Pho Hoang: Vietnamese Cuisine & BBQ on Kissena

I veered from my usual Vietnamese favorite, Pho Bang, to eat at Pho Hoang, the other Vietnamese spot right next door (on Kissena Blvd across from the Flushing Library).

I never really liked Pho Hoang all that much, despite the cleaner and more spacious interior than Pho Bang. The food has always taken way too long and the wait-staff has always been curt and unfriendly. Additionally, I get the impression that Pho Hoang is Chinese-owned, where as I'm sure Pho Bang is authentically Vietnamese (just a hunch).

But, as I love to continuously update my knowledge of the surrounding environs, I said "what the hey," and gave it another shot. And this time, the waiter was way friendlier making all the difference in the world!

After looking at the menu for a while, since I hadn't been in probably a year, I finally ordered what I thought was my Vietnamese favorite: vermicelli noodles with greens, topped with your choice of meat (I don't know the Vietnamese name, but Vietnamese Cold Noodle Salad works).

But when the order arrived (albeit, after a good,long wait), I realized that I goofed. In this case, the goof turned out quite nice in the form of greens on one plate and marinated, barbecue pork on top of "rice stick," which was like thinner, stringier vermicelli noodles stuck together in sheets, on the other. Then there's a side of pickled radish. The greens are used to wrap up the barbecue/rice stick in, much like Korean BBQ (Samkyopsal or Kalbi). This dish is #163 on the menu, under the heading "Vietnamese Cuisine."

As an aside, I must confess that above all else, I love Vietnamese iced tea and coffee. Unfortunately, it seems like I'm always eating Vietnamese for dinner, and since I'm sensitive to caffeine, I try to avoid these treats that late in the day. Instead, I just enjoy the quintessential, complimentary pot of hot jasmine tea found in just about all Vietnamese places.

All in all, my dining experience at Pho Hoang left a far superior impression on me than that of times past. I'll try it again sooner than later.

Pho Hoang
41-01 Kissena Blvd
Flushing, NY 11355
(718) 762-6151

Price: $5-10 / person
Service: C+
Interior: B-
Food: B+
Recommended: Yes

*notice* Vietnamese dishes often make plenty of use of cilantro. If you don't like cilantro, make sure to let the watier know before hand, when placing your order. Otherwise, check out Pho 32 & Shabu, which I reviewed here, where they always put the cilantro on the side for you to use if you please.


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Pho 32 - Vietnamese and Shabu Shabu: Korean Style

This Korean owned restaurant serves mostly Vietnamese food, but they also serve shabu shabu. There's at least three branches that I know of, one in Manhattan (32nd & 5th), one in Bayside, Queens, and of course, the one that I frequent in Flushing (Roosevelt 'tween Main & Union). Although prices have risen here recently--where hasn't it for that matter-- it's still a pretty good place to get a bite. That staff is fast and polite, and the manager is very kind. There is one, possibly two, really great things about Pho 32. The first one is that they're open 24/7; where else can you grab a piping hot bowl of pho at 2 in the a.m.? The second thing that sets Pho 32 apart from the rest, is that the cilantro is placed on the side, so if you're not big on cilantro you don't have to eat it. This last point can be a good one to know if you're planning on introducing friends to Vietnamese but you already know that cilatntro would be the deal breaker. Cilantro is just one of those things: either you love it or you hate it. Praise the Lord I'm of the former. Cilantro isn't big in Korea, so thus, it could be said that Pho 32 is Vietnamese with a slight Korean twist. But all in all, if you don't mind cilantro and it's not deep into the wee hours, you'd probably be better off elsewhere, as Pho 32's prices are a bit higher and broths a bit less on point than your average Vietnamese restaurant. View Larger Map Manhattan: 2 W 32nd St
Flushing: 136-71 Roosevelt Ave Bayside: 4534 Bell Boulevard