Pho

Wonderful little place around the corner from my flat. I'd become a bit bored of the usual Chinese and Thai Asian meals, but then I came across Vietnamese, and I can't get enough.

Such fresh and zesty flavours, and so very healthy too. It gets very busy here, but we just ring up to find out when it's calmed down a bit as we live so near. Very, very good indeed!

Given a not-so-warm and seemingly disinterested welcome, we were plonked down on the nearest table without any friendly banter or the customary welcoming smile when you go to a restaurant. Service is patchy and inconsistent and definitely slower than it should be, in lieu of the number of staff working. The menu here is simple and a few of the really interesting sounding dishes are only available in the evening, which is a bit of a drag.

We order skewers minced pork and lemongrass meatballs, Vietnamese prawn summer rolls and a salad of unripe mango with minced pork. The meatballs are succulent and moreish and the mango salad is refreshing and crunchy but personally, I find the summer rolls to be a tad bland and the wrapping to be too thick for its scant prawn filling, which even with the dipping sauce (that seems to accompany everything) I could happily live without.

Main courses, we decide to share a bowl of the spicy prawn Pho and a cold dish of ‘bun’ noodles, which are cold vermicelli noodles with chopped vegetables, served with a cold spring roll and a hot meat topping. The Pho is really very good though and comes like a much needed ray of sunshine through the meal. A wonderfully spicy and flavoursome broth brimming with noodles, prawns accompanied by a side plate of the traditional accoutrements of mixed herbs. Desserts are a rather limited and we pass on them. Overall not a bad place to grab a bowl of Pho and its cheap and cheerful. Perhaps Wagamama needs to watch its back if this group sees more success and with its 3rd branch already open in Westfield, it looks like things are on the up.

After unsuccessfully trying to recreate my favourite Vietnamese breakfast at home, I started the search for good Pho in London and I came across this small chain. The restaurant is clean and friendly and the Phos are quite good. They might not be exactly what you have eaten in Vietnamese street cafes but better almost-Pho than no-Pho I say. So far I have tasted the Pho Ga (chicken pho) and Pho Tam (prawn pho) only at this place and they both tasted fresh and delicious, although the broth itself could do with a little more depth of flavour. I also like that when you take Pho away here they give you several containers, separating the broth from the noodles, which is super important so you don't end up with noodle-mush. Pho Cafe is a great addition to the London fast food scene and a lovely change from Wagamama and I do think that Pho itself is a gift to the culinary world, especially since every person can interactively alter the Pho to their own personal preference of salty, sour, herby and spicy.

This place is a real find. Not the place for having a long leisurely dinner, even though we did stay for quite a while. All very fresh food and the weasel coffee is a must try !

Came back again on 30 September with my parents, sister and partner. All top notch again, especially with 50% off the food (makes it the same price as MacDonald's really !). Great noodle soups, heaps of starters to share, all fresh, tasty and moorish. However, the weasel coffee this time seemed to be a lot weaker than the last time we went, which was a real disappointment. It appears that they are now grounding the beans onsite instead of having it bought it – perhaps that is the difference. So, I now wouldn't recommend trying it for the price. But for everything else, spot on. Brilliant restaurant given its proximity to Oxford Circus.

I'm really, really into this place at the moment. Great, fresh, and extremely tasty food. They give you huge portions, and speedy, but not pushy service. Absolute perfect lunch spot. The soups are some of the best Asian soups I've tasted.

A wicked little spot. LIvely and cool atmosphere with great great tasty food.

I really like the bun dishes here. Loads of flavour.

I have become such a Vietnamese addict.. and this is by far favourite of the lot.

Pho has got the whole package. Great food, great service, and great atmosphere. It's a clean and sharp looking restautant too, which instills a sense of professionalism, unlike some grungy Vietnamese places.

It does get a bit hectic at lunch time, but then what good place doesn't? The evening is my favourite time to go. Go with a friend, get some wine, and work through as much of the menu as possible – it's all delicious and fresh!

Went to Pho last night and ordered the Pho Tai. Pho should be served piping hot, not lukewarm, which is how mine was served. As a result, the onions were raw and not tender, as they should be. Overall flavour is good…but they need to heat the broth for a few more minutes.