Paris Eats - Pho Sure!

I didn't know the greatness of the Pho until I came to Paris.  The same friend who introduced us to Higuma also took us to Pho 14, a Vietnamese restaurant between the Place d'Italie and Tolbiac metro stops.

The first time we went we got there early to beat the crowds and our friend ordered for us, being the clueless gens du sud that we were. As a result we got to taste the dish that everyone raves about - the Pho soupe - a combination of savory broth made with cinnamon and cardamom, bean sprouts, rice noodles, raw beef that cooks in the soup, and mini-bowls of additional tidbits to add such as culantro, chili peppers and lemon or lime. Oh la la, trop bon!

On Saturday night it was rainy and chilly - the perfect time for a hot soup - so Copain joined me down in the 13th arrondissement for a trip to Pho 14 on our own.  The line was already forming at 7:30pm but we were seated within 10 minutes under the covered terrace.  Copain ordered the beef pho and I couldn't resist the Bo bun dish with nems (seriously so, so good).

We watched as the line continued to grow until it was well-over 25 people long. Our steaming hot food came and we devoured every. last. morsel.  Like Higuma, our rue Sainte-Anne go-to restaurant, Pho 14 is no frills, no ambiance, just really good, cheap food.

Two main dishes came to 15.90 Euros - we skipped dessert and planned to get something later that night, but were so full that we ended up just eating fruit at home.

Pho 14 advice - get there before 8pm, come hungry!

Copain's Pho - he lets me steal the culantro :-)

Pho 14
129 avenue de Choisy
75013 Paris
Tel: 01 45 83 61 15
Metro: Tolbiac or Place d'Italie

(ps - Don't be fooled by the Pho 13 up the street!)

Check out The Steamy Kitchen recipe that I found for more info!