In addition to bread and sandwiches, Chad likes pho (noodle soup served with beef or chicken). He knows many shops that serve pho with northern and southern tastes. Some of the pho shops have become his favorite destinations.

Most recently, Chad and his friend Fred enjoyed pho at a shop on Nguyen Trai street in district 5, which specializes in pho with a truly southern taste.

The pho shop has been opened since 1970, and over many years, it has always been crowded.

Fred, also an American, said he likes pho and has visited the pho shop many times in the past. 

He said he had sampled 11 different bowls of pho with different tastes to find the most delicious in HCM City. He believes the pho provided by the shop on Nguyen Trai street is the best in HCM City.

According to Fred, the special ingredient is the broth, with strong flavor and aroma of beef and spices. When he visits the shop, he mostly orders pho nam bo (noodle soup with brisket and meat balls).

Chad said that this is the best southern-style pho shop in district 5.

“This pho is processed with the southern traditional taste. There is not much spring small onion like northern-style pho,” Chad commented. “There are also additional spices diners can add into their bowls of pho, including chili and pickled garlic."

The two American diners have deep knowledge about the Vietnamese traditional dish. They add a little lemon juice, sa te (a kind of sauce).

“I like thin noodles instead of thick ones. The broth here is strong and it tastes better when you add a little of sa te,” Chad said.

Fred said that pho is like a dish to help sober up, which can make the body less tired and more refreshed. For the foreign diner, pho tastes best when eaten late at night or early in the morning.

Phan Dau