By Jillian Brewer, Contributing Critic
Between the publicity that Vietnamese food has gained in the United States and my upbringing in Vietnam, I was quite anxious to taste my home’s cuisine that has now been cooked to suit local palates. After hearing rumors about and being told multiple times that I must try the local Vietnamese restaurant, Phở BC, I decided to brave the cold and venture out. Since food is best shared, my mother and sister eagerly accompanied me.
The 13-table restaurant is part of a shopping plaza set back from Nicholasville Road on West Lowry Lane in Lexington, Kentucky. Finding refuge inside, we were greeted by the fragrance of acidic lemongrass, aromatic basil and braised beef. Such perfumes are those that cause me instant flashbacks to fuzzy feelings, long beachside days and late nights. The lunch rush occupied every sriracha and soy sauce-lined table but one. Our wooden table was pushed against the next where four men were seated. In Vietnam, sharing a table with complete strangers is quite common, but I realize how abnormal this might be to most Americans.
After reviewing the menu and identifying the dishes we used to eat daily by their English titles, we managed to hook the attention of our fast-paced waiter. Despite everyone else seemingly ordering the traditional phở, our final order included Vietnamese iced coffee with plenty of condensed milk; shrimp papaya salad, vibrant with mint and chili; stir-fried wide rice noodles with tofu and mixed veggies (we substituted the wide rice noodles for egg noodles); and a grilled pork and egg roll rice vermicelli bowl, which though not served with its traditional sauce, rang through with traditional flavors of peanut and marinated pork.
We ate the way that many cultures generally do — family style — and each bite of satisfaction slowly filled my stomach. The only things I missed from Vietnam were dining on the side of the road; sitting on plastic stools, hunched over my bowl in the humid heat with squared napkins cut from newspapers; and paying less than a dollar for my meal.
I am glad to have found a taste of home in this small, unexpected venue. Phở BC lived up to the rumors and certainly was worth the tentative expectation of being disappointed. For me, it was a taste of home — for others, a taste of Southeast Asia.
Granted, this is not your everyday lunch spot, as it might be slightly sabotaging to a student’s wallet. However, if you make it past midterms and are looking to be slightly adventurous with your celebratory dining experience, check out this spot. I dare you to try something besides beef phở.
Phở BC: 171 W Lowry Ln # 176, Lexington, KY 40503
Open: Lunch and dinner daily, closed Tues.
Prices: entrees range $8- $19
About the Author:
Freshman Jillian Brewer spent a semester at The Culinary Institute of Virginia in hopes of pursuing her dream job of becoming a chef. However, the intensity and tediousness of the program began chipping away at her love for food, so she thought it best to withdraw.
Now an undecided major at Asbury, she still finds respect and appreciation for all foods, recognizing the power it has to bring people together, and she enjoys trying new and different foods.
