Pho Filet 2

🇻🇳 VIETNAM

EDITOR'S NOTE: An updated version of this article (30 November 2023) is available as part of the Historical section of our Substack page. Check that out here:

https://eattheworldla.substack.com/p/pho-filet-2

 

Like many of the restaurants I visited during fantastic annual trips to Los Angeles for the past four years, Pho Filet 2 happened because of a simple recommendation from Jonathan Gold, a man I obviously did not know but miss so much. He described the pho bac here as "...quieter, less dependent on the flavors of caramelization, and uncluttered by the half-dozen meats common in southern-style pho."

Phở bắc is the phở of the north, usually served with wider noodles and less adornment as noted. A decent plate of greens comes with the soup that already has plenty of onion and cilantro. That caramelization Mr. Gold talks about means the broth is less sweet than you find with Saigon-style phở.

As you will find in Hanoi, the broth does not arrive super complex and full of different savory, sweet, and/or funky elements as a bowl in Saigon might. The soup base is simple and savory, with hints of anise and cinnamon and possibly cloves.

The menu is full of non-phở as well in case that is not your mood for the day. I am ready to sit back down here and check out the rest.

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