Phin & Pho — Restaurant in Malay

Phin & Pho may be a newcomer to Boracay's extensive gastronomic offerings but it is certainly nowhere near a lightweight when it comes to utilizing the distinct flavors of Vietnam.

For the lazy readers: Flavor - 4.8 of 5 (only so there's always something to strive for) Portions - 5 Staff - 5 (lovely people with beautiful smiles and inviting personalities) Atmosphere - 5 (cold AC, nice music, good lighting) Price - 4.8 of 5 (Portions are good for two, so you're eating twice the portion for the price of one)

I love that we can see the restaurant's name so clearly from the street even when it's not located roadside (but near enough) because the letters are in boldface and huge, made even more noticeable with white lighting.

Entering the establishment, you'll be greeted with a surprisingly welcoming atmosphere. The servers are all smiles and went the extra mile several times during our time there. They offered refills of the broth when they noticed the pho needed more. They refilled our water whenever they were almost empty.

The owner, Chino, was equally, if not more, accommodating. Our time was made extra special as we had quite the conversation after meal. Like we were talking with a friend.

Food-wise, we ordered the egg coffee. It was as good as it looked, balancing the richness of the frothy egg yolk-condensed milk mixture with the acidity of that Vietnamese coffee is known and loved for. I'd say 4.5 out of 5.

For the appetizer, we had the Bo La Lot, or Vietnamese grilled beef wrapped in betel leaves. Serving is good for two to three people. It would probably be an acquired taste for some due to the medicinal taste of betel leaves, but we liked the pairing with the meat since we're already well-acquainted with the Vietnamese flavor profile. Meat was similar to a kebab in consistency, but is a nice savory treat especially if you will have pho shortly after. A solid 4 out of 5.

Next, we ordered the pho. It was a big serving and a thing of beauty. The owner told us that they no longer serve the bean sprouts and lime on the side like what we are used to, so they can reduce unnecessary food wastage as many of the customers end up not using these. (Please ask for them as pho isn't complete without cilantro and lime!) The bean sprouts, however, they already include in the bowl, but you can ask them to serve these three to you separately to get a more pronounced crunch from the sprouts and a fuller, robust flavor from the broth. Best part is they offer free refills of the piping hot broth, which is actually quite delicious on its own. You know they boiled real beef and not just dropped bouillon into the pot, so that's a real plus. You can also ask refills of the accompanying hoisin-sriracha sauce/dip. (We sure asked for a second one!) To be fair, their noodles were a bit overcooked, and they clumped like a ball, probably because they were prepped/pre-cooked in advance. This is something that can be easily corrected and not a major concern for us.

Lastly, the banh mi. They bake their own bread, which is why it had the perfect crust. It is also smaller in size, so you can bite through the sandwich with ease. There's not much to say, other than it's really well-made. We were already full by this time, but still managed to finish because it was good.

Will definitely go back to taste the rest of their...

I don't like to write a bad review to small business except when there is something really wrong with the place. But I checked the previous reviews and obviously there is many fake so I think that's just fair to balance it. From my order, nothing was close to Vietnamese food, could be still ok if the taste was good but it was unfortunately not the case. The place itself is ok, and people are nice (even if not professional from some details but it's often the case all around the Philippines so cannot take it in consideration). Finally overpriced for the food (+10% service never mentioned anywhere ?), I can still think that I was unlucky with my dinner but I won't give another try for sure and can't recommend it.

Update from your answer : You can claim that there is no fake reviews, people who are used to it can make their own opinion. To me it's clear that many are and maybe better in this case to not try to show you too much as a victim and ignore it like you did for other point of my review. I didn't want to dig to this point but I been to your restaurant because I checked quickly on Google a restaurant close to me with good ratings. I was disappointed then I checked the details of the reviews (and pictures) after it to understand. So I write it because whatever you can say its an honest review and if I came happy to your restaurant and go out disappointed, I think that I can write it, if some are checking only the reviews on Google, like I did, maybe it will help them. Again if I thought that the reviews was all honest I probably won't give mine. When I say not professional for some details, I didn't think that it was worth it to give more details. Its not much about the 1000 bill (even if yes, i doubt that its professional to say to a customer that he should not do that when the bill is in a perfect condition and I repeat that I never got any issue - or even remark - since many years in the Philippines doing it). Im talking more about employees that don't know the dishes they serve or, worst, when im talking with my daughter in a language that you don't understand to take her order and the waitress interrupts me each 10 seconds to say random names of dishes from the menu without any other information (actually I know how to read a menu by myself). Yes I feel these kind details are not professional, again it's common in the Philippines (lack of formation) that's what I...

My family and I had the pleasure of dining at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant in Boracay that left me utterly impressed. From the moment we stepped foot into the inviting ambiance, we knew were in for a remarkable culinary experience.

The menu offered an extensive selection of traditional Vietnamese dishes, each prepared with precision and care. We opted for the classic Pho Bo, and it was a revelation. The steaming bowl of fragrant broth, filled with tender slices of beef and an assortment of fresh herbs, transported me to the streets of Hanoi. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and every spoonful was a delight. Bahn Mi and Egg Coffee are also exquisitely delicious.

The service was exceptional throughout our visit. The staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. The owner patiently explained the different dishes and offered recommendations based on my preferences. The speed of service was impressive, and my order arrived promptly without compromising on quality.

The attention to detail extended to the restaurant's ambiance. The warm, cozy decor and subtle Vietnamese touches created an inviting atmosphere that enhanced my dining experience.

Lastly, the prices were reasonable, considering the quality and portion sizes. The restaurant offers excellent value for money, making it a go-to spot for anyone craving an authentic Vietnamese feast without breaking the bank.

Overall, our visit to PHIN and PHO Vietnamese restaurant was an absolute pleasure. I highly recommend this establishment to anyone seeking an unforgettable taste of Vietnam in a welcoming and...