Peach Ratings: A Pho Journey Through Brooklyn Park
Introduction
As winter settles in, it brings with it a chill that seeps into our bones and makes us crave warmth. During this season of cold, comfort food becomes a vital source of solace and joy. Compared to the 2023-2024 winter, the 2024-2025 season has proven to be particularly harsh for everyone. On those biting cold days, there’s nothing quite like turning to a comforting meal. While comfort food choices vary from person to person, as a Hmong individual, I find myself irresistibly drawn to the Vietnamese dish, phở.
When I prepare Phở at home for my family, I follow the methods taught to me by my mother. The flavors I aim for are herby and savory, yet I can’t overlook the authentic essence of Vietnamese Phở.
Phở is best described as a flavorful and aromatic noodle soup, featuring rich bone broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and various cuts of meat. The heart of this dish lies in its broth. A well-crafted broth can elevate the dish, while a poorly made one can ruin it entirely. No amount of condiments can compensate for a lackluster broth.
Renowned for its depth of flavor and aromatic qualities, the most common Phở broth is created by simmering beef bones with an array of spices and aromatics for several hours. The marrow from the bones contributes to a rich base, adding gelatin that imparts a silky texture. Spices such as star anise, cloves, cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, and black cardamom are often lightly toasted before being introduced to the broth, enhancing their aroma and providing the characteristic flavor of Phở. The smoky depth and complexity often come from charred ingredients like onions, ginger, and garlic, while the savory umami is achieved through fish sauce, balanced with salt and sugar.
The result should be a clear, fragrant broth that is rich yet light, with a delicate balance of spices and sweetness. This creates the perfect backdrop for the tender noodles and fresh toppings that accompany Phở. A superb Phở broth minimizes the need for condiments, allowing the natural flavors to shine through.
Living in Minnesota, I am well aware that depending on your location, you might have a preferred Vietnamese restaurant. Recently, I decided to explore all the Vietnamese dining options in Brooklyn Park to determine which one stands out as the best.
Just a quick note: my review centers exclusively on phở. While I’ve shared my thoughts on this beloved dish, I recognize that my impressions might change if I had explored other menu items. I encourage you to take my insights as just one perspective and to embark on your own culinary adventures.
In Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, I found five Vietnamese restaurants to explore: MT Noodles, Vietnam House, Mandarin, Pho 99, and Thanh Vi. Each of these family-owned establishments is conveniently located, offering a taste of the rich culinary traditions I cherish.
MT Noodles
At first glance, MT Noodles exudes a bright, clean, and posh atmosphere. I felt a bit out of place in my pajama attire, slippers, and pulled-back hair, as if I were the messiest thing in the restaurant.
We ordered a serving of fresh spring rolls, the house egg rolls, and two bowls of Phở. The spring rolls came as two rolls for $7.95, while the house egg rolls were served as eight mini rolls for $11.95. The Phở Dạc Biệt, featuring rice noodle soup with lean beef, well-done flank, beef brisket, tripe, and meatballs, was priced at $12.50 for a regular size or $15.50 for a large.
Upon receiving my bowl of Phở, I was immediately drawn to the appetizing presentation, with an array of meat cuts and green onions. The aroma of the broth was enticing, and I couldn’t wait to take my first sip. However, once the soup touched my taste buds, I found myself slightly confused. While the aromatic qualities were definitely present, the signature umami flavor was noticeably absent, leaving the dish feeling a bit flat. The condiments provided did not include fish sauce, which meant I couldn’t add that crucial umami kick.
I usually can’t stand wasting food and pride myself on finishing every meal, but for the first time, I left my bowl of Phở half-eaten.
If I had to score this bowl of Phở out of five peaches, I would give it a 3 out of 5.
Vietnam House
If MT Noodles offers a bright and posh vibe, Vietnam House gives off a warm and homey atmosphere. Upon entering, I was greeted by the sight of two boys, probably around 11 or 12, playfully arguing while cleaning chopsticks. I couldn’t help but chuckle; it felt like a typical family gathering.
I ordered fresh spring rolls, egg rolls, and a bowl of Phở here as well. The spring rolls came in two rolls cut in half for $5.95, and the egg rolls were similarly priced at $5.95 for two rolls cut in half. The Phở Dạc Biệt included rice noodle soup with sliced rare beef, beef flank, brisket, tendon, and meatballs for $10.50 (regular), $11.50 (large), or $13.95 (extra-large).
When my bowl of Phở arrived, it looked rather plain compared to the vibrant green onion topping at MT Noodles. However, the first sip of the broth took me by surprise. The umami flavor was robust, with a delightful balance of savory and sweet notes. As I stirred the soup, the aromatic spices wafted through the air. Though it was a bit sweeter than I typically prefer, it didn’t detract from the overall flavor, especially once I added a generous amount of chili oil.
Vietnam House also offers a wide variety of condiments, allowing diners to adjust the flavor to their liking—whether you want your food spicier, saltier, or sweeter, everything is readily available at the table.
I had no trouble finishing my bowl of Phở and even polished off all the fresh vegetables provided. Overall, I would rate this experience a solid 4 out of 5 peaches.
Mandarin
Believe it or not, I had always assumed Mandarin was a Chinese restaurant. I know—I can be a bit of a dork! My last visit to Mandarin left me with a positive impression, as the restaurant was bustling and vibrant, with welcoming staff who seated us immediately.
On this visit, the atmosphere remained lively, but since we dined in the evening, it was quieter. Thankfully, the staff continued to be quick and friendly, just as I remembered.
Once again, I ordered spring rolls, Vietnamese egg rolls, and a bowl of Phở. The spring rolls were priced at $5.95 for two rolls cut in half, and the egg rolls were the same. I also ordered the Phở Dạc Biệt, which came with rice noodle soup, rare beef slices, beef flank, brisket, tendons, and meatballs for $13.95.
When my bowl of Phở arrived, it was hot and vibrant in color, with the rare beef slices beautifully displayed beneath a generous sprinkle of green onions. Perhaps it was the type of bowl used, but this Phở somehow looked even more appetizing. The fragrant aroma drew me in, and I couldn’t wait to dig in!
However, despite its appealing appearance, the first taste made me hesitate. “Confused” is probably the best word to describe my reaction. The umami flavor, along with the signature sweetness and spice, was present, but the overall taste felt a bit flat. After a few more sips, I realized it lacked the savory depth I expected. This was easily remedied with a splash of fish sauce, but it was disappointing that I had to enhance the flavor myself. Mandarin does provide a full array of condiments at the table, which is a plus.
My sister, who loves Mandarin, suggested that our evening visit might have been the reason for the dish’s lackluster flavor, as it was close to closing time and we might have received a last batch. However, I believe the quality of a dish should not depend on the time of day. Shouldn’t the last batch of the day be the most flavorful, especially since the broth has been simmering all day?
Regardless, I finished my bowl, though I didn’t consume all the fresh veggies I added. However, we did polish off all the spring rolls and egg rolls. Overall, I would give this experience a 3.5 out of 5 peaches.
Thanh Vi
I was surprised by the size of Thanh Vi when I walked in. With seating on both the left and right sides of the restaurant, it was bustling with customers. Perhaps I chose a busy day to visit, but I was struck by the number of take-out orders being filled. While many other restaurants had patrons dining in, Thanh Vi was bustling with both in-house guests and take-out customers. This gave me high hopes for my meal!
As you’ve probably guessed by now, I ordered spring rolls, egg rolls, and a bowl of Phở. The spring rolls were priced at $7.95 for two rolls cut in half, while the egg rolls were $8.45 for two rolls cut in half. The Phở Dạc Biệt featured rice noodle soup with sliced beef, brisket, tripe, tendon, and meatballs for $13.45 (regular) or $17.45 (extra-large).
My bowl of Phở was as fragrant as one would expect. While it didn’t have a lot of onion slices or green onions, it looked promising. However, as I’ve learned, a dish’s extravagance doesn’t always guarantee flavor.
The first sip was satisfying, though I could tell it needed some salt. After adding salt and fish sauce, the broth came alive. This experience mirrored my time at MT Noodles; it just needed a little boost to reach its full potential. Thankfully, Thanh Vi provided a complete set of condiments at the table, allowing me to customize my Phở to my liking. I found myself adding about two spoonfuls of fish sauce to achieve the desired savory flavor.
Overall, it was a decent bowl of Phở. I particularly enjoyed the pieces of tripe I discovered at the end of my meal. I would rate this experience a 3.5 out of 5 peaches.
Pho 99
Nestled among the five locations, this spot is likely the coziest of them all, radiating warmth and welcoming vibes. From the outside, I could see it was packed with diners enjoying their meals. Stepping inside, I was greeted by the lively hum of chatter from both customers and staff. Despite the hustle and bustle, the team promptly seated me and quickly took my order.
You guessed it—I couldn’t resist ordering spring rolls, egg rolls, and a steaming bowl of pho. The spring rolls were beautifully presented, featuring two rolls cut in half for $7.20, while the egg rolls also came as two halves for the same price. My Phở Dạc Biệt was a delightful medley of rice noodle soup, tender medium-rare beef slices, brisket, tendon, tripe, and meatballs, all for $13.95. The menu even offers the option to upgrade your size or add extra meat for an additional cost!
Though I can’t recall the exact wait time, it felt relatively short from when I placed my order to when my bowl of steaming-hot pho arrived. To my surprise, the appetizers didn’t come out first as they usually do at other restaurants, but I wasn’t complaining! The staff brought out my dish using silicone oven mitts, a clear sign to exercise caution when tasting the broth.
As I gazed into my bowl, thick white steam rose, revealing a vibrant display of ingredients. The vivid green onions, the delicate pink of the beef slices, and the generous portions of beef tripe were all visually striking! I hesitated before taking my first sip—not only to avoid a scalded mouth but also because I was unsure what to expect in terms of flavor.
My sister had mentioned that she wasn’t a fan of pho from Pho 99, so I braced myself for a potential letdown. But when I inhaled that first sip, my expression was priceless! The broth was incredible—an umami explosion with a savory depth, complemented by a subtle hint of sweetness. It was everything I hoped for in a pho broth!
As I continued to dig in, I was pleasantly surprised by the generous slices of beef tripe. Honestly, I didn’t even register its presence at first glance. Typically, restaurants serve tripe in short, thin cuts, offering just a hint of texture. But to my delight, I discovered thick, long slices that danced on my tongue as I slurped the noodles. For someone who LOVES beef tripe, this was an exhilarating find!
One side note: it was probably the heat of the broth, but the chili oil felt particularly spicy, leaving my lips tingling! Perhaps adding two spoonfuls of chili oil was a bit too much for me.
Overall, my brief visit to Pho 99 was thoroughly enjoyable. With its ample beef tripe slices and expertly crafted pho broth, I’m giving Pho 99 a solid 4.5 out of 5 peaches.
Conclusion
While enjoying pho at home is a budget-friendly option for the whole family, there’s something truly special about treating yourself to a meal at a Vietnamese restaurant from time to time. I particularly love pairing my pho with Gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls) and Chả giò (fried spring rolls), as they create the perfect harmony with the dish. As you might have guessed, I couldn’t resist having them with each bowl of pho!
I hope my pho journey in Brooklyn Park inspires you to seek out a decent bowl of this beloved dish. Naturally, everyone’s taste buds are different, so feel free to take my recommendations as just one perspective among many. These reflections are simply my honest opinions, rooted in my love for this comforting meal.
Ultimately, my love for pho goes beyond just the flavors; it feels like a warm embrace on a cold day, filled with comfort, warmth, and the love of family. Especially during those harsh Minnesota winters, each bowl feels like a little piece of home. It’s not just about the meal; it’s about the memories and the stories that come with it, making every sip a reminder of cherished moments.
I’d love to hear from you—what are your favorite comfort foods, or do you have a go-to spot for pho? Please share your thoughts in the comments!
Peach out!