Jun 28 2009
Phở Sam
Location: SW 9th and Alder (on Alder)
Description:
Sometimes, even during spring and summer, I want a nice warm soup. It has something to do with that feeling of your whole body warming up from the inside out. Add spice to the soup and I’m in heaven. In downtown, I have made an attempt to seek out all of the great Phở locales. Early on, one had to venture to NW to get it, now we have it offered in numerous carts. Phở Sam is the latest to join the ranks.
Phở is a traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup. Phở originated in Northern Vietnam more than a century ago and was first served by street vendors. It wasn’t until the 1920′s that the first Phở restaurants opened in Hanoi. The dish isn’t just Vietnamese, but has French and Chinese influences. The vendors set up shop in an area of Hanoi that catered to textile manufacturing and attracted both French and Chinese workers. The chefs drew from all three cultures to make what we now enjoy as this amazing soup. Phở is strong beef broth with thinly sliced beef, cilantro, thinly sliced onions and rice noodles. Phở Sam serves the dish how I have usually enjoyed it – with bean spouts, jalapeno pepper slices, basil, and a lime wedge on the side. You can then choose how you want to build your soup. Hot sauce and hoisen sauce are always included. Adding that sweet plum flavor to spicy noodle soup is a taste I cannot do justice in describing. You just have to try it.
Phở Sam also offers Banh Mi sandwiches and numerous other rice and noodle dishes. They even have Phở with chicken if you are not a fan of beef. I have been back for a Banh Mi sandwich and for $3.50, it is a great deal and a very good sandwich. While summer is indeed here, there will be cool days. If you are out and about on one of those days, check out Phở Sam for some great soup.
Sample Menu:
- Phò – beef noodle soup – $5.95
- Lemongrass chicken with rice – $5.75
- Grilled pork or lemongrass chicken over rice noodles – $5.95
- Banh Mi grilled pork sandwich – $3.50
Hours: Lunchtime, Monday through Friday
Contact: 971 563 5460
The more banh mi the better, so I might have to try this cart.
I hate to be “that guy” but… while that is indeed hoisin sauce, hoisin never contains any plum.
Les, thanks for the correction. Hoisen sauce is one of those items I took for granted, thinking I knew what it was. I stand corrected. I’m intrigued about what is in it traditionally, because those flavors individually don’t sound too sweet to me. Water, sugar, soybeans, white distilled vinegar, rice, salt, wheat flour, garlic, and red chili peppers. I understand they sometimes use sweet potato also. Maybe that is why I was thinking plum.
Just had lunch at Pho Sam.. The pho was delicious. My first time, but definitely not my last.
Their banh mi are the best ones I’ve had outside of one of the Vietnamese neighborhoods in Paris. HIGHLY recommended.