Hearing that Pho was opening in Wimbledon was really exciting news to a foodie like me, as their soup and noodle dish is one of my favourite meals and something I love to make at home. With the new restaurant opening and having seen their menu, getting a chance to explore more fresh and tasty Vietnamese dishes was an opportunity I wasn’t going to miss out on.
When you walk into Pho the smell of herbs and lime is an instant hit of freshness and a promise of a healthy, delicious and freshly prepared meals.
The restaurant is beautiful with hand painted art on the wall, exposed brick and wicker lighting, which combined makes you feel cosy and warm in this weather, and ready to enjoy a delicious dish or two.
After looking over the incredible menu filled with a range of starters, salads, noodles soups, curry and wok fried noodles I hadn’t just decided what I wanted to try on this visit but already decided on what I was going to eat for the next five visits to the restaurant. I want to try everything!
I was surprised to learn that 99% of the Pho menu is gluten-free! Only the beer and one pudding from the menu have gluten in making Pho a gluten-free restaurant. Finding gluten-free dishes in Wimbledon can be tricky from experience, but with Pho there would be no worrying about the food but still so much choice and fresh tastes to enjoy.
Of course I had to try the dish the restaurant is named after and it was recommended to me to try the Pho Chin variety; a tender beef brisket in their homemade broth. Pho (pronounced ‘Fuh’) is a hot noodle soup and is the national dish of Vietnam. For the basis of a meal the Pho noodle soup is a perfect dish to personalise and caters for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. The rice noodles come in different stocks, then you can choose the meat, fish or vegetables you want and then it is served with a choice of toppings which you can add to your taste. The multiple ways you can eat a Pho is what makes it an incredible and versatile dish.
I loved that everything is prepared and cooked fresh on site, and the team take their food very seriously!
I also tried the Goi Cuon, the fresh and delicate summer rolls which were served with the most incredible peanut sauce. Imagine the best peanut butter you’ve ever had and you won’t be close to how good this sauce was! Also for a starter I tried the Cha Gio the crispy pork spring rolls – make sure you eat them with the lettuce and mint. A Pho insider spring roll life hack which you will enjoy and I certainly did!
A real treat and hit of fresh ingredients, flavour and textures was the Gio Ga, the most stunning shredded chicken salad with an Asian herb, pepper and chilli ginger dressing. It was so filling and the portion was huge!
My favourite dish I tried was the Bun: vermicelli noodles with tofu and mushrooms. Noodles with a lemongrass and chilli wok-fried topping served with fresh herbs, beansprouts, veggie spring roll and peanuts. The mixture of textures and tastes in this one bowl surprised me. There were so many strong flavours which had been used and they complimented each other so well. Adding the side sauce and stirring it in added an extra kick from the chilli which I loved. The mix of soft noodles, crunchy peanuts and beansprouts, the fire from the chilli and the freshness from the herbs made this a dish to treasure.
Make sure you enjoy a Phojito, the Pho take on a mojito and easily the best mojito I have ever had in Wimbledon! If you love a cocktail you must try this! Instead of using a rum the mojito is made using a Vietnamese clear rice spirit and it packs a most delicious punch!
If you aren’t drinking alcohol and want something super fresh and full of goodness try the apple, mint and lime fresh juice with ginger. Or if you want a hot drink enjoy the beautiful flower teas which open up from a seed into a flower in the cup and have a stunning but delicate flavour.
Even though the quintessential tastes and flavours of Vietnam are used in each dish I was surprised at how, thanks to wonderful chefs, each dish I tried tasted so different. Pho is a fantastic restaurant catering for all diets and intolerances. There is no doubt in my mind that whether you are gluten-free, vegan or love your meat you will find a dish to suit you.
The food being packed with so much fresh taste but remaining so healthy makes it a treat of a meal which will only leave you wanting more…
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Written by our Food Blogger, Sisley White.
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About The Author
Sisley White
Renowned food blogger and Wimbledon resident Sisley’s motto is ‘Eat, drink and be merry’ – she encourages everyone to explore their senses and get a taste of different cultures through food.