PHO 68 QUAN — Restaurant in New South Wales

(3.5 stars) It’s just shy of six o’clock at night, and Lithgow’s Main Street is pretty much deserted. The temperature has dipped down into the single digits and an icy wind blows up the empty street. In contrast to the stately historical facades that line this canyon-like street, the bamboo-edged Pho 68 feels colourful and organic. While the outside tables are understandably empty on this unseasonably cold evening, inside is alive with people, including a steady stream of locals after take-away.

Bright pink and aqua lighting draws your attention to their key offering: beef noodle soup or pho. They’re mounted on the wall above a colourful altar. The art is mostly aquatic, with lilies and a circlet of bright orange koi. The rest of the wall space is taken up with hand-written value packs, all pitched at families; and a professionally printed juice bar menu board that’s set behind a fruit-filled glass counter.

While the chairs are uncomfortable, the staff are warm and friendly. A television in one corner has half of the dining room transfixed. I choose a chair facing the other way and have to contend with pairs of glazed eyes staring past me. It’s an odd choice for a place where you come to partake in a family meal, though thankfully the volume is turned down.

In the plastic-covered photograph menu you’ll find a range of the expected Vietnamese suspects. We chose to begin with a Vietnamese Pancake ($16.50) that arrived dripping off both sides of the platter. Filled with fried pork mince and decent, medium-sized prawns, the generously proportion, crisp pancake tastes of powdered turmeric and char. Wrapped in iceberg lettuce shells, it’s surprisingly compelling - one of the best renditions of this classic Vietnamese dish I’ve had in the last few years.

Perhaps only by contrast, the Soft Shell Crab ($14.50) is disappointing. Something added to the batter is so thirst-inducing, I suspect the not-very-well-hidden hand of mì chính or MSG; and the dish isn't saved by the accompanying sweet-chilli sauce. We down water and most of our wine - which had to be gathered from the BWS a short drive away - to compensate.

Special Pho ($16.50) contains the full range of beef, from meatballs to stretchy, thin slices. The broth is soft in flavour, but feels honest, homey and ever-so-slightly dominated by star anise. The thin rice noodles aren’t anything to write home about, especially when compared to the fat, transparent offerings in the Crab Rice Noodle Soup ($14.50).

Known as bún riêu cua, this northern speciality is made with tomatoes and pork bones, seasoned with fermented shrimp paste. Along with the slippery noodles, you’ll find a crab claw still topped with a pincher, an unshelled but good quality king prawn, and some tasteless lean pork slices. Despite the floating green herbs, the most dominant flavour reminds me of mullet roe. While this Pho 68 soup lacks the traditional sourness usually created with tamarind, it’s good enough to warm up this cold and...

Pho 68 Quán🌿🍲

This Vietnamese restaurant is a little gem that delivers both comfort and flavour. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with a welcoming atmosphere — simple wooden tables, warm lighting, and a homely vibe that makes you feel instantly at ease.

Food & Presentation

The menu offers a beautiful balance of traditional dishes with generous portions. The crispy noodle stir-fry was a standout — golden, crunchy noodles topped with a colourful medley of vegetables, tender chicken, mushrooms, and baby corn, all coated in a glossy, savoury sauce. Each bite was the perfect mix of texture and flavour.

The set meal with rice, braised pork, fried tofu, and spring rolls was equally satisfying. The pork was tender and full of depth from slow braising, the tofu soaked up the broth wonderfully, and the spring rolls were golden, crunchy, and paired well with the sweet chili dipping sauce. The fresh steamed vegetables alongside the rice kept the meal balanced and wholesome.

Service & Ambience

The service is attentive yet relaxed, giving you space to enjoy your food without feeling rushed. The staff were friendly and accommodating, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. The cosy, unpretentious setting makes it a great spot for casual meals with friends or family.

Final Thoughts

This restaurant captures what Vietnamese food is all about — freshness, balance, and comfort. With hearty portions, affordable pricing, and a cosy atmosphere, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to come back to again and again.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic, home-style Vietnamese...

I had 'spicy beef noodles soup' for $17.50 here yesterday (Saturday 08 June 2024) between 2-3pm. The meal came with a big portion, and a lot of beef, bean sprouts and lemon. It was as spicy as I requested and would be nicer with fresh chilli instead of chilli flake but chilli fake is nice as well, the noodles could be better if it is cooked a lit longer to be softer but overall it's value for your buck. The restaurant seems to have so many delicious foods with good prices in their menu, the atmosphere was great and the service was excellent. I've had a talk with the owner of the restaurant - Mr. Hùng, a friendly person and pleasant to talk with. He is from Vietnam and have moved to Australia alone 10-15 years ago, opened his business from the early years here and his hard-working has paid off with the successful of the business. He is a real inspiration for the young generation and his restaurant is surely an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. From his information, his restaurant will relocate to the new location which is closer to Lithgow station once the new space is completed with the renovation (within a year?). I will definitely come back here next time when I have the chance to travel to the Blue Mountains...