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2014-08-15
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Vietnamese cuisine is quickly becoming trendy in Singapore, and one of the latest to jump on the bandwagon is So Pho. Operating as part of the Katrina Holdings Pte Ltd, So Pho offers popular Vietnamese street food in a casual, contemporary setting. With their value for money pricing, and tasty, healthy dishes, So Pho has slowly been pulling in the crowds.Ambience at So Pho is casual, comfortable, and modern, with touches of Vietnamese decor. The spacious but dimly lit interior boasts colours of
Ambience at So Pho is casual, comfortable, and modern, with touches of Vietnamese decor. The spacious but dimly lit interior boasts colours of black and red, with large but rather nondescript furniture. Random bursts of greenery spread around So Pho help to partition off areas, while the bustling kitchen and noisy atmosphere lends an air of street food dining, albeit in an air-conditioned environment.
Service at So Pho is partially self-service. Ordering is done through a chit, though staff check off and repeat your orders, as well as serve it to your table. But payment has to be made at the counter. There is minimal interaction with staff beyond making requests, which I'm happy to say they carry out efficiently and quickly. Most of the staff are familiar with the menu and can answer simple questions on preparation and ingredients, though they have to check with the kitchen on more complicated questions.
So Pho, as its name suggests, specialises in Pho, a thin but flavourful broth served with beef or chicken, fresh vegetables, and rice vermicelli noodles. While the focus is on the street food of Vietnam, plating and presentation is European contemporary. Portions are generally large for one person, and pricing on average is less than SGD $12 per dish. In Vietnamese cuisine, there is a strong emphasis on the use of fresh ingredients and a balance of the 5 elements (spicy, sour, bitter, salty, and sweet), both of which are evident in the food at So Pho.
I love the Pho Dac Biet (SGD $9.80) for its thin yet flavourful broth that has a strong taste of beef, herbs, and spices. Style is South Vietnamese, with garnishes of lean beef flank, beef brisket, and beef meatballs. I like that the meatballs have a slight bounce in texture, and the beef brisket is tender and soft. The beansprouts and onions add a crunch to texture, while the various herbs lend a floral essence and enhance the sweetness of the soup. Very good!
The Banh Mi Kep Bo (SGD $5.90) features a small but crisp French baguette, stuffed with savoury grilled beef and fresh vegetables. I loved the meaty, slightly salty beef, and the satisfiying crunch of the bread and vegetables. While I thought it looked small, it's surprisingly filling!
The Cha Gio Chien Fried Spring Rolls (SGD $4.80) weren't that great, as the skin was borderline limp and soft. The filling was tightly packed though, which was good.
Full So Pho review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2014/08/so-pho.html
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