Signs A Taste Of Vietnam Pho, Orchard Rd: Authentic bowls of pho that transport me back to Vietnam with each bite

I vividly remember the first time I visited Vietnam—it was love at first sight. So much so that I used to make an annual trip there religiously up until COVID-19 killed my—and everyone’s— travel plans. Due to that, I’ve always been on a hunt around the island for a good bowl of pho. Now, I may not be the least bit resourceful but all I know is that I’ve been searching for a place that serves good, authentic pho at affordable prices for ages. 

It was not until I found out about Signs A Taste Of Vietnam Pho. Located in Basement 2 of Orchard Gateway, this quaint joint is owned by a hearing-impaired Vietnamese couple, Anthony and Angela, which explains the addition of ‘signs’ in their name. Entering the restaurant truly brought me back to Vietnam with its homely decor.

The restaurant often attracts a crowd during lunch hence I decided to make my way down soon after lunchtime, only to find it empty. Upon entering the restaurant, I was greeted by Anthony, who enthusiastically gestured a two thumbs up before leading me to my table and providing me with the menu along with a chit sheet to write my order down. 

What I tried 

After you place your order, you will be served with a saucer of condiments containing a wedge of lime, slices of chilli padi with chilli and hoisin sauce for you to pair with your meal.

Surely you already know I’m here for my pho and started off with a bowl of Sliced Beef Ribeye Pho (S$8). When my bowl arrived, I was greeted by the sight of a sea of beef slices in the notable clear broth. The combination of coriander and bone broth permeated the air with similar aromatics to that of sup kambing. Interestingly enough, that’s how I gauge whether I’m served with a fantastic bowl of pho; it has to smell and taste slightly similar to sup kambing—which it did. One spoonful of the broth brought me back to District 3, where I spent a bulk of my time in my favourite noodle spot in Ho Chi Minh. 

Apart from the explosive broth, the beef ribeye was very thinly sliced which made it extremely easy to chew and swallow. I was a bit worried because thin slices sometimes run the risk of being overcooked, making the meat tough to chew but not here. The beef slices were extremely tender and well-cooked. 

The banh pho itself was so smooth and silky that the noodles were seemingly easy to grip and slid down my throat with ease. Unlike many places I’ve been to, the individual strands of pho did not stick together which made the dish a delicious treat. 

In my opinion, the beef pho was one of the best I’ve ever tasted locally. 

Much like the Beef Pho, the bowl of Sliced Pork Pho (S$7) was a treat to indulge in. However, the broth didn’t have much of the meaty essence and tasted a bit bland to me but when paired with the pork, it exuded a tinge of sweetness thus, retaining a pleasant lightness to the dish. If you’re looking for a little heat, you can also pair each spoonful with the chilli padi for a temporary mouth-numbing experience. 

Additionally, if you’re not a fan of beef and pork, Signs A Taste Of Vietnam Pho also have chicken and vegetarian pho on the menu for you to indulge in. 

If soupy noodles aren’t your thing, you can opt for a plate of bánh mì—tasty Vietnamese sandwiches made with crunchy baguettes with a filling of your choice. I got the Lemongrass Turmeric Chicken Bánh Mì (S$6). The sandwich comes topped with an abundance of bright orange julienned carrots but it was a bit too much for my liking. On the other hand, the little bits of chicken chunks were very well-marinated and could do with a bit more chilli. Ultimately, the bread was quite tough to bite into and I don’t know if I was expecting too much but the sandwich didn’t quite capture the essence of flavours properly. 

Final thoughts 

At first glance, Signs A Taste Of Vietnam Pho may not look like much but their bowl of pho certainly takes me back to Vietnam. I don’t say this often but I have definitely found a new spot to warm my Vietnamese food-loving soul. It’s not everyday you come across a place in Orchard that serves a hearty yet affordable spread that’s cooked with love so the next time you find yourself in the area, do drop by the basement of Orchard Gateway for a pho-tastic experience. 

Although they aren’t on any delivery platform, if you wish to lend your support, you can drop them a WhatsApp message at +65 8685 4838 (text messages only) for takeaway pre-orders. Despite their impairments, it was heartwarming to see Anthony and Angela truly serve their customers with happy and friendly dispositions. 

Expected damage: S$6 to S$15 per pax

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