An excellent place that shouts authentic Vietnam through its food as well as setting
Having spent four years in Southeast Asia, I have deep love and respect for its cuisine. Just thinking about the aromatic dishes is enough to send me in a state of nostalgia. So, when a friend suggested we eat at the newly opened Pho 99, it was hard to say no.
Pho 99 is owned by the same people who opened the very popular Saigon Pho in Lajimpat, hence expectations were high when we reached the place in Sanepa. On entering, the expectations grew even more. The interior, topped with a courtyard and a thatched roof building, is evocative of southern Vietnam. The restaurant is spacious and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
Our meal started on a good note with the Mien Vit or boneless duck glass noodle soup. The duck in the Mien Vit (Rs 450) was perfectly cooked and the soup was full of flavours. The distinct taste of garlic, onions, bean sprouts, lemon and chili came through with every spoonful. We were also served an extra plate of salad, bean sprouts and sauce so that we could season the dish accordingly. A big thumbs up.
Our next order was the Ca Basa Nuong (Rs 680), or grilled basa with rice. The fish coated with creamy garlic sauce was tender and had a luscious texture to it. The chopped spring onions sprinkled on the top provided a nice freshness and crunch to the dish. While the gravy was delicious, sadly, there wasn’t much of it to be enjoyed with the rice. Eating the fish as a standalone dish we thought would have been better.
Before our meal at Pho 99, we had heard much praise about its pork ribs barbeque. So, leaving without tasting the dish seemed a folly. The Com Suong Heo Nuong Sa (Rs 450) or pork ribs was presented with an assortment of boiled vegetables and a pot of rice. Although the marinate was thick and delicious, the pork contained too much fat to our liking.
Our only order from the Chef’s specials was the Bun Thit Nem Nuong (Rs 500) and it seemed we had saved the best for the last. The dish which is rice noodles with barbeque pork and grilled shrimp, and served with vegetables and peanuts was beautiful to look at and matched up in taste. The dark red hues of the barbeque pork and grilled shrimp complemented the fresh green color of the vegetables perfectly. The extra sweet sour sauce binded the dish and despite, the rather generous portion of meat, the dish didn’t feel heavy.
For the skeptics who think Kathmandu doesn’t offer decent Southeast Asian cuisine, you owe Pho 99 a visit. Bite into the aforementioned dishes and be left mincing your words.
How to get there: Walk straight from Jhamsikhel lane towards Dhobighat and turn right from Thado Dhunga.