IT’S Pho King for me whenever I crave for beef pho with a flavourful broth that does not leave a lingering MSG aftertaste.

I’m glad I can still get it from this Vietnamese restaurant in SS2, Petaling Jaya, which is catering to takeaways and deliveries during the movement-control order.

The broth is the star, derived from hours of slow-cooking beef bones, marrow, oxtail, brisket, spices, charred onions and ginger.

Along with the rice noodles are thin slices of Australian sirloin for the Rare Beef Pho, and brisket and tripe for the Sliced Beef and Brisket Pho.

I added oxtail to my order of the Rare Beef Pho, taking things up a notch. You can also opt for extra beef or beef balls.

A generous portion of basil, bean sprouts and chilli comes with the pho, making it a healthy and complete meal.

The Beef Balls Pho (RM16.90) was recently added to the menu.

Another favourite of mine is the Hue Spicy Beef Noodles (RM18.90).

Slices of beef and Vietnamese ham sit in a soup fragrant with daun kesom and lemongrass, with hints of shrimp paste and a little heat from chilli. It’s good to the last drop.

For those not into beef, there’s the Special Pork Pho (RM18.50) with ribs, pork slices, minced pork, pork balls and ham. Pho King uses antibiotic-free pork from Sanbanto.

A popular item is the Obama’s Favourite – Hanoi Grilled Pork Noodles (RM18.50).

The eatery’s Banh Mi, or Vietnamese sandwich, is hard to resist. I very much like the Traditional Banh Mi (RM12.50), filled with lightly braised pork, pate, mayonnaise, pickles and vegetables.

The baguette is light and crunchy, and you get tasty pork, pate and pickles in each bite.

Other options are the Grilled Pork Banh Mi (RM13.50) and Beef Stew with baguette or rice (RM18.90).

The rice dishes are solid, and the Grilled Pork Rice (RM18.50) is one of our regular orders. Moist, fragrant and tender pork slices with hot rice – what’s there not to love?

The Caramel Braised Pork Rice (RM16.50) and Beef Stew Rice (RM18.50) are worthy picks as well.

A Vietnamese meal is incomplete without appetisers, and I’m wowed by the Banana and Prawn Fried Spring Rolls (RM11.50).

The rolls are encased in a crispy netting, with the sweet, creamy banana blending deliciously with the prawns. A sriracha mayo dip is served with this dish.

Also great are the Fresh Summer Rolls (RM9.50) filled with prawns, pork and herbs, and paired with a yummy peanut dip, and Fried Spring Rolls (RM10.50), which have a layer of yam between the pork and vegetables.

Plump, sweet and juicy, the Prawn and Scallop Sugarcane Skewers (RM12.90) make for a delightful starter, too.

Drinks like the Signature Drip Coffee, Grass Jelly Coffee, Avocado Smoothie and Vietnamese Iced Latte are available to complete your feast at home.

Call or send a WhatsApp message to 013-251-7246 to arrange pick-ups or deliveries by the restaurant.

Pho King is located at 153, Jalan SS2/6 in Petaling Jaya. It’s open from 10am to 7.30pm daily, except Thursdays. – April 18, 2020.

* Eu Hooi-Khaw has been writing about food for the longest time, covering all aspects, from restaurant reviews to cooking and recipes, as well as the healthy side of it. She has written for major newspapers and magazines, published the cookbook Fresh Ingredients, and also writes for her website hooikhawandsu.com.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.