HA VL Vietnamese Noodle Soup — Restaurant in Portland

The first time I tried to eat at Ha VL, the Vietnamese soup restaurant and James Beard nominated semifinalist for most outstanding restaurant in the nation, I arrived at 5:00 pm for an early dinner only to learn they close at four. The second time I went on a Tuesday. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The third time there was a hand scrawled sign in the window notifying their patrons they were closed for summer break. The fourth time I arrived at 3:00 pm but they were closed again. They were out of soup. The fifth time I was there by one in the afternoon. Surely this would be the moment. I walked in and the owner, the L in VL, said, “Sold out!” I was close to giving up. Maybe I was doomed to fast food drive thrus for the rest of my life. One morning, however, I realized my appointment with an alignment shop would conclude before noon and was only a couple miles away from the restaurant. I arrived at 11:47 am and, finally, had a table all to myself.

Ha VL only serves soup and they only serve two to three soups per day on a rotating menu. Fridays are Chicken Pho (shredded chicken, rice noodles, chicken broth) and Pnompenh Noodle Soup (shrimp, fish balls, ground pork, squid, sliced pork liver, sliced pork BBQ, rice noodles, pork broth). I ordered one of each. The server was confused and asked where the other guest was hiding. No, they’re both for me, I said smiling through my mask. Her eyes smiled, too, and returned a few minutes later with sweet and spicy condiments, thai basil, sprouts, and limes—and to reconfirm my order (holding up two fingers: “Two?”). She left and returned again to ask if I wanted both served at once or in succession. Good question, I thought. I opted for the latter. First up was the Chicken Pho. You may have heard the oft used term “delicate flavors” to describe fine food. This was pure and delicate, joyous chicken. The broth was light and almost airy with just a bit of crunch and tang from fresh sliced alliums. I added condiments, herbs, and a scoop of fiery chili sauce. The Chicken Pho was now in “Beast Mode.” I finished it in under 10 minutes, slurping, and inadvertently moaning, with each stroke of my chopsticks. With the bowl up to my face, the last bits of noodles and broth getting ready for their sleepytime slide down my gullet, they placed the Pnompenh soup on my table. This was just as delicate with a seafood and pork punch complemented by perfectly fried pieces of garlic. It was a flavor bomb but with gentle, refined explosions. I wisely ate around the noodles, wiped my face off, blew my nose, and paid for my meal, recounting for the owner my previous attempts at gluttonizing their food. He told me he was surprised at the demand. They open at eight in the morning. The only Vietnamese restaurant open at eight, he said, and people fight to get in, especially on Sundays. We laughed and waved goodbye. ‘Til next...

Under the definition of "Mom and Pop Joint" in the dictionary comes HA &VL Vietnamese Noodle Soup. It's right there along with Delicious Broth and Genuine Experiences. I had heard about this place and decided that after a great day at the yard sales I would investigate further. The parking is a challenging tight Tetris and I was so glad I wasn't driving the big ugly truck, but after a short wait, there was a shift and a few spaces opened up.

The place only has a couple of items on the menu and it changes ever day. I will be honest and say that I wanted the Spicy Beef Noodle Soup but they had already run out and I had to get the Peppery Pork Ball Noodle Soup, which I would not have generally chosen... But at first sip I was sold. It was deep, warming, complex, good umami, and the pork balls and slices were a genuine good surprise.

I did not care for the one fish ball that I found in the depths, but I get that it is a prized food in Asia, I'm just too stuck in my ways to appreciate it . I also get that the addition of fish to a broth adds to the flavor like a mysterious magic elixir, a hard lesson for most western cooks.

The place is a treasure. The staff were friendly and welcoming even though there was a substantial language barrier. That, for me makes the place that much more attractive. Like I have been welcomed into their world, on their terms, to experience their authentic food. I love the fact that instead of offering 50 items, they just offer two trusted items a day and if you start to explore their food, you will have you favorite days. I would bet that they know to some extent who will show up on which days.

To the general white American these places can be semi visible back drops for the area that never enter into their minds as even a possibility, but that is a huge mistake! It is places like this that can show how much of a family we all are. Where it's natural to sit with diverse families in fellowship and get on with the important business of good food served by...

1/26/18 I have been to 4 other places for pho that were supposed to great with awesome reveiws and all were simply epic disappointments. Finally a place that goes above and beyond! The broth is perrrrfect with great flavor unlike many empty sad broths u have to taint with a concoction of additives. You get :Quality ingredients, mind-blowing soups, friendly family, and you can FEEL the love positively eppervecent throughout the place. My dad had never been willing to try pho. He even loved it! We will become regulars after today. They are average price with way above average product. 2 different soups are served daily and rotate for every day of the week. They have sandwiches which are great! I had the watermelon bubble tea which was the best I've ever had unlike the cheap ones at the mall. Creamy yummy well balanced flavors. On the weekends soup sells out but order ahead to avoid that. They have a meatball plate that kids love where you build your own sandwich( sooo fun!!!), they have high chairs, great bubble tea/smoothie options, pretty fish tank, & the people are so kind helpful & family orientated! The parking lot is a little small with only 1 handicapp spot. Don't let that stop you tho bc it's worth it! We came just before 11:00am. It was starting to get really busy by 11:30am. On a Friday. Thanks for reading this & hope it helps! Thank u HA & VL you made my Week!!!! 1/29/18 PEASE BRING SANDWITCHES BACK! IT WAS SO GREAT TO DOP IN THE SOUP! They have just discontinued them. Today I had the shrimpcake soup w/ out shrimp cake bc I'm not a fish person and the pork broth had a wonderful fish oil too it. So I gave it to my co-worker who absolutely LOVED it and demanded I take her here. I enjoyed my lonely watermelon bubble tea. I would have had a sandwich and not gone hungry if they had not discontinued them. :( will be back Wed....