Monday, 12 January 2009
After the holiday gastronomic blowout, my gluttonous appetite was crying out for a break. Something uncomplicated, tasty but nourishing was needed for sustenance and what better than a bowl of steaming hot noodle soup?
My mood tonight was for Phở - a beef stock based soup with slippery rice noodles served with beef balls or slivers of raw beef which gently cooks in the steaming broth - before being greedily dunked in sweet hoisin sauce.
In Sydney the meccas for phở are usually situated in Cabramatta, Bankstown and Flemington. But it's quite a drive for me so I usually head to Parramatta for my fixes and I have yet to notice any major differences in quality. But then again I don't consider myself a phở aficionado so if you all have a regular phở haunt that you swear was Sydney's best then please let me know and I'll eagerly check it out!
Phở Pasteur is certainly a familiar chain in Sydney and a regular haunt of mine. Service is always quick but brusque but you can't expect much more from a place like this. In fact I can't think of anywhere else different that I've been but since their phở rank high up on my list, there really is no need to break this old habit.
Mr S., not a great lover of phở, orders his favourite tomato rice with grilled pork chop. Tasty enough but not the best. Pork was a little dry and lacked the lip-smacking charcoal-smoked flavour and the tomato rice was a bit bland tonight. Well actually Sydney's Vietnamese tomato rice pales in comparison to the tomato rice in Richmond in Melbourne. But that's another story.
Phở is practically the national dish of Vietnam and quite rightly so. It's simple, healthy and can be served to you within 5 minutes after you order it. Always perfectly washed down with a cold, refreshing glass of coconut juice. Bliss! It truly is the perfect 'chicken soup' elixir for the weary soul.
Phở Pasteur
No cards / No BYO
open daily 10am to 9pm
137 Church St,
Parramatta, NSW 2150
(02) 9635 0782
There is a second Phở Pasteur located on Argyle Street opposite the Parramatta train station (about a few restaurants down from Max Brenner) which has a more newer and modern interior.
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10 Coffee Breaks:
You are lucky to be close to good pho places - there's nothing near my place. And it's so darned healthy, too!
Lucky you! I've got nothing close to this near me. Well there's Japanese so I can't really complain but all of the other stuff is so far away! Hubby is a big Pho lover, me I love Bun and the chicken with tomato rice.
ooh i had pho dac biet for lunch just today! it always does have a nourishing health-giving property to it.
best pho is hard to say. a lot of people i know swear by the big mama Pho Anh in Bankstown but it's quite pricey and by that I mean $11, I think, for a bowl.
I'm a massive Pho fan and love Pho 236 on King Street, Newtown - check it out. Very unassuming decor (aren't they always?) but delicious!
I love ordering steamed ginger chicken with ginger rice and who can forget my all time favourite - fresh rolls, yum!
Hi Belle: lol but you're near Zumbo's so lucky you!
Hi Lorraine: lol unfortunately I love Japanese more which isn't prominent in my area. I'd probably take a ramen over pho anyday! :)
Hi Helen (AG): I've heard of a place in Bankstown where pho is the only thing on their menu and is extremely popular! Is that your place? $11 is pricey but Parramatta isn't too far off at 10.50!
Hi Christie: Ooh I love love love ginger chicken...and with ginger rice! Thanks for the tip Christie - will definitely try soon!
I'm not that big on Pho but I am always in search for the best vermicelli. I have been Pasteur in the city once but that was a while ago.. so mayb another visit is needed.
Where would you recommend? Preferably not too far from me haha but that would be impossible -__- kthx
I'm quite lucky that Cabramatta is basically on my door step. Bankstown isn't that far, but I think they have just opened a Pho Anh in Cabramatta.
Your right about the suttle differences in the Pho stock, most people can't tell the difference. But since I practically grew up on the stuff, I find it hard to go past Pho 54 and Pho Tau Bay in Cabramatta for consistent and tasty Pho.
Oh and the grilled pork chop looks awesome, generous portion!
Hi FFichiban: Um I'm prob not the best person to ask for pho recommendations (that'd be Howard!). I like Pho Pasteur in Parramatta but a percentage of that is convenience :)
Hi Howard: I know what you mean - it's the same with me being VERY fussy with Malaysian chicken rice or laksa, because I grew up on it.
I suppose you should've been the first person to ask for Pho recommendations! Thanks for your suggestions! I could do with a bowl right now :)
Yup that's the place. We call it McPho because as soon as you order (and the waitstaff will sidle up to you the minute you sit down) a huge bowl of pho is presented to you. Blogged here.
Hi Helen: Lol...McPho...love it! Thanks for the link Helen! Another pho place on my agenda to check out!
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