Mi & Pho

Working fairly near to Mi & Phở, and as my colleagues are on a bit of a health kick right now I suggested that rather than the usual Friday fare of McDonald’s or KFC we branch out and try something different. Mi & Phở came back with a hefty 5 star rating on the Unilocal app (thank you Nearby feature!) and it looked pretty good, so I suggested it.
I am SO glad I did.
The restaurant itself is a fairly small unit on Palatine Road, right in the heart of Northenden, but I’d say there’s still room for a good 20 or so people at a guess. With this being a work lunch, our order was to take out, but I’d happy go and sit in. The restaurant was bright and clean, and the smells coming from the kitchen were amazing.
The order consisted of the Mi & Phở Special Noodles with Pork, or as they describe it «their version of Pad Thai»; the Bo Ko Beef Stew with Noodles, though you can have rice or a baguette instead; the Jasmine Rice with Chicken; and, for myself, the Bun Ha Noi — I went for the «combo» version, which involved marinated chargrilled pork with spring roll, noodles, salad and veggies and fish sauce. I also took the staff up on their offer of chopsticks, though two of my co-​workers were too chicken to use them.
The Bun Ha Noi was stunning. I’m sometimes wary of ordering pork, because I’ve been to too many Chinese takeaways where the pork was more fat than meat and tough as old boot leather. Thankfully, Mi & Phở’s pork couldn’t have been further from that if they tried — it was moist, juicy and had barely any fat through it. The marinade was also delicious, and the fish sauce was some welcome moisture for dipping meat and noodles in as there was no other sauce on the dish.
My colleagues were equally impressed with their choices, though we were all in agreement in thinking that the best choice of carb to go with the Bo Ko stew would be rice — only because noodles didn’t do a very good job of absorbing the delicious liquor from the stew!
The staff were super friendly and really helpful, both over the phone whilst I was placing the order and when I went to collect it. The prices are also very reasonable — our order for 4 came in at a touch under £25. I’m already planning my return visit as a sit-​in diner, so that I can fill myself with a broader range of the food on offer from Mi & Phở!
Just a few things to mention if you’re planning a visit, though. First off, and I think this is the big one, they don’t take cards. It’s not the end of the world, though, as the Post Office has an ATM and it’s right next door. Secondly, there didn’t seem to be a great deal of parking on Palatine Road. There may be space around, but I don’t know the area very well and so maybe just don’t know where it is.
Mi & Phở, in the words of the Governator — «I’ll be back».

Absolutely love this place. The food is very fresh, very tasty and very reasonably priced. Atmosphere is great and in the weekend always packed. So get there on time if you want to taste the delightful food on offer.

I’d heard only good things from friends about Mi & Phở, so I jumped at the chance to dine here. Having not had Vietnamese food really at all, to ordering it several times at various places over the last year or so, I can say I’m becoming much more familiar with it.
On a Northenden main street (not too far from Alexandros, a fantastic Greek place btw), there weren’t many diners inside when we arrived at 7pm on a week day; but we’re glad we booked as it wasn’t long before the place was full.
After a friendly welcome and being talked through their menu, we ordered starters to share and a main dish each. My salt & pepper squid starter was exceptionally good and a generous size. Salt & pepper chicken wings were nice, but I preferred the ones from Phở in the city centre.
Main course for me was their chicken, beef and pork phở. Again, a sizeable serving but it didn’t reach the tasty benchmark of the one I’d had in Saigon Lotus. My friend’s deep-​fried sea bass was very good (I was told) and I can attest the stir fried aubergine was hearty and delicious.
It’s not quite five star-​worthy from this occasion but there’s plenty of great dishes on the menu that I’ll return without hesitation. The fact it’s bring-​your-​own-​booze with no corkage is another massive bonus!
Tip: Order the plain papaya salad as a side dish — it’s über fresh and gorgeously tasty.
Tip: They only accept cash payment but there’s a free cash machine close by.

I have tried all Vietnamese restaurants in Manchester and the food here would take me to Vietnam! Lovely owner and service. Good prices!

I had a fantastic birthday lunch at MI & PHO yesterday with the wife. I can highly recommend it. Very honest food, the family team is super nice and welcoming, the ingredients are bought fresh every morning and the cooking is delicate.
We had the Goi Du Du Salad and the vietnamese pancake to start followed by a chicken phở and their current special Bun Bo Hue (hot & spicy round noodles). The dishes were super tasty but what I like most compare to other Vietnamese places is that they cook you the basic recipe, not very hot, not very salty. My Bun Bo Hue was actually quite bland initially but that allowed me to tweak the spicy, salt and sweetness the way I liked it with the fish sauce, chilli paste, hoisin sauce and the sriracha.
Check out the photos, definitely a great lunch or even dinner type of place that won’t cost your skin.