Pho Le, HCMC
Call me a pho fanatic. I love it, and the pho at Pho Le is great. I think I like Pho Le so much because the broth is not overpowered by the traditional supporting flavors of ginger, anise, or cinnamon. The beef flavor is the star and comes through loud and clear. I could drink the broth and be happy.
Of course it is served with the traditional accompaniments of a huge pile of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, and a lime wedge. They have all of the meat choices you would expect, and all of them have been great.
The noodles are a little wider than some, and if I had to offer a criticism it would be that they were a little over cooked. Service is what you'd expect: not great but adequate. The staff was doing a pretty good job of keeping the floor clean, which is often a challenge for restaurants in Vietnam.
The location we frequent while in HCMC is on Nguyen Trai street in District 5. It's a short ride (about 15 minutes depending on traffic) from District 1 but worth the effort. This location has an open first floor and an air-conditioned second floor. English is not always understood by the staff but that's never stopped me from getting a great bowl of pho at Pho Le.
Eat it!
