June 30, 2010

Lunch x Phở Saigon Restaurant x Ladner

Lunch at Phở Saigon Restaurant in Ladner on June 20, 2010.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

I have lived in Ladner a long time, but I never thought I would see the day that a Vietnamese restaurant open up in my little town with its small population of fellow Asians.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

Growing up in a Vietnamese family and eating the native cuisine on a daily basis, I was skeptical at the quality of Phở Saigon.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

First of all, the restaurant is very nice and clean inside with appealing decorations and a fun, beach decor. I was surprised at the presence of a full bar which I never seen in any of the many phở places I have been to. The restaurant is run by a Vietnamese family adding to the authenticity being able to order speaking Vietnamese.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

The restaurant was very busy and there was only one dedicated server with a packed house and while he was very nice, service became very slow as the staff and cooks could not keep up with customer demand during dinner time. The prices were reasonable and the menu had a nice variety of Vietnamese dishes.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BCPhở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

I had a strawberry milkshake which was pretty good. The French-style Vietnamese coffee was subpar. The coffee was too thin and it did not have the decadent taste and flavour it needs. I know my Vietnamese coffee which I make at home with a thick consistency and rich flavour.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

Coming from a home with a mother who is a fantastic, authentic Vietnamese cook and prides herself on the freshness and authenticity of her native cuisine, I have high standards when it comes to phở and other Vietnamese related dining.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BCPhở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

The Phở Đặc Biệt (special beef noodles) was serviceable, but nothing particularly special or noteworthy. The noodles were not fresh and a little sparse for the large size. The Hủ Tiếu Bò Kho (beef stew noodles) was much better with a nice flavour, consistency, and portion.

Phở Saigon Restaurant | Ladner, BC

The rice with grilled pork chop was quite good and filling with generous meat portions. I was more than satisfied with the rice and meat. Looking around, I found the rice, dry noodle, and grilled meat dishes to look much more delectable than the soup-based ones.

Phở Saigon is a nice change of pace from the usual western and more western-style Asian restaurants in Ladner and provides a satisfying, more than decent meal at a good price for the residents of Ladner.

Pho Saigon on Urbanspoon

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