After spending his whole life in a kitchen, the owner of a new pho restaurant in Cambridge has found his perfect recipe for success.
Pho Vietnam Soup and Sub is located at 415 Hespeler Rd. and is the only pho dedicated spot in the city.
The owner Minh Hoang has been in the kitchen for as long as he can remember, helping his parents cook food in their restaurant back home.
"My parents have been in the restaurant business for over 30 years in Vietnam," said Hoang. "Before I was in school I knew how to wash dishes."
Growing up in central Vietnam in Hue, Hoang's parents opened a rice soup shop in the 1990s that operated in the heart of the city for over for decades.
Here is where Hoang's culinary journey started and shaped who he is and his passion for food.
"I never really had Pho back home," said Hoang. "It wasn't until I came to Canada that I really gave it a try."
Immigrating to Canada over 10 years ago for school, Hoang worked several jobs at different pho restaurants throughout the GTA. Working with food was second nature and a good way to stay grounded with his culture.
After years working for others, he decided to open up his own small catering company from his home. He would serve to family and friends, fusing flavours he found here in Canada and what he remembered from back home.
After moving to Cambridge a few years ago, he knew he needed to open up his own place and continue on the family tradition of restaurateur.
His first step was finding out what would be his signature style; he wanted to create something unique and authentic.
"I went back to Vietnam for five weeks and travelled all over on my motorbike to try different styes of pho and taste different flavours," said Hoang.
Upon returning to Canada, he started experimenting with different flavours until he found the one that he would represent him and his new culinary venture.
The signature dish is a delicious soup in a hot stone bowl topped with either prime rib, tendon, brisket, beef balls, smoked brisket and more.
The soup broth is stewed for hours and everything is cooked fresh to serve.
Hoang is in the midst of soft launching the menu with a limited selection. They are currently focusing on the pho dishes before adding banh mi subs in September.
"I really want my staff to be perfect with the pho before we open fully," added Hoang. "It is important they can understand the soul of the food before being put to the test under a very busy work day."
Hoang is fully staffed while they train with him in the kitchen, overseeing their work and perfecting the craft. His wife recently left her job at a local nail salon to help him run the restaurant and the front counter.
The couple has two young children, but don't plan on getting them in the kitchen as early as he did.
"It is very different here in Canada and safety and cleanliness is our number one concern, so our kids won't be in the kitchen just yet," joked Hoang.
Pho Vietnam Soup and Sub is aiming for a grand opening Sept. 10 with a full menu complete with their signature banh mi.
"We are very excited to bring Vietnam as we know it to Cambridge," he added. "We have a huge oven just for the subs and look forward to welcoming in the community."
