A sister location to the original Pho-Pu, this time with a patio and plenty of space for everyone.
€-€€
Passeio Neptuno 25G, 1990-193 | +315 961 399 999
Parque das Nações
Mon – Sat: 12h – 21h30
The name sounded familiar, but the place was too stark a contrast to make our mental Rolodex settle on a source. Was this a chain? Where had we seen this before? And then it hit us— this is the second location, opened one year ago, of one of Lisbon’s very first Pho restaurants. The original, set back inside Martim Moniz, used to be a go-to Pho spot based on its cheap price, fast service, and, well…the fact that it was the only place you could get it.
Since other incredible traditional Vietnamese restaurants have come to town, Atlas hasn’t visited Pho Pu in years, so this was an exciting opportunity to see how their Pho has evolved now that there’s more competition around. The result: It’s exactly the same, but now there’s a terrace and now it’s in Expo.
Same rice noodles, same warm broth, same weird meatball, same sliced meat. The fresh herbs still come in a basket alongside plum and fish sauce, hot chilis, and sriracha so you can find the level of heat you’re after.
Otherwise, this once packed-to-the-gills restaurant has done some growing up; Now they offer a small range of Asian dishes like ramen noodles and shrimp tempura. And the chopsticks are nicer.
If you’re looking for a blast from the past, in a time when specific ethnic food was limited to one or two places in Lisbon, then go for it! Just need something warm and free of all the fuss? This place is for you. However, if you’re looking for a memorable modern Lisbon Pho-sperience, I’d say you could do far better.
