Pho Castle Street | Review
I was kindly invited in to try out the new Pho location on Castle Street in Liverpool and taste a few items on their delicious menu. I’ve been a frequent visitor of Pho on Bold Street for years now and i was so happy to see Liverpool was getting a second one!
If you take a stroll down Castle Street, you might stumble upon an inviting restaurant that calls to your soul- that’ll be Pho. Cosied amidst the vibrant city atmosphere, Pho offers a foodie’s paradise and a journey into the heart of Vietnamese cuisine. From its warm and welcoming ambience to its authentic and traditional flavours, Pho is a dining experience not to be missed.
The restaurant's interior is tastefully decorated, with touches of Vietnamese culture that create an inviting, modern and cosy atmosphere.
So what is Pho?
(Pronounced ‘Fuh’) Pho, a traditional Vietnamese dish, is the star of the show at this charming eatery. For those unfamiliar with this soul-nourishing delight, Pho is a fragrant and flavorful noodle soup that has become a staple of Vietnamese culture. At Pho on Castle Street, they offer a variety of options, from the classic Pho bo (beef) to Pho ga (chicken) as well as vegetarian options like Pho chay & even vegan items too. Each bowl is lovingly prepared, ensuring a balance of fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs that create a symphony of flavours. From the slow-cooked, flavourful broth to the spring rolls with peanut sauce, every element of the Pho is crafted with care and attention to detail. This dish is just made for Autumn and warming you up on a cold evening after a shopping trip in the city centre.
The Verdict
As a food enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the rich flavours and vibrant colours of Vietnamese cuisine, and Pho Castle Street did not disappoint.
Now, let's talk about the main highlight of any Vietnamese restaurant—the pho. I ordered the BRISKET & MUSHROOM PHỞ. As I took my first sip of the steaming hot broth, I was instantly transported to a taste of Vietnam. The fragrant aroma of spices and herbs filled my senses, and the broth had a depth of flavour like I’ve never experienced anywhere else. The rice noodles were cooked to perfection and seemed to never end! The tender brisket added a hearty and succulent taste to the dish and I really enjoyed the enoki & button mushrooms as it gave it an earthy element that complimented the flavour profile so well. I loved the addition of the creamy egg yolk in beef broth and it added yet another depth of flavour to this morish dish. It was a bowl of comfort that I just couldn't get enough of and have been craving ever since.
My friend who accompanied me on this foodie adventure, Abbie, went for the Beef Combo which included: Steak, brisket & meatballs in beef broth. She mentioned how bold and complex the taste was and enjoyed the variety of different meat in the soup too.
Sidenote: I was speaking with one of the lovely staff members who told me that Pho simmers their broths for 18 hours. 18. hours. No wonder it’s so good! You can really taste all of the spices and herbs that have been simmering together for all those hours, creating the most mouth-watering broth.
In between eating, we sipped on a lovely, refreshing drink that I always get when at Pho- their Spicy Lemonade. It’s made with ginger and fresh mint.
For sides we opted for the classic pork spring rolls with peanut sauce (if you’re not getting these every time you visit Pho you’re doing Pho wrong) and we also tried a new option for us both- PORK MEATBALLS. The homemade pork & lemongrass meatballs came with lettuce & herbs to wrap & a dip which we think was sweet chilli. These meatballs were filled with a beautiful aroma of herbs and lemongrass, flavoured to perfection. The spring rolls are always a win for us, they come served with lettuce wraps and an option of sauces, although the only correct option is the peanut sauce. It complements the savouriness of the spring rolls and intertwines the bold flavours of sweet, savoury and peanut in one bite. Each mouthful is bursting with aromatic spices, fresh veggies and tasty pork. These spring rolls are also available as veggie too for those who prefer a meat-free option. These, in my opinion, are the best spring rolls in existence and should be ordered by every customer.
For dessert, we took quite some time deciding what to get as we’ve never actually ordered something sweet from Pho before. Our server insisted, as invited guests for this review, that we each choose a dessert. So, we made room in our dessert stomachs and got to work browsing all of the delectable options. We finally settled on two very tempting options- Abbie went for the CRISPY BANANA FRITTERS which she said hit her with some epic nostalgia of eating these as a kid. The batter used in this dessert also reminded her of the taste of those classic fairground doughnuts that everyone loves. She also commented that the banana tasted so fresh inside the batter, adding a nice sweet flavour along with the mango sorbet on the side. For my dessert, I chose the CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE SLICE. I love anything chocolatey so this sounded amazing and I wasn’t disappointed. Our server recommended which ice cream to get with my choice so I went with the honey and ginger ice cream which really worked well with the rich chocolate and smooth taste of the truffle slice. This was such a nice dessert, perfectly light enough to enjoy just after a big, filling meal giving a nice sweet end to a beautiful meal.
As a self-proclaimed honest foodie, I will always aim to present truthful, real reviews and I can honestly say, since I’ve been going to Pho I’ve never had a bad meal or disliked anything I’ve ordered. I’ve tried a variety of different noodle soups over the years but my ultimate fave has to be the steak and garlic Pho. I usually like to add in some Pak Choi too for some fresh greens but you really can’t go wrong with any menu item here. I don’t know how they do it, but they manage to make each and every dish delicious in its own way. And whatever they put in that peanut sauce is highly addictive!
If I could rate this anymore than 5 stars I would! I cannot wait till the next time I visit Pho again soon, I’ve been craving their food since doing this review.
Thanks so much to Pho Castle Street for letting me come in and work with you, I’ve enjoyed this collab immensely! And a big thank you to Ben, the assistant brand manager at Pho, for setting this up.
(Gifted/Invited)
