13. Pho Linh

You'll find Pho Linh at number 163/10 down a small alleyway leading off To Hien Thanh street in Saigon's District 10. I passed it yonks ago during the first Saigon streetcast movie and made the vaguest of mental notes to return one day. This morning my xe om driver suggested I'd like it. So here I am. It's pho fashioned the Hanoi way. No faffing, no frills, just straight up beef noodle soup from grandma's kitchen. A stern grandma. A grandma known to scowl and hand out a severe hiding to them's that don't sup their fill. Not the kind of pho you'd want an argument with. Head down, get the job done, and go. Hot, meatfilled, no namby-pamby Saigon snazzifery polluting this bowl. Pho Linh is a hard, honest, workmanlike pho and nothing more. It doesn't need to be.

Hic. 'Scuse me. 12,000VD with a tra da and a much needed wet towel. Smashing. Bonus condiment shot.

Comments

[Sticky]

Funny how things pan out! Your Lo Duc request is up!

[Linda]

Hi noodlepie,
My hubby & I are going back to VN for 3 weeks in May and I'm counting each day. :) I'd copied down all your recommandations for the best food in town.. including the best pho, best viet soup (bun mam ba sau, though not sure if I can find her stall!), and the best banh mi sandwich. :)
Thanks very much for your blogs! :)

[anchoi]

you're giving all this up for the bangers and mash?

[Nini]

I came to Pho Giao Linh in Cach Mang Thanh Tam Street and it's the best pho all around. It's owned by Vietnamese singer Giao Linh and boy can she cook? I forgot the address but it's next to Lang Nuong Nam Bo. :) You guys should really stop by and try it. Two thumbs up!