If you like Vietnamese noodle soup, particularly pho, you should absolutely visit Pho Hung Vuong in Springvale, Melbourne. Springvale is home to so many incredible Vietnamese restaurants and for as long as I can remember, even before 1995, Pho Hung Vuong has been around serving its delicious pho in both chicken and beef. You can’t go wrong with this long time institution, it is hands down the best pho in town.
The restaurant has always occupied a tiny shop front on Balmoral Avenue in Springvale. It is always popular and there is usually a queue out front particularly during lunch and dinner times.
I can remember the cost of the menu being AUD$5 for a small bowl of pho and then seeing it increase steadily to what it is today, which is $12 for a small, $13 for a medium and $14 for a large. The menu displayed along the walls only consists of noodle soup, so there is no rice dishes or anything else to order. But why would you visit for any other reason other than to enjoy a delicious bowl of pho.
You can choose whatever you want from the menu and its the same price. You will get a good lot of condiments on top of the noodles no matter what you choose, so you don’t really lose out if you decide that all you want is rare beef.
I normally go for the Beef Special. The soup is their delicious broth that they have managed to perfect over the years and made consistently. In the 1990s and 2000s, their soup was a hit and miss since there were different chefs in the kitchen, but nowadays it is always tip-top delicious. The Beef Special has rare beef, beef brisket, tendon, tripe and a slice of beef sausages along with pickled onion and spring onion. The soup is just delicious. It is a perfect blend of umami, sweet and salty flavors. I have no idea how clear soup manages to have so much flavor packed into it.
When you take your seat, you will be provided with cups and a tea cylinder that you can serve yourself. You can ask for iced tea if hot tea is not up your alley. You will be expected to make your order as well, but it shouldn’t be too hard to decide. If you aren’t sure, go for their standard medium Beef Special, otherwise pick Chicken Special if you prefer chicken or The Lot if you want a bit of both. (The Lot comes with beef broth.)
If you want beef balls or extra meat, you can ask for that too for an extra $4. They usually provide this in another small bowl with some broth. Some people order the beef balls since the Beef Special doesn’t normally come with beef balls.
You can pretty much add whatever you like to your pho. They provide bean shoot, basil and lemon/s on a plate to your table. You can even ask for steamed bean shoot and pickled onion for no extra charge. On the table already are a bunch of sauces including hoisin, siracha, fish, soy and chili oil sauce with salt and pepper.
You should also consider their drinks as well. Their coffees are good, but I really like their Three Colours drink which comes with sweet kidney bean, mung bean and pandan jelly. It is topped with coconut milk and shaved ice. It is a super good drink and well worth $4.
You should visit if you are in Springvale, since I highly recommend it. Even if there is a queue, you shouldn’t have to wait around too long as most people will eat their pho and then move on. It’s not a place to lounge around.
Pho Hung Vuong is located at 2/15 Balmoral Ave, Springvale VIC 3171:
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