Home › Forums › West Seattle Rants & Raves › RAVE: Báhn Mì at Pho Aroma
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August 20, 2010 at 11:14 pm #596043
christopherboffoliParticipantI’d normally give a new business a bit of breathing room on their opening day. But being the sangwich fiend that I am I just had to go in to Pho Aroma and road test their bahn mi.
The verdict: delicious! Wonderfully roasted meat with a subtle sweetness, fresh slivers of daikon, carrot and cucumber, a few peppers for some heat, touch of mayo and a few sprigs of cilantro. Heaven in your hand for $2.50 (takeaway).
One of the most wonderful parts of this Vietnamese, French colonially-influenced sandwich is the special bread. Rice flour added to the dough takes away the chewy toughness that a French baguette would normally have and replaces it with an overall softness with a wafer thin, delicate crispiness on the outside.
Definitely worth a visit. I’m looking forward to hearing from anyone who tries their durian milkshakes.
August 21, 2010 at 12:09 am #701932
inactiveMemberSee, cjb, there’s another reason we appreciate your WSB contributions so much. Aside from the mouth-watering phtographs and descriptors, you have answered a question I have had about bahn mi for 20 years. What is with those baguettes! I could never find the real thing, though I probably just did not try hard enough. But. Now I know why, thanks to you. Has to have the rice flour! Brilliant. And for $2.50 to boot! All that fresh and lively filling against the delicate crunch of the crust. Genius.
August 21, 2010 at 4:41 am #701933
NicNDuBMemberWe just had their veggie pho and have to second the rave as it was both superb and affordable!
CBJ – we’re not sure if you have acquired the taste or if you’re a bit of a practical joker, but for others who are curious/ gullible please do a little research before ordering the Durian shake. Unfortunately, we failed to do so and ended up asking the owners for reassurance that the shake wasn’t spoiled. We decided it most resembled sulfur or rotten eggs, and while I’m sure it is delicious to the connoisseur we failed to get past three sips despite concerted effort.
Fortunately the owners explained some history on the fruit and replaced our Durian with a spectacular Taro shake.
August 21, 2010 at 5:18 am #701934
christopherboffoliParticipantNicNDub: Oh No!!! I’m so sorry. I definitely wasn’t playing a joke. I’m absolutely intrigued about durian milkshakes. I guess I should have been less flippant in what I said. Their stinky, sulfurous flavor profile is legendary. But definitely an acquired taste. Good for you though for giving it a go. I apologize if I led you astray!
August 21, 2010 at 5:25 am #701935
Garden_nymphMemberChristopher,
As usual, your excellent descriptions and wonderful picture have gotten my attention. I WILL be trying this place out this weekend! I’ll pass on the durian milkshake though; to me it’s a Fear Factor food. I’ll be trying Taro instead.
August 21, 2010 at 6:57 pm #701936
NicNDuBMemberChristopher,
No worries. Had we done research we may have still ordered the Durian shake, we just wouldn’t have sent it back (we were seriously concerned there was spoilage or equipment contamination).
And although we couldn’t stomach the Durian, we can imagine how for the connoisseur it is addictive as neither of us has tasted anything quite like it before. There was a unique slightly melon-esk flavor, however, it seems one has to first get over the overpowering sulfur/ fermentation impact. And this isn’t an easy task as it permeates both olfactory and taste-buds.
And we didn’t ask, but we suspect that what we tried was a powered version, so we can only imagine the experience of fresh Durian…
August 21, 2010 at 10:28 pm #701937
christopherboffoliParticipantNicNDuB: ‘No Durian’ signs are as common at hotels in some areas of Asia as are ‘No Smoking’ signs here in the States. I hear that there are some experts who know how to handle the fruit in a special way which preserves the delicate flavor while eliminating the sulfurous stink. Though some enjoy the latter as stinky cheese lovers admire their fromage.
The owner of Pho Aroma assured me that they use real durian in their shakes. Powder probably wouldn’t retain such pungency. I expect they are probably using prepped, frozen durian chunks.
August 21, 2010 at 11:58 pm #701938
Garden_nymphMemberChristopher Boffoli,
Were you there again today? We went, because of the excellent journalism you did, and have to admit it lived up to the hype. We will be back to try the combo Pho because it looked SO good, but we had already had our hearts set to try the sandwich. Taro shake was also a double thumbs up. What an excellent addition to the neighborhood.
August 22, 2010 at 1:44 am #701939
The Velvet BulldogParticipantAdding my props to Pho Aroma! Ate dinner at the restaurant and the meal consisted of a bowl of Rice Vermicelli, “Bun” and a pork Bahn Mi sandwich. The vermicelli bowl was DELISH–shrimp grilled just right and probably the best egg roll I’ve ever had. The sandwich was tasty, but my dining companion and I agreed it could use a little more filling to balance with the bread. The dining atmosphere is warm and pleasant and the service attentive. They also serve a number of vegetarian options which look quite promising. We’ll definitely go back–trying the Pho next!
August 22, 2010 at 3:15 am #701940
Garden_nymphMemberI agree about additional filling in the sandwich, I added the shredded daikon and carrot that came with the egg roll and then dipped the sandwich in the sweet chili sauce. It was delicious! All the flavors in the sandwich were so fresh.
August 22, 2010 at 5:31 am #701941
hollyplaceParticipantRice flour huh? I never would have guessed. I’m there tomorrow!
August 22, 2010 at 6:16 am #701942
flowerpetalMemberI was there this afternoon with some friends. I ordered the Bun combo and it was delish! I have had Bun lots of places and this one was exceptionally good. I will be going back for a sandwich. Most Bahn mi are not filled so much. That overstuffing of sandwiches (like a Dagwood) is an American concept of more is better. These looked just right to me.
August 22, 2010 at 7:45 am #701943
pigeonmomParticipantI love a good Bun. Can’t wait to try this place.
August 23, 2010 at 2:16 am #701944
JoBParticipantjust got back from dinner at Pho Aroma.
We may have found a new favorite..
We shared a shrimp salad roll
i had grilled prok chops with fried egg
hubby had Pho
we even ordered a Pork Bahn Mi to go
great food
great prices
great service
really pleasant space
i think this place will do well.
August 23, 2010 at 8:14 pm #701945
GretaGraceMemberi picked up lunch on Saturday consisting of a Banh Mi sandwich and fresh spring rolls. Big fan of both, with a few tweeks. First, I would leave the mayo off the sandwich, and add spicy mustard, and add more jalepenos. I agree that the sandwich doesn’t need to be overstuffed, but from end to end of the bread would be nice! Can’t wait to try other things from the menu!
August 23, 2010 at 11:39 pm #701946
DPMemberThis place has great sandwiches, I’ll give them that. I’ll be back to try the phỏ, because that’s what will really make or break them.
A couple of observations:
1) Both times I was there, there were six people working. (They all appeared to be family.) A little place like this will not support six people. Most struggle to support three.
2) From the front counter, you can see directly into the kitchen area, including the sink, the pots and pans, etc. This isn’t good. They should either reconfigure the counter or put an opaque barrier between customers and kitchen.
3) The color scheme needs some work. Dayglo yellow and orange aren’t conducive to good digestion in my opinion. Others may not care . . .
Again, good sandwiches. Reasonable prices, too. Hope they can make a go of it.
August 24, 2010 at 12:26 am #701947
JoBParticipantDP..
You have a serious attack of the shoulds there..
i loved the decor… as did hubby.. he commented that it was the first local Pho shop that had paid as much attention to the decor as to the food…
but then we experienced it from a table.. not from the counter ordering inexpensive sandwiches to go.
when we were there all of those family members .. if indeed they are family members.. were working as fast as they could to meet the needs of their customers.
Since one looked old enough to retire and another young enough to be in school this fall.. i am betting if they are family.. they are using every resource they have to launch this business.
as for the view from the counter.. which btw… i didn’t notice… there are many places where you pay big bucks for a view of the kitchen…
walk on the wild side and sit down for a meal. you may find your perception alters.
And if not.. i will be glad to take your place at the table on busy evenings.
August 24, 2010 at 2:11 am #701948
Garden_nymphMemberI think they way they decorated is pleasing. The food is amazing. Today, I couldn’t help myself and HAD to have another pork Bahn mi. True to my high maintenance self, I had it “made to order”. I asked them to hold the mayo and peppers and add more daikon and carrots. I also asked for sweet chili sauce to dip it in. This may not be the way it was intended to be eaten, but it is DELICIOUS!!! Where else can you get stuffed for $5.00 or less?! I also ordered the spring roll and it too is wonderful. I am really enjoying this place!
August 24, 2010 at 4:22 am #701949
IrukandjiParticipantAugust 24, 2010 at 4:32 am #701950
CarolPBMembertoo funny!
August 24, 2010 at 4:51 am #701951
Garden_nymphMemberI think this has to be my favorite new acronym!
August 24, 2010 at 5:57 pm #701952
GenHillOneParticipantDumb question maybe? Is “Aroma” English or is there a Vietnamese pronunciation that I don’t know? When talking about this new gem, I’m having trouble with the name! If Pho is properly “Fa”, is the name said compressed like “F’aroma”?
August 24, 2010 at 8:10 pm #701953
GoGoParticipantJust had a pork bahn mi, DELISH!! $2.50 and I’m pleasantly full. Am currently telling everyone at my office to go there NOW.
P.S. I love the color of the ceiling!
August 25, 2010 at 12:18 am #701954
ellenaterMemberThe Pho was good as was the kid’s noodle soup w/meatball. I also liked the decor. Looking forward to going back.
August 25, 2010 at 5:04 am #701955
wundrgrrrlParticipantJust went for dinner and I loved it! I had the egg rolls (light and crispy) and Pho ~ they were both yummy. The menu had lots of Vietnamese dishes to choose from, so I can’t wait to go back and try more. The decor is warm and the family staff very friendly. The place was bustling too. Cheers to the new kids on the block!
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