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Pho

January 3, 2012 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

Great Vietnamese Food Pho Sure, Pho Far East

Pho noodles at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Pho noodles at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining

If you’re looking for a more exotic lunch in the Capital Boulevard area, why not give Pho Far East a try? For about $10, you can go in a lot of different ways, ranging from soup, rice plate or a noodle bowl. If you’re unfamiliar with Vietnamese food, ignore all the jokes about cats and such, Vietnamese food is similar to Chinese cuisine with a bit of a French twist. And the cuisine seems a bit lighter and spicier than Chinese food which I enjoy. Pho Far East is a very typical Vietnamese restaurant that provides a very authentic experience but you’ll usually find a mixed crowd eating there. Really similar to what I might find in San Francisco or Boston. The place is not much to look at and service is perfunctory but it’s all about the delicious eats here!

Front of Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Front of Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Summer rolls at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Summer rolls at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining

Inside the decor at Pho Far East is pretty basic: worn black, 80’s chairs, fish tank in back, the usual Asian eatery accoutrements. Start off with some cold summer rolls, probably one of my all-time fave appetizers. Summer rolls are made with a soft rice-paper wrapper and inside, there’s thin vermicelli noodles, mint and basil, lettuce, sliced shrimp and pork. They call summer rolls a salad in a roll and yeah, in the summer time they are really refreshing! Pho Far East serves their rolls with an excellent peanut sauce. I spoon some on top before each bite, yum. Or maybe go with a more traditional fried spring roll, for all its crunchy glory…

Bowl of pho at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Bowl of pho at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining

When it gets cold and rainy, Vietnamese pho (pronounced “fuh”) is one of my favorite comfort foods. And Pho Far East might have the best pho in the area. We’re talking about a large bowl of beef broth spiced with cardamon, anise and cinnamon. With vermicelli noodles at the bottom and thin slices of onion, beef, cilantro and scallions floating on top, you’ve got a meal right there! Take a sip of the broth to taste it on it’s own, stir up the bowl to loosen up the noodles and you’re ready to dig in. Now Anthony Bourdain may be a BIT over the top but check out the video below to see his reaction to a great bowl of pho in Vietnam.

PhoPho condiments at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Pho condiments at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining

Pho Far East also provides a large and fresh plate of pho condiments to bling out and customize your soup: bean sprouts, lime, basil, and jalapenos for some kick. I always make sure to taste the soup on its own just to make sure it’s up to snuff and then start adding in the condiments. Some fresh lime juice, crushed peppers and basil along with some crispy sprouts. Others like to add some sriracha sauce or hoisin for extra flava, but I keep it simple. Pho can be done with all sorts of more interesting cuts of meat (tripe, tendon, meatball) but for beginners, stick with the flank steak and brisket. No matter what goes in it, it’s gonna be delicious! And while pho is traditionally always beef soup, there are chicken versions out there for something different.

Grilled pork with rice at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Grilled pork with rice at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining

Another great choice for lunch is a rice plate (com in Vietnamese). My favorite is the grilled pork chops at Pho Far East. Again, there are a bunch of slightly different combinations on the menu so be careful! The pork is marinated and grilled for some sweet carmelization. Scallions on top, jasmine rice on the side along with a fried egg is perfect! Typically I put some fish sauce (nuoc mam) on top and make sure you get a taste of everything on the plate in each forkful! A little grilled pork, some egg and rice, yum… Or you can do this grilled pork in a noodle bowl (bun in Vietnamese) which is like having a Cobb salad. Vermicelli noodles with sliced cucumbers and carrots, topped with the same tasty grilled pork. A slightly different dish but equally good. Most of the rice plates and noodle bowls will come with the same protein options: grilled pork, chicken, beef, shrimp, etc.

Dining room at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining
Dining room at Pho Far East, Raleigh on NC Triangle Dining

At Pho Far East, the menu is quite extensive and it’ll take some exploring to really get into all their great dishes. But from what I’ve seen, they do it all pretty well. Vietnamese cuisine runs the gamut of soups, sandwiches (banh mi) to rice plates and hot pots. And it’s all spicy with a lot of flavor! So don’t let Pho Far East’s bland, strip plaza location fool ya (they don’t even have a website). And they’ve even got bubble tea if you’d like to finish things off with something sweet. I guarantee you, when you’re eating here you’ll be full of bon appetit…

 

Pho Far East

4011 Capital Blvd # 133

Raleigh, NC 27604

919.876.8621

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Cary and Durham, Pho, Vietnamese Restaurants in Raleigh

January 20, 2022 by Ron Wen 2 Comments

No. 1 Pho in Cary for Fresh and Unique Vietnamese Cuisine

No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com

When it comes to Vietnamese eats, I’m a huge fan. Mostly because of two things, the diversity of its food categories and organic take on Asian-fusion cuisine. So what do I mean here? First, Vietnamese food spans a wide variety of entree types: rice plates (com), noodle bowls (bun), sandwiches (banh mi) and soups (pho). And given its history, their are French influences in Vietnamese cuisine but integrated in a truly natural progression over time. So I was curious when I ran into the menu for No. 1 Pho out in Cary. While our Vietnamese dining options have really improved over the last several years, No. 1 Pho had a broader and more diverse menu than I’ve seen elsewhere. So I decide to take a trip out to W. Cary to check out this newest, Vietnamese find!

Dining room at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Heading out on I-540 south, No. 1 Pho sits in a newer shopping plaza with La Farm Bakery and Whole Foods.  Step into No. 1 Pho and you definitely get a different vibe here. Polished concrete floors, modern metal chandeliers hanging overhead, and a lot of natural, wood paneling in the dining room that catches your eye. There are a handful of line art, Vietnamese prints which gives the space a more ethnic feel. Looking over the menu you’ll find a longish menu covering the usuals (com, bun, pho, banh mi) along with some more interesting items like hu tieu rice noodles (pork-based broth), banh hoi angel hair vermicelli crepe, nem nuong meatballs, and cha gio spring rolls. It’s a larger menu so you may need some time to figure out your meal! With entree prices at the $10 to $20 range, I’d have to say that No. 1 Pho is a slightly pricier Vietnamese options than most others in the area.

Summer rolls (goi cuon) at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Summer rolls (goi cuon) at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Spring rolls (cha gio) at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Spring rolls (cha gio) at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com

To start with, I usually love Vietnamese rolls. Their goi cuon (summer rolls) are beautifully assembled. Translucent, soft white rice paper over rice noodles, shrimp, lettuce, and herbs. They skip the pork that’s often in summer rolls but it’s a wonderfully fresh version of a summer roll with the herb flavor popping out. One area of improvement, I wished the peanut sauce had more depth and punch here. The cha gio (fried spring rolls) are excellent, wrapped in rice paper vs. the more typical spring roll wrapper. It’s the first time I’ve seen this style of spring roll in NC and feels a bit more authentic to me. Paired with some dipping sauce, it’s a great treat!

Beef pho at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Beef pho at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com

On the pho side of the menu, I tried out the #2 with fresh eye of round, brisket, tendon, and omosa (tripe). No. 1 Pho serves up a smaller, deeper bowl with about the same amount of primary ingredients. There’s plenty of noodle, scallion and onion but if you’re expecting a huge bowl of pho, you may be disappointed. I found the broth here a bit lighter and more basic but still a satisfying slurp. Where No. 1 Pho shines is the fresh plate of condiments (bean sprouts, jalapenos, basil) which is pungent and plentiful.

Nem nuong platter at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Nem nuong platter at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Grilled pork meatball at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Grilled pork meatball at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com
Fresh condiments at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Fresh condiments at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com

One other item that caught my eye was the nem nuong (grilled pork meatball) served as a main. It’s a complicated dish, a plate of meatball served up with a plate of greens, pickled veggies, peanut sauce, fish sauce, and then rice paper discs and water. You assemble the meal as you go, twirl the rice disc in the water bath just long enough to get soft, too long in the water will make it hard to work with. Pile some meatball and veggies on top, roll it up and you’re ready to eat. It’s a fun dish and one that’s probably best shared with friends. No. 1 Pho also serves up this dish as an appetizer and pre-made.

Side dining room at No. 1 Pho in Cary - nctriangledining.com
Side dining room at No. 1 Pho in Cary – nctriangledining.com

Service at No. 1 Pho has been excellent for my visits although I have seen some complaints in online reviews. It’s a family-run restaurant so there might be a wait at times due to the pandemic and staffing issues. But overall I like what they are doing here and appreciate the breadth of what they offer. If you’re looking for a fresher, lighter take on Vietnamese cuisine I can definitely recommend a visit. I’ll be back to try more off the menu but if you live in W. Cary or S. Durham, No. 1 Pho is definitely worth the drive over.

 

No. 1 Pho Authentic Vietnamese

5025 Arco Street

Cary, NC 27519

919.297.2975

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Cary, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Banh Mi, Cary and Durham, Pho, Vietnamese Restaurants in Raleigh

March 1, 2014 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

Pho Vietnam Brings Some Asian to the Raleigh-Cary Area

Front of Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Front of Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

I have to confess that outside of the food Holy Trinity of Italian-Chinese-Mexican, I’d have to say Vietnamese is my next, most favoritest food type.  With the mix of Asian and French flavors, the cuisine is very similar to Chinese but tweaked a bit with some slightly different flavor profiles and spices.  And it can be done in so many different ways: on bread (banh mi), on rice (com) and on noodles (bun).  So when I heard that Pho Vietnam was opening up in the old Hot Point Cafe space on Buck Jones, I was pretty excited since that area is within my work-lunch range.  After stalking it for a month or so, I finally see online that it’s open and the reviews are coming in.   Zero will-power here, I had to stop in today for an inaugural lunch!

Pork and egg roll bun at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pork and egg roll bun at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

The space here looks a lot different then what I remember from Hot Point outside of the patio area outside.  Inside there’s more light, more white and and odd ordering set up.  By the kitchen area there’s a cash register where you put in your order. No counter, just tell the man up front what you’d like!  The menu here is sorta small for Vietnamese, about five pho’s, a handful of rice and bun dishes and some house specials.  I ask the gentleman up front if they’ve ever had a restaurant before and he shakes his head no, so we’re talking about restaurant newbies.  It looks like they’ve still got more work to do on the space but we are still here to eat!  My friend orders up the grilled pork and egg roll bun so I decide to go different and do the beef pho (assorted cuts) and order a banh mi, side-snack.  Don’t judge, I’m taking it home for dinner later!  Or so I thought…

Beef pho at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Beef pho at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

Pho Vietnam is the real VN deal, they’ve got holders at each table with sriracha, soup spoons and wooden chopsticks.  But don’t fret if you’re not an expert with sticks, there are forks in the back if you can’t deal with those bad-boys.  The place already is sorta busy with Vietnamese folks so I’m hopeful.  They bring out a smallish plate of condiments (bean sprouts, jalapeno, basil and lime).  A bit less than what I’d expect at my other VN favorites.  My smallish bowl of pho comes in a red deep bowl and is flecked with a bit of oil and quite clear.  Thin slices of beef are cooking in the broth, I squeeze some lime in, tear some basil leaves up and drop in some crunchy sprouts, yum!  The noodles for this pho is a bit thicker and substantial, the broth here is decent but a bit under-spiced although I’m sure with some additions it’ll be fine.  But overall I found this pho to be an acceptable bowl, but not particularly flavorful or inexpensive.   The summer rolls I ordered to start were decent but the peanut sauce on the side was darker (hoisin) than usual and stronger than I like.

Pork banh mi at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining
Pork banh mi at Pho Vietnam, Raleigh- NC Triangle Dining

So I get back to the office and my overall thought is that I liked Pho Vietnam.  It’s a decent VN pho shop but definitely a cut below Pho Far East and a bit more expensive.  But you know what?  I’m still glad to have it in the hood and within my lunching range cause I’ll be back. Sometimes you’re just in the pho-mood and this place will take care of your craving.  And the banh mi?  Well, I tore into that back at the office (yeah, I’m a pig) and it was solid.  Needed a bit more meat and spread but fine for the $4 I paid.  So here’s to Pho Vietnam bringing some more authentic Asian eats to W. Raleigh/Cary.  While it could be better, it’s certainly good enough..

 

Pho Vietnam

1284 Buck Jones Road

Raleigh, NC 27606

 

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Raleigh, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: Pho, Vietnamese Restaurants in Raleigh, Cary and Durham

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