Affordable Vietnamese cuisine at West Lake Market — “Beef Pho” simmered in bone broth

Text and photos byOld K

This place was actually where Old K and Mei Ji had planned to eat last time, but it wasn’t open that day, so they ended up at another spot.

Today, Old K came here specifically to try it. Although their signature dish is Cantonese-style congee, Mei Ji recommended the pho. Old K asked Mei Ji, “Isn’t the congee good?” Mei Ji replied that the congee is made by the boss’s mother, but she works slowly, so they never had the chance to try it XD. Old K originally thought of ordering one bowl of congee and one of pho, but when he heard the congee would take a long time, he decided to skip it.

Take a look at the menu. The prices are very reasonable — beef pho is only 70 NT$, and even the spiciest Thai sour and spicy dish is just 95 NT$. If you’re still hungry, extra noodles are only 20 NT$. Old K ordered a bowl of beef pho.

Chopsticks and spoons are self-service, and you can also help yourself to lemon and chili.

There are two types of chili. Old K asked what the difference was. The one he chose is smaller, spicier, and slightly tangy (which Old K likes). The other kind is bigger, less spicy, but saltier.

So Old K went with the spicier, tangy chili and some lemon slices. Their business is really booming — he even had to wait a bit before mealtime, and some nearby shops didn’t have any customers yet.

Fresh Beef Pho (70 NT$)
This bowl is a bit different from other beef phos Old K has had before. The broth looks more like bone broth, and there seems to be a bit of oil on the surface.

Take a sip of the broth — it’s definitely bone broth with a hint of seafood flavor. The touch of pepper adds richness, making it quite smooth and savory. It doesn’t feel greasy either. It’s a tasty broth, though the beef flavor is relatively subtle. Old K quite liked this broth.

The beef is a bit thick but still tender and easy to chew. For the price, Old K is very satisfied.

The noodles have a nice springy texture. The portion size is average — guys with bigger appetites might want to order extra noodles.

The combination of beef and the tangy, spicy chili is super satisfying.

After trying the original broth, of course you’ll want to add lemon and chili. The mix of the two different acids with the chili is absolutely delicious XD. Friends who love sour and spicy flavors shouldn’t miss this.

Old K’s little tip: No wonder this is a popular spot in the West Lake Market food street — delicious and cheap. But because their hours are tailored to office workers, they’re closed on weekends, so non-locals will probably only have a chance to come by in the evening. If you plan to visit, it’s best to check out a few other places too to get your money’s worth XD.

Old K’s personal rating (out of 10, higher is better)
Taste: 8.2
Value for money: 9
Dining environment: 5
Price: 8

Keep eating your way through, Old K.

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