Hanoi redux

[chickenfeet]

lemur_catta took me out for lunch today. We decided to try the pho at the North Vietnamese restaurant, Hanoi, that we had dinner at a couple of months ago.

The pho was different from the usual Saigon style we get around here (or indeed anywhere else I've eaten pho). Usually the broth is mildly spiced with characteristic Chinese spices like star anise and ginger. This definitely had something different going on. I'm thinking lemon grass, ginger, fresh turmeric and, maybe, galangal. Certainly the flavour profile was more assertive and more SE Asian, less Chinese. They didn't offer the 20 or 30 combos of assorted cow parts that most other places do. There were only three versions; rare beef, well done beef and a combo of rare, well done and beef balls (minced meat, not the other things). The combo was adequate but I missed my usual tripe and soft tendon. The condiments were standard; basil, bean sprouts, lime wedges, fresh chillies, Sriracha and Hoi Sin. The price was normal too. C$6 for a bowl large enough for a good lunch for me.

I'd go back if I wanted a quick lunch in that part of town. The decor and atmosphere is also a definite cut above the average pho or noodle joint.

Comments

[f4f3.livejournal.com]

I'm off to pick my son up from the train station shortly, and you've just changed my intentions for dinner from pizza to a stand up noodle bar on the edge of Newcastle's small but perfectly formed China-town. Actually, there is a Vietnamese place a few yards from the old town walls - I think I might give that a try if he's up for it.