PHO #1
Neighbourhood: North End
Address: 141 McPhillips Street
Phone: 204-943-7449
Entrees: $16 – $20
Sprawling menus have largely given way to abbreviated offerings as restaurants streamline operations, but Vietnamese noodle houses continue to prove there is another way. Pho #1’s recent move to larger quarters brought every one of its 200-plus dishes along for the ride, reaffirming the enduring appeal of a format built on abundance rather than restraint.
The much-anticipated relocation, only minutes from the original restaurant, drew immediate line-ups. Inside, dark stone walls, pendant lighting and greenery soften the dining room, creating a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of the original space. Chef Thu Nguyen remains at the helm in the kitchen while husband Bui quietly oversees the dining room, the couple having served Winnipeg for more than 15 years.
The menu spans Vietnamese signatures alongside Chinese and Thai influences. Though daunting at first glance, it is thoughtfully organized into categories with photographs thoughtfully placed to guide diners toward signature dishes. Its breadth, however, is rooted in thoughtful composition rather than excess. Look closely and the menu reveals its own logic: the same fresh herbs, noodles, vegetables and carefully tended broths reappear throughout, simply arranged in different combinations and accented with new sauces, proteins and seasonings. It is an elegant system that keeps every visit feeling different.
Pho remains the cornerstone. The deluxe beef rice noodle soup pairs tender beef, rice noodles, basil and onions in a delicately flavoured broth, while the special chicken rice noodle soup offers a lighter variation on the Vietnamese classic. Beyond the soups, deluxe Vietnamese vermicelli layers cool rice noodles with charbroiled pork, spring rolls, pork balls, pork hash and crisp herbs.
Sharing dishes reveal another dimension. The charbroiled pork platter arrives with rice paper, fresh vegetables and herbs for assembling your own rolls at the table. Equally satisfying, the spicy coconut pork rib hot pot draws its savoury depth from broth enriched with dried shrimp, balanced by the richness of coconut.
The magic of Pho #1 lies in its ability to create remarkable variety from a simple culinary foundation. Through the careful balance of broths, ingredients, seasonings and techniques, familiar elements are transformed into distinctive dishes, giving every diner the chance to discover their favourites and make the restaurant their own.
