Pho Lunch Episode Zero: Pho 101
WHAT’S PHO LUNCH?
In this bi-weekly series of articles for New Raleigh, I, Dr. Pho, will seek out the best Vietnamese Pho in the Triangle and report my findings.
EPISODE ZERO: PHO 101
Pho is a beef-based noodle soup that originated over a century ago in northern Vietnam, possibly inspired by French and/or Chinese cuisine. Pronounced ‘fuh’ in its country of origin and ‘foe’ in the Western world, I will refer to it by its latter pronunciation primarily for the many opportunities to make puns.
Pho first migrated to the United States along with refugees from the Vietnam War circa 1975. Today, this delicious ethnic dish has exploded in popularity, and there are over 2,000 Pho restaurants in the United States according to PhoFever.com.
Pho has many variations, but you will primarily find a carefully prepared beef broth (using bones, marrow), roasted ginger, charred onion and a variety of unique spices (such as star anise), rice noodles, bean sprouts, plenty of fresh herbs, and lime wedges and hot pepper sauce garnishes / sides. Oh yeah, and meat! Like tendon, tripe, meatballs, or chicken organs! The many possible permutations of Pho shall be carefully navigated in the weeks to come. Pho sho.
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gspot
06/29 11:44 AM
finally, something that everyone cares about
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Ryan
06/29 11:45 AM
I’ve already had all the Pho in the triangle and Pho Cali has the best tasting Pho, its not the prettiness place but its hands down the best tasting.
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Phil
06/29 12:05 PM
I miss having Pho available around every corner up in Arlington, VA. My vote here is for Pho Far East, but looking forward to the results of your (hopefully thorough) canvasing.
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INSTIGATOR
06/29 12:19 PM
Is the SPCA aware of this ?
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Gwen
06/29 12:41 PM
I’ve been to all the Vietnamese restaurants in the Triangle. My vote is for Pho Cali. However, sometimes they put too much star anise in the broth. You can find really good Pho in Orlando, FL. Just thought I’d mention in case your visiting the Mouse or the area!
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arthurb3
06/29 12:46 PM
I eat at Dalat often and quite enjoy everything on their menu. The Dalat Rolls are great and the Pho is satisfing!
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ral_ismyhood
06/29 01:16 PM
In case you didn’t already know:
1. Pho Cali (Instant Honorary Asian status)
2. Dalat (start with the Dalat Rolls with extra sauce.)
3. Green Basil (grab a honeydew shake sans tapioca.)
You’ll thank me, I’m sure of it. -
Nordy
06/29 01:26 PM
Love me some pho! Look forward to getting recommendations since I seldom venture beyond Dalat.
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Dan from Detroit
06/29 02:08 PM
This is like the All Black Van of Vietnamese food.
/but looks delicious
//cluck cluck, not woof woof -
Sophia
06/29 02:57 PM
@INSTIGATOR: thank you for that stereotype /sarcasm.
Pho is mostly beef anyways, so the original chick-fil-a ad would’ve worked better.
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Tyler Durden
06/29 03:03 PM
Pho Cali
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Jean
06/29 03:20 PM
Please, please go to Pho Saigon # 1 in Tower Shopping Center. You will be sorry if you don’t.
It was formerly called “Chan’s Garden” for a while. That was due to the building’s sign that was inherited from the earlier occupant, a Chinese place. They recently got a new sign.
(I’ve seen David Mao eating his Vietnamese food there.)
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Richard Bacchus
06/29 03:36 PM
@jean Thanks for the link to Pho Saigon #1, it looks awesome
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Jenne Scherer Mondry
06/29 03:42 PM
I just tried out the Asian Market on Brentwood/Capital Blvd. for the first time today. It was rather dusty and stark. I noticed there is a Pho Restaurant in that building, I think it’s called Pho 99. I’ll let you try it first.
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bgbear
06/29 03:55 PM
thanks so much for this post. coming from california it’s been a challenge finding truly authentic asian food apart from thai and sushi in the area. i look forward to the recommendations!
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Jack
06/29 04:24 PM
Hmmmm. Probably yummmmm. You have my attention.
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Brian
06/29 07:06 PM
This begs the question, why isn’t there a hipster Pho cart downtown called “PHO SHO?”
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Forge
06/29 07:28 PM
1. Pho Cali - Capital
2. Pho Far East - Capitaland if you’re truly including the entire triangle and not just raleigh
3. Pho 9n9 - Durham / Morrisville
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Nancy
06/29 07:38 PM
My vote is for Kim-Son Restaurant, 2425 Guess Road, Durham.
Their pho with rare beef is wonderful tonic.
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Rostel
06/29 11:39 PM
What was the point of this article? Yeah, lots of pho in N. VA.
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Van Alston
06/30 01:00 AM
Second on Pho Saigon in Tower Shopping Center. Great food and wonderful people run it.
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MMI
06/30 12:14 PM
Where is Tower Shopping Center? I spent half my trip to San Fran this month searching for the best Pho I could find. It might just be my favorite thing on the planet.
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greg
06/30 01:01 PM
I’m not sure why people are so crazy over Pho. I spent 5 weeks vacationing all over Viet Nam - I think I was more excited about pho prior to the trip (on which i had quite a bit). It is even served for breafast!
My local fav - 9n9
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Q
06/30 01:23 PM
Pho Cali sure is getting votes—I gotta check them out. Pho Far East makes a fine product—cnr of Capital and New Hope Church. http://www.newsobserver.com/2008/09/19/73126/pho-cures-what-ails-you.html#storylink=misearch
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WILLNCSU
06/30 02:07 PM
There was a place in cameron village that was pretty good a couple years ago. Can’t remember what it was called.
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Johnny Hash
06/30 05:01 PM
Until the new management took over, the Au Chan Center food court had pretty good pho. Now, I’m getting it from 9N9, but it’s just ok. Cali Pho’s also ok. But, I’ve yet to find a standout. If this bloger doesn’t find something good, I’m going to write a stern letter to NewRaleigh.com.
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jjonesnc
06/30 06:29 PM
I think Dalat has the best pho that i’ve had so far pho cali was okay, but everything on Dalat’s menu is awesome.
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Merle Haggis
06/30 10:13 PM
Just hit up Pho Far East. It’s my new number one in the area. Although, they put meatballs in most of their standard phos, which I’m not used to. But, they have a ton of noodle soup options - little noodles, fat noodles, noodles with beef, chicken, seafood, woodcock, etc. Good stuff.
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Ron Burgundy, Anchorman
07/01 11:01 AM
Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy PHO, who, being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.
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mgd
07/01 05:05 PM
The best of any Asia food in the Triangle is on Capital.
OK well at least: Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
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CW
07/03 09:16 PM
Lotus Leaf in Cary.
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ellenbreedlove
07/03 11:47 PM
had the pho at buku this week for lunch- fantastic!!!
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OldeSchool
07/05 07:12 PM
I’m goin to Pho Cali, Pho Cali, Pho Cali. I’m goin to Pho Cali.
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Q
07/06 01:28 PM
If you google Pho Cali Raleigh, you get the correct addy and lots of pos comments—and this web site: phocali.com
Is this really a chain or a coincidence?
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BoMo
07/08 11:41 AM
Yay! So excited that I found this article. I live in Northern Virginia and have a newfound obsession with pho. My boyfriend and I are heading to Raleigh this weekend and I was hoping to introduce him to the most delightful, simply complex experience that is pho. Thanks for the suggestions! I think we’ll try Pho Cali… perhaps after a trip to Adventure Landing.
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BoMo
07/08 11:58 AM
Also, I usually order onions and extra noodles on the side. Do any of these places offer these accompaniments? Many thanks.
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T.O. Mato
07/10 12:23 PM
coming from NoVA, I have been craving good fun, so far I think Pho Far East is pretty good, as is Pho Cali. Dalat is ok for pho, but they have a great Vietnamese crepe.
You should just have a Pho-stival, or something, w/ stands for each location. Charge patrons like $8-10 for all you can eat Pho - total collected can pay for event costs and remaining go to the winner. it may not be so simple, but why not? i’m sure plenty of ppl wld volunteer to help out and u could probably find some local Asian Student Association to help out too - to “promote ethnic/cuisine diversity, blah blah.” just a thought…
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Annie
07/13 12:03 PM
“If you google Pho Cali Raleigh, you get the correct addy and lots of pos comments—and this web site: phocali.com
Is this really a chain or a coincidence? “
@Q: Yes, Pho Cali is a franchise. They have it in most major cities in the US.Being a Vietnamese, I really enjoyed Pho Thu Do (next to An Chau market). Unfortunately the new owner took over and the food doesn’t taste the same.
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Megan
07/21 02:12 PM
Pho Far East is the best, Pho 9n9 is a great choice too, and Id rank Pho Cali last, but still a great option.
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William
11/11 08:00 AM
Although I am big fan of Asian/Chinese cuisine but never tried Pho. I will surely visit Pho Cali in Raleigh. I had the opportunity to eat at Spring Rolls at Northhills in Raleigh. The thai food they serve was fabulous & well presented. Service was excellent.
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Tyler Durden
11/11 10:05 AM
Pho Far East is the best. Skip Pho Cali. Pho Far East is a couple blocks further up Capital Blvd.
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