Meatatarian Musing: Pho

I figured I'd chime in on this one, since I've been largely absent from the Chronicles for several months. I've got to say, this was one of the best Asian dishes Kate's made in awhile, and that's saying a lot coming from me — I don't have the same proclivity towards brothy noodle dishes that she does. Perhaps it's because I've never been a huge soup person. Throughout my formative years, the only soups I knew came from cans and were usually served to me when I was sick. Furthermore, with soupy Asian noodle dishes, I often find it hard to understand what you're actually getting. When we go to Happy Noodle House in Boulder, I usually have a very good meal, but I can never figure out what the hell it is I've ordered.

The same goes for Pho. I've had it a number of times, and it is still really hard to describe. The earthy, sweetish flavor is at odds with the saltiness and spice that is also present. Another weird thing about it is the number of toppings you put on the soup — probably about six or seven different things. I guess it's kind of like a soup version of a hotdog or something — you just put on as much as you like. Either way, it tasted great and I enjoyed it. It's amazing to think that if I never knew Kate, I'm certain I would never ever have eaten a bowl of Pho. I guess that even though I'm way more adventurous than my parents in terms of food, I still have a fair dose of their conservatism, so it's always good to push the limits!