Mama Pho, a gem in central Oslo

"At a glance

Newly opened Mama Pho makes enjoying delicious Vietnamese food in central Oslo both accessible and comfortable. Unlike many other Vietnamese restaurants, the menu is concise and straightforward and the atmosphere is open and friendly. Since the crew behind Mama Pho also runs TeaOlogy, you can easily order bubble tea to go with your meal.

“Everyone is family!”

Mama Pho is tucked away from the busy main street of Karl Johans gate inside the courtyard of Posthallen. Upon arrival at the restaurant, you are greeted by friendly staff who try to seat you as soon as possible. It is easy to feel at home as you sit down at your table amidst Scandinavian furniture and a sign that promises “Good food, good vibes, good times”. It is quite likely that you will be sitting in close proximity to complete strangers, but that hardly matters because (as a waiter happily told me) “Mama Pho is a family restaurant, so here, everyone is family!”

Mama Pho restaurant

Phở a cut above the competition

Having sampled phở (Vietnamese noodle soup) various other Vietnamese restaurants in Oslo, I must say that Mama Pho’s preparation of the dish is a cut above the competition – fresh, flavourful, and authentic. While other Vietnamese restaurants let you choose whether you want phở with thinly-sliced beef, brisket, or meatballs; Mama Pho keeps it simple by offering only one (non-vegetarian) phở, containing all aforementioned kinds of beef. Those who are well-acquainted with Vietnamese cuisine may find that Mama Pho’s dishes are closer to the Hanoi style (simpler ingredients and less sweet than Saigon style).

I must also mention that bún bò Huế at Mama Pho is distinct from others I have tried (in Vietnam, the US, and Norway). The Mama Pho version of this dish much more umami-oriented and comes with its own chili sauce that adds both spice and flavour to the broth in a balanced way. Worth a try if you are looking to branch out from the usual phở.

Bún bò Huế at Mama Pho

P.S. Some of you may have noticed that I did not post my annual highlights before 2019 came to a close as well as general decrease in frequency of posts. I must confess that this is due to a combination of me working on various other projects and my indecision about the direction RFB will be heading in for the new decade. All I can say for now is that there will be changes in store. Stay tuned for updates, dear readers, and thank you for your support! ♥"

Thank you Hong Phuc Ho Chung for your sincere words to Mama Pho. That is our pleasure to serve you the best beef noodle soup in town, as quoted by Oslo Nam.

References: http://reasonforbeauty.com/2020/01/31/2581/