Vegging Out: Tofu and Spring Roll Vermicelli Bowl at Pho Ever

Tofu and spring roll vegan vermicelli bowl. Very generous portion served with soy sauce #yeg #yegfood #yegfoodie #nofilter #vietnamesefood #vermicelli #yegeats

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jul 28, 2018 at 9:48am PDT

Chicken Vermicelli at Spring Roll Kitchen

Yesterday's pre-conference chicken vermicelli. #yegfashion

A post shared by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Sep 3, 2017 at 7:06am PDT

I was in the Century Park area for a conference a couple of week ago, so went to Spring Roll Kitchen (2395 111 Street) when I got off the LRT for a quick lunch. I ordered the chicken vermicelli. The chicken was diced and did not have the deep, grilled flavour to which I am accustomed at other places. Also, some pineapple seemed to have made its way into the bowl. There was a lot of chicken though, and two large spring rolls that were sliced. It was good value, although I find the pho to be better.

The Pho File: Spring Roll Kitchen

I am in the deep southeast and found pho! #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Aug 29, 2016 at 3:47pm PDT

A meeting brought me to the Century Park area a few weeks ago, and I wanted to grab some supper first. I discovered Spring Roll Kitchen (2395 111 Street) not too far from the LRT station. The place was extremely large and spacious, and decorated very tastefully. My bowl of Pho Tai was huge, with a broth that had some depth to its flavour. The vegetarian spring rolls were among the best I have ever had: large, crispy, and filled with different kinds of vegetables. If I am ever back in this neck of the woods I would try Spring Roll Kitchen again.

Appetizers: Smoked Salmon Spring Rolls and Zucchini Corn Fritters at Blue Plate Diner

Smoked salmon spring rolls #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jun 2, 2016 at 3:45pm PDT

Prior to an evening function I was filming a few weeks ago, I headed to Blue Plate Diner. Instead of having main course, I opted for two appetizers. My smoked salmon spring rolls were excellent in concept - crispy and packed with smoked salmon made in-house - but the salmon was so overpoweringly salty that I simply could not finish.

Zucchini and corn fritters #yegfood

A photo posted by Paula E. Kirman (@livingsanctuary) on Jun 2, 2016 at 3:45pm PDT

The zucchini and corm fritters were much more mild in flavour, with the corn dominating and the zucchini adding a moist texture. Unfortunately, I also found the fritters to be rather greasy, an oily aftertaste lingering. They were so heavy that I also could not finish. I was overall quite disappointed in my choices.

Grilled Chicken Vermicelli at Pho Huong

The pho at Pho Huong/Mama Pizza (10531 107 Avenue) is so wonderful that I rarely order anything else. However, before going to see a Fringe show last week in a BYOV venue downtown, I had a grilled chicken vermicelli bowl with spring rolls instead. The chicken was plentiful with a deep grilled flavour and some spicy kick. The crunch of the spring rolls (I opted for the veggie ones) added flavour and texture above the huge bed of noodles and salad. I think I will have to have a vermicelli bowl more often here!

Spring Rolls at Pho Huong

Pho Huong/Mama Pizza (10531 107 Avenue) is one of my favourite pho joints in the city. I normally have green onion cakes when I am in the mood for something crunchy to go with my pho, but when I found out that they have vegetarian spring rolls I simply had to try them. They were crunchy and filled with shredded veggies and cellophane noodles. Served with fish sauce, I opted for hoisin instead. Can't really go wrong with this.

Chicken Vermicelli with Spring Rolls at Pho King

An event I was filming this week was right around the corner from Pho King. I ordered the chicken vermicelli with spring rolls (I asked for vegetarian). The bowl was huge - very wide and deep. Two large skewers of perfectly grilled chicken adorned the top, as did a couple of chopped up spring rolls. The noodles were plentiful as was the salad. This was definitely one of the more generous vermicelli bowls, portion-wise, and it tasted excellent.

Vegging Out: Padmanadi

A business lunch brought me to Padmanadi this week. I ordered off of the lunch menu and was surprised with a starter bowl of carrot ginger soup. The flavours were delicate, with the carrot providing sweetness and the ginger not overpowering.

I was in need of a veggie meat fix, so ordered an appetizer of bean curd drumsticks. The "skin" was crispy and tasted rather authentic. The moist insides did not taste totally like chicken, but the texture and flavour were heading in the right direction.

The lunch menu consists of a number of Padmanadi's most famous main courses teamed up with rice, vegetables, and spring rolls. My generous portion of sweet and sour veggie pork filled whatever room I had left. Plenty of rice absorbed the delicious sweet and sour sauce. The spring rolls added some extra crunch.

Vegging Out: Ginger Beef at Padmanadi

I had lunch today with a co-worker at Padmanadi. There is an extensive lunch menu featuring perfectly proportioned meals of protein, rice, and vegetables, along with two spring rolls. I opted for the ginger beef, which was strips of soy beef in a tangy ginger sauce. There was a good amount of rice, some broccoli to give the dish colour, and the spring rolls were crispy and excellent. We also shared some corn cakes (sweet, crispy, and gluten free) as an appetizer, two of which you can see in the photo.

The Pho Files: Chicken Pho at Phobulous

I had lunch at Phobulous this week before Passover began, and just as I was coming down with a cold that required some hot soup. But first, I had a craving for some vegetarian spring rolls. Phobulous has a flavourful take on them, with cellophane noodles and taro adding layers of texture.

What is a meal at a Vietnamese restaurant without green onion cakes? This was the veggie version (as opposed to the one with minced chicken in it). Crispy and chewy, it satisfied.

Pho ga (chicken pho) was my soup of choice because of the link between chicken soup and being sick. Tender, fresh pieces of chicken were plentiful in the broth - which was beef based. However, the flavours were complementary. It was hot and delicious, and had lots of noodles. I was very happy after, although still sick.

The Pho Files: Steak and Brisket Pho at Pagolac

Steak and Brisket Pho, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

It may be the first weekend of March, but we have fallen into a deep freeze. Prior to an event Friday evening I headed to Pagolac for a soothing bowl of pho. I opted for a regular sized medium steak and brisket. I am glad I did not order a large as I was not very hungry and this was the most packed "regular" sized serving of pho I have ever had. The bowl was full of noodles and meat, and the broth was hot and superb. A side order of vegetarian spring rolls (called egg rolls on the menu) added some flavourful crunch on the side.

Grilled Beef Vermicelli at Pagolac

Grilled Beef Vermicelli, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Oh Pagolac (10566 97 Street), it has been far too long! I had a quick supper here after filming an event in the area, and had the grilled beef vermicelli with vegetarian spring rolls.

The dish was exactly as I remembered it: the beef was sliced thin, reasonably tender, and grilled to perfection. The spring rolls were crispy, and the noodles plentiful. It was a great way to end a long day.

Vermicelli with Beef and Spring Rolls

Vermicelli with Beef and Spring Rolls, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

Today I had lunch at Pho Rice Pot, or The Rice Pad, or whatever it is called these days (18531 Stony Plain Road). I just call it one of my favourite places for Chinese and Vietnamese food in west Edmonton.

I had beef vermicelli with vegetarian spring rolls (ones with pork were also an option). The beef was thin, lean, and tender, tasting of the grill and lemongrass. The spring rolls were long and thin, and super crispy.

Although I always enjoy the pickled carrots, the rest of the salad looked a bit on the wilted side. I was full enough from the spring rolls, beef, and noodles (as well as the onion cakes I consumed as an appetizer) not to worry about that much, and simply left it behind.

Chicken Spring Rolls at Swiss Chalet

Chicken Spring Rolls, a photo by raise my voice on Flickr.

I tried the chicken spring rolls at Swiss Chalet for the first time when I dined there earlier this week. I was mostly curious, but was surprised at how different these were from other spring rolls. They are literally packed with chicken. It's a great starter or light lunch.