Menu of Phở Cyclo Café in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Explore Phở Cyclo Café's menu featuring classic Vietnamese dishes like Pho, Bun Dau Mam Tom, and fresh salads. Located in South Philly, enjoy flavorful broths, authentic Vietnamese coffee, and family-run hospitality near the Snyder subway stop.
Menu Overview
Phở Cyclo Café, nestled in South Philadelphia at 2124 S Broad St, stands as a compelling testament to authentic Vietnamese home-style cooking in a modest, no-frills setting. Despite its unassuming facade, the menu here delivers an array of dishes that capture the depth and vibrancy of traditional Vietnamese flavors, making it a hidden gem for those seeking genuine and hearty fare.
Beginning with the appetizers, the spring rolls and summer rolls with jicama showcase fresh textures alongside the savory notes of fried shrimp and Chinese sausage. The fried rice flour cake and roast quail stand out for their satisfying textures and well-balanced seasoning, while the Vietnamese crepe stuffed with pork and shrimp offers a richer, indulgent taste experience, worth the splurge at $17.95.
The rice vermicelli noodle selections are a particular highlight. The Hanoi Style Kebat Rice Noodle combines grilled pork, BBQ sausage, fresh herbs, vegetables, peanuts, and fish sauce in a harmonious balance of smoky and fresh elements, echoing the northern Vietnamese culinary tradition. The rice vermicelli with shrimp paste wrapped around sugarcane demonstrates creative use of ingredients, delivering a subtle sweetness paired with umami-rich shrimp. The options to customize with grilled shrimp, BBQ pork, or chicken provides accessible variety without sacrificing authenticity.
Specialty dishes such as the Bun Dau Mam Tom stand as signatures of this café, delivering a complex fermented shrimp paste flavor that has become a local Philadelphia favorite. It’s an adventurous dish for many, as noted by diners, but those with a palate for traditional pungency will find this particularly memorable. The braised fish and sour-and-sweet catfish soups encapsulate expertly layered broths with tender fish fillets, imbued with house-made sauces that bring subtle sweetness and depth, elevating the dining experience beyond typical noodle soup expectations.
Customer insights highlight both the strengths and small imperfections of Phở Cyclo Café. The family-run atmosphere adds warmth and guidance to the dining experience, while the menu’s diversity offers something for varied preferences. The bún bò is celebrated for its well-seasoned broth, notably distinct from other Vietnamese eateries. However, some dishes like the phở and hu tieu khô receive mixed feedback—phở described as lackluster and the hu tieu tending toward sweeter, saucier notes. Portions tend to lean toward moderate, which is great for sampling multiple dishes but may require ordering additional items if appetite is larger.
One cannot discuss Phở Cyclo without mentioning the balance of traditional and approachable. The place serves both comforting staples—such as tender grilled meats in noodle bowls—and more unique offerings, like fermented shrimp paste with vermicelli or house-roasted quail. While slightly challenging for newcomers due to the intensity of some flavors (particularly fermented shrimp paste), the menu invites adventurous food lovers to experience Vietnamese cuisine in its rich, unfiltered form.
Overall, Phở Cyclo Café is an authentic culinary stop that delivers excellent value, bold flavors, and a slice of Vietnamese heritage in Philadelphia. Its nuanced dishes, particularly the Bun Dau Mam Tom and Hanoi-style rice vermicelli, are standouts that linger in memory. For those willing to explore beyond the usual offerings, this café promises both depth and satisfaction in every bite.
