Hot Soup, Cold Day

If there is one dish that is universally cozy & comforting I’d argue it's soup. I’d even take it a step further and argue that pho is the most comforting of the soup variety. 

I’ve always loved soup, I think most people generally do enjoy it? I had ramen years before I ever tried pho, and though I do enjoy ramen, it didn’t blow my mind like everyone claimed it would. Fast forward a few years and i’m introduced to pho. Now THIS deserves some hype! Hot, savoury, flavourful--it’s the trifecta. Since my introduction to the dish, I’ve been on a mission to find ~the perfect bowl of pho~. There are a handful of places in Toronto that do it really well and places I often find myself frequenting but, I know there’s better out there! That’s where this incessant need to try every pho spot in the city began. Strap in and come along for the ride! Or exit this blog now and maybe never unlock the secrets of the universe. (Okay maybe not secrets of the universe but definitely pho secrets.) 

Let’s start with my tried and true: 

Pho Xe Lua @ 254 Spadina Ave., Toronto 

*I feel like it's worth mentioning this spot is CLOSED THURSDAYS*

Putting my hair up like the god damn professional pho eater that I am. Pho requires two hands. This is a serious soup. 

Full spread, L to R: spring rolls, garnish (bean sprouts, basil, limes and chili), fish sauce, tea and front and centre is the bowl of pho.

When I first started coming to Pho Xe Lua, I’d always order the “House Special” which, at this location, is menu item #101. Anywhere you go, typically, the “House Special” has a little bit of all the best stuff. Now that I have been coming here for a while and have tried various soups on the menu, I’ve since changed my order, yet again! My new go-to pho order is menu item #118 which is PLAIN noodle soup, and I like to add “fresh tofu” and I also request thin noodle, as I prefer them over the thick ones! 

Menu item #118 +thin noodle +fresh tofu

All pho soups come with bean sprouts, basil, lime & a chili on the side and every table is equipped with spoons, chopsticks, hoisin and of course, sriracha! 

Pho garnishes: bean sprouts, basil, limes & chili 

When my sister and I would come here we would also order a menu item #603 with we aptly nicknamed “Lava Bites” as these little, delicious morsels get served molten hot! The real name of these yummy bites are “Deep Fried Wontons” and they’re filled with pork & shrimp. I decided to switch it up this time and I ordered their menu item number #601 which is their “Spring Roll” filled with “pork, taro, dry mushroom and mixed vegetables.” 

Spring rolls

The filling was perfectly seasoned and the fish sauce dipping sauce was perfect! Salty and slightly sweet—yum! 

Inside of spring roll (sorry for the less-than-clear photo)

Dipping sauce for spring rolls

 

 
Pho Xe Lua is definitely the pho place I visit the most, I feel like their pho and noodles are the most consistent. The noodles are always cooked perfectly, seldom overdone. The broth is always savory and salty and ever so slightly sweet. The meat is always fresh and flavourful. I really do not have anything negative to say about this location. It’s always busy and it’s always amazing! I leave here FULL & SATISFIED. 

Fully loaded pho: garnishes added, limes squeezed, hoisin & sriracha topped.

If you're looking for a good, consistent Vietnamese spot, I'd highly recommend Pho Xe Lua! You can check out their full menu & website by clicking HERE! 

Happy slurping!