phở

a.k.a Vietnamese beef noodle soup. San Jose is blessed with a large number of quality phở restaurants thanks to the sizable Vietnamese community here. I'm told the key to great phở is the broth - the best shops simmer theirs for many hours and include beef bones, oxtails, flank steak, charred onion, charred ginger and spices. A delicious, filling meal for around $8.

We enjoyed lunch here today with the extended family - the occasion was to wish my mother-in-law a safe trip as she leaves for the Philippines tomorrow on a 2-week visit.