Pho Don

Pho Don is one of the newer Vietnamese restaurants to open along Hastings Street in Vancouver. The restaurant is very large and the interior looks modern. In addition, there are plenty of spacious seating arrangements and the restaurant is squeaky clean.

CHICKEN WINGS ($6.95)

The wings are fried and taste juicy with a very light crisp exterior. I say "very light" because the wings are borderline crisp. Also, there is a very light seasoning with no distinct flavour such as a noticeable salt n' pepper, and the wings taste like plain fried wings. The wings make me miss Pho 99's because that restaurant adds a side of five spice!

BUN BO HUE, LARGE ($8.50).

The broth tastes somewhat flavourful but there is only a hint of spiciness and the lemongrass flavour could have been stronger. Although with the extra addition of chilli oil, the broth tasted slightly better. 

The bun bo hue includes slices of beef where some taste tender while a few are fairly chewy, and there are a couple of pork hocks, beef balls as well as Vietnamese ham. As for the noodles, they are well cooked, slippery and have a nice chewiness.

PHO DAC BIET, HOUSE SPECIAL BEEF NOODLE SOUP, LARGE ($7.95).

The bowl of pho has a flavourful beefy broth and the noodles are perfectly cooked as well, soft with a nice chewiness. Furthermore, the slices of beef taste more tender than my bowl of bun bo hue, and there is a good broth to noodle ratio. However, there is not much meat compared to many pho restaurants.

LEMONGRASS PORK CHOP WITH FRIED EGGS ($8.50).

The pork is a good quality bone-in chop and tastes tender. But, the pork chop is slightly too salty and there was not much of a lemongrass flavour. Furthermore, the meat is caramelized but lacks that nice charred flavour. As for the eggs, they are well done and not overcooked.

BLENDED FRESH JACK FRUIT ($4.10).

The drink is well blended and Pho Don uses fresh jack fruit rather than canned. I requested for only a bit of sugar and the slushy does not taste too sweet nor bland.

TOTAL: $39.75 + TIP $5.25 = $45.00.

Pho Don is an option for those in the area or when needing a late night snack, and the food can be considered average. Having said that, Pho Don is also a newly renovated and clean restaurant compared to many Vietnamese restaurants (especially those that are open until late night)! As for the service, our waitress was friendly and if anything, the garnishes were forgotten and we waited a while to wave her down.

POSITIVES
- Open late night
- Friendly staff
- Nice atmosphere for a Vietnamese restaurant

NEGATIVES
- There is better (although the food is average)

LITTLE THINGS
- Complimentary guava candy was given with the bill

Food: 2.5/5
Service: 2.5/5