Oriental Cuisines Pvt Ltd’s latest outpostm Va Pho on Abdul Rahim Road is a refreshing addition to the restaurant scene in the city. It offers fresh and flavourful dishes from all corners of South east Asia. The menu is eclectic with a selection of small plates, large plates, steamed dim sums, bao buns, soups, salads, rice, noodles and finally an interesting selection of desserts.
Most of the dishes on the menu are popular street food in their native countries, simples dishes but packed with flavour and fresh ingredients.
(Pho is a Vietnamese Noodle soup consisting of a flavourful broth along with rice noodles, meat and fresh herbs. It is a popular street food in Vietnam).
A bright and colourful Balinese mask painted at the top of the stairs welcomes the diners to a vibrant and lively dining space. The interiors are cheerful and the staffs look eager to offer a pleasant dining experience.
Quirky images of Ghengis Khan riding a dinosaur, a snow monkey gobbling up dim sums, a panda chewing on chopsticks and karate kids chopping vegetables with karate kicks on the menu are a clever play on the iconic images associated with Southeast Asia and its culture.
The menu is wide ranging from the Burmese Khaosuay, Chinese dim sums, Taiwanese Baos, Vietnamese Pho, Malaysian noodles and curries, Singaporean Char Kway teow, Thai satay and curries, Indonesian Mee Goreng to Korean Japchae.
Since it was a warm, sunny afternoon, we decided to give the soups a miss. But soups are served in small portions, unlike the large bowls of Pho, we have seen elsewhere in our travels. Va Pho is good to visit with friends and family as it is all about ordering multiple plates of food and sharing it. Even for a party of two, it is possible to order a bunch of dishes and walk away with the satisfaction of having tried a few different dishes without having to waste food or take home doggie bags.
Beef Satay at Va Pho
The Phuket Beef satay was very good, cooked just right and served with a fresh mango salad on the side. There was no accompanying peanut sauce for the satay, which would have made it even better. The starters of the Grilled chicken dumplings with the yellow curry sauce were flavourful.
The dim sums — Hargow with prawns and Shumai with chicken —arrived steaming hot in bamboo baskets at our table. It is not an easy job to get the dim sum casings thin yet strong enough to hold its fillings. The chef had done a good job in striking the balance to get the casings right for the dim sum. The fillings were delicately spiced and the accompanying sauces added to the taste and flavour.
The Taiwanese Baos were loaded with the filling of our choice — crispy spicy fish — with shredded lettuce and a drizzle of creamy spiced mayonnaise. The baos just melted in our mouth along with the fish. It was a mildly messy affair handling the baos but, at the end of it, it was finger-licking good.
Char Kwaytiew at Va Pho
Thai Chilli and Basil fried rice at Va Pho
For the main course we ordered Chicken Char Kway Teow, Beef and Thai basil rice along with Buddha Bites, a stir-fry with fresh greens and tofu in a chilli basil sauce. The chef even made a quick appearance to say hello and asked for our feedback.
As we were contemplating on whether to order dessert or not, we were convinced by one of the waiters to try their signature dessert: Tender coconut ice cream stick. It was not on the menu but it was one of their specials and came highly recommended.
Tender Coconut Popsicle at Va Pho
The tender coconut popsicle served with a drizzle of kiwi fruit syrup was light and refreshing. The coconut cream sauce with sago pearls and water chestnut that was served along with the Popsicle was crunchy and delicious too.
The VaPholicious on the dessert menu is a monstrous ice cream sundae served with dry fruits, nuts and sauces enough to feed four people. We were just happy to read about it and move on.
Va Pho
Above Ente Keralam, 16, Abdul Rahim Road, Race Course
Open 12.00 noon to 11.00 pm
Meal for two costs around ₹1200
Contact 73388 50909
