Pho Song Huong — Restaurant in Sydney

This review has been long overdue for a hard-working, family run restaurant that I have eaten at for years now. Whether it be amidst its busy tables that animate the white walls of the shop or at home unpacking abundant takeaway boxes, the food here is consistently outstanding and is deserving of the endless streams of customers that it draws in. Even when a rival restaurant opens up across the street, it cannot hold a candle to the popularity and diligent reputation that Pho Song Huong has cultivated. The service is fast-moving and point-blank with taking orders, delivering dishes, heeding customers and catering to any need. So while the staff toil day in and day out at blistering speed, the lightning food does the talking for the care they show for the restaurant.

Our family's regular Pho Song Huong order is broken combination rice, crispy skin chicken rice and grilled pork chop rice. Firstly, I need to get this off my chest. Their grilled pork chops are hands down the best. Its extraordinary lemongrass seasoning infuses the heavenly tender meat to write the definition of delectable. Same goes for their crispy and flavourful grilled pork pieces. The crispy skin chicken is sputtering with juices wrapped in its flaky roasted skin, paired with a buttery tomato rice that we always swap the white rice out for because it's that terrific. I suggest getting a taste of everything with the combination rice which illustrates the iconic pork chop, meaty shredded pork skin, an appetising meat loaf and a golden fried egg.

Pho Song Huong excels at being a good ol' reliable Vietnamese. Wintry nights are soothed with their special beef pho topped with plentiful slices of raw beef, beef meatballs, tripe and tendon. The magic swirls within the hearty broth that streams up the silky noodles and is absorbed in the succulent meats. A single bowl to melt your worries and heart away.

On summer days, the fantastic Vietnamese banquets persist on with fresh rice paper rolls and abundant bún bowls. The bún are brilliantly decorated with homemade pickled carrots and radishes, mint, bean sprouts, lettuce, crushed peanuts, scallions and tender meats. Mix the cornucopia of ingredients with bouncy noodles and drench it in their addictive fish sauce. The divine result: Tangy, fulfilling and refreshing. For bite-sized portions, the rice paper rolls are plump with nutritious ingredients and flavour combinations. Or  have fun with a self-rolled plate from the mountain of fillings.

By saying all of this, I come from a place of loyalty and long-time satisfaction dining here at Pho Song Huong. There isn't enough words to describe my lifelong experience with them and the only advice I can part now is: Run and taste it...

Summary: Pho Song Huong offers a delightful experience with their highly recommended pho and generous serving sizes. Stick with the pho for a guaranteed good time.

I've had the pleasure of dining at Pho Song Huong twice now, and on both occasions, I left with a satisfied palate. The first visit had my partner and me ordering noodle soup-based dishes - I opted for their special beef pho, while she went for the spice beef hue.

The flavors in both dishes were spot on, boasting a deep umami richness that left us wanting more. Be warned, the serving sizes are incredibly generous. Not only did they heap an abundance of noodles, but they also didn't skimp on the meat, complemented by fresh bean sprouts and herbs.

During our second visit, we decided to explore other parts of the menu. We ordered a rice dish and a dry noodle dish, both of which were delicious and filling, but they didn't quite capture the essence of Pho Song Huong. The rice dishes felt reminiscent of Chinese or Hong Kong styles, with a slight twist of tomato rice. On the other hand, the dry noodles showcased a medley of meats and authentic Vietnamese flavors, making it a delight for home sick eaters but not for everyone.

My recommendation to newcomers would be to start with the pho, an absolute highlight of this establishment. Once you've experienced its perfection, feel free to explore the other offerings on the menu. The pho is an experience not to be missed, and I can't wait to return for another...

Seating/Environment: The place has both indoor and outdoor seating. However, the space can feel extremely crammed during the lunch and dinner time rush.

Payment: The place accepts card payment. There is a surcharge for orders under $20. It is advised to bring cash if you are eating here alone or splitting the bill.

Staff: The staff there are average, however the owner is extremely nice and outgoing. They are usually frantically running around during the lunch and dinner time rush.

Food: The food usually comes out within a reasonable amount of time. The meals are also very reasonably priced.

The Pho bowls are all quite nice and the portion sizes are extremely generous. The broth is extremely flavourful and they provide good servings of meats, meatballs etc. The price ranges from $11 to $13.

The rice dishes are all quite delightful as well. However, I have noted that the portion sizes of the meats can be very inconsistent. The rice dish that I normally go for is the special combination broken rice. The pork cutlet that is provided can sometimes be very small. The rice dishes are around $12-$13 each as well.

Overall opinion: I think if you are around the area, definitely give this place a go for some really nice and delightful Vietnamese food. Do keep in mind though that the place can get really busy around 1-2pm and also 6-7pm, especially on a weekend so do try to avoid those times...