There'S A New Pho In Town ...

[Jingthing]

Saigon Cafe at the Central Mall now has a special beef pho on the menu. It's on the special menu card they put on the table.

It features three beef meats, what they call rare steak, their beef balls which they claim to make themselves, and BRISKET.

The smallish size is similar to their standard pho.

To my taste, the BROTH tasted richer with more authentic pho spices than I recall from their regular pho. It's possible that the fat from the brisket just seeped in and fooled my taste buds, so I am not really sure they have improved the broth base or not. In any case, be warned this is a very fatty broth, too fatty actually, but let's face it, fat tastes good.

The rare steak wasn't really rare, and was the same low grade leather Thai beef we are sadly used to. The beef balls were pretty good, but beef balls are like hot dogs, you know you are eating something nasty in there, and surely lots of fat. The brisket such as it was, was the feature, but about 80 percent fat.

It's priced at 199 baht. That price is too high for the portion size and low quality of the so called rare beef. However, the overall flavor experience was the closest to real pho I have yet to have in Thailand.

The cafe currently offers low season discounts on all food except specials. 20 percent off on Wednesdays, and I think 10 percent on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Edited October 23, 2011 by Jingthing

[Pattaya46]

has a special beef pho on the menu

What is a "pho" ??

[FarangBuddha]

has a special beef pho on the menu

What is a "pho" ??

I think something like Vietnamese noodle soup...of course, you could just Google it.

[Pattaya46]

I think something like Vietnamese noodle soup...

Thank's

of course, you could just Google it.

Did it, but just could not understand it with the title "There's a new pho in town" ...

[Jingthing]

What the pho? Pho you. You won't regret it unless you don't like wet noodles.

[eljeque]

Thank you for providing more good food information. You do this quite often JingThing.

The Vietnamese restaurant on 3rd Road, 100? meters north of Central Pattaya Road is also good, but I do not rememebr them having pho.

[Jingthing]

Yes I tried that place and definitely enjoyed the food, Thai style Viet though it is. They do not have pho and based on talking to the owner, they won't ever have pho. Wouldn't it be great to get a specialized pho restaurant in town that actually cooks the spiced broth correctly (it takes several hours) and uses decent quality beef? Oh well ...

Actually I don't even know if there would be a demand for a REAL specialized pho restaurant here. I know in the US major cities now have scores of them and they attract many non-Vietnamese, but I don't think Thais would prefer it to Thai style soup. To do right it would have to be more expensive than Thai soup, the spices, the specialized ingredients and extra labor for the broth, and of course the better quality beef. People are used to getting noodle soup here for nothing. Of course a specialized place could have efficiencies doing this in volume assuming there would be a volume of buyers.

Edited October 23, 2011 by Jingthing

[Ulysses G.]

I was never impressed by Pho in Vietnam. When I visited often, it was fashionable to use factory noodles and the beef was not any good either. However, I have not visited in many years, so I would guess that the quality of meat there has improved a lot.

Edited October 23, 2011 by Ulysses G.

[Jingthing]

I had some good pho in Hanoi. But I had even better pho in San Jose!

http://www.phofever.com/restaurants/california.php?city=san+jose

Edited October 23, 2011 by Jingthing

[bergen]

I remember Pho and other Vietnamese food as tasteless from when I visited Saigon/HCM city back in the mid 90's, and longing to get back to spicy Thai food!

[Jingthing]

I remember Pho and other Vietnamese food as tasteless from when I visited Saigon/HCM city back in the mid 90's, and longing to get back to spicy Thai food!

Understood but that's not entirely fair. Pho broth is not hot and spicy but it is made with spices. Also hot peppers should be offered on the side to heat up the broth if you wish and there is also the Sriracha sauce which can be put in the soup or as I prefer to dip the meat into on the side. I reckon the reason pho is so good in the US is the decent quality beef cheap.

Also consider from a culinary point of view, tom yum broth can be made in minutes, an authentic pho broth takes SEVERAL hours (which is probably why Thai cooks won't bother and/or they think that's just wrong).

I am a lazy cook myself and can cook tom yum myself and used to cook it all the time in the US. I would never take the bother to cook pho. It's meant to be cooked by specialist restaurants.

Edited October 23, 2011 by Jingthing

[Fookhaht]

After traveling throughout Vietnam and Vietnamese communities in N. America, the best Pho I've had has likewise been in N. America (Seattle) where the quality of beef, particularly, is by far better than in Asia.

Also, posters are right about the broth being the key albeit difficult to create. Under Vietnamese friends' tutoring, I slaved over a month to learn how to cook Pho broth at home in the states. It literally took over 30 tries at it until my Vietnamese friends smiled and complimented "just like Viet pho!." Perhaps they were just being kind after tiring of sampling my attempts.

Edited October 23, 2011 by Fookhaht

[bergen]

If it didn't taste much in the country of origin, I wouldn't run to try it elsewhere........ ,

but then again - I might give it a try if only to refresh my short memory.

[happyaussie]

I currently live in Vietnam and trust me, Vietnamese food in Vietnam is crap. I've had dozens of different Pho's and am yet to be impressed. Basically it's like dish water. Thai noodle soup is far superior.

[lekatai]

Well,sorry "Happyaussie" but I must disagree with you.I've lived in Vietnam for 18 months now,after 5 years living in Thailand and Cambodia.and in my opinion,the standard of food here, certainly street food and small cafe's and restaurants, is far better than that in Thailand.OK I don't like really spicy food,which is one reason I prefer it here.In fact one of the reasons we moved to Vietnam was after spending 6 weeks last year traveling around Vietnam,and finding the best street food I've eaten in Asia.It wasn't the only reason,or even the major reason for moving here,but it was a factor in our decision.

[Jingthing]

I can't really speak about Pho in Vietnam because my experience is limited there, but Pho in the US is very popular and usually very good, and I reckon authentic enough (as if that matters) as there are always plenty of ethnic Viets at most of the places. One can love good Pho and also love good Thai soups as well. It's not a contest.

If you already don't love Pho, I wouldn't make a special trip to get the Saigon Cafe Pho. I thought I made it clear if you're desperate for Pho like experience, there it is, for Pho-missing expats. Great pho, it is not. If I was a visiting American from a city with plenty of Pho, I would definitely not bother with the Saigon Cafe here.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Jingthing

[happyaussie]

Well,sorry "Happyaussie" but I must disagree with you.I've lived in Vietnam for 18 months now,after 5 years living in Thailand and Cambodia.and in my opinion,the standard of food here, certainly street food and small cafe's and restaurants, is far better than that in Thailand.OK I don't like really spicy food,which is one reason I prefer it here.In fact one of the reasons we moved to Vietnam was after spending 6 weeks last year traveling around Vietnam,and finding the best street food I've eaten in Asia.It wasn't the only reason,or even the major reason for moving here,but it was a factor in our decision.

Suppose it depends on where you live. Because in my humble opinion there is no comparison. Thailand has by far and away the BEST street food in Asia. Clean, fresh and tasty. Anything from a nice BBQ, to stirfried noodles, yum. There are two things the Vietnamese do better and that's coffee and bread. A legacy from the French no doubt. Vietnamese food in US and Australia is excellent and I'm sure there are some exceptional restaurants in Vietnam. I'm just yet to find one. But I won't give up.

[zorro1]

There is a large Vietnamese community on OZ and I miss their daily soups in winter. This is what it should look like with the meat very rare along with a plate of basil? /been sprout and chopped chilli

[Ulysses G.]

Vietnamese food in US and Australia is excellent and I'm sure there are some exceptional restaurants in Vietnam. I'm just yet to find one. But I won't give up.

By far the best Vietnamese retaurant I've ever eaten at was called Indochine in Hanoi about 14 years ago and I lived there for a while. It was very close to the train station in an old French mansion and the staff wore traditional Vietnamese costumes.

I shared lots of food and a few beers with friends and it came up to $10. U.S. each.

[tailspin]

a decent real pho In Vietnam should run 20-30 baht...all the same ingredients are available here so should cost no more....the So Cal places no doubt have better beef and cater to a different crowd....the original is much better...better to eat kwai teow(sp.) in Thailand....

[Jingthing]

I think a premium price for Pho in Thailand is justified as it is not a local food, so it's a value add. Like I said in the OP, 199 baht for what they serve as a special pho at the restaurant in question is definitely over the top. If they did it really well properly cooking the broth and served good quality meat, it would be worth more than 199 here. So it's all relative.

Edited October 26, 2011 by Jingthing

[PattayaParent]

a decent real pho In Vietnam should run 20-30 baht...all the same ingredients are available here so should cost no more....the So Cal places no doubt have better beef and cater to a different crowd....the original is much better...better to eat kwai teow(sp.) in Thailand....

The noodles are different according to my VN food expert.

[Jingthing]

Interesting. I don't really know what kind of noodles good pho restaurants use. This link talks about fresh rather than dried noodles. In any case, there is no doubt that doing PROPER Pho, especially the broth, is a lot of work! A lot more work than Thai soups, period.

Let's face it, if it was EASY, it would be available in Thailand considering many people would be willing to pay a premium for it.

http://steamykitchen.com/3136-crock-pot-pho.html

Edited October 28, 2011 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

Going to add a brief update to this thread.

Saigon Cafe, I feel, is rather underappreciated for what it is.

Over the years, they continue to adapt, periodically adding interesting menu items and openly welcoming the Russian market.

I am happy that they are clearly doing well enough to stay open!

Their bun bowls are definitely quite decent and definitely Vietnamese tasting.

They have now added Singaporean LAKSA to the menu at 137 baht.

It turned out to be a generous portion of somewhat serviceable laksa, rich with ample seafood but tasting a bit flat and one dimensional. Still worth the money anyway if you crave something laksa-esque.

Also new to me on the menu, a large soft shell crab served with a Vietnamese style mango salad at 88 baht, I think an excellent value.

I don't recommend their pho.

Worth a revisit if you haven't been in a while.

No, not everything on the menu is worth ordering, but lots of it is either good or even very good.

Cheers.

Edited April 3, 2012 by Jingthing

[Whyowhy]

There are some very good Thai beef noodle soup shops in town, very similar to Pho except without either the generosity of the bowl of bean sprouts and fresh basil or the hot and Hoisin sauces, but a good replacement for Pho in Pattaya.

[Jingthing]

There are some very good Thai beef noodle soup shops in town, very similar to Pho except without either the generosity of the bowl of bean sprouts and fresh basil or the hot and Hoisin sauces, but a good replacement for Pho in Pattaya.

The key to the real Viet flavor is the BROTH which to do properly is a complicated thing to cook, must have the proper spices, and taking several hours. Thai style is quick quick broth.

Thai beef noodle soup couldn't possibly ever satisfy a craving for Vietnamese pho. It can be good for what it is, but it is nothing like Pho.

Similar issue with Thai style Japanese food. Cooking a proper Japanese ramen broth is a masterful endeavor. In Thailand, except for specialized places catering to Japanese, again quick quick broth. I don't actually know any place in Pattaya doing ramen properly either but there might be. Pho, I think it doesn't exist here.

Edited April 3, 2012 by Jingthing

[Javabear]

Is this Saigon Bistro on the top floor of Central Festival? I've had the Pho their and I thought it was good but I've never had it anywhere else. I like the beef and onion sandwich. The wife and I make a point to visit whenever we are in Pattaya.

[Whyowhy]

There are some very good Thai beef noodle soup shops in town, very similar to Pho except without either the generosity of the bowl of bean sprouts and fresh basil or the hot and Hoisin sauces, but a good replacement for Pho in Pattaya.

The key to the real Viet flavor is the BROTH which to do properly is a complicated thing to cook, must have the proper spices, and taking several hours. Thai style is quick quick broth.

Thai beef noodle soup couldn't possibly ever satisfy a craving for Vietnamese pho. It can be good for what it is, but it is nothing like Pho.

Similar issue with Thai style Japanese food. Cooking a proper Japanese ramen broth is a masterful endeavor. In Thailand, except for specialized places catering to Japanese, again quick quick broth. I don't actually know any place in Pattaya doing ramen properly either but there might be. Pho, I think it doesn't exist here.

The restaurant on Sukumvit where I go when I get the chance has a great broth and generous with the Beef although portion size is small. They do nothing but beef soup. I just end up ordering 3 bowls. Like with Pho restaurant you can pick and choose your beef types (lean, balls, tendons). It's north though, past the flyover (west side) next to large pet bird shop. Best beef noodle soup in Thailand!

Japanese ramen I was not impressed with, very minimal, perhaps the broth is good but very little in the way 'guts' besides the rehydrated noodle.

[Jingthing]

Is this Saigon Bistro on the top floor of Central Festival? I've had the Pho their and I thought it was good but I've never had it anywhere else. I like the beef and onion sandwich. The wife and I make a point to visit whenever we are in Pattaya.

Yes, that's the place. To me, it does not taste like authentically cooked Pho broth. For that matter, neither did the Laksa broth.

[Jingthing]

There are some very good Thai beef noodle soup shops in town, very similar to Pho except without either the generosity of the bowl of bean sprouts and fresh basil or the hot and Hoisin sauces, but a good replacement for Pho in Pattaya.

The key to the real Viet flavor is the BROTH which to do properly is a complicated thing to cook, must have the proper spices, and taking several hours. Thai style is quick quick broth.

Thai beef noodle soup couldn't possibly ever satisfy a craving for Vietnamese pho. It can be good for what it is, but it is nothing like Pho.

Similar issue with Thai style Japanese food. Cooking a proper Japanese ramen broth is a masterful endeavor. In Thailand, except for specialized places catering to Japanese, again quick quick broth. I don't actually know any place in Pattaya doing ramen properly either but there might be. Pho, I think it doesn't exist here.

The restaurant on Sukumvit where I go when I get the chance has a great broth and generous with the Beef although portion size is small. They do nothing but beef soup. I just end up ordering 3 bowls. Like with Pho restaurant you can pick and choose your beef types (lean, balls, tendons). It's north though, past the flyover (west side) next to large pet bird shop. Best beef noodle soup in Thailand!

Japanese ramen I was not impressed with, very minimal, perhaps the broth is good but very little in the way 'guts' besides the rehydrated noodle.

A Thai beef noodle soup broth could of course be good, but it's not imaginable that they would use the same technique or spices as a Viet pho broth. Edited April 4, 2012 by Jingthing