AsiaLIFE

Unpretentious and modest to the extent that it lacks a proper name, ‘Famous Beef and Noodle Soup’ is a long-time favourite among Phnom Penh’s urbanites. Located on Street 178, just off the riverside, this small establishment could easily go unnoticed by your average street prowler, which is a blessing as otherwise it would probably get packed out all the time.

With solid wood tables and stools, as well as some Japanese art on the walls, the place is plain enough. More the atmosphere of an eatery than a restaurant, this is not the place to linger over a bottle of vino – there isn’t even any wine on the menu. The staff are however very friendly, and speak good English. The short menu features beef, chicken, and vegetarian pho at US$2.50 per bowl, as well as a few other dishes, including, somewhat bizarrely, tortellini al formaggio for US$4.50. This pasta dish is similar to simple macaroni and cheese, but the kitchen staff manage to marry the two ingredients into a tasty whole.

As the name of the place declares, it is the noodle soup, or pho, that you come here for. This traditional Hanoian dish is served in a large bowl and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is essentially a broth-based soup with thick rice noodles, vegetables and your choice of meat. Beef pho is the most common variety. In addition to the bowl of soup, your pho comes with a separate plate of fresh condiments, such as chilli, onion, bean sprouts, and basil, which you can add to taste. On the table, there are a variety sauces and spices so you can prepare your pho just the way you like it. The soup is tasty enough, but those accustomed to eating pho on the streets of the Vietnamese capital, might find the broth too sanitised. For the price, it’s an absolute steal that certainly fills you up. There is no shame in raising the bowl to your mouth and drinking the broth.

With only a handful of tables, this is not a place for big parties, but service is generally pretty swift and the pho arrives at your table hot and steamy. Unfortunately there is no air-con and drinking water is not complimentary, but apart from that Famous Beef and Noodle Soup thoroughly deserves its spot as one of the capital’s favourite bargain eateries.

Famous Beef and Noodle Soup, Street 178 (opposite Rising Sun) Open 8am-9pm.