Warming Up With Pho Pasteur!

It’s been so cold in Boston going out to eat is becoming a minor hassle. Whether you drive or “T” it either option is a drag, especially when it’s a whopping 15-degree’s out. Yea. Yikes.

Fortunately cold weather brings on warming meals, which is what lead me to do a quick stop at Pho Pasteur in Chinatown. And what would be the meal of choice in this establishment you may ponder?

I’ll give you a “hint”: pho. But what is “pho’?

Pho is a popular Vietnamese street food consisting of broth, thick veggies, meat, and noodles.

I started drinking the soup back in high school around 2004. Something about the size, even when a small, and quality keeps me returning. It’s also the perfect meal when tight on a budget.

Opened 7 days a week from 9AM to 10:45PM Pho Pasteur is has a chill cozy set up with reasonable prices. Appetizers are between $3.75 and $10.25, while pho is between $7.25 and $7.95. Other items on the menu include salad, rice plates, seafood options, and desserts. There’s also wine and beer options for guest over 21.

Although it was my second time visiting this popular destination near the heart of the city it was my first trying an appetizer. Usually I go straight for my bowl, but this time my friends sparked my interested and I thought, “why not”. My pho of choice was Bun Nuoc Ca Ry Ga (Chicken Curry Vermicelli Soup).

I wanted to try something different to drink so to “spice” it up I went with the Chanh Muoi (Salty Ice Lemonade with Sugar). Although I’m glad to say I tried this beverage I can say I’m all set with it. As cold as the glass was every time I drank it my body warmed up. It was quite an experience.

We started with Cha Gio (Fried Egg Rolls). The rolls contained ground pork, egg, carrots, onion, rice vermicelli, and mushroom wrapped in a rice paper and deep-fried golden. Very good rolls; a nice start to our dinner. I haven’t had an egg roll in some time. My only regret is not trying them with the fish sauce that came on the side.

When the server placed my soup on the table my eyes lit up! The bright gold of the curry, the chunky veggies, the thick pieces of chicken throughout; this was a soup of champions and I was determined to retain my status. I became full so quick I had to take the rest home with me. The curry powder was used JUST right, giving off the spice I think most broth soups need. Lovely.