Flavor Boulevard

We Asians like to talk food.
Subscribe

Phở Hòa – Is it just another noodle joint?

March 20, 2010 By: Mai Truong Category: California - The Bay Area, Comfort food, noodle soup, Vietnamese


It looks like one of those noodle houses on the roadside with plastic chairs, formica tables, laminated menu, and plain white neon lights. Actually, it is one, but with green cushion chairs. The atmosphere is so casual, the slurping scenes so familiar I could almost hear motorbike engines and vendors’ calls around Saigon. Everywhere I look, Berkeley brings back memories of Binh Thanh and Tan Binh Districts with its frameless mix of dashing modernity and forlorn architecture, damp narrow alleys separating discordantly colorful buildings, shoe mending stores tucked between pricey diners, Vespas, bicycles, cars, trucks, men in suit and men in rag, the only thing missing is a xich-lo. Like it or not, this world doesn’t stay outside noodle houses like Pho Hoa, you can eat while feeling life scurry on the pavement. The diners casually bring the commonest of life into their chatter. The kitchen brings the commonest of noodle soup onto the table.

But only they added a twist to it. Of course eighty percent of the menu is laminated with things every pho joint would have: pho. Pho of all varieties, Steak, Brisket, Chicken, Tendon, Flank, Tripe, Meatball.  Then at the very bottom of the page, estranged by all other pho’s, is Seafood Sour.


I first heard of sour pho a few months ago. The regional specialty of northern province Lạng Sơn sounds exciting: tamarind sauce, a ladle or two of chicken broth, a handful of chicken meat and innards, fried shallot and crushed peanuts, structurally somewhat like mỳ Quảng (Quảng Nam noodle) and cao lầu (Hội An noodle). So as soon as I saw “sour pho”, I leaped at the chance. Fifteen minutes later, the eight-dollar-and-ninety-five-cent chance looked me in the eye with fiery inquisition, “maybe it’s a little too much chili paste?” I sniffed and hawked, blew and gulped, a sip of water now and then between spoonfuls of the clear red broth. It is definitely not the sour pho of Lang Son. Not only copious amount of squid, shrimp and salmon replaces chicken gizzards, but the sourness comes from pineapple and tomato instead of tamarind, and your rice noodle gets lost in the sea. It is pho and canh chua entanglement, harmoniously with joy in crescendo.

But some part of me will forever crave meat. Big chunks. Marinated. Sauce dripping. A tad of fat to loosen the muscle. Bits of tendon to brighten the chew. Meat that is bold and brown. Like a beef stew.

We found it demoted to the menu’s bottom league with Seafood Sour.  Bò kho is Vietnamese beef stew with a complex wealth of tastes, a French-influenced Southerner’s display of abundance, and an ambrosial love of Mudpie. Star anise and cinnamon link bo kho with pho, annato seeds make it color-stricken like claypot fish, nuoc mam gives it the regional stamp. All for a mere $7.65. The quality doesn’t lie in the beef, but in every bite of baguette wholeheartedly dipped in that rich, peppery, daring juice. E V E R Y bite. Only found at:

Pho Hoa Noodle Soup
2272 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 540-9228

UPDATE: This location is now closed.

Other pho houses in Berkeley: Le Petit Cheval (student-pocket-friendly), Le Regal (big-pocket-friendly)

0 Comments to “Phở Hòa – Is it just another noodle joint?”


  1. Good, I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.

    1
  2. I was just seeking this info for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this type of informative sites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.

    2
  3. What’s Happening i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help different users like its helped me. Good job.

    3
  4. Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.

    4
  5. You have mentioned very interesting points! ps decent web site.

    5
  6. Nice blog right here! Also your site rather a lot up fast! What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your associate link for your host? I want my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

    6
  7. I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

    7
  8. I really enjoy reading on this internet site, it contains wonderful articles.

    8
  9. Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!

    9
  10. Just what I was looking for, thanks for posting.

    10
  11. Regards for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.

    11
  12. I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my web site 🙂

    12
  13. There is clearly a lot to know about this. I feel you made certain nice points in features also.

    13
  14. I’ve read several good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much attempt you set to make the sort of excellent informative web site.

    14
  15. The link points to helpful resources. What you find there deserves looking at closely. https://shop.bloomgraphics.com.au/favorite-rest-recheck-article-597768-21/

    15
  16. I conceive other website proprietors should take this website as an example , very clean and fantastic user pleasant design and style.

    16
  17. Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! “Love is made in heaven and consummated on earth.” by John Lyly.

    17
  18. Really wonderful info can be found on blog.

    18
  19. Nice article, I learned a lot from this blog. Keep it up!. Bookmarked for later reading.

    19
  20. It’s onerous to seek out educated folks on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re speaking about! Thanks

    20
  21. Hi there would you mind letting me know which web host you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a reasonable price? Thanks, I appreciate it!

    21
  22. This internet site is my inspiration , real excellent design and perfect content material.

    22
  23. Utterly composed subject material, thanks for information. “He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.” by Michel de Montaigne.

    23
  24. An attention-grabbing dialogue is worth comment. I believe that it is best to write more on this topic, it won’t be a taboo topic however usually people are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

    24
  25. Hello my friend! I wish to say that this article is amazing, nice written and come with approximately all vital infos. I’d like to look extra posts like this .

    25
  26. 누누티비의 서비스 종료 이력과 같은 이름의 사이트를 확인할 때 알아둘 내용을 정리했습니다. 드라마·영화 다시보기 제공 여부, 회차·자막·화질 확인 방법과 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.

    26
  27. 누누티비의 서비스 종료 이력과 같은 이름의 사이트를 확인할 때 알아둘 내용을 정리했습니다. 드라마·영화 다시보기 제공 여부, 회차·자막·화질 확인 방법과 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.

    27
  28. Qumar oyunları insanlara xüsusi zövq verir çünki bu oyunlar maraqlı gedişat və emosional canlılıq duyğusu doğurur. Oyunun gedişi iştirakçılara qazanma sevinci və qərar vermə şansı bəxş edir bu da emosional müxtəliflik əlavə edir. https://aloysionunes.com/all/408/2.html Üstəlik azart oyunları yaxınlarla paylaşaraq keçirilən maraqlı vaxt və dostluq mühiti yaradır hansı ki iştiraka dərin zövq qatır.

    28
  29. Sports wagering is a popular type of entertainment that brings thrilling interest for watching sports. It enables fans to connect more closely in their favorite sports and to challenge their understanding through a enjoyable way. https://intercom.help/best-betting/en/articles/17762481 Responsible online betting within pre-set boundaries ensures the activity entertaining and supports users from excessive spending.

    29
  30. 부산오피를 검색하며 부산 지역 일반 마사지·스파를 알아보는 분들을 위한 안내입니다. 프로그램 선택, 관리 시간과 비용, 시설·위생, 주차, 예약 전 확인사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 정리했습니다.

    30
  31. 광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의

    31
  32. This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen

    32
  33. Качественное спортивное питание в процессе тренировок во время занятий в зале играет значимую роль поскольку помогает восстанавливать потери сил и удерживать тонус. Такой рацион снабжает тело нужными компонентами — аминокислотами энергией и минералами и это улучшает регенерацию после нагрузок и улучшает эффективность. купить пептиды Именно поэтому грамотный подход к спортивному питанию стоит рассматривать как обязательную часть регулярного режима а не в качестве дополнение.

    33
  34. 여기여에서 검색·콘텐츠·학습·디자인·개발·생활 분야의 링크모음과 주소모음을 살펴보세요. 사이트 주소 확인법, 모바일 이용법, 북마크 정리, 접속 문제 해결 방법과 FAQ를 안내합니다.

    34
  35. 여기여에서 검색·콘텐츠·학습·디자인·개발·생활 분야의 링크모음과 주소모음을 살펴보세요. 사이트 주소 확인법, 모바일 이용법, 북마크 정리, 접속 문제 해결 방법과 FAQ를 안내합니다.

    35
  36. Really nice post! I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Very helpful article, thanks again.

    36
  37. Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such magnificent info being shared freely out there.

    37
  38. Keep up the superb piece of work, I read few blog posts on this website and I conceive that your website is rattling interesting and holds lots of wonderful info .

    38
  39. I’ve read several good stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to create such a great informative site.

    39
  40. 광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의

    40
  41. 광주호빠를 찾는 분을 위한 광주광역시 예약 안내. 라운지 분위기, 인원별 공간 선택, 가격 상담, 첫 방문 준비와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하고 원하는 일정에 맞춰 문의

    41
  42. 대밤·대구의밤을 찾는 분들을 위한 대구 지역 정보. 동성로·수성못·동대구역·달서구의 저녁 여가와 지역별 특징, 후기 비교 기준, 가격·운영시간·교통 확인사항 및 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.

    42
  43. 대밤·대구의밤을 찾는 분들을 위한 대구 지역 정보. 동성로·수성못·동대구역·달서구의 저녁 여가와 지역별 특징, 후기 비교 기준, 가격·운영시간·교통 확인사항 및 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.

    43
  44. 대밤·대구의밤을 찾는 분들을 위한 대구 지역 정보. 동성로·수성못·동대구역·달서구의 저녁 여가와 지역별 특징, 후기 비교 기준, 가격·운영시간·교통 확인사항 및 자주 묻는 질문을 살펴보세요.

    44
  45. Сетевой портал rftimes.ru считается самостоятельную платформу для публикаций на которой представлены актуальные новости России и зарубежья. Редакция посвящает пристальное внимание достоверности контента предоставляя аудитории аналитику и эксклюзивные материалы. На сайте доступны оперативные сводки политики и публикации про культуре и технологиях. Подписывайтесь к наши каналы дабы оставаться в курсе самых важных событий.

    45
  46. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, amazing site!

    46
  47. I went over this site and I believe you have a lot of great info , saved to my bookmarks (:.

    47
  48. Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.

    48
  49. This post really resonated with me. Keep up the good work.

    49
  50. Лейбл Rick Owens представляет собой нонконформистский проект созданный в 94-м с протестной философией и узнаваемым стилем на границе мрачной эстетики и гранжа. Сам Оуэнс прославился драпировками нестандартными силуэтами и использованием текстурированных материалов наряду с минималистичным кроем и тёмными оттенками. rick-owens-moscow.ru Rick Owens соединяет роскошь и бунтарство предлагая вещи для людей ценит уникальность и не страшится выглядеть иначе провокационно. На данный момент этот бренд — это больше чем гардероб а узнаваемое культурное явление объединяющее мебель экстравагантную обувь и идеологию личного нонконформизма.

    50


Leave a Reply