Dine Out : Madame Vo

Madame Vo Review,  Madame Vo New York, Madame Vo NYC

Even though it is situated along a row of Japanese eateries in the area known as Little Tokyo in the East Village, it hard to miss Madame Vo because of the red canopied cyclo (bicycle taxi) sitting in the window. Opened by a couple originally from Vietnam, the cuisine is homestyle heritage Vietnamese inspired by their families personal take on it through the generations. The restaurant which occupies a deep and narrow space features a contemporary ambiance that almost feels more like a coffee bar than an Asian eatery.  Punctuated with painted white brick and dark wood, a bar area greets visitors at the entrance and the space with counter seating behind it and marble topped tables lined up all the way to the back.

The centerpiece at any Vietnamese restaurant is usually the pho (pronounced “fuh”), a savory noodle soup with rice noodles that originated in the early 20th century in the Nam Định Province just southeast of Hanoi in northern Vietnam.  “The Madame Pho,” features a beef broth simmered for 24 hours and includes certified angus brisket, eye round, bone marrow, and beef meat balls. As soon as we took a sip of the broth which tasted both densely flavorful and clean at the same time, we knew we were in for a treat. There was a nice ratio of noodles and proteins and we could taste the quality of the meat as it remained tender and didn't get rubbery as it sat in the soup. My only critique would be that the noodles could have been firmer and more toothsome. That just has a better mouth feel to me personally. We also got the com suon nuong, grilled pork chop served with over rice with a fried egg. The pork chop was juicy and well prepared but the flavor was a tad sweet for my liking. We were there for lunch so we took advantage of their special, a pretty good deal that includes an appetizer with main course for $14. They were great about accommodating a substitution of tofu for shrimp in the autumn roll. The rolls were refreshing a nice way to open our meal. The service was friendly and efficient. I only wish this place was closer to home. We will definitely be back again for the pho. The restaurant accepts reservations through Resy and I'd recommend that because the space fills up quickly during meal hours.

Soup noodles are total comfort food to my husband and me and I was recently asked if I make them at home. The answer is no. To make a proper full bodied soup with a depth of flavor is just way too much work and I don't got time for that. There are so many great options for us to get delicious soup noodles in the city that it's easy enough to satisfy our cravings when we have them.

Madame Vo
212 East 12th Street
New York City
917.261.2115
$$ - $$$

Madame Vo Review,  Madame Vo New York, Madame Vo NYC

Madame Vo Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

18 comments

Doctor Anne said...

I am craving a bowl of pho now, your description is making me hungry.

Anne|Linda, Libra, Loca

Emmylou said...

Dayum! That pho looks good! My hubby and kiddos all love it, so this is right up their alley. I actually thought of making this at home but then when I found out how long it takes to do the broth, I was like..."No, thanks." Anyhoo, I'm more of the "grilled pork chop over rice" kinda gal:D
Have an awesome weekend, Rowena!

Lena L said...

I've dined at Madame Vo a few times, which already says a lot about the place. I like their pho! I wish the place was a bit easier for me to access, though. The lunch special price is great! I've been getting my lunch from Chikarashi often lately whenever I work in the neighborhood.

Have a great weekend!

Paola Lauretano said...

Madame Vo sounds like a lovely place!
Kisses, Paola.

Expressyourself

BABALUCCIA said...

This is awesome

Sakuranko said...

Oh the food looks super yummy darling
Thanks for share amazing food
xx

Unknown said...

Amazing pics!
Have a nice week-end!
Gil Zetbase

Ivana Split said...

Madame Vo seems like a great Vietnamese restaurant. I didn't know that this particular noodle soup is the highlight of a typical Vietnamese dinning place, and I also didn't know how to pronounce the pho so I can say I learned something new today. Like you, I like my rice noodles more toothsome. Not just noodles, I prefer my pasta and rice that way too, it's what Italian call alla dente. It's a personal preference. I know that when you cook for a lot of people, it can be hard to please anyone. Restaurants seem to either meet the customers half way or adjust to what the majority likes and that's understandable. That is why I (for example) sometimes cook rice separately just for myself. I also tend to memorize the restaurants that prepare the rice the way I like it.:) Anyway, the pho looks delicious. You showcase such amazing restaurants! If I ever do come there, I'll make sure to visit Madame Vo and order the pho.

Corinne said...

I love homestyle food like this, looks delicious!

Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com

ALLIE NYC said...

OMG your food review posts always make me so hungry. This place sounds decent and the decor looks cool. We should go out to eat one day and review our meal :)

Allie of ALLIENYC
www.allienyc.com

Shireen L. Platt said...

I absolutely love pho and it's one of the few dishes that I don't mind eating 5 times a week! I love it so much that I have learned to make it myself at home. I have yet to boil the soup 24 hours, the longest I did was 8 hours.

Shireen⎜Reflection of Sanity

Anonymous said...

I like the minimalist decor. I don't think that I've ever had pho - must try it one day!

Unknown said...

It looks like a neat restaurant. Thanks for posting!

Gabrielle said...

Having never tried soup noodles before, I had no idea they were so intense to make - how interesting! Also, loving the decor of this place, I'm a sucker for exposed white bricks haha.

Hope you're having a fabulous weekend so far!


Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

Midnight Cowgirl said...

You find so many good restaurants! The food looks delicious :)

Beauty Follower said...

Nice place, the food looks great too!

dinamighty.com

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Rowena, the food looks so good! So authentic! That is what's great when someone opens a shop using ingredients, techniques true to their culture. I also love the aesthetics of the restaurant. Black & beige are colors I love.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Unknown said...

the place looks just right! food too. Thanks!