Pho Town, the newest dining option in Midtown Village shopping center, can be easy to miss if you don’t know to look for it, but lovers of Asian cuisine will want to be sure they make a visit. While you may be familiar with all of the local options for Chinese food, Japanese hibachi or sushi, Vietnamese pho is a new treat for the foodies of Tuscaloosa. 

For those unfamiliar with pho, it is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of a savory broth, rice noodles and herbs. Variations can include beef or pork, seafood, chicken or vegetables. 

Pho Town’s menu has options for all of these soups and more on their vast menu. The noodle soups are offered in three sizes. For those not in a soup mood, other options like fish and meat dishes and fried rice are also available. There are appetizers and sides galore to accompany your meal. 

Pho Town’s menu doesn’t stop there. As for drinks, the menu offers many flavors of bubble tea, fusion teas and smoothies. If you’re still feeling peckish after all of that, there are options for dessert as well including cheesecake and Vietnamese yogurt. 

I kept my order on my first trip fairly simple. I tried the Vietnamese spring rolls with peanut sauce for my appetizer and beef noodle soup with meatballs for my meal. 

The spring rolls filled with shrimp, rice noodles, basil and mint were the perfect introduction to the fresh Vietnamese flavors. The two spring rolls were perfect for sharing with a friend and light enough to be a refreshing start to the meal. 

A plate of fresh herbs and jalapenos are served along with the soups so patrons can add flavor to their liking. I personally found my dish was perfect for my liking with a little dab of hot chili paste mixed in. 

The flavors were fresh and vibrant in every bite, in both the appetizer and the pho. The pho was warm and comforting, perfect for a chilly fall night. It was was satisfying and filling, even though I only ordered the small size. 

I will warn you that eating pho gracefully is an art that I have yet to master. The ideal technique is use chopsticks to fold the noodles onto your spoon to avoid any broth-splashing mishaps. 

If you’re new to eating pho, don’t let it intimidate you just because it’s unfamiliar. My advice is not to stress about grace and poise. Simply focus on the flavors and enjoying the new experience.