Phở Hùng

Phở Hùng
Exterior of the restaurant on 82nd Avenue in 2022
Restaurant information
Food typeVietnamese
CityPortland
CountyMultnomah
StateOregon
CountryUnited States

Phở Hùng is a pair of Vietnamese restaurants in Portland, Oregon, United States. The two establishments are operated by different owners but share a name, logo, and menu primarily focused on pho. Both are located in southeast Portland; the older restaurant has operated on Powell Boulevard since 1990, and the other, sometimes called Phở Hùng 82, is on 82nd Avenue. Previously, a Phở Hùng restaurant operated on Fremont Street in northeast Portland.

Description

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Phở Hùng is a pair of Vietnamese restaurants in southeast Portland. The two establishments share a name, logo, and menu, but operate under different ownership.[1] The older restaurant is on Powell Boulevard, just north of the Richmond neighborhood's southern boundary with Creston-Kenilworth. The other restaurant, sometimes called Phở Hùng 82, is on 82nd Avenue, in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.[2] Phở Hùng 82 has paper lanterns, televisions, and large windows looking out to bamboo.[1]

The menu has categories such as "Adventurer's Choice" and "For Beginners".[2][3] It includes dac biet ("Special Super Bowl"), which is pho with steak, brisket, soft tendon, honeycomb tripe, and meatballs in a broth with scallions.[2] The restaurants have also served chicken pho ga, egg rolls,[4] a vegetarian pho with broccoli and fried tofu, and the beef noodle soup bún bò Huế.[5] Pho is served with a side of Thai basil, bean sprouts, jalapeños, and lime.[6] Available condiments include black pepper, chili oil, chili paste, crushed red pepper, fish sauce, hoisin, and Sriracha.[1] Che ba mau is described as a "parfaitlike" drink with mung and red beans, coconut milk, and "ogar strip" (or jellies).[6] Other drink options include avocado shakes, bubble tea, and Vietnamese coffee.[4]

History

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The original restaurant has operated on Powell Boulevard since 1990.[2] An outpost operated on Fremont Street in northeast Portland, starting in 1995. The building later housed the Vietnamese restaurant Phở Gabo.[7]

Reception

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In 2006, writers for the Portland Mercury said Phở Hùng was "arguably the best all-around place for pho" in the city. Lance Chess and Marjorie Skinner said the restaurant "carries on tradition, with hefty portions for cheap" and is among the "more authentic" eateries, "a trait carried out in the entire menu".[4]

In 2017, Michael Russell of The Oregonian said of Phở Hùng had friendly service but needed "sprucing up". He called the broth "fine", with "not quite enough depth of flavor". He said the noodles were "nicely cooked, but lacking flavor", and the toppings were sparse. Russell said of Phở Hùng 82: "The pho is a standout, with a balanced broth that brings the savory beef more than any individual spice, plus the most fattiest fatty brisket we've found so far." He called the broth "well balanced", the beef balls and tripe "good", the noodles "not particularly special", and the ambiance "pleasant and lively".[1]

Nathan Williams included the Powell Street location in Eater Portland's 2023 overview of recommended restaurants in Creston-Kenilworth.[5] The restaurant is one of politician Khanh Pham's favorites.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Russell, Michael (2017-01-28). "Join the hunt for Portland's best bowl of pho". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  2. ^ a b c d Wong, Janey (2020-02-07). "Where to Find Steamy Bowls of Pho in Portland". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-09-25. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  3. ^ "7 Portland restaurants serving up warm and delicious bowls of pho | Dished". Daily Hive. 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  4. ^ a b c Chess, Lance; Skinner, Marjorie. "Get Pho'd Up". Portland Mercury. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  5. ^ a b Williams, Nathan (2023-05-08). "Where to Eat and Drink in Portland's Creston-Kenilworth Neighborhood". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  6. ^ a b "Pho Hung". Willamette Week. 2008-03-19. Archived from the original on 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  7. ^ Russell, Michael (2024-03-08). "City, state leaders say odor code that closed Portland Vietnamese restaurant doesn't pass smell test". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  8. ^ Pettigrew, Jashayla (October 18, 2023). "Go to these Portland-area restaurants for steamy, flavorful pho". KOIN.
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