Pho 24 review

Al Pasha restaurant, Hong Kong For a noodle shop Pho 24 certainly puts itself about a bit. Aside from it’s two branches in Hong Kong it has branches in Australia, Britain, Korea and numerous other places.

Pho is Vietnamese noodles, of course, but I’ve no idea what the 24 means. Neither did the staff. Not to worry, I wasn’t there for the maths. I gone in to seek sanctuary from the mayhem that is Tsim Sha Tsui. A bowl of noodles was all I was seeking but I got a bit carried away I’m afraid.

Breaking from tradition amongst Vietnamese restaurants the decor is not heavily accented with green. The colour is still there but it is a lot more subtle. At Pho 24 it can found on the place mats and edging the menu.

I was given a table by the window overlooking Nathan Road, it’s much nicer to look at when you’re not being accosted by tailors and copy watch salesmen. I turned my attention to the menu.

Al Pasha restaurant, Hong Kong It’s quite a well thought out menu with plenty of options for those that don’t want pho. All the familiar spring rolls are in evidence as well as a good range of rice options.

But I’d gone for a bowl of noodles and I wasn’t going to be swayed. I ordered the Pork roll rice noodles ($39).

Aside from the main menu there was a list of ‘chef’s recommendations’. I’d already considered the noodles with prime US beef and the giant head prawn was tempting as well. But Vietnamese style roasted eel ($58) won the day. I also couldn’t resist the steamed noodle filled with minced pork and black fungus ($48).

To wash it all down I ordered a bottle of Saigon 333 beer($28).

I’d envisioned the eel as a starter and just assumed it would arrive first. I was wrong. The noodles arrived first but I wasn’t particularly worried and I tucked in. The eel came shortly after. Usually I only have eel in Japanese restaurants, this was ‘Vietnamese style’ and I wasn’t sure what to expect.

It had been cooked in a mild and peanutty curry-like sauce. Very flavourful but rich, I’d recommend sharing. The pork and fungus had been pressed into little patties and wrapped in sheets of rice noodle and was another good little side dish that would be great for sharing.

The noodles too were just what I’d wanted. I’d avoided the various beef options when I realised that I was going to be ordering other dishes as well. For some reason I thought the pork would be less filling.