安南河粉

Located in Chiayi City, this famous Vietnamese restaurant is one I visited during my university days. Returning after a long time, I still appreciate how this place maintains reasonable prices and nostalgic flavors.

This time, I went alone, and considering the portion sizes, I didn't order my favorite "beef pho with both brisket and meatballs" but opted for the lighter "rare beef pho." The broth was clear yet substantial, exuding a natural sweetness from slow-simmered beef bones, with a hint of the gentle warmth from onions. It's the type of dish that you can eat bite after bite without getting tired of it. The rare beef was cooked perfectly, tender, fresh, and completely free of fishiness. The rice noodles were wide, chewy, and elastic, not soggy, and absorbed the flavorful broth superbly.

The accompanying basil and lime were the soul-flavor elements of the whole dish! I usually like to savor the original flavor for the first few bites before gradually adding basil and lime juice to the broth. At that moment, the layers of flavor completely open up, giving a magical shift from a clear broth style to a fragrant Southeast Asian flair.

“Fried Tofu”
This is a must-order side dish whenever I come to An-Nan Pho, and it didn’t disappoint this time either. The outer layer was crispy and fragrant, while the inside was smooth and creamy, like steamed eggs, which is entirely different from the typical fried tofu. The seasoning was spot-on! It had a balance of tanginess and saltiness, along with a hint of cilantro flavor and garlic, accented by a touch of chili (but not spicy at all). Even if you don’t usually eat spicy food, you can easily enjoy the aromatic layers that make it all pop. It was a bit much for one person, but it was just too delicious to stop.

An-Nan Pho continues to embody the sincerity and authenticity of an established restaurant. A bowl of beef pho with both brisket and meatballs costs only $150 and comes with basil and lime. The broth is rich, and the meat is tender, making it a high value meal. Paired with a plate of fried tofu, the whole meal left me feeling both satisfied and fulfilled.