Pho Saigon: The Dry Run

 

“The heat is on in Saigon..."

I used this song from the Broadway musical Miss Saigon for this preceding photo in my FB story yesterday. 

One of my friends mistakenly thought that I was in Vietnam. "Fake news," I joked. Then elucidated, "This was taken at Westgate Center, Filinvest City where a newly opened Vietnamese resto is." And I, who was smitten  by Vietnamese cuisine years ago, went there to find out how authentic the dishes in Pho Saigon were when it was launched on August 16, 2025. 

August 28 offered me a chance to satisfy my curiosity. I instantly spotted my kaladkarin (a person who’s easily dragged along) — my youngest son. It's Knight’s term break and he, a Vietnamese menu fan too, would possibly be my only available companion on a working day. 

October 5, 2023 in Hidden Vietnam

February 9, 2024 in Hidden Vietnam

Moreover, I expected him to be obliging once I reminded him that it was my Papa’s, their Lolo’s, heavenly birthday. Our dining out would be a quiet remembrance of a dearly departed loved one. 

On the other hand, if he had declined I would have jogged his memory that we’d been chow buddies during spur-of-the-moment happenings and when we’re both craving for something. What’s the use of being called my mini-ME if he wouldn’t manifest similar caprices, eh? *laughs* 

So right after having his haircut in Southmall, we proceeded to Muntinlupa City past 3:00pm. I told him that we should be in Pho Saigon during the off-peak hour in order for me to discreetly explore the place. It was uncontested so I was a composed passenger while Knight drove to the familiar route. 

Locating Pho Saigon was smooth. When we entered, there was a male customer and as it seemed, he's done eating. I sensed that in a bit, we'd be having the diner to ourselves. When he stood and exited, I meaningfully gave my son an “I told you so”  look and smiled. We took our seats and I picked what I wanted in a jiffy. Hindi naman ako masyadong prepared at excited. (I was not that ready and excited.) Ha-ha! So while Knight was still deciding on his choices, I left him to get acquainted with this resto.

POV: I’ve just noticed that capturing the high ceiling has turned into a habit whenever I am in a new enclosed location. Well, I seriously hope this won’t turn into a f_ _ _ _ h. Eeeeeeeee! LOL. 

Now, I headed upstairs, admired the decorative tiles and story-laden murals, and inspected how the second floor was designed. 

I saw more available spaces on the second floor. It's a good thing since the ground floor wasn't commodious. There was also a function room for small private gatherings. I didn’t take any photo of this spot because there were two occupants who were having their time off. Later, I returned to my son who had finished picking his order.

Service was consistently swift even when guests began coming in. Pho Saigon had a good number of attentive dining staff who were all ready for more customers.

FOR BOTH: Gui ConThit Bo (Beef Fresh Spring Rolls)

MINE: Banh Mi Thit Nuong (BBQ Pork Banh Mi)

HIS: Lychee Peach
MINE: Vietnamese Coffee with Milk

MINE: Seafood Pho 

HIS: Pho Bo (Beef Pho)

As you can see on these snaps, everything was artfully presented. After our duo’s mandatory picture-taking, we ended our eagerness whether our taste buds would be content. 

VERDICT: The delicious foods were legit Vietnamese. Our gustatory cells rejoiced! 

A brief period of waiting, our desserts came. It was my first time to see a mint leaf as garnish on a leche flan which according to my son was the only difference on his chosen sweet since it also tasted the same. Yet, he consumed everything on his plate. *winks*

MINE: Mango Sticky Rice

HIS: Banh Flan

If halo-halo ... were the reason that would make me go back... to Nature Hot Spring Resort;

…  tsokolate … to Barisbis;

… ginataang santol … to Antonia’s; and 

… empanada … to Casa Luisa; 

it would be ca phe sua that would make me return to Pho Saigon. Its flavor was superbly delectable! I could have requested for unlimited refills of this coffee. 

Readers, here is a disclosure. Partly, eating here in Pho Saigon was another run-through. You see, I have been planning to visit Saigon, officially renamed Ho Minh City in 1976, as a runner-tourist. No doubt this city in Vietnam has extensive history which led Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg create Miss Saigon, a masterwork. Perhaps it would still be utmost bliss to experience Saigon haunting me afterwards the way it haunted Chris. 

"Why does Saigon never sleep at night?

Why does this girl smell of orange trees?

How can I feel good when nothing's right?

Why is she cool when there is no breeze?

Vietnam

You don't give answers, do you friend?

Just questions that don't ever end..." 🎶🎵🎶🎵

In the meantime though, my Saigon trip would be in my life's adventure list and I would just allow Pho Saigon's ca phe cua stirring me.