Explore Authentic Pho & Vietnamese Favorites
Menu
PHO
(choice of chicken, rare steak or well-done, shrimp +4)
Menu
VERCMICELLI BOWL
(choice of grilled beef, pork, chicken or egg rolls; shrimp +4)
Broths Simmered for Layers of Flavor
Vietnamese Specialties & Pho in Steamboat Springs for diners drawn to traditional recipes and comforting broths
Traditional pho requires simmering beef or chicken bones with charred onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, and coriander seeds for hours to extract flavor and body, a process that cannot be rushed without losing depth. Noodles & More Saigon Café has prepared authentic Vietnamese recipes in Steamboat Springs since 2005, including traditional pho, vermicelli bowls, rice plates, noodle dishes, and house specialties built on fresh ingredients and techniques passed through Vietnamese kitchens for generations. Signature dishes include the Saigon Rice Plate, Imperial Rice Plate, Saigon Bowl, and classic noodle entrees, each structured around the balance of protein, vegetables, herbs, and sauce or broth that defines Vietnamese cooking.
The kitchen layers flavorful broths with fresh vegetables and herbs including Thai basil, cilantro, lime, and bean sprouts, which you add to your bowl to control texture and flavor intensity. Many dishes accommodate vegetarian preferences by substituting tofu or additional vegetables for meat while maintaining the same aromatic base and seasoning approach.
Call ahead to confirm pho availability and discuss protein options if you are ordering for a group with varied preferences.
Vietnamese cooking emphasizes fresh herbs added at the table rather than cooked into the dish, so you control how much cilantro, basil, or mint appears in each bite. Rice noodles in pho and vermicelli bowls offer a lighter texture than wheat-based noodles, and fish sauce provides umami depth without the soy sauce flavor common in Chinese cooking.
You notice that Vietnamese dishes arrive with lime wedges, jalapeños, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs on the side, allowing you to adjust the balance between sour, spicy, and herbaceous as you eat. Rice plates and vermicelli bowls showcase grilled proteins with a caramelized exterior from high-heat cooking, paired with pickled vegetables that cut through richness.
Pho serves as a complete meal because the broth provides hydration and sodium, the noodles offer carbohydrates, the protein delivers substance, and the vegetables and herbs add vitamins and texture. The structure works for lunch or dinner, and it has become a staple for locals and visitors in Steamboat Springs seeking something warming without feeling heavy.
What People Ask About Vietnamese Food
Vietnamese cuisine uses ingredients and techniques unfamiliar to some diners, so explaining the basics removes hesitation.
What is the difference between pho and other noodle soups?
Pho features rice noodles in a broth simmered with bones and aromatics for hours, while ramen uses wheat noodles in a faster-cooked broth, and the herb garnishes in pho—Thai basil, cilantro, lime—create a brighter, more aromatic profile than the richer, saltier finish typical of Japanese noodle soups.
How do I eat a vermicelli bowl correctly?
Vermicelli bowls arrive with noodles, grilled protein, vegetables, and fish sauce dressing served separately, so you toss everything together before eating to distribute the sauce evenly and combine textures, similar to mixing a salad before the first bite.
Can I order pho without certain herbs if I do not like cilantro?
Yes, the kitchen serves herbs on the side rather than mixing them into the broth, so you add only the ones you want and leave the rest out without affecting the dish's core flavor.
Why do some Vietnamese dishes taste sweet?
Fish sauce, a key ingredient, contains natural sugars from fermentation, and many Vietnamese recipes balance salty and sweet flavors intentionally, creating a different taste profile than the primarily savory or spicy focus in Thai or Chinese cooking.
Does pho work as takeout, or does it get soggy?
The kitchen packs pho with broth, noodles, and garnishes separated, so you assemble it at home by pouring hot broth over noodles and adding herbs, which prevents the noodles from oversoaking during transport and preserves the intended texture.
Noodles & More Saigon Café continues to refine Vietnamese recipes based on guest feedback and ingredient availability in Steamboat Springs. Order for lunch or dinner by calling (970) 870-1544, and specify your protein preference and spice tolerance when placing your order.