Vietnamese in Dublin - Pho Bo

MurdyWurdy

Having lived overseas for a while we used to eat a lot of Vietnamese food, mainly Pho Bo. We went to cheap as chips Vietnamese cafes and the food was always amazing. Both myself and my husband have a real craving for it but can't find anywhere in Dublin. We found one Vietnamese restaurant but it was quite expensive and had a waiting list when he tried to book We're looking for somewhere cheap and cheerful. Anyone know of anywhere to get Pho?

Also, does anywhere in Dublin do yum cha (which would probably be called dim sum, I'd say. It's Chinese dumplings/nibbles/cakes with tea). We used to go regularly on Sunday's and it's the world's best hangover cure. We're missing that a lot as well Any ideas?

Mrs Fox

Saba on Clarendon St does Pho Bo for under a tenner.

Places that do yum cha (in my personal favourite order) are:
1. Ming Court in Blanchardstown
2. Imperial on Wicklow St.
3. New Millennium next to the Gaeity.
4. Good World on George's St.

YumCha

You cannot get 'proper' pho bo anywhere. A lot of the Asian fusion type places (Saba, Neon) do a version - but it's pretty lacking.

There was a whole thread about pho recently - I posted about Aobaba on Capel St - which is the closest attempt I've seen.

As for yum cha, my favourite is New Millenium next to the Gaiety - I have it on good authority all the dim sum is handmade.

tfak85

There is a new dim sum place in Ranelagh called mak at D6, went there a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed.

Mrs Fox

I read somewhere Pattaya off Nangor Road does dim sum too. But I wonder if it's a proper dim sum menu? You know how some restaurants claim they do dim sum, only to come up with a handful dish of fried eggrolls, dumplings and squids.

Mrs Fox

tfak85 wrote: »

There is a new dim sum place in Ranelagh called mak at D6, went there a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed.

Site looks great! Must give Mak a try. And they have POTSTICKERS!!!

YumCha

tfak85 wrote: »

There is a new dim sum place in Ranelagh called mak at D6, went there a couple of weeks ago and thoroughly enjoyed.

I've tried Mak once - didn't like it at all! Spare ribs came out all clumped together, chicken feet were oily, rubbery and sticky (but not a good sticky - like when a sauce congeals). Would give it another go maybe but it was one I almost said in my other post to avoid!

MurdyWurdy

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone - we'll have to do some sampling. My hubby was only talking about Pho again last night but I didn't mention I was looking for suggestions. Think I'll surprise him this week - I work near Capel Street so might try the one there first.

MurdyWurdy

We went to Saba tonight - he was desperate for Pho and we both really liked it. It wasn't quite as nice as what we are used to but it was very good. It definitely scratched the itch. My only complaint was the beef was sliced very thick which is unusual for Pho. My husband also had to ask for extra chillis to add which we're used to getting on the side as standard but the service was excellent so it wasn't a big deal.

The Pho is 9.95 online but it's actually 13.95 in the restaurant. They must have put the price up. It was worth it though!

Ben D Bus

Mrs Fox wrote: »

2. Imperial on Wicklow St.

Was on Wicklow St today and the Imperial seems to have closed down. To Let sign out front.

Edit: It's actually gone a couple of months according to the IT

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/1024/1224325612481.html

Mrs Fox

Ben D Bus wrote: »

Was on Wicklow St today and the Imperial seems to have closed down. To Let sign out front.

Edit: It's actually gone a couple of months according to the IT

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2012/1024/1224325612481.html

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!:eek:
I'm going to miss their Duck Noodle Soup

Mrs Fox

MurdyWurdy wrote: »

The Pho is 9.95 online but it's actually 13.95 in the restaurant. They must have put the price up. It was worth it though!

It's 9.95 for lunch.

lima

Having lived in Vietnam and Melbourne I got quite used to Pho, especially on a hungover Sunday (I Love Pho on Victoria St!)

Having brought my Melbourne GF back to live in Dublin I have had to go to as far as London and Paris to find decent Pho. We did go to Saba to try their 'Pho' there but it wasn't proper pho at all.

We then discovered Aobaba on Capel St and that is currently the best Pho in Dublin. it is also very cheap at e5.90 or thereabouts. It does chicken Pho too, as well as Summer rolls :-)

I reckon setting up a Vietnamese restaurant in Dublin would make for some serious profit, cheap and cheerful place off Grafton St or in Rathmines for example.

John_Rambo

lima wrote: »

I reckon setting up a Vietnamese restaurant in Dublin would make for some serious profit, cheap and cheerful place off Grafton St or in Rathmines for example.

Ho Sen was great. Really really good authentic Vietnamese food at good prices, (very popular with the thirty to forty something gay community, so you know it's quality food), I was there about four or five times. The chef was from Hanoi. But it closed down. I guess there isn't much of a call for Vietnamese food in Dublin.

Rumour has it that Ho Sen is to open again soon. Keep an eye out.

MurdyWurdy

To the posters who suggested places for yum cha - do any of them do a proper "yum cha experience" i.e. people walking round with trays of food and asking if you want some or not or is it all just ordering off a dim sum menu? I want to go with friends for my birthday and I'd love to find somewhere that does yum cha on the weekends like we're used to.

YumCha

Unfortunately there's no place in Dublin (or even in Europe that I've seen) that does Yum Cha with the trolleys or trays. I heard even in Hong Kong they're phasing the trolleys out

dudara

I think there's a new Vietnamese restaurant opening up on Parnell St. Saw a mention on Twitter recently. Should be good for the pho hots.

lods

dudara wrote: »

I think there's a new Vietnamese restaurant opening up on Parnell St. Saw a mention on Twitter recently. Should be good for the pho hots.

Yes, its at 162 Parnell Street East , beside Dance world. Very close to the Parnell Monument.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dublins-Chinatown/115232335222683

YumCha

lods wrote: »

Yes, its at 162 Parnell Street East , beside Dance world. Very close to the Parnell Monument.


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dublins-Chinatown/115232335222683

OMG - I'm going on a Pho expedition asap!

lods

YumCha wrote: »

OMG - I'm going on a Pho expedition asap!

Let us know what it's like !

MurdyWurdy

YumCha wrote: »

Unfortunately there's no place in Dublin (or even in Europe that I've seen) that does Yum Cha with the trolleys or trays. I heard even in Hong Kong they're phasing the trolleys out

Boo - we lived in New Zealand until recently and Yum Cha is a big thing there. Loved having them come around with trays of food and just taking what you wanted. Oh well, guess we'll ahve to make a trip back to NZ! Yum Cha is the best hangover cure known to mandkind

Also, will definitely try out the new Vietnamese restaurant. Dublin needs a good one

lods

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dublins-Chinatown/115232335222683#!/photo.php?fbid=397111143701466&set=a.115257848553465.22590.115232335222683&type=1&theater

Not very clear, but the menu through the window !!!!:):pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:

MurdyWurdy

I'm laughing at this thread now - we're like addicts looking for a fix!

YumCha

lods wrote: »

Let us know what it's like !

It's real, it's real!! Had the Pho with sliced beef, brisket and beef balls, it was amazing!

I'm already planning return trips to eat my way through the whole menu....nyomomomom

Theresalwaysone

Having lived in Hanoi for nearly a year, and lived with Vietnamese people in Ha Long Bay on an island for 3/4 of that. I have been seriously seriously craving Pho since I got home...

And nothing.

John_Rambo

I'm amazed that such well traveled people are surprised and disappointed food isn't the same everywhere in the world.

We grow and harvest our food differently in a completely different environment, we raise, feed, treat and kill our animals differently, it's kept and butchered differently. Our produce is different, it's not the same, even our dried goods are dried differently.

You will not get the exact same produce in Dublin that you will get in Hanoi. Closer to the source you might (Australia)... Mega cities like London might closely replicate some stuff because of large ex-pat communities and forced environments.

I know it's nice to have a reminder of you holidays when you get back, but it's never the exact same!

dudara

I've been twice to Pho Viet in the last week - first time service was a bit chaotic (bordering on hilarious), second time service was perfect. Regardless, the pho was great and it costs a mere €6.90 for a decent sized bowl. They do add a 10% service charge, but the prices are very affordable anyway.

AsianDub

Just back from there. Bit quiet but was in there early. Started to fill up when a Vietnamese family came in.

Had the Pho Viet Special with the beef balls, brisket and thinly sliced beef steak, some fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, an ice coffee and tea. All very nice and reasonably priced. Came to €14.70.
You get the beansprouts, fresh chillis, mint and Thai basil. Got a lemon instead of a lime.

Broth was nice, not as beefy as some I've had but still nice. Meat seemed to be good quality (imo) and thinly sliced. Noodles were good.

Definitely the best I've had in Dublin. Well worth a visit and will be back to try the other dishes on the menu.

Bring cash as they haven't sorted out their card machine yet.

Foodfanatic

Have eaten at Pho Viet 3 times already and absolutely loved it.

Had the pho twice and a the noodle salad with pork and springrolls another time as well as fresh springrolls. Everything has been lovely.

pugwall

I really can't wait to try this place.

schemingbohemia

any vegetarian dishes?

Ciarok

The broth is the thing with pho. The Chapel St place and Pho Viet are ok'sh but a bit lacking in character.

skeeterdom

Went to Pho viet today. Very good. €30 for a goodmeal for two. He's getting a licence after christmas. Food was lovely

cuddlycavies

Echo that. it's great. reminds me of one on Wardour St London. Could be the start of something great. My standards are set by Sydney/Melbourne expectations.

pugwall

I went earlier today and love the place. Between 2 we shared the fresh spring rolls, deep fried spring rolls and the prawns for starters. I had the special pho bo and boyfriend had the prawn curry. All dishes were amazing and the bill came to €29. Very reasonable and the staff were extremely friendly. Dublin city centre is crying out for similar eateries. I predict that Pho Viet will come a regular haunt of mine. Extended review here

lima

Can't wait to visit this place!

Chickus

This place is the business...The Pho Bo was perfect, really delicious fresh spring rolls and finished off with sweet Vietnamese coffee..The service was great too..Fantastic value. Definatly going back

FoodFenatic007

Omg went to this place yesterday :O It was beautiful... I ordered the Special Pho with meatballs and rare steak... I have not tasted Pho this good since I was in Vietnam about 3 years ago... And did anybody else get served by the super cute kinda blondy guy? He was so nice and he said that it was B.Y.O.B for the moment so that is also pretty cool.. I definitely recommend this place for any Pho Lovers in Dublin... Hope this helps

MurdyWurdy

I cannot wait to get here - love that the reviews from boardsies are so good. Quite ill at the moment though so would rather wait until I can really enjoy the food. Maybe in a few weeks

JustAThought

Mmmm ; & Vietnamese Coffee... With the filter system : ) ...& iced condensed milk... I'm in there tomorrow!!! Yum : ) Can't wait!

catch--22

JustAThought wrote: »

Mmmm ; & Vietnamese Coffee... With the filter system : )

Brilliant!!! Can't wait to visit now!

MurdyWurdy

Where exactly on Capel Street is it? want to direct someone to it and have no idea!

circadian

Great to here there are some decent places for pho in Dublin. Lived on Vancouver and it was great there (as was the sushi). Currently in Vietnam enjoying it again so it's good to know I'll get some at home!

Chickus

Its just at the o connell street end beside a shop called Dance world..opposite side to Fibbers

cuddlycavies

MurdyWurdy wrote: »

Where exactly on Capel Street is it? want to direct someone to it and have no idea!

Parnell st

MurdyWurdy

Thanks - should have realised it was on Parnell St

ixoy

Was there last night and liked it, although have nothing to compare it against. It was quite busy at around 1800. All tables were occupied with new customers sharing so word of it is clearly filtering around.

Mr Whirly

I was there yesterday. First Pho in 3 years. Quality stuff and the guy running it is good craic.

Sunny.Days

I'm so thankful I've just come across this thread! Having just come home from a few years travelling in Australia/Vietnam I find myself craving Pho and other such delicacies! Thanks everyone for the info

MurdyWurdy

Went to Pho Viet last night with friends who had never had Vietnamese before. We were all really impressed, we were the only non Vietnamese people eating in there too which is always a great sign. We booked a table and it did get full after we had got there - about 6.30. It's not that big.

Three of us had Pho of some type and another had a curry and it was all delicious. The Pho was actually nicer than the one we are used to from NZ because the meat in it was quite lean. The meat we are used to is not nearly as nice and much more chewy and fatty.

The Vietnamese coffee was also fab. The guy running the place was really nice too - would definitely recommend. Thanks for the heads up on the place guys!