3 June 2015

Best of Canberra - Pho

| Amy M
Join the conversation
21
pho hub duck noodle soup garnish

From Saigon rolls stuffed with pate, crisp vegetables and pork to handmade rice paper rolls and bottomless bowls of noodle soup, Vietnamese street food has a lot going for it.

This week we’re on the hunt for one of Vietnam’s most recognisable culinary exports: pho. Inexpensive, filling and fresh, it’s no surprise that this famous noodle soup is a go-to lunch for many.

For the uninitiated, pho is a steaming hot bowl of full-flavoured broth, rice noodles and rare beef (or chicken, duck or seafood – though purists may frown upon the latter). It is usually served alongside a generous amount of fresh chilli, Vietnamese basil, lime wedges and beansprouts, which you add according to your own tastes.

Of course, those who’ve spent time in Vietnam will insist that the best pho can only be found on the streets of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, but I’m confident there are plenty of Canberra restaurants serving up authentic, delicious pho that would make a Vietnamese street vendor proud.

From food court gems to fancier Vietnamese restaurants, tell me Canberra, who makes the best pho in town? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll try the two most popular options and share the verdict in next Monday’s taste off article.

Join the conversation

21
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

try out PHO@DICKSON in Dickson, the best Vietnamese Cuisine in Canberra, great service.

We always enjoy Can Tho in Weedon Close, Belconnen. The Pho never fails (but give the Chinese dishes a miss!)

bryansworld said :

astrojax said :

zllauh said :

i am not a fan of such food but a lot of my friends go to Pho Phu Quoc. I can’t even pronounce it :p
+1 for them

it’s pronounced more or less like: fur foo cock…

Actually, more like “fur foo kwok”. But you need to get the tones right too.

brianfantana2:28 pm 04 Jun 15

Tried out Pho @ Dickson last week and it was sensational.

One of my favourites is Simply Pho in the Gungahlin Town Centre. The pho is ‘clean’, fresh and absolutely flavoursome.

dreamlikecheese11:54 pm 03 Jun 15

Another vote for Tu Do in O’Connor and iPho in Garema Place. Ignore the stupid name, it’s actually really good, and as a bonus their Vietnamese style spring rolls are the closest I’ve found in Canberra to the real deal (actually, them and Hoang Hau in Kingston, but I’m getting off topic now).

karmatraveller10:12 pm 03 Jun 15

My partner and I had the Pho from the Miss Van pop up at West Side Acton two weeks ago.

He the rare beef, myself the special. Not quite as big a serving at what you find at other places in the city, but this was hands down the best Pho we’ve had outside of Vietnam. A matter of quality over quantity.

Previous to this place, Pho Phu Quoc in Dickson was the best.

mossrocket said :

iPho. Garema Place. Tastes like pho from Ho Chi Minh. i.e. legit.

+1 for iPho.
Bonus points for packaging their takeaway as separate elements, so you can create the dish that suits your taste.

Saigon Foodies in Kingston. The stock has a lot more subtlety and depth than other pho’s I’ve had in Canberra. Run by a lovely mother-daughter duo too.

astrojax said :

zllauh said :

i am not a fan of such food but a lot of my friends go to Pho Phu Quoc. I can’t even pronounce it :p
+1 for them

it’s pronounced more or less like: fur foo cock…

Actually, more like “fur foo kwok”. But you need to get the tones right too.

We really need more Pho places in Canberra.

zllauh said :

i am not a fan of such food but a lot of my friends go to Pho Phu Quoc. I can’t even pronounce it :p
+1 for them

it’s pronounced more or less like: fur foo cock…

i am not a fan of such food but a lot of my friends go to Pho Phu Quoc. I can’t even pronounce it :p
+1 for them

Dame Canberra9:51 am 03 Jun 15

Pho Hub!

Plus 1 for Tudo in O’Connor! (Their rare beef noodle pho – amazing!)

tu do, or pho phu quoc – my two go to places and hard to split. perhaps o’connor if pushed…

BombaySapphire1:26 pm 02 Jun 15

Another vote for Tu Do in O’Connor!

Vietnamese House in Woden. I’ve tried other places and their never as good.

mmm Pho…

iPho. Garema Place. Tastes like pho from Ho Chi Minh. i.e. legit.

Simply Pho in Gungahlin is pretty damn tasty. The Simply Pho has rare beef and beef balls. The Extreme has tripe, sinew and the rare beef. There’s also a chicken version if you like that.

Pho Phu Quoc in Dickson is the only place I can go to now for pho – its so good they ruined everywhere else for me!

The best place is Tu Do in O’Connor.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.