Phuong’s Vietnamese Food

Written and photographed by Cody Jarrett

As the stifling heat and humidity of summer quickly approaches, certain foods become less appealing. That cheesy pork cutlet no longer seems like a good idea when simply walking out your front door brings on a tidal wave of sweat. Instead, tastes turn to lighter, fresher food. One restaurant serving up the perfect blend of freshness and flavors is Phuong’s Vietnamese Food. Having opened just two months ago, Phuong’s serves several Vietnamese staples that make the summer heat a little easier to deal with.

Atmosphere and Service

Although the restaurant is small and seating space is limited, Phuong’s dining area is bright and clean. The owners are extremely helpful and eager to answer any questions. Everything on the menu is described in Vietnamese and Korean, but there are plenty of pictures if neither of those languages speak to you. The kitchen area is quite small, so expect dishes to come out one at a time, almost like a course meal. While this ensures that all of the food comes out fresh, it could be a problem for diners who are in a rush.

Food

The first thing that stood out on the menu was the bánh mì. As everyone in Korea knows, a good sandwich is hard to find, but Phuong’s bánh mì is a solid entry into the field. This version was perhaps a little lighter than other bánh mìs, but still had a decent amount of pork and Vietnamese sausage topped off with crunchy pickled carrots and fresh cucumbers all on a soft, fresh baguette. While there was unfortunately no cilantro, the sandwich was delicious. For diners tired of crunching into rock-hard baguettes, the light and airy bread at Phuong’s will come as a relief.

One of the most interesting things on the menu was the bánh xèo, a rice flour pancake made bright yellow with turmeric and filled with bean sprouts and slices of pork and shrimp. The dish comes out looking like an overstuffed omelet and is served with lettuce leaves and a dish of fish sauce with garlic and peppers. Anyone familiar with Korean barbecue will know what to do next: just stuff a bit of the pancake into a lettuce leaf, wrap it up and dip it in the fish sauce. A great way to end the meal is with a few bì cuốn, or summer rolls. Unlike spring rolls, which are fried, the summer rolls are light and fresh, the perfect accompaniment to a hot, humid day. The rolls are made with rice paper wrapped around vermicelli noodles, lettuce, steamed shrimp, a strip of fatty pork and a bit of lemongrass. Dip the roll into the garlicky fish sauce and enjoy.

Prices for most dishes average around 5,000 to 7,000 won, with some of the bigger meat dishes commanding a higher price. Iced Vietnamese coffee is also available for 2,500 to 3,500 won.

Directions

Take a bus to the Suwan Jungheung S-Class 1st Apartment stop. With Wow Bar on your left, walk straight and continue across one small intersection. Turn left at the next intersection. Phuong’s is just around the corner from the Kwangju Bank branch.

Address: 광주광역시 광산구 한남대로 227번지 103호(103 Building, 227 Hanam Blvd., Gwangsan District, Gwangju)

Tel: 070-7533-1740

Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Bus: 46, 196, 700 (Suwan Jungheung S-Class 1st Apartment Store