Comments on: Tips on Ordering Pho Your Way: Just Tell Them What You Want

By: Bean Sprouts - Adding Crunch to the Savory Pho - Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Bean Sprouts - Adding Crunch to the Savory Pho - Vietnamese Pho Noodles — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 04:38:06 +0000

[...] If you are familiar with bean sprouts at all, you know that it can be eaten raw or cooked, or somewhere in between. In many Vietnamese dishes, and clearly in pho, bean sprouts can be enjoyed at any of the cooked state just mentioned. If you want fresh raw sprouts in almost every bite, then add them in the bowl a few at a time. If you like them somewhat cooked, then add more at the beginning so they are cooked while you eat. Finally, if you like cooked sprouts, add them all in when the broth is still boiling hot; you’ll then enjoy fully cooked sprouts as you proceed eating your pho. Alternatively, many also order blanched or steamed bean sprouts on the side. See more in the article “Tips on Ordering Pho.” [...]

By: Pho Etiquette - Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Pho Etiquette - Vietnamese Pho Noodles — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:27:05 +0000

[...] “Tips on Ordering Pho Your Way: Just Tell Them What You Want,” [...]

By: Understanding the Pho Menu: No More Ordering Pho by the Numbers - Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:09:58 +0000

[...] So now you are armed with the basics of pho menu with some knowledge on how to order pho. For ”advanced” pho ordering, read my article on “Tips on Ordering Pho Your Way: Just Tell Them What You Want.” [...]

By: Cuong Huynh

Cuong Huynh — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 04:48:46 +0000

@Barb Carter. I've just posted a new post showing pronunciation of typical pho permutation and combination that one usually finds on a pho menu. It's called "How to Order Pho in Vietnamese." Thanks for your suggestion and enjoy.

By: Pho Pronunciation - How to Ordering Pho in Vietnamese - Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Pho Pronunciation - How to Ordering Pho in Vietnamese - Vietnamese Pho Noodles — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:45:46 +0000

[...] = ‘lovingpho’; Per a request from Barb Carter over at the “Tips on Ordering Pho” post, below are audio files to help with your next [...]

By: Pronouncing Pho and Ordering Pho For the Confused and the Timid - Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:19:28 +0000

[...] reading the article on Pho Pronunciation still leaves you confused? And “Tips on Ordering Pho” still gives you pause? Well a few readers felt the same way. In fact some indicated to me [...]

By: Cuong Huynh

Cuong Huynh — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:47:26 +0000

@Barb Carter. Hi Barb, thanks for the excellent thoughts. I’ve been pondering the idea and your post just pushed me over. It’s not much trouble so I’ll do something and will post them.

I think ordering by numbers is easiest but it’s the worst case. It shows nobody cares about anything, with laziness being the common thread between the customer and the order taker. Time’s changed and we can all do better.

Next is ordering in English. It may be easier for the customer (non-Viet speaker) but makes it much harder for the restaurant; it will slow everyone in the service chain, from the order taker to preparer in the back to the server to the cashier. Plus it doesn’t sound quite right in my opinion.

So we’re left with mangled Vietnamese, but I think it’s the best scenario because we can do so much with it. I admire those who make the effort because it shows the will is already there. The only thing left is a little technique and coaching. From the restaurant’s viewpoint, it’s the normal way their largest group of clientele (Vietnamese) orders anyway. Plus it makes for a fun atmosphere.

By: Barb Carter

Barb Carter — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:37:34 +0000

OK, now we know what we like in our pho, but we really can only pronounce pho itself. How can we order all those variations without sounding like fools? Any chance you’d create recordings showing the variations (not all possible combinations of course, just the basics and we can combine whichever parts we’d need). Which do you think is worse: ordering by the numbers, ordering in English, or ordering in mangled Vietnamese?
Thanks.

By: Banh Pho (Bánh Phở) - It Is All About the Square Noodles - Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:13:08 +0000

[...] Why is banh pho so important in a bowl of pho? One can say that pho is not pho without the correct banh pho rice noodles in it. You can eliminate the garnishing, but you cannot take banh pho noodles out of a proper bowl of pho. And you can’t have just few strands of banh pho floating in the broth, you have to have a whole lot of them. In fact in a restaurant, it’s totally an acceptable option to order more banh pho in your bowl than normally served (see the article on “Tips on Ordering Pho Your Way.”) [...]

By: Quicker Beef Pho Broth with Quoc Viet Foods' Pho Soup Base - Vietnamese Pho Noodles

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:14:52 +0000

[...] * The meats and tendon is optional, or you can also substitute/add tripe, meatballs, etc. depending on your preference, just as you would order in a restaurant. See my “Tips on Ordering Pho Your Way.” [...]