Where Albert Road meets Highland Road is a new restaurant called Bubble and Pho. As you walk in a bright orange haze hits your visual senses and gives a sense of energy and optimism. You can’t feel dull walking in here even on a wet, cold winter’s day. The team went along to try out the menu on a weekday lunchtime.
Being Vietnamese means it has all the flavours and noodles your heart could desire. Pho is the name of the noodle and not the soup. Pho is made with pristine white rice flour noodles that are made daily and always added to the soup. How people judge a good Pho pronounced ‘fuh’ is by its broth. Bubble and Pho make a perfect broth. You can have a light option which is what Louise had and this had a topping of beansprouts, spring onions, coriander and red onions in flat noodle soup. Or you can go for a much spicier option. There is a Bun Cha which is what Helen had – rice noodles served with a fresh salad of beansprouts, cucumber, iceberg lettuce, pickled carrots, sprinkled with crushed roasted peanuts and Vietnamese dipping sauce. The small bowl of Pho is only £5.50 and a very good price and size for one person. They also do a selection of baguettes so it’s a great option to pop in at lunchtime. With a wide selection of drinks to choose from in all different colours, there is something to meet all ages.
The Vietnamese spring rolls (pork, wood-ear mushrooms, carrots, shallots and bean thread noodles in wheat flour pastry) definitely won’t disappoint those taste buds! This is a restaurant that is going to get busy and stay busy all the time; great food, friendly staff and very good prices. Although it has only just opened it’s had very good reviews.
At the moment you can only pay by cash but don’t let that put you off as there’s a cash machine practically next door! We look forward to this being one of our local hangouts. You may see us in there discussing cool venues.
By Louise O’Brien
