it looked like nothing else within its vicinity!
He designed the space keeping western aesthetics in mind while incorporating Vietnamese motifs such as bamboo and lotus flowers. The result? A beautiful dining experience full of rich colors and authentic accents.
Pho has been extremely popular since it opened and even more so today due to its wide variety of toppings and additions. People have gone crazy adding fresh basil and mint, pickled vegetables, nori sheets, and even rice noodles to their pho!
While some may not agree with this customization process, we can’t help but admire all of the creativity people put into theirs.
Types of pho
There are several different types of pho you can order at most pho restaurants. Some have described these as “the way it is done here” or “this style was made for us,” but none of them seem to be true!
Pho is a Vietnamese soup that typically includes meat, rice noodles, and flavorings such as basil, mint, chili pepper, and cilantro.
The type of broth used in making the soup varies depending on what kind of phở (restaurant) one goes into. Generalizations about which broths are better than others are tough because each region has their own special recipe and method they use to make theirs.
This article will talk more about some of the variations of pho and why people may like one over another.
Places to try pho
There are many great places to try authentic, quality pho in Los Angeles! Most of them have pictures or videos online so you can check out their taste before coming into restaurant.
Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup that typically includes meat, rice noodles, herbs, and seasoning such as fresh basil, mint, lime juice, and chili paste. The ratio of broth to noodles and other ingredients varies depending on what kind of pho people like.
Some popular additions include bean sprouts, roasted peanuts, cilantro, and sliced tomatoes. If you don’t care for those things, just ask for “without greens” and skip straight to the soup!
Pho has lots of different styles and variations. Some restaurants only offer it during lunch hours while others stick with dinner time. Some add more flavorings and/or toppings than others.
But no matter which one you choose, be sure to order plenty of phở (Noodle Soup) because it is listed as an ingredient! You want to make sure your stomach is fully saturated with liquid, otherwise it will burn in your gut.
Delicious ingredients
As we already mentioned, pho is made of fresh herbs and spices along with meat and rice in broth. The most popular additions to pho are chicken or beef broths, coriander/cilantro powder, mushroom soup, sugar, dried noodles (rice stick style), and vinegar.
Pho usually contains large amounts of vegetables like cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and cilantro. These additional veggies and fruits help make the pho taste better by complementing the flavor of the broth.
The amount of each ingredient used varies depending on personal preference and what you like! Some people even omit certain items completely because they do not like them. That’s totally okay too since pho will still be delicious without them.
Overall, there are many ways to make sure your pho does not lose its quality due to missing ingredients.
The culture of pho
Culture is how we interact with other people, what types of behaviors are accepted in society, and what symbols mean to us.
The thing about cultures is that they constantly evolve. What was important to one generation may not be to the next.
With food, what foods taste good and are unique are dependent on who you are as a person and what things matter to you.
Some may like red sauces while others do not. For some it’s the noodles themselves, and for others the broth!
As you can see, there is no such thing as “good” or "bad" pho because it is inherently personal.
What makes one person's pho perfect for them is different from someone else's. It is up to each individual to determine which flavors and textures work for them.
How to eat pho
Now that you know how to make pho, your next step is actually eating it! Luckily, most Vietnamese restaurants these days have an array of fresh herbs and spices at their table side tables or buffet-style. They also usually offer rice, noodles, or both as accompaniments for your pho.
If you are looking to add some variety into your diet, then try mixing up what kind of noodle or rice you use in your pho and see what tastes best to you. We recommend trying chicken or beef broth so that they are not too heavy.
Another tip we have is to start with one cup (250 mL) of brothy pho per person and taste test it until you find your favorite flavor.
Ordering pho
When you order pho, first of all, make sure your Vietnamese is good! Most places have beginner level menus that do not require speaking Vietnamese. By starting with the basics, you will learn how to speak some phrases like “I would love to drink this” or “This has meat in it, right?”
Another important thing to know about pho is what kind of broth it has. There are three main types of broths- chicken, beef, and vegetable. The type of broth you order depends on what kind of person you are! If you prefer more salty things, then ask for salted broth.
If you hate salt, then choose watery broth as an alternative.