The King of Pho

It happened. Pho has replaced menudo and posole as the go-to dish for the “morning after.” It’s got all the right stuff for everything that ails you: a tasty broth powered with hunks of rare beef and well done brisket (and hey, even tripe for you menudo lovers, if you ask). A typical pho concoction has got everything from the cow but the moo. Add a healthy dose of bean sprouts, onions and a fistful of carb-enriched noodles to the party and you go a soup, boy, a real soup. If you’re camped out in the San Gabriel Valley as often as me you have options. Too many options. If you live in El Monte, Rosemead, San Gabriel, or Alhambra you’re likely to see pho coming out of your faucet instead of tap water. Eric Lam, a 22-year old college student, foolishly dropped out of his computer science program to buy his Pho Minh restaurant in Rosemead to take on the giants of pho: Pho Kim V and Pho Filet are just a stone throw’s away. Vietnam, Golden Deli, and Vietnam House are legends in the San Gabriel pho business. I nearly weep when I simply mention these restaurants, I love them so much. Pho 49 and Che Cali are civic treasures of Alhambra and yes, their pho is great, too. But it’s too late, the word is out. The LA Weekly, the LA Times, and now this blog has already named a winner. Eric Lam is the King of Pho.