Phở is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, linguine-shaped rice noodles, a few herbs, and meat. It is a popular street dish in Vietnam and the specialty of a number of restaurant chains around the world. Pho is primarily served with either beef or chicken. The Hanoi and Saigon styles of pho differ by noodle width, sweetness of broth, and choice of herbs. The origin of pho and its name is a subject of scholarly debate.
Pho originated in the early 20th century in northern Vietnam, apparently southeast of Hanoi in Nam Định province, then a substantial textile market. The traditional home of pho is reputed to be the villages of Vân Cù and Dao Cù (or Giao Cù) in Đông Xuân commune, Nam Trực district, Nam Định province.According to villagers, pho was eaten in Vân Cùlong before the French colonial period when it was popularized.
Pho was originally sold at dawn and dusk by roaming street vendors, who shouldered mobile kitchens on carrying poles (gánh phở). From the pole hung two wooden cabinets, one housing a cauldron over a wood fire, the other storing noodles, spices, cookware, and space to prepare a bowl of pho. Pho vendors kept their heads warm with distinctive, disheveled felt hats called mũ phở.
Hanoi’s first two fixed pho stands were a Vietnamese-owned Cát Tường on Cầu Gỗ Street and a Chinese-owned stand in front of Bờ Hồ tram stop. They were joined in 1918 by two more on Quạt Row and Đồng Row. Around 1925, a Vân Cù villager named Vạn opened the first “Nam Định style” pho stand in Hanoi. Vendors abandoned the gánh phở model around 1936–1946 in favor of stationary eateries.
Now that you know about Pho…if you didn’t already that is…let me tell you about a little gem on 1008 Wilson Road in Toronto called Pho Mi Asia.
I love going there and if you like HUGE portions for a small price…you need to visit. The food is great, the staff are functional, and the atmosphere is cafeteria like.
Even though the atmosphere is somewhat stark and the staff are not friendly,nor are they unfriendly, it’s still amazing food.
If you are in a rush, and need something hearty, quick & cheap…
Stop in to Pho Mi Asia.
Com Tham Thap Cam
AND the AMAZING PHO
Until the next episode…
Oaks
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