Pho Nho (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Phở Áp Chảo (Saute Beef Noodles Soup with Slices of Round Steak) 55,000 VND (S$3.30)

Pho Nho is an eatery my local friend highly recommended for beef noodles. We were told that it was way better than Pho 2000 (1-3 D Phan Chu Trinh) and Pho Hoa (260C Pasteur Street). I can't really compare as I have not tried them before. In addition, Pho Nho served Northern (Hanoi) style pho where as the Pho 2000 and Pho Hoa served Southern style pho. 

Pho Nho is located along Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, near War Remnant Museum and Ngoc Suong Marina (refer to location map) where we had seafood dinner the night before. 

The interior of the Pho Nho was unique and nicely designed. 

The walls were decorated with murals of the Hanoi street. In addition, the traditional street lights and foot paths completed the picture, making us felt as if we were dining along the streets of Hanoi.

The eatery was spacious with lots of seating capacity.

If required, you can request for English menu.

Fresh herb and vegetable

This plate of Fresh herb and vegetable was served as we had ordered Phở. Customers would be able to add the types and quantity of herbs or vegetables according to their own preferences into the bowl of Phở.

Phở Áp Chảo (Saute Beef Noodles Soup with Slices of Round Steak) 55,000 VND (S$3.30)

The Phở Áp Chảo (Saute Beef Noodles Soup with Slices of Round Steak) cost 55,000 VND (S$3.30). At most eateries, the beef served were not fully cooked (still slightly reddish in colour). Customers who preferred to cook their beef a little longer can just stir the beef into the soup and noodles and let the beef cook a little longer in the pipping hot soup.

The rice noodles looked similar to Kway Teow, though it was smoother and thinner. The bowl of pho was very forgiving. The clear, light brown soup broth was tasty and flavourful yet not overwhelming in beef flavour.

Crispy Chinese Roller 30,000 VND per piece (S$1.80)

The best part was dipping the Crispy Chinese Roller (dough fritters) into the pho. It was just dipping dough fritters into a bowl of Bak Kut Teh Soup back home in Singapore. Letting the dough fritters absorb all the essence of the soup!

 Sữa chua nếp cẩm (Yogurt mixed with Coconut Milk and Sweet Sticky Rice) 25,000 VND (S$1.50)

The Sữa chua nếp cẩm (Yogurt mixed with Coconut Milk and Sweet Sticky Rice) 25,000 VND (S$1.50) was listed as a drink in the menu. It was more like a dessert to me. It was served cold with ice cubes.

 Sữa chua nếp cẩm (Yogurt mixed with Coconut Milk and Sweet Sticky Rice) 25,000 VND (S$1.50)

Give it a good mix till its like the above picture and you are ready to enjoy it! Shiok! 

Phố Nhỏ (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

170 Nguyễn Đình Chiểu

Phường 6, Quận 3 

Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam 70000

Tel: +84 (08) 3930 5739

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Food Republic: Weekday Lunch Special at 112 Katong (till 30 Sep 2014)

Source: Food Republic

Food Republic: Weekday Lunch Special at 112 Katong (till 30 Sep 2014)

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Mountain Dew canned drink with a minimum of $6 spend in a single receipt at Food Republic.

- Valid till 30 Sep 2014
- Valid on weekdays from 12pm to 230pm (exclude eve of PH and PH)
- Not valid with other discounts or promotions
- The management reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions without prior notice

Kem Cong Truong (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)

Kem Trái Dừa (Coconut Ice Cream)

After our meal at Ngoc Suong Marina, my Vietnamese friends brought us to Kem Cong Truong (Kem Công Trường) as we requested to go somewhere, where the locals would go to for desserts. Kem Cong Truong was located next to Hồ Con Rùa (Turtle Lake), besides a busy traffic circle. It would be around 15 minutes walk from the Reunification Palace. 

Kem Cong Truong has been in operation for a long time since their parent's time (before the 70s) and is famous for their home made coconut ice cream. This no frills eatery with just a neon signboard had both 'alfresco' and indoor dining areas. It looks old and run down, in need of a renovation. When we arrived at 830pm, we noticed that only a few customers were in the indoor dining area (which was not air-conditioned). Most other customers sat at the alfresco area which consisted of low level tables and chairs located outside the shop just next to the busy road. Wanting to experience this for ourselves, we sat at the alfresco area.

The menu. They sell mainly small snacks, desserts and drinks. They had no english menu and we noted that except for our table, the rest of the customers were locals. Another point to note would be that the saff only understand Vietnamese (not English). Hence, do at least know what you want to order before coming here. 

We ordered the Kem Trái Dừa (Coconut Ice Cream) and Cacao Sữa Đá (Iced Cocoa).

Their signature Kem Trái Dừa (Coconut Ice Cream) was served inside a coconut shell with traditional toppings; crushed peanuts, pineapple, and dried bananas and plums. This is the authentic Vietnamese Style Coconut Ice Cream. The chilled coconut juice was served separately in a small glass. The Coconut Ice Cream was very well executed. The flavour of the coconut ice cream was robust and fragrant while the toppings added complexity to the taste resulting in sweet creamy yet tangy sour flavours. It also provided contrasting textures as the ice cream was smooth and soft where as the toppings varied between hard, soft and chewy. At the end, customers could enjoy the coconut flesh by scrapping them off the shell. It was very refreshing trying the Kem Trái Dừa (Coconut Ice Cream) which provided different tastes and textures.

The way the coconut ice cream was presented reminded me of the coconut ice cream in Bangkok at Chatuchak Weekend Market and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. 

Cacao Sữa Đá (Iced Cacao)

We also ordered the Cacao Sữa Đá (Iced Cocoa). It was a very 'thick' intense and rich chocolate drink. 

Kem Công Trường (Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh)
10 Phạm Ngọc Thạch
P. 6, Quận 3
Hồ Chí Minh

Opening Hours: 630am to 10pm

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