Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam — Restaurant in Melbourne

Located in the bustling heart of Melbourne's CBD, this long-standing Vietnamese restaurant has been warming the hearts and bellies of both locals and tourists for years. Steeped in history and adorned with photographs of Asian celebrities who have graced its tables, it's no wonder this storied establishment has become a veritable institution in the city's culinary scene.

I ventured into this renowned eatery with great anticipation. True to its reputation, I was promptly presented with a steaming bowl of their signature pho noodle soup. The broth was fragrant, rich, and soothing - the perfect antidote to Melbourne's chilly winters. At $15.50 for a small bowl (May 2023), the price may seem steep, but the experience and ambience are worth the premium.

Beyond the pho, the restaurant offers a delightful selection of Vietnamese staples, including their generously-portioned spring rolls. At $19.50 for eight pieces, they may appear to be on the pricey side, but these delectable morsels are larger than your average spring roll, justifying the cost. Their size and satisfying crunch make them a worthy accompaniment to the meal.

However, for those seeking a more authentic and adventurous dining experience, it's worth noting that Melbourne's sprawling suburbs offer an array of hidden gems. If you're able to venture out to the Springvale area, you'll find a treasure trove of establishments serving up even more delectable pho dishes, bursting with flavor and authenticity.

In conclusion, this iconic restaurant in Melbourne's CBD is an ideal stop for tourists looking for a comforting, warm meal amidst the city's vibrant streets. With its rich history and notable clientele, it's a must-visit for those who appreciate both the culinary and cultural aspects of dining. But for pho connoisseurs seeking the ultimate bowl, a trip to the city's outskirts may prove to be an even more...

If Bill Clinton (as they claimed) had two bowls, then, I will match it. But Bill is the only celebrity that had two bowls, others with photos (of long go yesterday) on wall smiled and waved adored the restaurant walls.

Ok, it is a busy place, cheap eats with quality and matching quantity without waste. I was full on my bowls of Pho and companies were also full plus very happy with the food.

5 stars for the atmosphere of overseas Asian restaurants, fully of dinners who eat and go, slurping, drinking and eating yummy food. The place is humming with noisy, but in a nice humming way, without offending loud.

Cliental is quick turn over, travelers, students and tourists. But you do see the odd locals. Han, the waitress was happy to put a big table for us, efficient with pace without being rude.

After explaining the how to, we ordered and in about 15mins all out piping hot Pho, food and drinks start arrived.

The Pho was delicious. The broth was clear, soft and gentle. The taste on the palate was mellow, and with herbs and sweetness of bones rounding the mouth. You definitely cannot take the fat.

The meat was soft and delicate, meatballs were not over cooked, soft on the chew, and intestinal bits mellow and melted on the chew. I love it. Similar responses were said by my companions as the eat and slurp there way though the big bowl. At the end, with matching smile as wide as the bowl.

The broken nice was soft and fluffy, ditto for the flan egg. Fish sauce was well balanced in sweetness and spice, making a great accompaniment to the pork. Gilles to tender and melts on chew.

More, you say? Yes, come and try yourself and love it...

I used to come to this place quite often, but this is the first time I've dined here again since the pandemic hit Melbourne 2 years ago.

Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam is still a popular and busy place due to its nice location in the city, and the atmosphere remains the same. I ordered a regular bowl of the special beef pho which had sliced beef, tripe, tendon, and bone marrow in it for toppings, as well as a side of the fried pork and prawn spring rolls.

Everything is as delicious as I remember it. The ingredients are all very fresh, and the pho broth is well balanced and flavourful.

It might just be my memory playing tricks on me, but I do feel that the portion sizes have been reduced somewhat. The bowl of pho did not have as much meat toppings in it, and the spring rolls seem smaller compared to what I can recall. The pho cost $16 (the most I've paid for a small bowl of pho for some time in a very casual restaurant) and $8 for the 4 pieces of spring rolls. One of the spring rolls I received was hollow and did not have any filling inside (maybe the filling fell out during the cooking process? I did not bother to ask for a replacement). The price rise could perhaps be attributed to the current socio-economical climate; however, I have previously still been able to find more generous servings of pho elsewhere for cheaper.

There is a new ordering system as well. You can now scan the QR code at your table to order and pay online. However, it didn't quite work for me at the time (the SMS confirmation code was not sending through to my phone) so I ended up ordering at...