pho bo at Van's

Pho Bo at Van's in Albany: A medicinal soup run

My son’s been sick the past few days. It makes me cringe every time he coughs, a deep, dying seal kind of thing that rattles his whole body. Today was the first day that he had any energy, but, even though he looked a lot better, it seemed like he couldn’t quite kick the cough.

So off we went to Van’s Vietnamese Restaurant on Central Ave. There are several varieties of noodle soup on the menu, but our favorite is the basic $7.50 bowl of pho bo. Now, as a Jew I feel guilty even thinking this much less writing it, and I can attest to the healing and even mystical powers of chicken soup with matzo balls, but ….here it goes… I’m pretty sure pho bo is world’s most curative soup. Or at least the most curative soup to be had on a Thursday afternoon in Albany.

I had two bad colds try to take hold last winter, and I beat them both back with a trip to Van’s. I’m not sure what it is, and I don’t really care. All I know is that my son is feeling much better this evening. And, of course, I had to have a bowl, too. Preventative medicine and all. Yum.

posted November 6, 2008 | link | comments (5)

filed under: Places, Albany, pho bo, Van's

AllOverAlbany.com

Comments

I've been to Van's only once and had the Pho bo which was really excellent. I think, much better than the beef noodle soups you get at Chinese restaurants.
This is a good tip to remember next time I feel like I'm getting the sniffles.
Ive never tried their dinner menu though and am wondering how it compares to My lin's.

- by josie on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:39 AM | link

I found your site from the article in Body & Soul. I couldn't help but smile that we have the same first name, different spelling. Lovely blog.

- by Selena Cate on Nov 7, 2008 at 5:51 PM | link

My favorite "curative soup" is the Korean Yu Ke Jang (various spellings). It has egg and shredded beef, scallions and other vegetables in a hot peppery broth. The deeply lamented, no longer existing Ginza in Latham made my favorite version, but Kabuki does a pretty good job. I ask for extra spicey. With kimchee on the side, it'll kill what ails ya.
I also thoroughly endorse the Portuguese "caldo verde" (potato, kale and chorizo). I am convinced that I was brought back from the brink of an influenza induced delerium while traveling through Portugal by consuming steaming bowls of truck stop caldo verde. Thank God for good soup!

- by curlymoe on Nov 7, 2008 at 9:37 PM | link

I miss Ginza, too, especially the soups, but also the sushi.

- by celinabean on Nov 8, 2008 at 9:15 AM | link

My Jewish cousins, Jack and Tommy Bardy, run a fabulous restaurant in Boston, the Pho Republique, and I'd have to agree, if I couldn't have my own homemade matzo ball soup (which my family swears by), a bowl of their pho would be more than wonderful for the flu. On my twice-yearly visits to my Boston doctors, there is always a stop for pho.

Even Jack and Tommy's Grandma Mitzi approved!

- by marla on Nov 12, 2008 at 10:23 PM | link

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