Editor’s note: This is part of The Know’s series, Staff Favorites. Each week, we offer our opinions on the best that Colorado has to offer for dining, shopping, entertainment, outdoor activities and more. (We’ll also let you in on some hidden gems).
As summer winds down and cooler weather descends on Colorado, soup season ushers in the fall. And for my money, few soups are better than Vietnamese beef noodle.
And no, I’m not talking about pho. While the popular dish can easily be found in and around metro Denver (Pho 95 and Pho Peoria are among my favorites), I often crave the more unique bun bo Hue during the cold season.
Roughly pronounced as “boon ball hway,” its literal translation is beef noodles from Hue, a coastal city in central Vietnam.
Saigon Bistro is my go-to spot on the east side of town. Located on the northeast corner of Mississippi Avenue and Peoria Street in Aurora next to the GW Supermarket, I prefer its version over others for the same criteria I like my phos: a robust broth and plenty of diverse quality toppings packed in each bowl.
The soup is a rich tapestry of flavors. The broth is a combination of spicy and savory with lemongrass aromatics that fill the senses. The rice noodles are round with almost the consistency of spaghetti noodles. The meats are unique: sliced beef shank, Vietnamese-style pork sausage, a boiled ham hock and congealed pork blood (the latter two are optional for those who are less adventurous when it comes to food).
On the side: sliced up banana flowers, basil, mint and lime to garnish the plate.
Pro-tip: Wear a dark shirt if you’re going to eat this. The broth is red and a bit oily, so stains are a high risk — especially when you’re trying to eat the ham hock.
Note: There are some places around town that advertise “spicy pho.” But many of them just use a bun bo Hue broth with pho noodles and toppings. It’s like fettuccine Alfredo with pasta shells — edible but feels wrong.
If you’re craving a warm hug around your belly, this is it. Order a cafe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee) and enjoy the cooler season ahead.
Saigon Bistro is at 12303 E. Mississippi Ave. #145 in Aurora. It is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, and offers both dine-in and carryout. 303-745-1667, saigonbistro.co.
