Happy 2012 dear readers! There is no better way to start the new year than with a post about one of my favourite dishes to eat – pho. Pho Tau Bay is a little restaurant at the top of John Street (Cabramatta’s main strip) where my family and I used to go to religiously for that awesome vietnamese beef noodle soup. Til this day and about 20 odd years of eating this dish, I still think it is one of the best pho restaurants.
I always love a good cafe sua da along side my hot beef noodle soup. There’s just something about the bitter and sweet taste of vietnamese coffee that goes so well with pho. You get such a generous portion here – I love it! I must say Pho Tau Bay is always a hit with the cafe sua da – it never fails to disappoint me.
A small Pho Dac Biet is on order today – yes you are able to get a large size here if you really wanted to =P “Dac biet” means “special” which has a bit of all the meats – the beef balls, brisket, tendons and tripe (and most likey some other cuts of meats too).
What I favour most about Pho Tau Bay is that it is one of the rare pho restaurants that sell the asian donuts aka “yau ja gwai” to accompany the pho. As my family and I used to eat here so often, I thought it was normal to have the asian donut with the pho. After eating out with friends and even talking about it, I found out it wasn’t a common thing. For those who haven’t tried the two together, you really should give it a go :)
The noodles and broth at this place is purely amazing. I don’t think I can recall ever having a bad experience at all. Honest. The broth is flavoursome but not too heavy – it is still light and refreshing and slightly sweet. The noodles are perfectly cooked. They are soft yet still have a bit of body to it. There is plenty of meat to go around too. Ahhh how I could do with a bowl right now.
For something a bit extra; Thanh Ngo from noodlies, a local citizen of Cabramatta, conducted a poll in search for Sydney’s Best Pho in 2010. Pho Tau Bay was announced the winner, and I could not agree more :)
Pho Tau Bay
12/117 John Street
Cabramatta NSW 2166
Oh I have to go! I still long for the pho I had in Vietnam! Hopefully this is just as good.
Despite being half vietnamese, I’ve never been to vietnam. It’s one of the places I am dying to go to.
Ooh I was given a Pho recipe from a cooking class in Vietnam and I’m dying to try it! I think I’ll need to visit Cabramatta to get some of the ingredients though!
You definitely do need to give it a go Lorraine! You will love the final product.
i went here with my dad .. such a disappointment.. the pho was nearly cold by the time it came to the table and the manager kept staring at us as if he wanted to kick us out!
Oh no! What a shame. I guess a bad experience like that can really deter you from ever going back again huh? :(
What a great recommendation! Every time I go to cabramatta I tends to get suckin with the tan Viet crispy chicken. I will try this place next time.
Tan viet is a favorite of mine also! I love the salt and pepper beef cubes with tomato rice, and thin rice noodles with soup and crispy chicken! Ohhhh yum! Bau Truong is great for their grilled meats with rice!
tina i didnt know think of using the donuts with pho! winning.. will try next time. I love pho tau bay myself as well – but once in cabra i get distracted by many things.
The donuts are by the window – impossible to miss. Please do try and then let me know what you think :) cabra is amazing on so many levels
I’m going to be needing noodles and broth that look just like that ASAP…. looks so comforting and I can remember how they should taste… this is torture this early in the morning!!
There is a great place pho in footscray. Ahhh I can’t remember the restaurant name but it was pretty good!
I’ve heard the Pho restaurants in Cabramatta are well worth the visit. The ingredients always look so healthy, fresh and tasty.
Although each restaurant have their variations on how to make pho, it does help that the fresh ingredients are available for them to use. It really does make that much more of a difference :)
I come here heaps too.. not recently though. Gotta love the vietnamese coffee or three colours drink to go with it :D
speaking of which, I just had another dose over the weekend. hehe
Ohh that’s an interesting combo, I only ever eat yau ja gwai with congee! Must remember to come here if I’m ever in the area since it’s a bit far for me.
Hope you had a great new years :)
I definitely had a great new years. Hope you did too :)
loved the article about this place in sbs FEAST mag, i must go :)
Please do go :D
I love having my cafe sua da with my pho too :) You’re right – the bitter and sweet taste goes well with the soup and it’s very refreshing!
I just had another dose over the weekend. I couldn’t help myself :)
I had this exact meal at this exact restaurant about 2 months ago. Scary!
This meal is happening way too often for me. But I love it :D
Yet another thing to miss about Sydney. Next time we come back, I need to squeeze in a visit here.
Hopefully this happens sooner rather than later ;)
“I must say Pho Tau Bay is always a hit with the cafe sua da – it never fails to disappoint me.”
I’m not sure that’s what you meant?
I still haven’t been here, have to remedy that…
Hi Lau – what I meant to say that it is ALWAYS so good! It always hits the spot. =)
i’ve never had the asian donut with pho before! will definitely be checking pho tau bay out next time we head to cabra :)
It is an unusual thing but apparently this restaurant has been serving their pho with the asian donut for over 20 years!
i love asian donuts and have tried it with pho once. it’s pretty alright. seriously should check pho tau bay out soon
I find that pho tau bay make fresh Asian donuts too. Crunchy on the outside. Nice and airy on the inside. Best thing is its not too oily :)
Mmm pho. I know a few important phrases in Vietnamese and one is ‘I like special pho’. I am yet to visit Cabramatta, but I am looking forward to the day that I do!
One “Pho dac biet” please!
i just came back from vietnam and did a search on best cafe sua in syd.
im hoping your recommendation hits the spot!