🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Hidden Vietnamese-Chinese Fusion Spot:

🇨🇦 Saskatoon’s Hidden Vietnamese-Chinese Fusion Spot: A Neighborhood Staple, But Is It Worth the Trip? When a small, unassuming restaurant bills itself as "Vietnamese-Chinese fusion," expectations can vary wildly. Pho & More (a placeholder name), nestled in a quiet Saskatoon neighborhood, delivers a menu that leans heavily toward Vietnamese classics with a few Chinese-inspired twists. After sampling their pho, stir-fries, and signature fried appetizers, I’ve concluded that this is a solid but unremarkable spot – perfect for locals craving a quick, affordable meal but not a destination worth crossing town for. First Impressions: A No-Frills Neighborhood Joint Walking into Pho & More, you’re greeted with a familiar setup: The Vibe: • Decor: Minimalist, with laminated menus and a TV playing Vietnamese variety shows • Seating: A mix of booths and communal tables (ideal for solo diners) • Aroma: A mix of beef broth, fried shallots, and wok hei The Service: • Efficient but impersonal – orders are taken quickly, and food arrives fast • No-fuss attitude – don’t expect elaborate dish explanations • Takeout-friendly – most customers seem to grab and go Pro Tip: If dining in, grab a booth by the window for natural lighting (better food photos). The Menu: Vietnamese Classics with a Few Chinese Twists The menu sticks mostly to pho, vermicelli bowls, and fried rice, with a handful of Chinese-inspired stir-fries. Here’s what stood out (and what didn’t): 1. Pho Tai (Beef Noodle Soup) ($14.50) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The benchmark dish for any Vietnamese restaurant: Broth Breakdown: • Flavor: Rich but lacking depth (likely due to shortcut simmering) • Salt Factor: Noticeably high (hence the post-meal thirst) • Aroma: Heavy on star anise but missing the usual cinnamon warmth Protein Notes: • Rare Beef (Tai): Thinly sliced but overcooked by the time it reached the table • Meatballs: Surprisingly springy and well-seasoned Noodle Texture: • Slightly overcooked – lost its chewiness too quickly Overall: A decent but forgettable bowl of pho. 2. Com Chien (Vietnamese Fried Rice) ($13.99) ⭐️⭐️⭐️½ A simple but satisfying option: Highlights: • Wok Hei: Light char on the rice (rare in Saskatoon Vietnamese spots) • Protein: Shrimp and chicken were well-cooked and tender • Umami Boost: Fish sauce detectable but not overpowering Missed Opportunities: • Lacked veggies – just a few peas and carrots • No crispy shallots (a common Vietnamese garnish) 3. Goi Cuon (Summer Rolls) ($8.50) ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fresh but basic: • Rice Paper: Chewy but not sticky • Filling: Standard shrimp, pork, lettuce, and vermicelli • Peanut Sauce: Smooth but too sweet (needed more hoisin balance) 4. Cha Gio (Fried Spring Rolls) ($7.99) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best thing we tried: • Crispy Shell: Shattered perfectly on first bite • Filling: Ground pork with black fungus and carrot for texture • Dipping Sauce: Nuoc cham had the right sweet-sour balance The "Fusion" Part: Where It Falls Short The restaurant’s attempt at Chinese-Vietnamese fusion feels half-hearted: 1. Stir-Fried Noodles ($15.50) ⭐️⭐️ • Promised "Szechuan spice" but tasted like soy sauce with a pinch of chili flakes • Noodles: Thick, chewy, but sauce didn’t cling properly 2. Sweet & Sour Pork ($16.99) ⭐️⭐️½ • Sauce: More sweet than sour (typical Westernized version) • Pork: Battered and fried well but drowned in glaze Verdict: Stick to the Vietnamese dishes – the "fusion" options aren’t worth it. Why It Works for Locals (But Not Food Pilgrims) Pros: • Fast service – ideal for quick lunches • Affordable prices – most dishes under $15 • Generous portions – you won’t leave hungry Cons: • Broth lacks depth (compared to top-tier pho spots) • Limited Vietnamese authenticity (adjusted for local tastes) • Nothing truly standout – just "good enough" The Final Verdict: A Neighborhood Fallback Rating (10-point scale): Category Score Notes Pho Quality 6.5 Decent but not memorable Fried Apps 8 Spring rolls are the highlight Fusion Attempts 4 Stick to Vietnamese classics Value 7.5 Fair for the price Who Should Visit: • Locals needing a quick, cheap meal • Those craving fried spring rolls specifically • Takeout seekers (packaging is sturdy) Who Should Skip It: • Pho purists seeking complex, slow-simmered broth • Adventurous eaters wanting true fusion creativity • Anyone traveling more than 10 minutes to get there 📍 Location: (Generic Saskatoon neighborhood – not worth a special trip) ⏰ Hours: 11am-9pm daily 📱 Takeout Tip: Call ahead during lunch rush (11:30am-1pm) SaskatoonEats #VietnameseFood #NeighborhoodEats #PhoLovers