Page 137 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2019

But what is
pho? Basically, it’s a Vietnamese
noodle soup that’s served with hot broth with meat and
peppers and fresh herbs. That’s
as short a definition of pho as one can give. However, to dismiss pho as just
an Asian noodle soup is a complete injustice to the food and the Vietnamese culture. The broth itself is something
of a culinary masterpiece. It’s usually made with beef or chicken bones that have been roasted. There are also several spices that are simmered in the broth. Eating pho is something that makes the whole body feel good. It’s like eating a good cup of tea.
The Vietnamese are a huge part of
the culture of the Coast, especially
in East Biloxi. Many Vietnamese migrated to the U.S. during or after the Vietnam War, where they became an integral part of the Coast’s shrimping and fishing industry. The influx of Vietnamese immigrants created a market for Vietnamese products and restaurants. While pho has been gaining popularity in recent years across the country, it’s always been a cornerstone of Vietnamese food. Pho is everywhere along the Coast, from the Vietnamese pockets of D’Iberville and East Biloxi to even mainstream places like the casinos.
“Pho is essentially Vietnamese comfort food – it’s like the equivalent of chicken noodle soup in the way that it’s comforting and nourishing,” Beau Rivage Resort & Casino Executive Chef Kristian Wade said. “We have a pho bar on The Buffet at the Beau Rivage and it’s extremely popular. The Vietnamese culture is such a huge part of the Gulf Coast and the cuisine is beautiful. It’s become one of my favorite cuisines. We wanted to do pho and do it well, and
we felt the best way to do it was by having a pho bar.”
Although the soup is traditionally made with beef or chicken, several
local spots offer a vegetarian or seafood version.
“I love making pho,” said Milton Joachim, head chef at Charred in Ocean Springs. “I’ve made it with pan-seared red snapper at Charred as a special. I made the broth from fish bones and fish heads.”
Here’s a sampling of where to get pho in South Mississippi:
Kim Long Restaurant
832 Division St., Biloxi
The Buffet at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi
Chopstix Noodle Bar at the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort 9380 Central Ave., D’Iberville
Vung Tau Vietnamese Cuisine
156 Oak St., Biloxi
Pho Boy Asian Fusion in Boomtown Casino
676 Bayview Ave.,Biloxi
Charred
1019 Government St, Ocean Springs
Hana Sushi & Pho
2667 Pass Rd.,Biloxi
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net
June 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 137