Asheville needs more soup

With all the crap restaurants that have opened here, there is at least one ethnic base left uncovered: the delicious soup known as pho. It can be had in most major cities in America, but why not here? I would gladly trade in at least six sushi places and most of the teriyaki (or maybe that should be teriyucky) houses for just one Vietnamese-soup place.

So if anybody knows some Vietnamese people and can convince them to move to this overpriced, doomed town, maybe we can make a deal.

—  Joseph Crawley
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

13 thoughts on “Asheville needs more soup

  1. hauntedheadnc

    It always warms my heart to see such a cheerful person. You just know they have lots of friends and make everyone feel better just by being themselves.

  2. Well, a Vietnamese restaurant would be fine just so long as nuoc mam (sauce made from fermented fish heads) is strictly forbidden. I still remember the ghastly smell of it from my combat days in Vietnam.

    UCK!!! DOUBLE UCK!!

  3. craig

    Is the soup mentioned in the letter pronounced “fur”? I think I’ve had the Thai or Laotian version of it and it was pretty good.

  4. Nam Vet

    I remember too Ralph. You could tell when you were about 250 klicks from a ville by the smell of rotten fish. Just looking at a Vietnamese restaurant reminds me. Have never eaten in one, although I do like the Vietnamese people. Just not their food.

  5. Dale Johnson

    I just really miss a mom and pop restaurant. Chain restaurants make me sad. I also miss home- Korea smells BAD!

  6. ingarageland

    I think these guys are past the age of caring about things that smell like fish lighthope. My grandfather served at d-day till the end of the war. He never discussed it, he said it was too horrible. It seems you guys had a good ole time over there killin the yellow man.

  7. dickyfauge

    That was an insensitive (possibly true) remark garage, but if you were not there, you should prabaly refrain from comentary. Dont be like light hope. No one will talk to her anymore.

  8. mmcwilliams

    It is pronounced “fuh” and it is delicious. The closest Vietnamese restaurants I found after a quick Web search are two hours away in Charlotte. Too bad. Asheville doesn’t know what it’s missing. Anyone ever had Vietnamese sandwiches? Just thinking of pho and those sandwiches is making my mouth water. I think a drive to Charlotte might be in my near future.

  9. The Pontificator

    Yep, the world needs more pho….and more cowbell.

    I can see it now: on Lexington Avenue….we’ll call the place

    PHO KING AWESOME

Leave a Reply to Nam Vet ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.