Sonny Side, from the US, is the owner of a YouTube channel with 10.7 million followers. He has a passion for discovering the culture and cuisine of countries he has visited and often posts videos about his experiences tasting local food.

Having lived in Vietnam for several years, he has eaten many traditional specialties, and pho is one of the dishes he most favors. Sonny said he has tried many types of pho, from basic to luxury, prepared with different recipes and bearing the stamp of different regions in Vietnam. 

Most recently, Sonny and close friend Calvin visited a restaurant on Le Thanh Ton street in BenThanh ward in district 1, HCM City, to taste pho tom hum, or lobster pho.

The restaurant has been open for 20 years, serving Vietnamese and Asian dishes. Lobster pho, served with several kinds of seafood, is one of the favorite dishes there.

The restaurant became better known after US President Bill Clinton visited during his official trip to Vietnam some years ago.

Sonny revealed that he once enjoyed lobster pho in 2018, but he decided to return to find out if there was any change in flavor.

Sonny and Calvin ordered two servings of lobster pho, priced at $39 per serving (VND1 million). Before they were served, the restaurant owner Huynh My Truc Lien, or Dao, described the ingredients of the dish and the way it is cooked.

The broth is created from simmered fish bones and shrimp shells. Dao said the pho recipe has been slightly modified, with spices such as cinnamon, lemongrass, and star anise. The spices create a more attractive pho with a flavor that cannot be mistaken for other dishes.

Unlike traditional pho, which is served in a bowl, lobster pho is put in a deep plate. Only when diners order will the chef begin boiling the noodles and bean sprouts. He adds fresh cuttlefish, tofu, oyster and then adds broth to the ingredients. Finally, he puts a lobster on top.

Calvin said he was attracted by the pho even before he could taste it because it looked so great. Sonny said the lobster was fresh and delicious.

Thao Trinh