I've always loved Vietnamese food, but confess I didn't really know much about it. I wasn't sure how to eat it, what to do with all the sides and condiments that came with a nice bowl of pho, and apparently even how to pronounce "pho".

Until I stumbled on this video. And yes, I was doing it wrong, though still loving it. I'm a better man now.

My wife and I love Pho.

We have a local Pho place that sells shirts that says

"We are PHO-king good"

God Bless

^I'm seeing some inventive restaurant names.

Thanks, good video.

Now the subject title makes more sense.

I have taken SigForum members to Pho Bac by where I work in Chamblee.

All the Vietnamese ladies at work act exactly like her mother in the video.

However, the workers bring me absolutely authentic food all the time from home.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
And yes, I was doing it wrong, though still loving it. I'm a better man now.

It begs to be asked, how were you "doing it" wrong?

I grew up in east San Jose in the late 70’s and 80’s. It was one of the destinations of many refugees. They quickly adapted to their new country and opened restaurants and sandwich shops. Love me some pho and banh mi sandwiches. There are only a handful of shops here in the Pensacola area

My kid got me to try it. It is very good.
At first I did wonder why they served us raw meat, but seemed obvious on second thought.
Some good tips in the video.

Someone at a Vietnamese restaurant, I think in the Bay Area, taught me how to say my favorite dish:
"Bun cha gio tit nuong". Everybody gets a laugh when I say it; but the young kids have no idea what I'm talking about so I say "Number 22".

quote:

Originally posted by 9mmepiphany:

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
And yes, I was doing it wrong, though still loving it. I'm a better man now.

It begs to be asked, how were you "doing it" wrong?

Just little things like eating the sides like they were anti-pasta instead of putting it in the soup. Not dipping the meats in a dish of shiracha and hoisin sauce (although optional). Not pre-testing the broth.

Next stop: Gotta try one of them Vietnamese sandwiches.

quote:

Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
I have taken SigForum members to Pho Bac by where I work in Chamblee.

It must have been 8-9 years ago when we all met up there for lunch, I think someone called it Chambodia. Was really good too.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
^I'm seeing some inventive restaurant names.

This one is a local San Jose favorite, minutes from where I live.

What The Pho is a restaurant in Santa Rosa, CA.

https://www.whatsthephoca.com

I miss the days of inexpensive pho & banh mi thit before they became mainstream. Banh mi sandwiches used to be commonly had for ~$2.

Just about every Sunday night. Oklahoma City has some good places.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ibanda:
Just about every Sunday night. Oklahoma City has some good places.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
Just little things like eating the sides like they were anti-pasta instead of putting it in the soup. Not dipping the meats in a dish of shiracha and hoisin sauce (although optional). Not pre-testing the broth.

Next stop: Gotta try one of them Vietnamese sandwiches.

Gotta admit I've never eaten the sides that way, but I was introduced to pho by a couple of San Jose Gang unit members. Always test thebroth first, there is a lot of variation between shops. I usually just squirt my shiracha and hoisin into the bowl.

Banh Mi is light, refreshing, and filling without being heavy. My favorite protein is beef tongue

I'm even more impressed to see how much work goes into making this.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
And yes, I was doing it wrong, though still loving it. I'm a better man now.

I do it wrong every time my wife and I go… it’s how I like it.

I get a vermicelli bowl with grilled pork. No noodles, no bean sprouts. Just salad and meat. Substitute peanut sauce for the fish sauce. I add hoisin and sriracha to the peanut sauce and pour it over the salad and meat. Mix it all up and eat.

The only wrong way to do it, is to make it the way you don’t like it.

I was dating a Lao lady for a while, she made it for me a few times, most of the dishes she made were fire and I couldn't handle the heat. She would make a wussy version of green papaya salad for me that was phenomenal

The best place near me for Pho is a place called Saigon Cafe. I usually add basil, cilantro, mint, red pepper sauce and fish sauce to mine