Phat Pho

Finally a Vietnamese restaurant at the heart of the city of Cebu! Been hearing a lot of good reviews about it for some time now and thankful that my good friend Monica asked me out for a food trip with options on Japanese or Vietnamese - which obviously we decided to pick on the latter. Here are a few snaps of the place and what we had during our dine in.

The place was typically normal in size if you're really putting the entire Vietnamese vibe in it - it was neat and organised and I love the high chairs and the open kitchen where you get to see what's cooking. Now, this part is somewhat too Japanese if I may say but I love it. The menu is precisely consists of entrees that were truly Vietnamese with the famous Pho in all variations available.

We decided to order a combination of some of the dishes we're familiar with.

Shrimp Salad, when I stayed in Saigon a few years ago, I never tried their salad but based on how this looked from this photo and how it tasted, I have to admit that I can't quite compare it to that of the authentic ones from Vietnam but it was super healthy. If you're body conscious then this dish is for you. It had mangoes, shrimps, sprouts and other vegetables which is different from the American salads we're used to.

Beef Pho, my favourite indulgence when I was in Saigon. But I have to say, I was surprised to see my bowl of Pho with all the herbs and sprouts in it. Unlike the traditional Vietnamese servings, they decided to put everything on the bowl. Guess, I was just used to having the Pho serving then the herbs and sprouts served on another plate - so I could opt to put which ones I prefer but I think this was quite neat. The taste? It was good. Definitely had the same ingredients as the ones in Saigon.

Fish Cake, the Vietnamese version of the Pinoy fish ball but served with onions (onion rings like) and was patterned flat which was definitely something. The sauce was good. A little sour - a little sweet.

Shrimp Rice Roll, another personal favourite from Saigon. The peanut sauce was totally thicker in texture than those in Saigon but it was precisely mixed. 

Chicken Satay, now, this is A MUST TRY dish. I've tasted normal Satay, Malaysian Satay and this one and this by Phat Pho is fantastic. The aroma and taste is classic yet it leaves you wanting more. Perfectly grilled and spiced.

Vietnamese Coffee, of course nothing beats the original but theirs is not bad at all. I just wished they'll add more condensed milk on their servings. 

Coconut Cream Puffs, HEAVEN! I'm a huge fan of cream puffs and this by far was the grandest tastiest of them all. 

All in all, it was a good dining experience. It made me really happy to know that there's a Vietnamese restaurant that captures the authentic Vietnamese vibe within Cebu. There's one in Manila and then in Davao but Phat Pho makes me really appreciate each bite because I can see how my meal is being cooked and the place is just too neat not to be praised. 

Phat Pho is an affiliate to the famous Abaca resorts in Mactan and knowing that it is, expect only the grandest servings with a little amp price but worth every cent. Phat Pho is located at Crossroads in Banilad Cebu. Price ranges from 150php to 300php. And since the place is quite small, I suggest you can in early for lunch or dinner. For inquiries, you can give them a ring via the number on the first photo I posted. :)

My food trip date yesterday. Our next stop is some authentic Korean resto in the city. Hopefully soon before the month ends :)

Nikka's Version of a Beef Pho

Ingredients
Rice Noodles
Beef Tenderloin (choice of sliced meat)
8cups Water
3cubes Knorr Beef Cubes
Dash of Black Pepper
Dash of Lea & Perrins (optional, regular soy sauce)
Rosemary Leaves
Bean Sprouts
Red Bell Pepper (optional, regular chilli)
Mint Leaves (optional)
Onions (sliced, optional)
Red Chilli Paste
Onion Stalks (sliced)
Parsley Leaves
Lemon
Egg (optional)

*PS I forgot to slice some onions for this recipe but it should be there. Also I'm only using the ingredients that I got from the groceries. The greens are replacement for the greens that are on the traditional Vietnamese Pho :)

1. Rice Noodles, 1 Knorr Beef Cube, 4 Cups of Water.

*this is the only rice noodles that I saw on the store. it's a wide noodle which is usually used for Thai's Pad Thai.

2. Pour 4 Cups of Water on a Cooking Ware, Add in 1 Knorr Beef Cube and Rice Noodles. Bring to boil or until noodles are cook.

3. Drained excess water and set noodles aside.

1. Lea & Perrins, Rosemary Leaves, 2 & 1/2 Knorr Beef Cubes, 4 Cups Water, Black Pepper and Beef.

*originally I intended to use just a cube and a half of Knorr thingy but when I tasted my soup, it was blunt so I made it to 2.5 :D

2. Pour in water and beef cubes. Slightly boil.

3. Add in beef and dash of black pepper. Bring to boil until meat is tender and cook.

4. Make sure to take off bubbles from your soup.

Prepare all ingredients and be ready to customised your own Pho :)

Finish Product

This recipe is a real experiment. I'm always scared to try making Pho. It's so easy to make, I've tried making one before in Saigon but it feels strange when all the ingredients needed for it aren't at hand. As I'm writing this, I feel so chicken shiz. :D But the taste is superb and I'm not saying it because I made it but because I perfected the soup.

To be honest, I was having second thoughts making this today, a lot of things were swirling into my head but I've posted on FB that I'll be making it and since I'm always true to my words, here it is. I added in the egg because I seriously love having it on noodle soups. 

Ahh looking and savouring the taste of my own Pho version is putting some huge smile on my face after an excruciating long hot boring day. :D

Enjoy eating :)

PS Don't put in the egg whites on the soup - just the yolk - yellow thing :)

Food: Saigon Edition

Currently Listening To: Marry Me by Train

Of all the Asian cities that I've visited - Saigon Vietnam will forever remain a favourite :) Not because I've learned so much about my self from experiences but because I love the street food and some restaurants from there. 

Food tripping is how I call it, I think in almost all my travels I try to taste something that's entirely spiced and prepared the traditional way but of course we all must take precautionary measures to avoid getting sick or poisoned at some impulse instances. 

Here are a few photos of the foods I've tasted during my recent trip to the city where I fell in and out of love - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) Viet Nam :)

THAI EXPRESS: now this is entirely not a vietnamese diner but that of the traditional Thai spices but there are food like their Chicken Curry which was prepared the way vietnamese would. I wanted to taste all the food on the menu but heck I was the only one eating thus - I went for the food that I craved for that day. This is my third time to dine in this resto and I must say the taste of the food are good - I mean when they placed the "chilli" icon on the menu - they really mean it. Not so expensive and it's a good experience to try out thai cooking in another city which is not Thailand. Price ranged from 40,000vnd to 200,000vnd. Their Thai Red Iced Tea is a must and this shrimp toast is a personal favourite. They also offer salads for the health conscious and other thai cuisines that will suit anyone's cravings. They have a handful of locations but I'd say choose the one at the lower ground floor of Vincom Center District 1 because it's just inside the mall :) Open from 10a - 9p.

THE SUSHI BAR: another favourite because I love their Bento meals - I always chose to have the salmon instead of the other fish that it on the menu because their salmon is cooked in a really enticing way and their Bento is jam packed already, you'll surely leave with bloated stomach :D Sushi is also great and their sashimi too but didn't get a chance to try the sashimi set (i'm not a fan of raw meat). Anyhow, they also offer tons and tons of choices for sushi and sashimi and bento boxes and other noodle related meals. Price ranged from 35,000vnd to 230,000vnd and they also offer different kinds of beers - liquors :) Open from 10a - 2a and they also offer delivery services :)

BURGER KING: who would missed this place??? it's located on both floors right at the exit - entrance area at the Airport :D and if you get lucky - they offer buy one take one meals during night time. :D Price ranged from 40,000vnd to 120,000vnd. Open from 9a - 12mn. This joint is wholesomely for those who craves for something American and ready to go meals :D

PHO24: if you're visiting Saigon for the first time, surely you wouldn't miss this place all over the city and in almost all district. It's open 24 hours 7 days a week and yes! they serve the authentic Vietnamese famous PHO noodles which I will never grow tired of eating :D They have set meals which cost around 70,000vnd with drinks and some additional dish. They also have rice meals and sizes for your noodle consumption :) The Vegetable wrapped is a personal favourite since I don't eat pork :D Vietnamese, just like Filipinos - loves pork :D

RIO CAFE: this is the place where I was first brought when I first stepped foot in Saigon and I must admit, I am a fan of their rice meals specially the chicken set. Vietnamese has this way of cooking their chicken that just makes me want to eat an entire - yes! chicken. Rio cafe is like a chill out hub where you can meet with friends and do corporate meetings and have coffees - do the internet surfing stuff and relax. Price ranged 40,000vnd to 120,000vnd. 

STREET PHO near Ben Thanh Market is pricelessly good and cheap :) 20,000vnd for a bowl :D

"TAHO" as fondly called in the Philippines. This is the Vietnamese counterpart - it's very simple but tastes really good. 5,000vnd :)

MI XAO BU! Another street food favourite which is the Philippines Pancit canton counterpart but this one is prepared different - they used regular instant noodles then topped it with meat and veggies which are to die for. And it's not expensive. This one is priced at 20,000vnd on the street of Bui Vien :D

Now this one is an interesting soup which I forgot to asked the name but it had a lot of weird stuff meat in it but it taste really great and it's SPICY :D 10,000vnd for a bowl :)

Another great tasting soup - more like bird's nest back here at home but this one is crazy good - if I had rice when I had it - my life would be in cloud nine :D This one's at district 5 near a friend's house. And it cost 10,000vd for a bowl. In it are quail eggs and century eggs :D

On the street near Park Hyatt hotel - who doesn't know or should I say - there isn't a tourist in Saigon who would missed this for their life - Ca Phe Sua Da! Trust me! It's better than Starbucks - Coffee Bean and all other world wide known coffee shops. There's just something about the way they prepare it - too sticky and they aren't shy to give you their spoonful of coffee in every glass. And yes! this is readily available everywhere. On the side streets - parks - just almost everywhere. Prices ranged though - depending on which you're getting it. A MUST :D

BANANAQUE, Vietnamese style. While waiting for my bus ride - this caught my eyes because it was prepared entirely different from what I was used to - the coating that is but it's the same taste as the ones sold here :) 5,000vnd for one, not bad I should say and it's really good :)

Had this a day after my birthday... it's regular bread with tons of stuff in it :D 15,000vnd for one and it has every thing - choices for meat are ham - sardines and egg. of course I opted for eggs then all those veggies - cucumber - coriander - carrots and white squash and some chilli and it's freaking mouth watering :D And I tried this noodle thingy which was also good :D This is authentic street food 'cos they just had a small stall near the hotel I stayed - just outside the street :D

HUMONGOUS Chicken meal from a resto in Bui Vien! And like I've said earlier, the way they prepared their chicken in Saigon is crazy yummy :D This one cost around 80,000vnd.

Another Tapioca treat but this one came with Sagos and was served warm :)

OK OK OK! I suddenly felt tired and hungry writing about the foods I've tasted back there :D I've tried other stuff from the streets but I don't have photos of them. I have this favourite huge cracker favourite which goes good with beer - its has black sesame and it's a big round cracker. Ahhh :D 

I love eating and it doesn't matter where - who cooked it - how it was cooked as long as it smells and taste good - I'm up for the treat. There's this particular memorable favourite of a chicken meal set which was really cheap and was really good tasting somewhere in District 3. It was what I had on my birthday and it was also amazingly prepared - home styled cooked and the rice is just nuts yummy.

I'm not really a great fond of the Vietnamese way of cooking - I don't think I'd be able to prepare a dish from their country - all I know is that I like dining and pigging out from their street food choices and it's also because I was with great company when I had them - apart from the ones where I ate alone. 

There are other dishes that I hope to try if I get a chance to visit Saigon in a few years time. So 'til next good tripping. Missing you Saigon :)