Everyone knows that the best pho is dodgy pho. And generally speaking, the dodgy pho is not found at main intersections. So I had my doubts about Kim Penh Xe Lua at Cambie and Broadway. Sure, the unpronounceable name might throw off some diners, but I suspected that I would not be getting a premium bowl of rare beef flank on vermicelli noodles here. And I was right.
First of all, the menu is divided into sections. “For beginners” naturally includes soups without the tendons, tripe and offensive bits (or without any meat at all, for that matter) and the “More adventurous” section includes the soups with various versions of the above.
The small bowl of beef flank and beef balls with noodles ($5.50 for a small bowl) filled the gap in my stomach without making me feel ill, but there’s nothing all that special about it. It’s ok. A bit skimpy on the beef and could have used some more flavour, but the condiments were fresh and I would go again if I was in the area and hungry, but I’m not sure I would make a special trip. It’s apparently open until the wee hours, so that may come in handy.
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Pho Kim Penh Xe Lua
500 W. Broadway
