The Pho Files: Steak and Brisket at Pho Rice Pot

Steak and brisket pho #yegfood #yegpho, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Pho Rice Pot has many different soups on themenu, but surprisingly, the only choice for beef pho (as opposed to satay and other styles) is their special with steak, brisket, tendon, and beef balls.

I am not a fan of beef balls or tendon, so I asked for it just with steak and brisket when I had lunch there yesterday. They obliged, and I was thrilled with the results: piles of medium-rare steak and lean, tender slices of brisket. This is one of the rare places I can get pho with brisket that is thinly sliced AND lean. I am tempted to go for all-brisket next time.

The broth was flavourful and full of noodles and sweet onions. A total win for my pho cravings.

Chicken Pho at Pho Rice Pot

Chicken Pho, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

There is a cold tearing its way through my household, and while I know I am not immune, I thought chicken soup for lunch the other day would be a good idea.

Yes, we were at Pho Rice Pot again. It has become my go-to spot in the West End for Asian food. I ordered the Pho Ga, and made a request to have it in chicken broth instead of the default beef.

The chicken was plentiful and tasted very fresh. The broth was more delicate than beef, without the aromatics. I could have used some of the herbs to the side, but they were not brought to the table. Still, it got more flavourful throughout the meal, and was steaming hot.

I will definitely have this again, but perhaps in the beef broth with a bolder flavour.

Lemon Chicken and Vegetarian Shanghai Noodles

Lemon Chicken and Vegetarian Shanghai Noodles, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

It was one of those give and take sorts of lunches. He wanted one thing, and I wanted another, so we decided to share.

At yet another trip to Pho Rice Pot (185 Street and Stony Plain Road) we split an order of Lemon Chicken. That deep fried, thick batter gets me every time. The chicken inside is always juicy and delicious.

I ordered the Vegetarian Shanghai Noodles. There was a prominent curry taste to the thin noodles with lots of large pieces of tofu. It was a bit too hot for my liking, but certainly wasn't bad. The other half of the equation was not as happy.

Overall though, I felt the sweetness of the Lemon Chicken and the heat of the Shanghai Noodles balanced each other well.