Pho Vi Hoa
It’s almost certain that outside the big Vietnamese communities any Vietnamese restaurant you see in America has the word pho in it. People must eventually have the impression that Vietnamese eat nothing but rice noodle soup. Of course, Japanese eat nothing but sushi and Americans have only hamburgers.
Mudpie found this place earlier in Los Altos, about 10-15 minutes car ride from SLAC. We strayed from the usual pho and ordered a gargantuan set of appetizers and main courses. Starting off was the familiar goi cuon, a salad wrap with some lettuce or garden herbs, some halved shrimps (mainly for decoration), a razor blade thin slice of boiled pork, some fresh bean sprout, and a little bundle of rice vermicelli. I took a bite by itself, and the meat couldn’t quite buff the plain veggie up, so a dip into the peanut sauce nearby was essential. It was a very light appetizer, and no matter how slowly you go you’re gonna finish the roll in at most 3 minutes. I don’t know what kind of sauce they serve with in Vietnam, but the peanut sauce here is just really good.
Next came the supposedly called cha gio (stated “in rice paper” on the menu). As I had lived in Vietnam for 17 years I believe I’m qualified to judge whether a roll of cha gio is actually made of rice paper (banh trang) or the fooling wheat sheet that makes the Vietnamese cha gio synonymous with the Chinese egg roll. So here goes: “rice paper” my foot. It’s not any more rice paper than the average mediocre egg roll you find at any Chinese buffet. Can you ever find a real cha gio in America anymore? I’d give them some credit for trying: the wrapper is indeed thin. But rice paper is translucent, this is as opaque as Venus’ atmosphere. Good egg roll, but honestly, I feel cheated.
Pictured above is goi ngo sen tom thit (lotus stem salad with shrimp and pork), which appeared suspiciously in the appetizer section, since we both ate some and even took the rest home for another meal. One thing to be noticed is Vietnamese salad is nothing like our usual American garden salad or Caesar salad. The waiter is not going to ask you what kind of dressing you’d like, and you need not innocuously remind “on the side, please”. There is no reason to fret over some little Ranch or bleu cheese dressing that will cause your calorie level to shoot up, or vinaigrette to make your taste buds sour. The salad is simply soaked in a mixture of salt, lemon juice, and sugar. Every piece of lotus stem, sliced carrot, sliced onion, cilantro, even the thin slices of boiled pork and the shrimp halves, has almost the same taste of that mixture, thoroughly and evenly. The lotus stem is a little crunchy, the pork is tender and mild, but not plain in the least, topped with crushed peanuts for some nuttiness. The salad is a meal in itself, so simple and elegant. And healthy.
But we didn’t stay healthy for long. For main course we had com tay cam (English name: clay pot) and old timer bun thit nuong (cold rice vermicelli with grilled pork).
The rice came with a small cup of pho broth, which I’m not sure what to do with. I’m pretty sure the rice wasn’t cooked in the pot, only served in it, because the pot wasn’t hot and the rice was almost flaming. The first spoon was excellent, the second revealed that it’s a rather oily combination of fried rice, fried shiitake mushroom, fried Chinese sausage, and fried chicken. The pot could be smaller than your cereal bowl, but it’s like the pot of Thach Sanh, it’s so filling you keep eating layer after layer but you just can’t finish it in one sitting.
Now this had been my craving for a long time. A bowl of chargrilled pork chops atop a soft bed of bún, some bean sprout and sliced cucumber at the bottom for a taste of freshness, sprinkled crushed peanuts and many a spoonful of nuoc mam pha (fish extract diluted in water, mixed with lemon juice, salt and sugar, and very little chopped garlic). I like the bun, the nuoc mam, and the veggie, but I would whisper *just* a little disappointment with the pork. It was definitely flavorful, but it was too thinly sliced. It wasn’t grilled long enough to bring out all the flavor. And it’s a little, just a little, dry. Beside, how are you supposed to cut that monstrously wide sheet of meat with chopsticks?
This is the closest one could get to Vietnamese food from Palo Alto, and unarguably a good find (a decent one, if you’re uncompromisingly picky about real cha gio). It’s cheap and takes credit card. We didn’t have to wait long for our food to arrive, but if you expect attentive service coming to ask “Is everything okay?” and refill your water every 10 minutes, don’t come here. Vietnamese restaurants respect privacy of their customers, so no need to worry about putting food in your mouth the correct way (as there is none). The only thing that bothered me about this place was the chatty nature of the hostesses. When the restaurant wasn’t packed after prime lunch time, our ladies comfortably spilled out to each other, across the counter and tables in Vietnamese with heavy Southern accent, numerous pieces about friends and relatives. Not that many could understand them, but some background music would be more pleasant I think. See menu.
Phở Vỉ Hoa Restaurant
4546 El Camino Real Suite A12
Los Altos, CA 94022
Lunch for two: $21.81
Hi! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Fantastic blog and amazing style and design.
1whoah this weblog is magnificent i really like studying your posts. Stay up the good paintings! You know, many individuals are searching round for this information, you could help them greatly.
2Jellyfil Honest Review
3JELLYFIL REVIEWS
4Thanks for every one of your work on this web page. My mom loves managing investigation and it’s easy to understand why. A lot of people learn all of the powerful medium you deliver useful guidelines via the web blog and even boost response from others about this content plus my simple princess is undoubtedly becoming educated a lot of things. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. You are always conducting a powerful job.
5This is really interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks!
6I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.
7Spot on with this write-up, I actually assume this web site wants way more consideration. I’ll most likely be once more to read way more, thanks for that info.
8Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your content seem to be running off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The design look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon. Many thanks
9You are a very capable person!
10Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
11You have mentioned very interesting points! ps decent web site.
12I used to be recommended this web site by my cousin. I am no longer positive whether or not this put up is written through him as nobody else recognize such distinct about my problem. You are incredible! Thanks!
13I’ve been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this web site. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I such a lot no doubt will make certain to do not fail to remember this web site and provides it a look on a relentless basis.
14Thank you for some other wonderful article. Where else may just anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect means of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such information.
15Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you can be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and may come back later in life. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice day!
16Perfect piece of work you have done, this site is really cool with wonderful information.
17I’m curious to find out what blog system you have been utilizing? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?
18I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re amazing! Thanks!
19Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is excellent, as well as the content!
20Its superb as your other content : D, thanks for putting up.
21Great blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
22Wow! Thank you! I continually needed to write on my website something like that. Can I take a fragment of your post to my blog?
23I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
24I am not sure where you are getting your info, however good topic. I needs to spend some time finding out more or figuring out more. Thank you for fantastic information I used to be in search of this information for my mission.
25I visited a lot of website but I think this one has got something special in it in it
26This site is known as a walk-by means of for the entire info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and also you’ll definitely uncover it.
27I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
28Hello there! I know this is somewhat off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!
29This is very fascinating, You’re an excessively professional blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to in quest of more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
30I don’t normally comment but I gotta state thankyou for the post on this amazing one :D.
31I am not sure the place you’re getting your information, however good topic. I must spend a while studying more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
32Whats up very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?KI am satisfied to seek out numerous useful information right here in the submit, we’d like develop more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
33I real pleased to find this web site on bing, just what I was searching for : D as well saved to favorites.
34Good write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s website, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
35I don’t even know how I ended up here, however I believed this publish was great. I do not recognise who you’re but certainly you are going to a famous blogger in case you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!
36I will immediately grab your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
37I like this web blog very much so much superb info .
38I think other website proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and fantastic user pleasant pattern.
39Yay google is my world beater aided me to find this great website ! .
40JELLYFIL REVIEWS
41JELLYFIL REVIEWS
42This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
43Hey very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I am happy to find so many useful information here in the post, we need develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
44I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently. I’m quite sure I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
45I’d have to check with you here. Which isn’t one thing I often do! I take pleasure in reading a put up that can make individuals think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to remark!
46Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice even as you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site? The account aided me a applicable deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
47I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
48My brother suggested I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
49We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
50