Vietnamese Restaurants Archives ~ NC Triangle Dining Food Blog

September 12, 2021 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Midtown Pho in Raleigh for Authentic Vietnamese Flavors in a Modern Space

Front of Midtown Pho in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of Midtown Pho in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re a fan of Vietnamese cuisine, there’s a new and tasty option now open in Raleigh! Midtown Pho, brought to you by the family behind Pho Far East on Capital Boulevard, has opened up their next location in a small plaza on Six Forks Road. Pho Far East has been one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area but its location on Capital Boulevard seemed just far enough away for me to NOT make the trip. So given the new, convenient location of Midtown Pho off of Wake Forest Road, I was curious to see what was going down here at their new restaurant.

Dining room at Midtown Pho in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Dining room at Midtown Pho in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

If you’re headed to Midtown Pho via Wake Forest Road, you’ll have to wind your way through a crowded parking lot to get to the restaurant. Coming from Six Forks Road will be a bit easier because the location is clearly visible from the street! Stepping into Midtown Pho, you’ll immediately be struck by how modern and open the space is. A modern bar up front, lit up by chrome pendant lamps, sets the mood immediately. There are mostly four-tops in the dining area with stuffed bench seating around the perimeter. Colorful paper lamps and bamboo lighting fixtures hang overhead. And a huge chalkboard to the side welcomes guests and offers up some dining specials.

Vietnamese coffee at Midtown Pho in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Vietnamese coffee at Midtown Pho in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Get seated by the hostess and it’s time to scan the deliciousness on the menu. Midtown Pho has a pretty standard Vietnamese menu that has a couple of twists in the appetizer area. Beyond the standard summer rolls and spring rolls, Midtown Pho offers up banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake), soft-shell crab, and coconut shrimp. A bit of a mix here! But what I do recommend is starting off with a Vietnamese coffee. Midtown Pho serves them up without the drip filter so you just stir and enjoy! I’m a sucker for Vietnamese summer rolls, it’s a must-order for me and Midtown Pho does an excellent job with plump shrimp, sliced pork, basil, and more. The roll is tightly wrapped and well-sized with a scallion peeping out at the end! Their peanut sauce is pretty dark and intense compared to others I have tried. Overall a great example of the classic Vietnamese summer roll.

Summer rolls at Midtown Pho in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Summer rolls at Midtown Pho in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

For mains, I’ve done the special banh mi and combo vermicelli bowl. Again, there are some small twists in the items here. The special banh mi is a monster of a sandwich. Crisp but soft roll stuffed with grilled pork, sausage, and topped with a fried egg. With pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber, cilantro, and daikon, you get a burst of flavor in every bite. The combo bun (vermicelli) is also solid but served up a bit differently in a flatter, wider bowl. One thing I definitely noticed is that Pho Far East grills their pork heavily resulting in excellent caramelization but sometimes drying the meat out a bit, your mileage may vary here. But this combo bun bowl is super satisfying and filling.

Special banh mi at Midtown Pho in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Special banh mi at Midtown Pho in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Combo vermicelli bowl at Midtown Pho in Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Combo vermicelli bowl at Midtown Pho in Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Service at Midtown Pho is very good, they up the game a bit here given the more elaborate surroundings and higher-end space. So count me happy to have Midtown Pho in Raleigh and another authentic Vietnamese option in the Oak City. The food here is the real deal upgraded a bit along with the service. While you’ll pay a bit more, you’ll also get a bit more at Midtown Pho but still end up with an affordable (for what you get) meal. I’ll be back to try more off their menu and see what their pho and Vietnamese pancake are all about, bon appetit!

Midtown Pho

424 E Six Forks Rd Suite 105

Raleigh, NC 27609

919.747.9889

Location on Google maps

August 9, 2021 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Travel: Saigon Banh Mi in Greensboro for an Authentic Taste of Vietnam

Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro - nctriangledining.com — Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro – nctriangledining.com

As a huge fan of Vietnamese food, I’ve tried it all. Pho (soup), com (rice plates), bun (noodle bowls) and the signature banh mi sandwiches! A mix of Vietnamese cuisine with French flavors makes this sandwich a special treat. From the light crusty bread, pickled veggies, crisp jalapeno, savory meat along with some buh (Vietnamese mayonaisse), every bite is filled with flavors and textures. And I’ve found some good examples in the NC Triangle but have heard that there are some other REALLY good banh mi options out there in the state, in particular Greensboro. A trip to Charlotte has me passing through the area so a quick detour allows me to stop into the well-acclaimed Banh Mi Saigon!

Order counter at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro - nctriangledining.com — Order counter at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro – nctriangledining.com

Rolling over to the store, I find Banh Mi Saigon in a slightly dingy, run-down plaza. Now I hate to say this but that’s a good sign! A good restaurant in a not-so-great location usually means it has to excel at what it does. Inside, the space is spartan with any tables and seating pulled aside due to the pandemic. It’s about as basic as you get with some menus over the counter, a refrigerated case and display of Vietnamese baked goods on the counter.

Menu and prices at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro - nctriangledining.com — Menu and prices at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro – nctriangledining.com

Baked goods at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro - nctriangledining.com — Baked goods at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro – nctriangledining.com

Since I’m traveling solo, I can’t over-order so I just get four banh mi, a Banh Mi Saigon, two barbeque banh mi and one unknown sandwich since I’m not sure what I blurted out! In back, I can see them putting the sandwiches together and once complete, they are heated up in a small oven up front which is actually a key step if you’re going to eat your banh mi immediately. A quick spin in the oven toasts the sandwich up nicely while leaving the veggies still crisp and cool. Banh mi at Saigon are in the $5 range and they also offer up some other Vietnamese specialties along with boba tea. I grab my bag of sandwiches and head on home to Raleigh, one hour away

Banh mi sandwiches at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro - nctriangledining.com — Banh mi sandwiches at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro – nctriangledining.com

Sandwich at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro - nctriangledining.com — Sandwich at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro – nctriangledining.com

At home I unwrap my banh mi haul and inspect the sandwiches. They’re about 11″ long and the bread is light with a crispy crust. They are all nicely packed with some pickled carrots, cucumber, jalapenos and cilantro. Two of the sandwiches also have red onion slivers and they are smeared with a bit of buh (Vietnamese mayonaisse) or a red sauce. Two of the sandwiches have a Vietnamese pork roll while one has a roast pork and the final one, shredded chicken. One key differentiator for these sandwich is the just right amount of meat, they are not full of meat. Just enough meat to balance out the veggies and I’d have to say it makes for a more authentic bite.

Pork roll sandwich at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro - nctriangledining.com — Sandwich at Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches in Greensboro – nctriangledining.com

While these banh mi may not be my personal favorite of all time, I have to believe they are more likely the real Vietnamese deal in terms of how they are made. It’s a balanced sandwich, not stuffed with tons of meat but still very tasty and worthwhile. So if you’re a fan of Vietnamese eats and driving past on I-85, it’s just a short and quick detour off the highway to enjoy these authentic Vietnamese banh mi. I’ll be back to try more and I will make sure to keep track of what I’ve ordered, bon appetit!

All About Authentic Vietnamese Pork Banh Mi Sandwiches

Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches and Bakery

3808 W Gate City Blvd

Greensboro, NC 27407

336.856.7667

Location on Google maps

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

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

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

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

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.

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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April 23, 2017 by Ron Wen

First Take: Mekong in Morrisville, A Humble Vietnamese Eatery That Shines

Front of Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville - NC Triangle Dining — Front of Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville – NC Triangle Dining

As a huge fan of Vietnamese cuisine, I’m always on the lookout for new restaurants in this category. And thankfully from S. Durham to Raleigh, you’ll find a good assortment of family-run Vietnamese restaurants. Recently a new spot hit my radar screen, Mekong out on TW Alexander Road in Morrisville! In reality, Mekong is so far north it’s virtually in Brier Creek, Raleigh but that shouldn’t stop you from coming in for a visit! Located in a spacious location previously holding a hibachi restaurant, Mekong is doing a lot of things right based on my first lunch visits.

Dining room at Mekong in Morrisville - NC Triangle Dining — Dining room at Mekong in Morrisville – NC Triangle Dining

As I stepped into Mekong, my first impressions were new, clean and modern which is the antithesis of what I would expect for a hole in the wall VN restaurant. The floor is nicely polished concrete with a handful of Vietnamese prints and decorations on the walls. For those unfamiliar with geography in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is part of the southwestern tip of the country where the Mekong river empties into. Ahh, but we’re here for the food, amirite? I seat myself at a small two-top and am handed over a one-page, two-sided paper menu for the place. It has all the requisite categories of Vietnamese eats: appetizers, bun (vermicelli), com (rice), pho (soup), house specialties and banh mi (grinder) along with some specialties. The humble menu is a good sign, I like the fact that even if the place is newer, there’s no pretense or fanciness in the presentation.

Fresh summer rolls at Mekong in Morrisville - NC Triangle Dining — Fresh summer rolls at Mekong in Morrisville – NC Triangle Dining

A quick scan of Mekong’s menu shows a broad variety of dishes although not quite as deep as some other places with 6 to 8 items under each category. I quickly decide on the goi cuon (fresh spring rolls) or summer rolls in my book alonf with the shaken beef! The summer rolls come out pretty quickly, nicely sized rolls in that translucent rice paper. Mekong does a fantastic job here, they are well stuffed with plenty of shrimp, pork, vermicelli, cilantro and cucumber. The peanut sauce for dipping is a bit different here with a slightly sweeter tang to it. Love these rolls, they are well balanced in flavor and I will be back again for these delicious bad boys, soon!

Shaken beef at Mekong in Morrisville - NC Triangle Dining — Shaken beef at Mekong in Morrisville – NC Triangle Dining

My shaken beef entree comes out next and I am excited. This dish is officially named bo luc lac and it’s not common around here. The last time I remember trying it was in San Francisco at the famous Slanted Door restaurant and apparently it has French origins. In the case of Mekong, it’s pieces of filet steak marinated in a dark sauce (soy, fish sauce) and served with onions and some jasmine rice, yum! The beef here is tender and flavorful and while there may be a bit too much in the way of onions, it’s delicious. And thankfully I don’t have any face to face meetings when I get back to work for the afternoon…

Combination bun with shrimp, pork and egg roll at Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville - NC Triangle Dining — Combination bun with shrimp, pork and egg roll at Mekong Vietnamese in Morrisville – NC Triangle Dining

Counter at Mekong in Morrisville - NC Triangle Dining — Counter at Mekong in Morrisville – NC Triangle Dining

Service at Mekong was solid and the place (unfortunately) was nearly empty during my visit. But I can tell you that the food here is quite good and I’m already planning my next visit to work a bit deeper into the menu and see what they’re really about! So if you’re a fan of Vietnamese food, put Mekong on your short list because in the arena of Vietnamese food in the Triangle, they are the best Vietnamese restaurant in the area. Bon appetit!

Mekong Vietnamese Restaurant

2135 TW Alexander Drive

Morrisville, NC 27560

919.251.8426

Location on Google maps

December 31, 2018 by Ron Wen

First Take: Anise Pho for Authentic Vietnamese Food in downtown Raleigh

Front of Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Front of Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Over on Glenwood South, a neighborhood better know for beer and dance clubs, we’ve seen a surge in new Asian eateries over the past couple of years! From Pho Pho Pho to Seoul 116 and now Anise Pho! Brought to you by restauranteur John Tang (owner of Sushi O), Anise Pho was moved from North Raleigh to a restaurant spot that used to be China O. And after a couple of visits, I can say that this eatery is doing a lot of things right for Vietnamese food fans!

Bar at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Bar at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

Located right next to popular sister restaurant, Sushi O, Anise Pho sits in a convenient spot underneath the 222 Glenwood condos. Just mind the street parking on Glenwood, you may have to feed a meter unless you park on a side street. Inside Anise Pho, you’ll find a lovely centerpiece bar with a bamboo overlay and glow lighting underneath. The smallish dining room wraps around the bar so it’s a slightly cozy space. I grab a menu and start poking around excitedly. Anise Pho offers up your traditional Vietnamese classic in a shortened menu. It’s a functional menu with lots of picture but doesn’t have a ton of details if you’re not familiar with Vietnamese food. You’ll find summer rolls, noodles (bun), rice (com) and of course the ubiquitous soup (pho) available at Anise Pho. The lunch specials at Anise Pho is $9.99 for a pho and soft drink.

Summer rolls with grilled beef at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Summer rolls with grilled beef at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

I’ve had a chance to dine at Anise Pho several times and have had a chance to get the menu pretty well I go with my fave order of summer rolls (grilled beef) along with a brisket pho! The summer rolls at Anise Pho are delicious and huge! A wonderful Vietnamese starter, summer rolls are served cold and consist of rice noodles, lettuce, basil, mint, shredded carrots along with a protein (often pork or shrimp). Anise Pho spins things up a bit by offering grilled beef with their summer rolls and it’s fantastic. The beef really stands out and these rolls are very substantial, probably best shared. The peanut dipping sauce offered with the rolls is also very well done and served in a generous portion.

Brisket pho at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Brisket pho at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

But of course, how can you got to Anise Pho without trying their namesake dish? The lunch bowl of pho is a large bowl of broth, noodles and meat. A smattering of thin-cut onions and scallions sit on top, completing the dish. I always recommend trying out the pho broth before adding any condiments (jalapeno, lime, thai basil) and the broth at Anise Pho is good. A bit lighter but with the proper essence of cinnamon, anise and other spices that pho is known for. The brisket are nice thick cuts of beef with fat cap on top, a good pho for someone’s who’s trying it for the first time. Other options include beef shank, meatballs and tendons which might be a bit much for a first-timer. With the weather turning colder, I can definitely see myself coming back here, soon.

Grilled pork rice plate with broth at Anise Pho, Raleigh - nctriangledining.com — Grilled pork rice plate with broth at Anise Pho, Raleigh – nctriangledining.com

In some additional visits I get to try out their grilled pork rice plate (com) which is served with a bowl for warm broth, a nice touch. It’s a decent meal but flavored and spiced a bit differently then I’m used to but still tasty. The pork banh mi is perfectly toasted and served on a soft, white hoagie roll. It’s stuffed with a decent amount of pork, shredded carrot, cucumber and jalapeno, a very good sandwich.

Anise Pho offers up full table service and don’t forget about that great sidewalk patio! From a service perspective, they do a nice job here, the staff seems really well trained. So when everything is said and done, I”m really happy with Anise Pho. Didn’t have much expectations but I think they offer a more authentic Vietnamese cuisine experience than any other options ITB Raleigh. Not quite as good as say, Mekong in Morrisville but above average. Which is much appreciated because sometimes you just have to have some summer rolls and pho to satisfy your cravings! And Anise Pho delivers great Vietnamese food right here in downtown Raleigh.

Midtown Pho in Raleigh for Authentic Vietnamese Flavors in a Modern Space