having just returned from a week in berlin-friedrichshain, i’ll tell you what, i’ve developed a newfound respect for the simplicity in northern vietnamese style pho bo. it came to a surprise to me how many places served pho in east berlin: it must be the legacy of eastern bloc immigration from north vietnam.
the southern, saigon-style pho we are used to eating in the states, at this point, is already called “pho cali*” in vietnam, and hanoi style pho is served without all of the accoutrements and variety of meats like tendon, brisket, flank, etc.
northern pho is simple, contains a clear yet flavorful broth, and is served with just cuts of steak and thicker rice noodles. you’ll be hard pressed to find a shop that serves a bowl like this here. here’s a picture of a bowl i got at berlin’s new flughafen brandenburg.
*this is the ONLY acceptable use of “cali” when one means california. fight me.
