Page 50 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2024

DINING HANA PHO
Grilled
Pork and Eggrolls with Pressed Vermicelli.
HANA PHO
ADDRESS
538 Division St. Biloxi
CONTACT
228.279.9407
SOCIAL
Facebook @hanaphollc
HOURS
Daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
story and photos by Kimberly C. Rasmussen
50 | November 2024
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
Hana Sushi and Pho was a coastal favorite with a loyal fanbase and crazy delicious food. After a devastating fire, owners Phuong Nguyen and her husband, Nicolas Perez, were left wondering what would be their next step. Their love of cooking was still a present part of their lives and giving up was not in their nature. After some careful consideration, they decided to reopen their restaurant with a deeper focus on their Vietnamese cuisine and Hana Pho is the phoenix rising from the ashes.
Hana Pho is designed to feel like home which makes so much sense because Nguyen and Perez carefully craft everything from scratch to give their dishes that home-cooked feel. Many of their recipes are closely guarded family secrets, but with a diverse and well thought out menu, Hana Pho will quickly become one of your go-to spots.
At first bite, you will immediately realize that everything – and I mean everything – at Hana Pho is made with love. There’s
something so special and tasty about every single thing. I could have made a meal simply out of the appetizers. The Pan Fried Dumplings and Shrimp and Pork Egg Rolls are two of my most favorite items worldwide. The dumplings are served with Nguyen’s housemade chili-soy sauce, where she not only makes the sauce but made the chili oil that makes the sauce. It’s a whole different level. The egg rolls are fried to crispy perfection and served alongside a spicy chili sauce. Even the Garlic Butter Crab Craws are a yummy way to start the meal.
If you are like me, lettuce always gets in the way of a perfectly good salad. That’s why I love Hana Pho’s salad options. Chilled chicken on cabbage salad or rare minced beef with basil, cilantro, and onion are equally tied for the best salad. Tossed in a house vinaigrette dressing and served with shrimp chips, it’s a salad lover’s dream. The fried shallots and peanuts give it the perfect crunchy texture. If you are looking for a rich and hearty soup or, of