Mary in Vancity

There is this small restaurant in Surrey called Pho Hoa.  The outside of it is not much to look at. Located beside a vegetable market, it’s almost easy to miss all together. Once inside, the place is not much to look at. Standard, cookie cutter furnishings adorn the room, and the service is nothing spectacular. Just your standard, small, restaurant.

So why is this place packed day in and day out?

The food.

I’m not big on franchises. Dining out is not cheap, so I try to focus on one-of-a-kind experiences. For Pho Hoa I will make an exception.

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Pho hoa has franchises all over Canada and the US. Pho refers to the type of rice noodle they use. It’s a Vietnamese chicken or beef broth, that combined with the noodles and other toppings makes an excellent and tasty meal.

If this is your first time trying Pho, You might start with a simple, yet tasty Phở Tái – Noodle soup with eye round steak. It comes to your table piping hot and cooked medium rare. Let it sit awhile longer if you wish your meat cooked well done. From there you can add all sorts of tasty toppings –  green chillies, scallions, lemon, green basil, meatballs, brisket, fatty flanks, even tripe. It depends how adventurous you’re feeling.

I’m a big fan of their Vermicelli bowls. My favourite is the Bún Thịt Nướng Chả Giò – Grilled Pork and Fried Roll served with thin vermicelli noodles and vegetable. It comes with this tasty sweet vinegar sauce and I can’t get enough of it. Every time I go, it’s the one thing I order.

The portions are massive. For about $10 you get a meal that easily could be turned into two.

Pho Hoa is also known for their bubble tea drinks. My favourite is a blended drink with pearls, made with fresh strawberries. Just fantastic.

Follow them on twitter @PhoHoa