In my search for restaurants that offered healthy dishes, a couple of friends recommended Pho Hoa. I’ve always loved this restaurant’s Pho, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to check out their other healthy dishes. One Saturday morning, H and I trooped to the Vietnamese restaurant. If I was a big Pho Hoa fan before, I’m a humongous fan now.
This is Pho Hoa’s Goi Ga or Vietnamese Chicken Salad. I am addicted to it. I’ve had it three times in the past week and a half. It’s got greens, cucumbers, carrots, peanuts, shredded chicken, and a sweet chili dressing that is out of this world delicious.
This salad is not only healthy, it’s yummy. My husband isn’t fond of salads, but he very much enjoyed this one.
Their Chien Dau Hu or Tofu with Mushroom and Red Pepper Sauce is great too. This is another scrumptious vegetarian option.
H needed his rice, and so ordered this Ga Nuong or Glazed Chicken on Rice dish. It looks pretty rich but is not too heavy on the tummy.
If you’re big on spice, they’ve got a huge bottle of hot red sauce waiting for you on every table. It’s great in Pho. Mmmmm.
Here’s a little indulgence on my part. Hey now, I needed my carbs. So I ordered this Tom Gia Cari Mi or Sauteed Curry Noodles with Shrimps and Bean Sprouts. I only ate 1/3 of this dish because it was very filling. It was flavorful and the curry kick was fantastic. I think I could eat the whole bowl if I were having PMS or something.
In case you’re wondering, nope, I didn’t order any Pho (Noodle Soup). That’s what I usually order when dining with friends, so I wanted to try new dishes.
We rounded up the meal with some kickass Ca Phe Sua or Vietnamese Hot Coffee. I don’t normally drink coffee after meals, but I made an exception for this one. It’s just the perfect way to round up a meal at Pho Hoa.
It’s even better if you round up the meal with some Banana Fritters too! If you’re craving for dessert, I suggest you try these. Pair it with the hot coffee. It’s bliss.
H was a bit apprehensive to try Pho Hoa at first. After a bit of convincing though (keywords: healthy, delicious, yourwifeysgonnathrowafitifwedonteatthere), he agreed to give it a whirl. Over coffee, he said it’d be good to try out the other dishes sometime. Yey! I think I know where we’re having our next Saturday lunch. 😉
So if you’re in the mood for some food that’s not only flavorful but also healthy, don’t overlook this quiet little Vietnamese restaurant. H & I ate at the V-Mall branch in Greenhills. It has a good ambiance and great service. I’d end this entry with “Bon Appetit” in Vietnamese but I don’t know what it is. 😀 So, have a blissful lunch!
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
Em Dy
August 21, 2008 at 11:00 pm (16 years ago)I’ve been to Pho Hoa but haven’t tried the salad. The peanuts are calling to me.
Em Dys last blog post..Street Food
jeanny
August 22, 2008 at 12:12 am (16 years ago)I’ve seen this restaurant but didn’t know that they offer such healthy foods. This I have to try
witsandnuts
August 22, 2008 at 12:53 am (16 years ago)“yourwifeysgonnathrowafitifwedonteatthere” – – hahahha!
I miss Pho Hoa. I’ve never tried their salad yet. Gee, I now have a long list of restos to visit (and revisit) once I’m home for a vacation. But still I’d be hitting Jollibee first. I miss its chicken and gravy!
witsandnutss last blog post..An unexpected encounter near the elevator
anj
August 22, 2008 at 2:00 am (16 years ago)me loves pho hoa! which reminds me that i should eat there before i go. will try the dishes you recommend. or at least a couple of them. dami nung order niyo! hehe!
ibyang
August 22, 2008 at 6:59 am (16 years ago)i’ve never tried vietnamese in the phils…only here in sydney that i was able to try and i do like some of their dishes.
when i visit the phils, i’ll try pho hoa…i would like to try the spare ribs and their coffee
ibyangs last blog post..Litratong Pinoy: Liwaliw at Mithi
J.
August 22, 2008 at 8:17 am (16 years ago)Nakakagutom! That tofu is mouthwatering. I love Vietnamese food.
sheng
August 22, 2008 at 9:16 am (16 years ago)I wish there’s Pho Hia here too, in gensan. Miss Toni, were you able to get the mags I sent you? Thanks.
drunkenlily
August 22, 2008 at 9:32 am (16 years ago)i always see this restaurant but haven’t tried it yet. reading your entry and seeing the pictures makes me wanna try it, specially the tofu and banana fritters!
drunkenlilys last blog post..Anawangin Cove, Aug 9-10 ‘08
dyanie
August 22, 2008 at 10:21 am (16 years ago)wow looks yummy! in the meantime, I will just drool at your photos hehe 😛
dyanies last blog post..Mail Goodies
Rico
August 22, 2008 at 10:26 am (16 years ago)We always pass by Pho Hoa but never really tried. Your pictures convinced me. We just might eat there tonight. Thanks!
sha
August 22, 2008 at 11:54 am (16 years ago)that salad is what I order every now I sit down at the vietnamese resto in France
I have not discovered a truly authentic vietnamese place here in Ft Lauderdale yet…
shas last blog post..pass the bone… S’il Vous Plaît
Tina
August 22, 2008 at 10:50 pm (16 years ago)I love Pho Hoa, especially that salad. Yum yum! One time my teammates and I ate at Pho Hoa and I got to taste all the dishes they tried. Yum.
Must eat there one of these days.
Gracie
August 22, 2008 at 10:50 pm (16 years ago)I love Vietnamese food! Can’t get enough of it.
They have some kind of dessert which I like so much, it resembles our “halo-halo”, it’s made with green Agar, beans and Coconut milk. Not sure if they have this one there.
Gracies last blog post..Productive Week?
Lissa
August 22, 2008 at 11:53 pm (16 years ago)Of all the Vietnamese places we’ve eaten at I still consider Pho Hoa my favorite. I don’t think they have ANY Pho Hoa in our area anymore which is really sad. I don’t remember that fried tofu dish though. We usually get the spring rolls and pho 99.9% of the time.
Now you’re making me crave soup!!!
odette
August 23, 2008 at 2:41 am (16 years ago)yay for wifeys, you know what you want, and you know how to get it!
i’m loving all the dishes i must say, though not strictly vegetarian, i always prefer veggies than meaties.
and that dessert, phew, i had to swallow my laway now. 
brissiemum2
August 23, 2008 at 8:55 am (16 years ago)Oh yum! That just makes my mouth water looking at it! Fantastic! Too bad I can’t go there for a meal.
I need to find an equivalent restaurant here now. And btw…banana fritters…omg…..delicious!
M
August 23, 2008 at 12:20 pm (16 years ago)I have been craving for Pho Hoa’s food ever since last week… seeing your post made me want to go there asap 😀 Their Coffee is really good 😀
Ms last blog post..Nai Cha Love 😀
ayen
August 23, 2008 at 6:42 pm (16 years ago)wow, such a convincing review. I’m going to try it next time. and do the whole ‘yourgirlfiendsgonnathrowafitifwedonteatthere’ thing. hahaha!
ayens last blog post..Litratong Pinoy: Mithi (Wish)
Cookie
August 23, 2008 at 7:59 pm (16 years ago)We love Pho Hoa!! Even the kids love the pho without meat. The Goi Ga and the Tofu are also favorites and are constantly on our list of orders whenever we eat there. Great choice!
Mauie
August 24, 2008 at 9:25 am (16 years ago)yourwifeysgonnathrowafitifwedonteatthere -> gotta try this trick! hahaha!
spanx!
August 24, 2008 at 9:33 pm (16 years ago)toni toni toni!
on behalf of all the wifely steps readers,
i’m requiring you to make at least one FOOD post per week!!!
manyaman!!!
p.s. i’ll drop by your office tuesday a.m. to drop off the book!
spanx!s last blog post..1st Look: The CHARIOTS OF FIRE Remake!!!
Rach (Heart of Rachel)
August 25, 2008 at 8:45 pm (16 years ago)I’ve tried one of their noodle soups and I didn’t like it. I’ve never been back to that restaurant since then. Looks like you chose great dishes. Maybe I should give the place a second chance.
Rach (Heart of Rachel)s last blog post..Weekend Snapshot #39
Daphne
August 26, 2008 at 2:19 pm (16 years ago)Oh I lurve Pho Hoa to yummy bits. I can eat there every day if need be so I can try all their dishes. I’m addicted to their Hosin sauce hehe
Daphnes last blog post..
sheng
August 26, 2008 at 3:18 pm (16 years ago)Hi there, you have an award waiting over at my blog. Please come and get it.
chinita_jill
August 26, 2008 at 9:19 pm (16 years ago)Ooooooh! One of my favorite restaurants! :o) Try the salad with “suha” fruit pieces next (wait–is it grapefruit or suha). It’s divine!
kaoko
August 27, 2008 at 9:15 am (16 years ago)I love Pho Hoa! Though I think you know that already, hahaha! Their Pho, with all its trimmings, is sheer bliss for me.
kaokos last blog post..Magnolia Mochi: Mouthfuls of Mmmm…
pie
August 27, 2008 at 6:45 pm (16 years ago)pho hoa is my comfort resto.
even my mom who is really-foreign-cuisine-averse likes pho hoa. 
cez
August 28, 2008 at 10:40 am (16 years ago)tons!! been craving for pho hoa since the creatives dragged me there 3 weeks ago for the first time! YUM!!! ill be going back this week after reading this post. hee!
btw, how do u do the “Read the rest of this entry” link?
selina
August 28, 2008 at 8:13 pm (16 years ago)hi toni!:) i’m not really a fan of vietnamese food but i
do appreciate a bowl of pho with rare slices of flank steak.
selinas last blog post..CONTEST DEADLINE
Eper
September 4, 2008 at 9:59 pm (16 years ago)My husband and I have never eaten here but we will definitely try Pho Hoa because of your rave reviews and excellent writing skills. My mouth is watering!
Epers last blog post..Make Money from Junk
DIANE
September 8, 2008 at 1:38 am (16 years ago)I agree with you, my hubby and I just ate at Pho Hoa last night, and eat at Pho Hoa almost once or twice a month when we have the time to do so. Love their Goi Ga and their Grilled Chicken. by the way, do you know the recipe of their Sweet chilli dressing for goi ga?
Thanks!
P.S. I would be visiting your blog more often, since you seem like a nice person with such great taste!
DIANEs last blog post..DOUBLE DUTY BEAUTY PRODUCTS