LDNReview
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Hoa Phuong
Included In
We tried and failed to go to Hoa Phuong a few times before finally catching it open. The box-sized, cash-only Vietnamese spot in Elephant and Castle mixes mystique and wind-up merchantry when it comes to its opening times (though utter that at your peril). But after our first successful visit—where the smell of broth bubbling and the steady thud of vegetables being chopped soundtracked our scrolling thumbs and excited breathing—we confirmed it was worth the wait.
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
This 70s-feeling takeaway space, all beige tiles and pixelated photos of dishes stuck to the wall, is very much the domain of Hoa Phuong’s sole owner and chef. Everything is made to order and with niceties, good manners, and some luck on your side she will allow you to eat in one of the four seats (despite a canny COVID-era sign in the door saying otherwise). She is a proprietor who has subservient customers—students, locals, broth fanatics—waiting, cash in hand and playing by her rules for very good reason.
The bún bò huế is particularly good—a lurid shrimp broth that looks positively volcanic and tastes that way too. There’s a whack of lemongrass attached to the sizzling pieces of grilled pieces of pork ready to be mixed with bún. Everything is carefully flavoured. So much so that when it comes to getting cash, you might want to consider getting a wad out. Hoa Phuong isn't somewhere to take for granted.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Bún Bò Huế
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Summer Rolls
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Grilled Pork Bún With Spring Rolls
photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch
Bánh Mì