Let these noodles Pho your taste buds

Drue Grahman, feature 3, Entertainment - By Drue Grahman on Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 03:15

I originate from the San Francisco Bay Area, where there is a pho restaurant on almost every other corner. You may be asking yourself, “What is this pho thing you are speaking of? Tell me more!” If you are one of the many who has not discovered the phenomenon, pho is a Vietnamese style noodle soup that is served with your choice of beef brisket, tendon, flank, chicken, tripe or tofu. Pho is perfect for the cold, the rain, the sniffles, the measles, the mumps or even if you are not suffering from a weather or bodily ailment.

However, it just so happens that Whittier only has one pho restaurant, Pho Mai. Pho Mai is located on Telegraph Road, right across the street from Five Guys. Pho Mai makes up for Whittier’s shortage on this Vietnamese delicacy with its deliciously prepared soup.

Pho is notoriously affordable, and Pho Mai is no exception. Expect large portions for fewer than $10. I had a medium bowl of pho (medium is a deceiving word—it was quite large) and hot green tea and it only cost me about $6.

When you receive your pho, hold it to the sky and rejoice to the deity of your choice. Pho is, as I like to describe it, mana from heaven. Prepare to be nourished.

I have never been that daring with ordering pho, so rather than ordering something like tripe, I stick with the classic Pho Tai or beef flank. Typically restaurants serve the beef flank raw in your soup, but because it is sliced so thinly, it can be cooked to preference depending on how long you decide to leave it in the broth.

Pho Mai offers the classic assortment of herbs and condiments to add if you wish. I typically like to add basil, lime and sriracha, but they also offer mint, beansprouts and an array of different sauces.

The menu is vegetarian friendly and has assortment of other Vietnamese and Chinese noodle dishes. The fried egg rolls at Pho Mai are also particularly delicious.

Unfortunately, Pho Mai closes at 8 p.m. on Monday thru Friday, 5 p.m. on Saturday and is closed altogether on Sunday. Pho Mai is a tiny place and is prone to being packed during the lunch time hours. However, the food is worth adjusting your schedule. Next rainy day, make your way out to Telegraph Road.