Sonny Side (from the US) owns a YouTube channel with more than 10.7 million followers. He is passionate about exploring cultures and cuisines around the world and often shares videos of his food experiences in the countries he has visited.

In Vietnam, pho is one of Sonny’s favorite dishes. He has tried all kinds of pho, with different flavors and ingredients, from the popular to the expensive versions.

Most recently, Sonny and his close friend Calvin went to a restaurant on Le Thanh Ton Street (Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC) to experience a "strange" pho dish from the ingredients to the preparation method. That is lobster pho.

Two Western guests enjoy whole lobster pho in Ho Chi Minh City

It is known that the restaurant has been open for more than 20 years, serving many Vietnamese and Asian dishes, of which the most popular is lobster pho, served with some attractive seafood.

US President Bill Clinton visited this restaurant during his official visit to Vietnam.

Sonny revealed that he had come here and enjoyed lobster pho in 2018. This time coming back, he was curious to experience if the flavor of this dish was different and new.

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Lobster pho is served on a deep plate instead of a bowl and the seafood is dipped in green chili salt sauce.

Sonny and Calvin ordered two special lobster pho dishes, each priced at $39 (about VND1 million). While waiting, the two Western guests were introduced to the ingredients and how to prepare the dish by the restaurant owner, Ms. Dao (real name Huynh My Truc Lien).

Accordingly, lobster pho has broth simmered from fish bones and shrimp shells. Ms. Dao said that the pho recipe has been slightly modified and renewed, adding a few typical Vietnamese pho spices such as cinnamon, lemongrass, star anise, etc.

This makes the pho more appealing while still ensuring a unique, unmistakable flavor.

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Close-up of a bowl of lobster pho priced at 1 million VND in Ho Chi Minh City

When the customer orders, the chef starts blanching the rice noodles and bean sprouts, adding fresh squid, tofu, clams and then pouring in the hot broth. Finally, the lobster is placed on top.

After cooking the lobster by boiling it in seafood broth, the chef will split the lobster in half for diners to enjoy conveniently.

As the pho was served, Sonny and Calvin couldn't stop showing their excitement.

Calvin expressed his satisfaction even before tasting it because “just looking at the lobster pho bowl, the color was impressive and eye-catching”. Meanwhile, Sonny commented that the lobster meat was very plump, fresh and fragrant.

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Many diners who have eaten lobster pho commented that the broth is sour, spicy, aromatic, and tastes like Thai hot pot.

As they tasted the first spoonfuls of broth, the two guests kept nodding and admiring. Calvin humorously described the spices as dancing in his mouth. He also complimented the fresh, soft, and flavorful pho noodles.

As for Sonny, he commented that the seafood, which seemed unrelated, when combined with pho, gave an unbelievable flavor. The American guest affirmed that the lobster pho was very delicious, showing the chef's dedication and creativity.

“Today, I once again experienced firsthand the creativity of Vietnamese cuisine. Although there are already countless delicious dishes here, they are constantly searching and innovating to turn old ingredients into new ones,” Sonny shared.

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Two Western guests enthusiastically enjoyed the lobster pho and kept praising it as delicious.

In his personal opinion, Calvin commented that this is the freshest and most delicious pho dish among the creative versions of pho that he has enjoyed in Vietnam.

Lobster pho at the restaurant has an average price of 599,000 VND/serving, many times more expensive than normal beef pho, but both customers said that this dish is "worth enjoying", contributing to elevating Vietnamese cuisine.

Photo: Best Ever Food Review Show

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