Jessie K.
Yelp
I have to have Vietnamese Pho noodle soup pretty much every weekend. I've tried so many pho places... Pho Bac, Dai Loi, I Luv Pho, Saigon Cafe, New Saigon, Pho 96, and more over the past 10+ years. Hands down, the pho in this food court is the best, on so many levels.
The broth - all the spices and the array of bones or meat they used to make this savory broth has been perfected. It's the best broth I've ever tasted - not too greasy, not bland, and just the right concentration of flavor in every spoonful. Just as importantly, it's served at the right temperature - HOT. I can't stand it when my soup gets cold midway through, or when my first spoonful of broth is lukewarm after adding sauces and sprouts. Blegh.
The noodles - my two areas of disappointment with noodles are quantity and consistency. Filling the bowl with a ton of noodles tends to dilute the taste of the broth, AND it leaves no room for sprouts and fresh herbs. Plus, I like to have a spoonful of soup with every bite - I don't like running out of broth. I also stop eating the noodles when they get too mushy... I like it when it's just firm enough. This place gives the perfect amount of noodles, cooked just enough to withstand the hot broth throughout the course of the meal. Perfect.
The meat - I get the "everything" pho, and I've gotta say, it's the best combination of meats that are great tasting. The rare steak is extra thin so it doesn't become tough to chew. The brisket is tender and really absorbs the flavor of he broth well. The beef balls are standard, tripe is not over cooked or rubbery at all, and surprisingly, my favorite is the tendon. It's in bigger pieces, and when chewing on it, it has a jello consistency with such a great flavor. All of this goes perfectly with the broth, noodles, sprouts and herbs.
I'm convinced I lost most readers a while ago, but anyone who can relate to my love for pho on a lazy weekend late morning (especially after an eventful, late night of drinking with friends), it won't matter that there's a random security guard on a Segway in the parking lot in broad daylight, or the creepy stares from the men who are chilling out at the coffee shop... The utter delight in taking bite after bite of this delicious pho is priceless.