Author: Alexius Chua
This quaint pho restaurant owes much to the important women around its founder Hoang; his mother, grandmother and aunts who worked and cooked selflessly to feed the family. Of course, they must be excellent cooks that Hoang is confident to incorporate the family recipes for his culinary venture – ala Vietnamese style – as tribute to the female figures in his life.
Backstory aside, the pho specialist Mrs Pho recent opening at VivoCity marks the restaurant’s first operation in a shopping mall. This joyous occasion also brings worth an exclusive creation by the original Mrs Pho (yes it’s a person), who is the founder mother to unveil two special dishes for the opening – Mamma’s Chicken Ham ($4.90) and Moc Noodle Soup ($9.90).
While the chicken ham might look like SPAM luncheon meat slices, they are actually irresistible slices of minced chicken marinated with species, steamed in banana leaf and fried to have that oomph. Perfect to pair with beer, this traditional Vietnam snacks possess a depth in meaty flavour.
The Moc Noodle Soup features a clear broth sweetened with fresh onions slices. Very hearty, just like a communal home-made dish.
The rest of the menu showcases flavours of Hoang’s childhood favourites with appetisers like the Mrs Pho Cockles ($8.90), Fresh Star Fruit and Beef Salad ($8.50), where beef slices are served with fresh star fruit for a zesty balance.
My personal favourite among the plates is the Grilled Lemongrass Beef Sticks ($5.90). Chunky beef marinated in lemongrass to give off that touch of freshness, the beef is so juicy and tender it peels off just by slight nibble.
The phos is a must if you visit this eatery. There’s the Hue Special Beef Noodle Soup ($8.90), the Mrs Pho Dry Noodle Combo ($9.90) which allows you to savour the delicateness of the house-made noodles, but for me the clear winner is the Special Beef Combo Pho ($9.90) – a hearty bowl of silky flat noodles in rich beef soup. Its not oily, accompanied with generous lean cuts of beef, beef balls, trips and other parts. This heart-warming bowl only makes you feel how lucky a son could be to have a mother like Mrs Pho.
Mrs Pho @ Vivo City
Vivo City #B2-29A, 1 Harbourfront Drive, Singapore 098585
Opening Hours: 10am to 10pm
Facebook: Mrs Pho
Instagram: @mrspho
Hashtag: #mrsphosg
