Photography by Kang L

Vietnamese food group to open first Scottish location

Vietnamese street food restaurant Pho is set to open its doors for the first time in Scotland with the launch of its St James Quarter location in Edinburgh next month.

The vibrant family-run business is opening on the fourth floor of The Quarter opposite Bonnie & Wild. The restaurant will provide over 20 new jobs, cater for about 85 covers and serve up healthy, good value Vietnamese food that’s freshly prepared from scratch on site every day.

Opening day will take place in mid-November after a period of soft launch, where customers can get 50% off food. Guests can ensure they’re the first to book for this by signing up at www.phocafe.co.uk/edinburgh.

Founded in June 2005 by Stephen and Juliette Wall, the first Pho opened in London, after the couple travelled to Vietnam and fell in love with the food. More than 15 years later, there’s a collection of Pho restaurants dotted across the UK.

Pho specialises in its namesake rice noodle soup – the national dish of Vietnam. This popular, aromatic and healthy noodle soup is a signature main on Pho’s menu, comes with a side plate of fresh herbs to add as you please, and is traditionally based around bone broth. Pho’s broths are simmered for at least 12 hours in each restaurant before they hit the bowl.

Delicious Vietnamese flavours and fresh ingredients are at the heart of their menu – which also includes spring and summer rolls, spicy salads, wok-fried rice and noodle dishes and decadent curries, plus Vietnamese beers and coffees, fresh juices and interesting cocktails.

Pho founders Stephen and Juliette Wall (Photo: Kang L)

Pho caters for all – 98% of their menu is gluten free, and they are accredited by Coeliac UK. Forty per cent of their menu is vegan and they have a great kids’ menu that includes a meal and a drink for the little ones.

Edinburgh-born operations director Ewan McDonald said: ‘As an Edinburgh-boy, it’s fantastic to get back to my home city having worked away for years so we’re just all really excited to get the doors open and look forward to welcoming in customers next month.’

Nick Peel, Managing Director of St James Quarter, added: ‘Pho is a great addition to the already amazing food and drink offerings at St James Quarter. It’s great to be bringing another well-loved, nationwide brand to Edinburgh for the first time.’

Stephen Wall, co-founder, Pho concluded: ‘We have wanted to open in Edinburgh for a number of years and have come very close, so it’s very exciting to finally secure a great site in a venue that feels like it will become a local institution. We can’t wait to open next to the likes of Salerno and Bonnie and Wild, which look brilliant.’

Pho will be open for lunch and dinner sittings until 11pm daily. For more information, visit https://www.phocafe.co.uk or visit @PhoRestaurant on Instagram

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