Vietnamese Food 101: South Philly’s Pho Hoa
For those less adventurous diners, South Philly’s Pho Hoa is an easy 
introduction to Vietnamese food. Whether you’re looking to stretch your culinary boundaries, or you’re restaurant choices are limited by a friend or family member that won’t deviate from the tried and true, this place is for you.
I’ll be the first to admit that PhillyFoodGuys is not a big fan 
of chains (homogenation, lack of character, etc…, but we keep an open mind in looking for restaurants that offer fun and unique experiences, even if it’s for some looking to expand their gastronomic frontiers.
Unfamiliar with Vietnamese Food? Pho is a traditional noodle soup of beef broth,
rice noodles and thin cuts of beef. Interestingly, the dish is designed to be enhanced by the litany of condiments served with the meal, which include a plate of fresh herbs and vegetables, not to mention a variety of sauces present at the table. For more details on Vietnamese Pho click here.
On a recent afternoon, we entered Pho Hoa to find a large, modern dining room 
still busy from the tail-end of the lunch rush. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the menu is graphical, easy to understand, provides a basic explanations and even makes suggestions for For the Beginners, Just Regular and The Adventurer’s Choice. In addition, the menu offers non-Pho dishes that include chicken, pork and seafood. Furthermore, our food server could easily explain the menu and make suggestions.
After a little debate, we ordered:
Frozen Strawberry Smoothie - With funky Tapioca Pearls
#30 Goi Cuon - Summer Rolls, Appetizer
#40 Pho Chin Nam - Brisket & Flank steak Pho, Just Regular
#46 Pho Do Bien Chua Cay - Hot & Sour Seafood Pho
#1 Pho Tai - Steak Pho, For the Beginners
After a short wait, our food and drinks were delivered. While my Strawberry 
Smoothie was excellent, the accompanying straw was the size of a garden hose! The tapioca pearls were the size of marbles and required this industrial delivery system. Digging into our lunch, I couldn’t help but feel like a mad scientist choosing from a variety of the fresh condiments and sauces to “properly” spice my soup. The fresh condiment plate included Thai Basil, Scallions, Cilantro, sliced Jalapeno Peppers and Bean sprouts, while an array of sauces, including Sriracha, Sweat Bean, Soy stood at the ready. The entire experience was a lot of fun and the addition of the fresh condiments really brought the flavor alive.
Universally, we really enjoyed our lunch at Pho Hoa. We found the atmosphere clean and modern; the food fresh and flavorful; the service fast and helpful. Not to mention the entire experience cost $8.50 per person with tip. Admittedly, we are not experts on Vietnamese cuisine and Pho Hoa is a chain, so I’m sure that some authenticity has been lost “in translation.” Regardless, we feel that the positives far outweigh any negatives and that Pho Hoa makes Vietnamese Food fun and accessible to the uninitiated.
Here’s a recent review of Pho Hoa by the City Paper
Pho Hoa is located at 1111 S. 11th St. Philadelphia, PA (215) 755-4000 http://www.phohoa.com/
Interested in other lesser-known restaurants in Philadelphia? Visit us at http://PhillyFoodGuys.com
TAGS: Philadlephia, South Philly, Vietnamese Food, Pho Hoa
Marisa on 22 Jul 2007 at 10:42 pm #
I am a huge fan of Pho, although I’ve yet to go to Pho Hoa. I tend to head for Pho Ha (south side of Washington Ave., between 6th and 7th).
taylor on 23 Jul 2007 at 6:12 am #
My Philly digs are right by Washington St. and all the Vietnamese restaurants, but I’ve yet to find a place with vegetable stock Pho. Very frustrating. Since that place is a chain, maybe they have a non-traditional veggie broth Pho?
Bill on 23 Jul 2007 at 7:35 am #
Marisa,
Pho has been growing on me ever since I tried it. I’m sure Pho Ha is a more traditional taste and experience; Pho Hoa offers some of the best aspects of the Pho houses without a totally “alien” environment. Perhaps Pho with “training wheels?”
Taylor,
Yeah, I thought a vegetarian option would be a natural offering, especially for a chain. After some research, I found one item described as “Pho Without Meat,” but I’d definitely call ahead to ensure that the stock is veggie friendly
PS - We’re looking for the 411 on some good vegetarian spots; if you could share a couple, I’d appreciate it. Email me: bill [at] phillyfoodguys.com
Thanks!
adam on 23 Jul 2007 at 6:51 pm #
I’m all for another Vietnamese place in the hood, even if it’s a chain, though I do miss the buffets of raw meat at Porky & Porkie. Was there hock and gristle in the beef pho at Pho Hoa? I’m guessing not, but ya never know what they’ll sneak in there when you’re not looking. At Pho Cali in Chinatown, I had a number of indistinguishable items in their beef pho. It was fantastic, until I did some research later that week and learned lots of authentic pho has cubed jellied pork blood in it. Yum
Bill on 23 Jul 2007 at 10:03 pm #
Adam,
I think Pho Hoa must save the interesting bits for those items listed as “Adventurer’s Choice,” but I don’t think that I saw jellied pork blood on the menu. Pity…
Vietnam » Blog Archive » Cheesy Baked Halibut on 24 Jul 2007 at 7:04 am #
[…] For those less adventurous diners, South Phillys Pho Hoa is an easy introduction to Vietnamese food. Whether youre looking to stretch your culinary boundaries, or youre restaurant choices are limited by a friend or family member that … …more […]
Mike Izzo on 17 Aug 2007 at 2:57 pm #
I want a face off once and for all between Vietnam Palace and Vietnam in chinatown. It’s an interoffice dispute but i gotta give it to Vietnam hands down! somebody please settle this!