Pho Bac Oriental Cuisine
About
Vietnamese
Price Range : $11-30 ($$)
Location
Adress: 873 Somerset St W, Ottawa, ON K1R 6R6
Phone: (613) 563-0788
Business info
- list_altTakes ReservationsNo
- directions_carDeliveryNo
- move_to_inboxTake-outYes
- accessibilityGood for KidsNo
- groupGood for GroupsYes
- tvHas TVYes
Reviews
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Jennifer P.
Pho Bac Oriental is under new ownership. The previous owners retired at the end of 2018 and sold the business to the current owners who owned Pho Bo Ga 1 which was on Lebreton. I am so thrilled by this because I remember walking by Somerset and Lebreton and being sad to see that Pho Bo Ga 1 had closed down. So Pho Bo Ga 1 lives on at Pho Bac Oriental! (There's another restaurant where Pho Bo Ga 1 is. It's a new owner and they changed the name).
The new menu is more extensive than at either restaurant previously. They still have Banh Cuon, which is rare to find in Ottawa.
I got the grilled beef and spring rolls vermicelli ($12.50) and it was great. The beef was lean, plentiful and flavourful. The slices were very thin, but there were lots of slices. The spring rolls had the authentic rice paper wrapper, and the wrapper was all blistery. Yay! I love authentic Vietnamese spring rolls. It was filled with ground pork, black cloud fungus mushrooms, and vermicelli. There might have been some taro in it as well. The vermicelli came with lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, and bean sprouts (which I forgot to tell them to omit). The vermicelli was hot (in temperature) which I enjoyed. I don't like it when it's just tepid. It also came with a side of fish sauce (which I didn't use).
Service was very friendly and quick. I liked the little decorations in the restaurant like the mini pedicab on the window sill near where my table was.
I got a complimentary pot of tea as soon as I was seated. They also give you the menu with a paper and pen. You write down your order and they come and get it. When you're done you pay at the cash register.
Overall, a very pleasant experience and tasty food. I would recommend! -
Christine L.
Wow! I don't know how I have never been here after living here for 20 years. I tried the spring rolls and the fresh rice rolls. Both were great. The rice rolls were fresh and soft. The spring rolls were made with rice sheets rather than traditional spring roll wraps so they had that nice uneven texture. Everything was fresh and served with a generous quantity of fish sauce, hot peppers, and mint and basil leaves.
Go try these if you haven't! So good! -
Sherry T.
I think this is the only place that serves banh cuon. It's my favourite and finally they satisfied my cravings. On top of that, they make the sausages IN HOUSE. I loved it so much I had to ask the owner to sell me a roll. This is a must try locations the soup base is not as salty as other pho restaurants but it's what makes it more homey. The other places may be more flavourful but this place offers a healthier version. coming back FOR sure !
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Lindsey T.
Delicious spring rolls made Vietnamese style with rice paper (YAY!!) I tried the #24 since vermicelli bowls are my go-to and it was delicious. Great fish sauce to vermicelli ratio and portions overall. I will definitely be back to try other items like their bun bo hue. The owner was also sweet and added peanut sauce on the side (mostly due to a miscommunication but a little bit on the side was good). Lower prices than other places in Chinatown for high quality Vietnamese classics.
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Amelia J.
So I actually haven't tried the roll your own paper wraps until going here.
Very impressed, ingredients were very fresh and it was quick!
It was fun to make your own rolls, and the bbq grilled meats were delicious and charred just right (pork, shrimp, Vietnamese sausage)...I wish they could give more grilled meat, but the quantity was good as is.
They also have some unique menu items which I plan on trying next, such as a pho with snails in it!