Down a few shops from Joo Chiat’s popular Vietnamese restaurant Long Phung is Pho Hanh Delights. The new restaurant was visibly empty, without much décor to speak out, but I wanted to give it a try.
Time to support the underdogs, even though half my heart says “Why not just go Long Phung?”
Pho Hanh Delights used to be Vietnam Food Hanh Delights at Telok Blangah Food Centre, forced to close due to high rentals.
Lady boss cum chef Nguyen Thi Hanh honed her cooking skills in her family’s restaurant in Vietnam, subsequently moved over after marrying a Singaporean husband.
The décor did look sad, with pale-looking food pictures (probably shot with a handphone) colour-photocopied and pasted along the walls. Menu was in a black plastic folder. Not the type of place to come if you are on a first date (or even subsequent dates). This may be a hang-out-with-buddies place.
With that said, the food actually fared much better than expected. Moral of story: Don’t judge a restaurant by its appearance.
The traditional Vietnamese Beef Combo Pho ($7.50) was such an uplifting take after trying so much commercial ones. (Some placed have completely butchered pho.)
Sure, the taste and presentation might not as polished as known restaurants outside. But the stock was light yet full-flavoured. Reasonably priced and included with generous portions of beef slices, brisket and balls. Having this on a rainy day may be your best alternative for comfort pho.
Again, while the stir-fried Kang Kong ($5.00) didn’t look too appealing when presented, the shoots were crunchy, seasoning particularly fragrant and tasty (may be salty for some).
What I noticed that when every dish came, there was a different accompanying sauce, which helped enhance the flavours. Chicken wings which came with a saucer of salt, pepper and pounded chilli padi brought me back to Ho Chi Minh.
Unexpectedly, the Vietnamese dishes at Pho Hanh Delights had a slant of home-cooked goodness and authenticity. You may want to give them a support when you are in the vicinity.
Pho Hanh Delights
189 Joo Chiat Road Singapore 427480
Tel: +65 9118 8752
Opening Hours: 12pm – 1am
Other Related Entries
Nam Nam Noodle Bar (Raffles City)
Saigon Lotus (Marina Square)
Trung Nguyen Coffee (Vietnam)
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