Pho Hoa

A relatively enduring fixture of Holland Village, Pho Hoa was where I first had Vietnamese pho. Once an extensive presence in Singapore, it's now just the one on our sunny shores, with many of their franchised counterparts scattered in North America and East Asia. I suppose, in this day and age where Vietnamese establishments are a dime and dozen, Pho Hoa pales in comparison. It's not to say their food sucks, afterall, there's gotta be a reason for their longevity in the revolving door of eateries in the bohemian village. The casual diner passes muster, but barely, and their price points are probably a huge factor in their staying power.

A word to the wise: bring lots of deodorant; Pho Hoa's poorly ventilated so fully expect to walk out reeking of the day-old frying oil and a mish-mash of bone stock.

The Cha Gio ($6) was decent flavour-wise, but seemed more like the usual Chinese spring rolls than a Vietnamese rice-paper wrap.

The Bun Ga Nuong ($13.95), a massive bowl of fresh vegetables and grilled chicken, sauced up with a salty dip, made for quite the refreshing salad.

The Pho Tai Bo Vien ($12.95), a hefty stock that was laden with MSG, was topped with juicy striploin and meatballs.

The Pho Ga ($11.95), a clear chicken-based noodle soup, was lighter than I'd expected, but still reeked of artificial MSG.



Pho Hoa
18 Lorong Mambong
Holland Village
Tel: 6467 3662
Open daily from 11am to 10pm

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ABC Brickworks Food Centre

Image
싱가포르에 호커 센터 중에서 에이비씨 브릭워케 호커 센터를 우리가 제일 좋아해요. 실제로 싱가포르에서 가장 크고 유명한 호커 센터 중 하나예요. 가끔 외국인 여행자들이 이 호커 센터에서 식사하고 관광도 해요.  호커 음식은 내가 우리 나라 싱가포르에서 제일 사랑하는 것이에요. 호커 푸드는 내 컴포트 푸드여서 내 마음에 들어와요. 음식도 싸고 맛있고 종류도 많아요. 해외여행 가면 그리운 음식이 호커푸드인데 싱가포르에 돌아와서 가장 먼저 먹는 음식이 박초미예요.  박초미은 아마도 내가 제일 좋아하는 호커푸드예요. 나는 식초맛을 좋아하고 버섯볶음이 제일 맛있고 용기가 제일 맛있어요.   =========================   ABC Brickworks is one of the more well-known, and beloved, hawker centres in SG. The fact that tourists can sometimes be seen traipsing down the rows of neon-lit stalls is testament to its fame.  We hit up ABC a couple times a month, at least; the hawker centre is central enough that satisfying a local food craving here doesn't require an hour+-long round trip (unlike with Fengshan Bedok); there's ample enough lots that parking doesn't require the patience of a saint (unlike with Serangoon Gardens); seats are plentiful enough that large groups are able to find a table fairly easily, and stalls are varied enough that multipl
Read more

Janggut Laksa vs 328 Katong Laksa, Queensway Shopping Centre

Image
Queensway Shopping Centre , where locals flock to for all things sports and optical-related, is also known for good laksa. There are 2 laksa stalls, within a stone's throw of each other, both claiming to serve up the best. Both tout to be affiliates of world-famous Katong ones, and the accolades, writeups and publicity plastered all the utilitarian facades will attest to the fierce competition. Seating at both eateries is cramped and constrained, so dining is really a touch-and-go affair. Both are manned by efficient, if a little curt, bevy of staff, and so turnover is high. Good news for the 5-minute-on-average long line of diners waiting their turn. The menu is similarly limited, with laksa being the primary dish of choice, and its fixins' like otah and lime juice as regular side orders. Curry chicken, Chinese-style, is also a popular option. Janggut Laksa  The Laksa ($3.50 for small) here was disappointingly lackluster. It was insipid, and the milk had obviously cur
Read more

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, City Square Mall

Image
The BF was craving a sweet treat, so we headed to the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at City Square Mall to get some of their cakes. After 5pm, the prices of their cakes are slashed by 50% with any drink purchase. We got the Chocolate of a Thousand Leaves Cake ($5.90 usual price), which was decadent and indulgent. Light chocolate sponge is layered with fresh hazelnut chocolate cream. The best part, the chocolate wasn't too sweet and it didn't give me a headache. Coffee Bean does really good cheesecakes that are very affordable. I used to buy their cheesecakes everyday when I was on my cheesecake craze. The Cappuccino Cheesecake ($5.90 usual price) was a nice balance of aromatic coffee flavours with cheesy overtones. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 180 Kitchener Road #B1-04 City Square Mall Tel: 6509 6202 Open daily from 8am to 10pm Website: www.coffeebean.com.sg
Read more