Okanagan Foodie Tours feels extremely fortunate to partner with so many outstanding and unique restaurants, eateries and individuals who bring the “wow factor” every day to Kelowna’s culinary scene. After 7 years of showcasing these superbly delicious food and beverage experiences to our tour guests I thought it was time to take a deeper dive and shine the spotlight on each of these great partners getting up close and personal, sharing the secrets of their success and adding a personal feel to the fabric of our food service community
My first challenge was where to begin? All the restaurants we visit are so welcoming, generous and purveyors of foodie excellence. To get us started I decided to begin with Pho Soc Trang Vietnamese Cuisine. Having recently travelled to Vietnam I felt a connection to their food as well as the warmth of the people. I sat down with Jenny, the Manager of Pho Soc Trang and proceeded to ask lots of questions.
Pho (pronounced fuh) is a traditional staple of the Vietnamese diet. It is a flavourful meat based soup typically eaten daily at any meal including breakfast! Every region, city and restaurant has their own take on the recipe creating nuanced flavours quickly identified by the locals. At Jenny’s restaurant the Pho recipe is from Soc Trang, a small city 222 kms south of Ho Chi Minh City. This connection is proudly displayed as the restaurant name. Pho Soc Trang is a family run restaurant serving Kelowna for 10 years. Arriving from Vietnam after a brief stop in Toronto the decision to offer the authentic flavour experiences from home began. No different than restaurants in Vietnam, Pho is the signature dish. The secret is the traditional recipe, quality ingredients (meats and vegetables) and of course the process. The batches are very large and are cooked in a tall pot for at least 24 hours! 
The result, a delicious broth, with beef and vegetables which you can customize to taste with sprouts, cilantro, basil, Sriracha, Hoisin Sauce and Chili Oil. It truly is a delight; more than just a meal, it is a genuine Vietnamese foodie experience.
At Pho Soc Trang it doesn’t end with Pho. This 80-seat full service restaurant is located upstairs at 1530 Water Street just 1/2 block south of Bernard Avenue. Their varied menu features something for everyone, from guests new to Vietnamese food to the discerning palate of foodies keen on Southeast Asian cuisine. This family friendly restaurant will check all the boxes! I asked Jenny to make a recommendation for first timers (of course it’s all good) … aaand the Manager’s choice is:
- Appetizer – Spring Rolls or Salad Rolls (the peanut sauce is sensational)
- Appetizer – Spicy Lemongrass Tofu
- Pho (House Special with everything in)
- Sai Gon Beer (if you’re so inclined)
- Deep Fried Banana for dessert
- Vietnamese Coffee
If you’re looking to experience food as a Soc Trang local try the Pork Chop & Egg another Vietnamese traditional breakfast not to be missed.
Okanagan Foodie Tours is so grateful that Pho Soc Trang allows us to include them in our Kelowna food tours. Our tour guests love the genuine flavours of Vietnam and the warm welcome and personalized service they receive from Jenny and her staff. We look forward to continued visits to Pho Soc Trang and encourage locals and visitors alike to stop in, the Pho is always on!!
Click here to view the Pho Soc Trang website and menu.