Working Pho
I don't hide my love of noddle soups, but my heart is divided between what kind of noddle soup I adore most. I have great fondness for wonton noddle soup and will go to any lengths to eat a really good bowl. And the truly good bowls are burned into my memory, where and when I had them are mentally filed away, but easily recalled at the moments notice—2 food stalls in 2 different towns in Malaysia; Full Kee, Wheaton, Md.; Good Tastes, Portland, Ore., etc....
Then there's laksa, a sentimental favorite, which in someways is also my birthright, or at least I've eaten it almost since birth—as early as a child can handle hot, spicy adult food. It is one of the noddle soup I prefer to eat at home, because members of my family make it well. Although I will eat laska at the drop of hat in Malaysia.
Ramen is a noodle that has a hold on me both in its lowest and highest form. I won't deny eating cases of instant ramen in college, while now I have the pick of many wonderful ramen shops across LA. I crave cold soba in the summer and like hot udon when I don't want ramen, but still want something Japanese.
Finally, I find myself with Pho. I will confess there are times I forget about Pho, distracted by other noodle soup vying for my tummy time. But invariable I will return to it; and when I do, I remember why I like it so much—soft rice noodles, fresh basil and bean sprout, a beefy broth with the touch of lime you control.
Such was the case when I needed to have a working dinner a couple weeks ago. Hungry after work, but not done with work, E and I needed a good meal to sustain us for a couple hours of overtime. It was Pho that galilantly saved the day, or should I say evening—a good bowl to make the job bearable.
While I can't say Pho 99 is my number one Pho, my feelings run deep enough to stand up for it and say it's about as good as one gets on the Westside.
Pho 99
11819 Wilshire Blvd. (at Granville)
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 312-7881
Then there's laksa, a sentimental favorite, which in someways is also my birthright, or at least I've eaten it almost since birth—as early as a child can handle hot, spicy adult food. It is one of the noddle soup I prefer to eat at home, because members of my family make it well. Although I will eat laska at the drop of hat in Malaysia.
Ramen is a noodle that has a hold on me both in its lowest and highest form. I won't deny eating cases of instant ramen in college, while now I have the pick of many wonderful ramen shops across LA. I crave cold soba in the summer and like hot udon when I don't want ramen, but still want something Japanese.
Finally, I find myself with Pho. I will confess there are times I forget about Pho, distracted by other noodle soup vying for my tummy time. But invariable I will return to it; and when I do, I remember why I like it so much—soft rice noodles, fresh basil and bean sprout, a beefy broth with the touch of lime you control.
Such was the case when I needed to have a working dinner a couple weeks ago. Hungry after work, but not done with work, E and I needed a good meal to sustain us for a couple hours of overtime. It was Pho that galilantly saved the day, or should I say evening—a good bowl to make the job bearable.
While I can't say Pho 99 is my number one Pho, my feelings run deep enough to stand up for it and say it's about as good as one gets on the Westside.
Pho 99
11819 Wilshire Blvd. (at Granville)
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 312-7881
Labels: Los Angeles, noodle soup, Pho, restaurants
posted by Blue Plate at 1:25 AM
4 Comments:
I can't imagine not loving noodle soups. Pho is pretty wonderful stuff, as is wonton soup. I've read about laksa but I've never had it. That should probably be on my list of things to do.
I must admit that I've not had that many noodle soups, but your post makes me want to go out on an expidition...
j
Hello Julie,
I've been away from the Maryland area too long to tell where you might find a Malaysian restaurant for laska, but good luck on your search.
Hello Jasmine,
I like noodle soups because they're good and good to your wallet—the Chinese girl in me still likes a bargin. :
: ) Thanks for reading, Blue Plate
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