Mr. Pho
1133 N.W. 23rd
525-7692
Obviously
the pho is delicious, but you’d be remiss if you didn’t try the
Vietnamese vermicelli bowls. The charbroiled shrimp vermicelli (bun tom nuong) is fresh and full of flavor. Start the meal with the shrimp roll, which comes complete with house-made peanut sauce for dipping.
Pho Lien Hoa
901 N.W. 23rd
521-8087
It’s
no surprise you’re sure to be satisfied ordering the restaurant’s
namesake. The Vietnamese soup is chock full of traditional spices, as
well as meat that’s been marinated for a few days. You’ll get a boat of
fresh vegetables to add into your broth-based bowl of pho. Kick up the
heat with chili paste, Sriracha sauce or fresh-cut jalapeño.
Banana Island Restaurant
1117 N.W. 25th
602-1188
At
this Malaysian and Thai joint, you’ll find dishes with coconut milk,
curry and chili sauce bases. None of the food is lacking in flavor or
spiciness, so be sure to let the chefs know how much heat you can
handle. For lunch, try the sambal eggplant and spring for the lamb
randang for dinner.
Lido
2518 N. Military
521-1902
If
you want choices, Lido has you covered with Vietnamese, Chinese and
French options. On the hot side, try the kung pao chicken topped with
peanuts. Always delicious are any of the dinner specials, from chicken
lo mein to the hot curry chicken. Don’t miss the spring rolls,
house-made fresh daily.
Pho Cuong
3016 N. Classen Blvd.
524-5045
Start the meal off right with cha gio, fried
egg rolls, and then head into the main event: pho. If you’re new to the
art of eating a bowl of pho, stick with the beginner part of the menu.
If you’ve got experience under the belt, then strike out with the pho
nam gan sach, noodle soup with well-done flank, soft tendon and tripe.
Vegetarian? Try the pho tofu.
Cafe Oasis
1135 N.W. 25th
528-5700
Have
you ever tried an octopus ball? Well, you probably should at some point
in your life. And that being the case, why not do it here? Chow down on
tofu and mixed veggies cooked in a clay pot, or enjoy the General Tso’s
tofu with rice. Try the Oasis fried rice with beef, chicken, pork,
chicken sausage or ham and eggs.
Pho Ca Dao
2431 N. Classen Blvd.
521-8819
The star dish is the sliced pork heo or the grilled pork chop with one egg. Its bo vien (meatballs)
pho is also quite the crowd pleaser. If that sounds heavy, try the
clear noodle dish or some shrimp and pork rolls. For the
veggie-inclined, tofu rolls will hit the spot.
Photos by Shannon Cornman, Mark Hancock and Jordan Ensminger
This article appears in Aug 1-7, 2012.