That Visalia Vietnamese restaurant
 

Greetings from the UK, folks.

Last year, my husband and I drove through California and spent a couple of nights in Visalia. Apart from one of the very best, and cheapest Chinese dinners we ever had, and, a fantastic steak in The Depot, we found a Vietnamese-type restaurant at the entrance to a shopping mall in Visalia (the kind you sit at table in the mall and collect your own food). The Vietnamese noodle souup was out of this world and I have tried the internet and all manner of cook books looking for a recipe for what may match this fragrant, healthy brew, all without success.

Does anyone know if this is a one-off family-run restaurant, or, could it be a chain? We return to the US in October but to San Diego and don't have time to go to Visalia again. If anyone knows the name of the restaurant to which I am referring, I would be pleased to hear of it because if it's a chain, I want to find it again.

Many thanks.

MJLR

You are referring to <i>pho</i>. Any Vietnamese restaurant will offer that. It's usually substantial enough for a whole meal, but you may see an appetizer-sized version on the menu, sometimes called <i>chen pho nh&ograve;</i>.

There are a fair amount of Vietnamese restaurants in the greater San Diego area. I can think of two in Hillcrest: RiceJones and Saigon on Fifth. Any SD locals know of others?

This is not really related, but RJW's post reminded me of it...

Several years age I was in Brampton, ON, and there was a restaurant called &quot;Pho King Noodles&quot; :D

I don't get it...

OH! Now I do!

Just call me &quot;doofus&quot;

Brandie, is there a Vietnamese restaurant you like in the Atlanta area?

I'd hate to hear their radio ads, then have that Pho King jingle running through my head...!!

MJLR, California has the highest concentration of Vietnamese ex-pats in the US. <i>Pho</i> is quite familiar and popular in southern CA. You won't have any problem finding it.

Actually, I don't think I've ever been to one (we didn't eat at Pho King, we just passed by).

Thank you all. It took me a while to get the Pho King connection but I did...quite funny really.

When I am in California this time and in whichever city, I should get the Yellow Pages out for Vietnamese restaurants. Also, perhaps I should Google 'pho' or 'chen pho nho' for the authentic version.

Thank you all again.

MJLR

This recipe is pretty basic and quite authentic, although I'd add a stalk of bruised lemongrass to add another fragrant green/citrus flavor:

http://www.soupsong.com/rpho.html

I like to drink Effen Vodka with my Pho King Noodles!