Phodown #7 – Pho Van

January 30th, 2007 · 8 Comments

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Target 7: Pho Van

Pho Van ext.Address: 3370 Fraser St (map)
Phone: 604-872-2879
Menu: Page 1
Price: $5.10 small; $6.00 large
Condiments Photo

Visit date: January 15th, 2007
Visit time: 9:00 PM

–ratings–

Jason’s ratings (#2 rare beef) –

Broth: 8.5/10
Beef: 7.5/10
Noodle: 6/10
Condiments: 8.5/10
Other factors (service, atmosphere, etc): 8/10

Jason’s total: 7.7/10

Dan’s ratings (#5 rare beef and well-done fank) –

Broth: 8/10
Beef: 7.5/10
Noodle: 6.5/10
Condiments: 8/10
Other factors: 8.5/10

Dan’s total: 7.7/10

Total Score (averaged across both raters, all variables) = 7.7/10
Quality per dollar (based on large pho) = 1.28/$

Description from Jason:

Pho Van has been my standby pho place for about a year now. Up until the phodown, it’s been the place I bring visiting friends and relatives when pho inevitably comes up. Not anymore. It’s sorta weird how my tastes have changed since we began this phodown a little while ago. Never had I tried so many different pho varietals in such short a time, and I’ve really started to detect nuances that I didn’t notice before. That said, Pho Van is still one of the best phos I’ve had, probably ranking about #2 in the phodown thus far, but it’s not longer my top pho.

The interior of Pho Van is a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s shiny and there’s a lot to look at, with a nice goldfish aquarium to boot. On the other hand, it’s maybe a bit too shiny and neon, an effect that can be slightly jarring when walking in out of a grey Vancouver evening. An odd side effect of this phodown has been that Dan and I have had a lot of experience with a wide range of aquariums. The best ones are clean, large and have cool tropical fish. Goldfish are okay, but they aren’t as pretty; and dirty aquariums don’t exactly promote one’s appetite for pho. Pho Van’s aquarium is good, but not great. The service is also good: quick and efficient.

Pho Van Luong phoThe pho broth here is excellent, with a very strong meaty flavor. This used to be pretty much enough for me, but now I also look for a nice aroma that comes from good spicing. Pho Van’s pho could stand to be a little more aromatic. The noodles could also use a little work, proving a bit too clumpy and gummy for my taste. The condiments, however, were top notch, including pristine bean sprouts and basil along with a nice chili oil.

Overall, Pho Van is still a step above most Vancouver pho restaurants, but I don’t think I can count it as my favorite any longer.

Pho Van (Fraser) on Urbanspoon

Tags: Pho

8 responses so far ↓

  • 1 chowman // Jan 31, 2007 at 11:05 pm

    I am really enjoying the reviews associated with the Great Phodown. They have given me a list of places to consider going to. Go Pho!

  • 2 Jason // Feb 1, 2007 at 10:30 am

    Thanks Chowman. I’m glad you are digging it. Pho ‘sho.

  • 3 iwanna // Jun 5, 2007 at 12:44 pm

    thanking you and google for bringing me here! i was just about to offer this restaurant a free site(well maybe pho contra) so that i could have the menu online but here it is!! the people who own the place are nice and the food is fresh.

  • 4 Jason // Jun 5, 2007 at 8:15 pm

    Thanks! I’m glad we could help!

  • 5 Jessica // Aug 19, 2008 at 6:46 am

    I went to pho van based on what I’ve read here. I was severely disappointed!! I had better pho in a “pho to go” joint. The sprouts were old, the beef was overcooked beyond repair, the broth was cloudy and oily. The service was AWFUL, the absolute worst. The restaurant itself, smelled extremely bad. SOOO DISAPPOINTING!

  • 6 Jason // Aug 19, 2008 at 10:59 am

    sorry jessica. it’s been a long time since i’ve been there. these reviews could always be dated and i’m sorry that happened to you!

  • 7 jason // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:16 pm

    it smell good taste great to reason y u are SO DISAPPOINTING ???

  • 8 jason // Jan 7, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    U SUCK JESSICA

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