Are you in the mood for a big bowl of soup? Perhaps you’d like to share a massive bowl of pho between you and a group of four or five friends.
Are you in the mood for a big bowl of soup? Perhaps you’d like to share a massive bowl of pho between you and a group of four or five friends. Well, in that case, you’ll need to know what to do when it’s time to sit down and order your next bowl of this delightful Vietnamese noodle soup.
Avoid Ordering by the Numbers
This may seem like the easiest way to order pho, especially if you haven’t done it before. However, if you talk to friends who have had it before, or just follow your cravings, you’ll know what you want before you sit down. Stick with beef and chicken varieties for the most authentic experience. If you are interested in having a bowl of pho vegan-style, then ask your servers.
Scan the Menu
That said, sometimes, you just can’t decide. If you’re trying a new place to get your pho, the menu may be unfamiliar to you. Take some time to scan the menu.
The first fifteen items on the menu are going to be the group reserved for pho bo (beef pho). Different cuts and combinations of meat will each have their own number, too. Then, you can browse through the choices for pho ga, or chicken pho if that’s what you’re in the mood for. Lastly, vegetarian pho or pho chay will have its own section at the back. What’s notable about pho chay is that there won’t be any meat involved in its preparation – it will be made separately from the other varieties, and will be made with its own set of utensils, too.
Choose Your Size
Next, you will need to choose the size of your bowl. The bowl sizes may seem outlandish, but it’s worth it. Even if you can’t finish everything in one sitting, you will have leftovers for another meal. Regular and large sizes are the way to go, although if you are dining with your children, you can order kid-sized bowls; alternatively, you can choose this portion size for an older parent who insists on having smaller portions.
Customize Your Order
Lastly, customize your order! You can choose the type of broth you want, along with the ratio of broth to noodle and meat. The broth won’t have any in fat in it by default, but you can order broth with extra fat content in it. You can also choose to have to fewer noodles and less meat, or more of each. Scallions, cilantro, and bean sprouts will all be served on the side, so you can include as many as you like or leave them out if you wish.
Get All Your Asian Groceries at Lotte Plaza Market
Lotte Plaza Market is your one-stop shop for all of your Korean and Asian grocery needs. With more than 10 locations in Maryland and Virginia, this growing market is always expanding and opening new markets to serve our customers better. Since we opened in 1976, our goal has always been to provide the best customer service and groceries to our customers. For answers to all of your questions, email us at LottePlaza.com.