Footscray Pho Crawl by A Pho Head Five Years in the Making

Before we moved to Footscray, I never imagined I would one day be writing a Footscray pho crawl, because I was not really fond of pho at all (I am not a big soupy noodle person to begin with). That was five years ago. Since then, the abundance of pho in Footscray and the never-ending Melbourne weather have turned me 180 degrees into a pho-head. So here you go, my far-from-exhaustive Footscray pho crawl list.

1. Saigon Pho, Nicholson Street

This is my repeat. Good, really good, reliable and yummy. We love coming here because the pho-and-spring-roll combo is heavenly. Always order the spring rolls. They are the best in Footscray, and you must eat them freshly fried, on the spot.

It’s the place we go when I don’t want to think, and it’s also my backup whenever the place I actually wanted to go to is closed. Every table comes with its own flask of hot tea.

I have taken Jik, Pepeth and Riri here, and basically, if you are a guest at our house, we will treat you to pho and tea here at least once.

📍 73A Nicholson St, Footscray VIC 3011

2. Huu Huu Thanh, Inside Footscray Market

You can’t do a Footscray pho crawl without stopping at Huu Huu Thanh, the famous pho stall tucked inside Footscray Market. True to form, half the menu is often sold out by late morning, and it’s cash only. Which is exactly why I keep ending up back at number one. But that’s on me. I really ought to manage my time better.

📍 Stalls 82 to 84, Footscray Market, 18 Irving St, Footscray VIC 3011

3. Pho Chu The, My New Chicken Pho Favourite

My newest favourite on this Footscray pho crawl isn’t even beef pho. It all started on a cold, rainy winter day when I wanted something comforting. Usually I’d head to Ilza in Seddon for chicken soup (my go-to when I feel under the weather), but I didn’t feel like going further than Footscray in freezing weather. So I did a bit of Googling and found this gem of a chicken pho place. My usual order (yes, I have come back again and again ever since) is the chicken pho with bone. The service is great, and there are plenty of dipping sauces on the side, which I absolutely love.

📍 92 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC 3011

4. Bun Cha Co Dao, Near Mr West

Not pho, I know, but no Footscray pho crawl is complete without a little detour. Bun Cha Co Dao is a small spot on Nicholson Street, a few steps from Mr West, and as the name suggests, bun cha is the star. Grilled pork, a bowl of sweet and tangy dipping sauce, and vermicelli to dip into it. It’s a welcome change of pace between all those bowls of broth, and my pick if you ever want something other than pho while still staying in the Pho Kingdom of the West, Footscray.

📍 83 Nicholson St, Footscray VIC 3011

As I said, we are five years in, and my Footscray pho crawl is far from finished, which is the best part. Every new bowl reminds me how lucky I am to live so close to some of the best Vietnamese food in Melbourne, and how easy it is to forget that when you keep ordering the same thing. So if you have a favourite Footscray pho spot that I haven’t tried yet, I want to hear about it.

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