Disney World has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world ever since it opened in 1971. Although the theme park based on Walt Disney movies and characters is largely self-contained, it is located in the city of Orlando, Florida. Orlando is a diverse city, home to hundreds of great ethnic eateries, including many Vietnamese restaurants. If you have a craving for pho, goi cuon or other typical Vietnamese dishes, head to one of the Vietnamese restaurants near Disney World.
Listed as one of the top 50 best restaurants in the city by Orlando Magazine and rated "Excellent" in the Orlando Sentinel, Little Saigon offers a wide variety of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant serves classic pho rice noodle soups (with chicken, rare sliced beef or beef balls) as well as other soups like hu tieu thap cam (pork, shrimp and crabmeat with clear noodles) and banh canh tom xao bong cai (shrimp and broccoli soup with thick noodles). In addition, Little Saigon offers a number of vermicelli noodle and fried rice plates with all kinds of meat and vegetables. Finish with a typical Vietnamese dessert like fresh young coconut syrup or che bam au, a three-color bean drink.
Little Saigon
1106 East Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
407-423-8539
littlesaigonrestaurant.com
Originally a small-scale imported foods grocery store, Pho 88 is a no-frills authentic Vietnamese eatery that offers a wide range of typical recipes. Start off with a healthy Vietnamese salad, canh soup or grilled pork spring rolls. Not surprisingly, Pho 88 specializes in pho noodle soup, which is available with chicken or beef. Each soup comes with a side dish of basil leaves, jalapeños and lime that you can add to your soup as you please. Most people come for the pho, but you'll find other traditional dishes like a meat patty with fried eggs over rice, barbecue beef noodles and shredded pork fried rice. Portions are generous and prices are low, with most entrees costing less than $10 as of March 2010. Finish off with a refreshing lychee juice or fresh lemon drink to cleanse your palate.
Pho 88
730 North Mills Avenue
Orlando, FL 32803
407-897-3488
pho88orlando.com
This fast-growing pho noodle chain is the largest Vietnamese restaurant chain in North America. Downtown Orlando's Pho Hoa takes pride in offering low-calorie, naturally flavored soups accompanied by fresh coriander, hot chili peppers, lemon wedges, bean sprouts and basil leaves. Choose from a variety of meat ingredients like steak, chicken, meatballs and brisket for your pho. Pho Hoa also offers a number of other dishes like fried minced pork and vegetable rolls, grilled chicken with vermicelli noodles and veggies and grilled lemongrass pork chops. Accompany your meal with a glass of blended jackfruit, salty plum soda or fresh iced lemon drink.
Pho Hoa
649 North Primrose Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
407-895-6098
phohoa.com
