Unfortunately Pho An was closed when we got there. That’s good to know about teh cooked bean sprouts. I really love bean sprouts but find it hard to fit the raw ones into the bowl and I prefer them slightly more cooked anyway. I’ll do that next time. I don’t quite agree with charging the $3.50 for an empty bowl although I can see why they do it so that people don’t share. But sometimes you just can’t fit it all in.

I actually prefer Bun to Phở as I love the fresh crunch of salad and meat together. I must try making it myself!

I love durian. At home, I tend to be the one that gobbles most of it up! The boys in my household don’t even try and pretend they are tough enough with the ’stinky’ fruit. My brother hates it and refuses to eat it. My dad dislikes it, and often says the smell gives him a headache.

On the pronunciation front, it’s hard trying to spell out phonetically vietnamese sounds to non-native speakers, and even when you say it I often get sounds which are nowhere close when they’re relayed. My Canh is pronounced sort of like “me gun” Both words are said rather drawn out and long sounds, and each sounds almost as though you’re asking a question. Hope that helps!

Pho An is a great pho place! It most likely is loaded up on MSG, but it’s not something you tend to think about when you’re eating tasty soupy noodles. The servings are huge but a bowl of pho there is very expensive! The last time I was there, it was probably about $11 a bowl for the pho bo dac biet (the special beef noodle soup, which has the different types of beef, tripe, tendons etc) so you’re looking at at least a couple dollars more than two doors down at my canh. I don’t think I tend to eat pho out anywhere else though. Most viet places tend to have rubbish pho compared to Mum’s cooking!! The broth at pho an is great because it doesn’t have that awfully ‘meaty’ smell…and they have very speedy service. I’m quite the opposite to you though, I LOVE loading up my pho with basil and bean sprouts. I can’t stand pho with a strong meaty smelly broth. Lots of basil and bean sprouts for me! Word of advice, if you like bean sprouts but find that what they give you is never enough (as is always the case for me), at pho an if you ask for “cooked sprouts” they’ll bring out a little plate of cooked bean sprouts free of charge (and since the raw sprouts comes out with the basil and lemon, that plate comes out as well) Pho An also have the surcharge for take-away. They also do this ridculous thing where they charge you for an extra empty bowl to share (even if it’s for a child) at an inflated price of $3.50 or so. Sometimes I just CANNOT fit in even a small bowl when I could easily share half a large bowl with someone, but I refuse to pay for an extra empty bowl. I remember when I was younger I never ordered my own bowl and used to get spare for free and just take parts of everyone else’s meals! Interesting bit of trivia, pho an used to be located where my canh is now.

I’m not a big fan of bun (definitely not like a bread bun, it’s pronounced almost like “boong”, this is a short sound though and once again, almost as if you’re asking a question. You don’t really pronounce the g though) but it’s cheap and very easy to make. Goes with anything! Great with spring rolls. When I”m feeling extremely lazy, I tend to whip up some bun and top it with thin strips of beef, lemongrass, onion and curry cooked almost satay style. Lots of fish sauce of course.

Hi Maria-I went to another place this weekend which was also charging 50c for a takeaway container. Perhaps it’s a trend! :S

Whilst I thought that the Durian was a bit unpleasant, I’d definitely recommend trying the avocado shake, it’s really not like having a lot of avocado. Although like you, I tend to have water instead of wasting stomach space and calories on drinks-but that’s what husband’s are for. to drink the rest of what you wanted to have a sip of!

Thankyou!

I really enjoy Pho -so does hubby. I’d not heard of the “Bun” dish before.. I was indeed imagining a bread roll bun! It sounded like something yummy!

I saw the episode of Food Safari you mentioned. I see in the TV guide this week it’ll be Greek food? Come to think of it.. I’ve seen it on the commercials too -so you probably have too?

I would never think to order a Durian shake.. or even an Avocado one.. which I’m embarrased to admit. I usually like to think of myself as a “will try anything” foodie. But if faced with a shake menu like that.. I’d have probably ignored it. To be honest.. I guess it’s because wherever I go I just seem to drink water. I don’t do sweetened beverages much at all. I prefer to eat my calories it seems.. or leave room for more food?!

I sometimes find the Thai basil a bit overpowering too.. so only tear-up a small amount to stir through the soup.

Thanks for another lovely post Lorraine