Metro Monthly

You won’t want to miss Pho Saigon
By Michael A. Robinson
Special to the Metro Monthly

It seems that most people equate Asian food with fried rice and lo mein noodles. While I have no issues with these Eastern staples, the fact is that the combinations of foods and flavors, which are available in Asian cooking, are extraordinary. Hence, enter Pho Saigon Vietnamese and Chinese Cuisine.

Located on South Avenue in Boardman, Pho Saigon is a refreshing change from the small Chinese takeouts dotting our side of Ohio. Its dining room is bright and cheery with beautiful hardwood floors, clean comfortable seating, and tasteful décor – including just enough Asian art to give it a “non-chain” vibe.

The menu choices are bountiful, but what really makes this place stand apart are the Vietnamese specialties. My wife and I decided to try an appetizer. We chose the Goi Cuon. These are summer rolls stuffed with large shrimp, pork patty, vermicelli, lettuce, bean sprouts, and mint. The rolls were very healthy, as they are not fried. All of the ingredients were fresh and were served with a delicious sweet peanut sauce for dipping. I was amazed that even my two 6 year olds liked these nutritious appetizers. Our server, who was Vietnamese, told me that they are rolled with thin rice flour and then softened for texture. They were very delicious.

We opted for a bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup as our next appetizer. Pho Saigon has about a dozen different types of noodle soup – ranging from soup with steak, brisket, or meatballs to almost raw or well-done slices of beef. When our “Pho Chin” soup arrived at the table, we were all astounded by the huge bowl of steaming hot broth. My kids asked me “Is this the meal?”

I had thought of the soup as an appetizer, but it is a meal in itself. The broth was rich and clear, with delicious seasoned vegetables and slices of lean beef. Tasty shallots and ground cinnamon sticks gave it an incredibly rich spicy flavor. The noodles were delicate but firm enough to drench over the spoon with the broth. The Vietnamese eat this soup daily in their country. I can understand why; even my 6-year-old twins loved it!

Our meals arrived while we were eating the soup. I had ordered the Vietnamese specialty “Bun Bo Nuong.” This is a vermicelli noodle with grilled lemongrass sliced beef. The noodles were once again perfectly cooked for texture and firmness, and the lemongrass infused the beef slices with a citrus flavor. The meal was accompanied by a cup of delicious tasting herbed sauce. It added just enough sweetness to my dish for a fantastic blend of Asian flavors. The lean beef, the noodles, the fresh vegetables and the Vietnamese herbs really brought the dish together.

My wife chose from the Chinese side of the menu. She ordered shrimp sautéed with scrambled eggs and mushrooms in a lobster sauce. She enjoyed her meal and upon trying a couple bites, so did I! The shrimp were huge and combined well with the scrambled eggs and mushrooms. It had a creamy consistency and the shrimp were delicate and tasty. The lobster sauce was powerful – with real lobster flavor. I appreciated that it did not overpower the mushrooms and eggs. All in all, a great dish.

My children split an adult entrée of shrimp lo mein. These were traditional lo mein noodles, paired with large tiger shrimp in a light yellow sauce. My children insisted on using the chopsticks and we could not believe how well they used the Asian utensils; they laughed and had a great time eating with them. My kids loved the lo mein and shrimp, though they were almost full from the egg rolls and soup.
We all enjoyed jasmine ice tea with our meals, made with jasmine and accompanied by a lime. It was cool and refreshing and most importantly, different.

If you are looking for something off the beaten path, a place where you can indulge your senses with the taste of exotic spices, the aroma of freshly prepared meats, veggies and fruits, and finally the eye-popping generous portions of a beautifully laden Asian feast, look no further: Pho Saigon is here!

This is my second review. I am having a lot of fun while learning more of what our area has to offer in dining. The fortune cookie I broke open at Pho Saigon said,” You will master your every endeavor.” I don’t know about that, but I think I’ll keep eating!

PHO SAIGON, 6532 South Ave., Boardman; 330-729-9588.
11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. Closed on Monday.