The last time I’ve been to Vietnam was a year ago and I’ve been missing the food over there ever since. I fell in love with Vietnamese cuisine when I had my first bowl of Phở (noodle soup) right along the small eateries along busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City. How could simple bowl of beef noodles taste this good? I thought. The aroma from the crushed basil leaves and rosemary and the appetizing spicy fish sauce is what wheys my appetite for more authentic Vietnamese food. I still remember that burst of flavours in my mouth when I took a bite of the fresh Vietnamese springroll,Gỏi Cuốn. This is what makes Vietnamese cuisine so special and unique – where large leafy herbs are incorporated in every dish. It’s healthy, full of fibre, delicious and tantalising. As I’m typing this, I’m craving for some Bánh xèo (savoury fried pancakes).
So last Thursday, I had my cravings satisfied when a vietnamese good friend of mine brought Esther and I to Pho Hoa noodle soup restaurant at Suntec City Mall. In fact, this isn’t my first time visiting Pho Hoa as I’ve visited their franchise store at Holland Village. Maybe it’s just me as I felt that the food served here tasted much better than food served at the Holland Village’s outlet. Moreover, the newly-constructed restaurant is more spacious and inviting as compared to the less-spacious outlet in the west of Singapore.
Anyway, the food served here has to be good if not my dearest Vietnamese friend wouldn’t have brought me here! According to her, the vietnamese food at Long Phung (along East Coast Road) is even better than this. I’m pretty satisfied with the food served here at Pho Hoa as if tasted quite authentic. Well, then Vietnamese food at Long Phung has to be doubly awesome! Having said that, I think I would have to plan another Vietnamese eat-out session with her again. Can’t wait!
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
Ice Milk Coffee
The food here is pretty good in general but I’m just quite unsatisfied with the Vietnamese coffee served at Pho Hoa. It tasted nothing like the ones served in Vietnam. In fact, it tasted like the instant KOPI-O mixed with condensed milk. It’s too sweet and has no caffeine kick. The authentic Vietnamese coffee has a stronger roasted aroma and a fuller taste.
Chạo tôm
Grilled shrimp paste on a sugarcane stick
This is a dish orginated from Huế, central Vietnam and it is usually dipped in chili sauce. This appetizer is truly delicious and looks appetizing with its golden brown coat of bread crumbs. Here, the sugarcane stick is used creatively as a skewer and you could definitely chew on to that for some sweet sugarcane juice!
Phở Bò
Beef noodle soup
My friends ordered the Vietnamese beef noodle soup while I ordered Bún Gà Nướng (below). I tried the soup base only and boy, it’s thick and flavourful! Even though Pho Hoa was originated from the States, their way of preparing the soup is quite authentic. In fact, they specialize in naturally flavoured and healthy soup! Does that mean they do away with MSG?
Phở Bò
The beef noodles is usually served with fresh basil leaves, some lettuce and raw bean sprouts where you could simply toss them into the hot steaming bowl of noodle soup. If you don’t like the taste of raw bean sprouts, you could always request for cooked ones.
Bún Gà Nướng
Grilled Chicken served with thin vermicelli noodles, fried spring roll and vegetables like shredded carrots, beansprouts and lettuce. If you are a veggie-lover like me, you will love this.It’s like cold-served dry noodles that comes together with a small bowl of nước mắm, fish sauce. The portion is huge!
I miss eating Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich) for breakfast in Vietnam!
Pho Hoa Noodle Soup Restaurant
3 Temasek Boulevard
3 Temasek Boulevard
#03-027 Suntec City Mall
Singapore 038983
Tel: +65-6333 5338
