A Hidden Gem in Claremont

Last week I found myself at I Love Pho, a tucked away Vietnamese restaurant in Claremont. If that didn’t sound fantastic already, it’s halaal-certified. So, not only is it serving up delicious food but it’s inclusive too. Big win already!

“This isn’t just a good sandwich, it’s a moment".

A Taste of Southeast Asia

(Without Leaving Cape Town)

Upon arrival, it almost felt like I stepped out of Cape Town and into a little neighbourhood somewhere in Southeast Asia. It felt oddly nostalgic. You might be wondering why a South African girlie is saying ‘Asia’ and ‘nostalgic’ in the same sentence. Well, I’ve spent a lot of time on that side of the world, and it’s home to some of my favourite memories. There are a few consistencies with those spots: the incredible food, amazing weather, and the most genuine people. And somehow, I Love Pho delivered on all three. Even with the humid weather we were having that day. A co(incidence)? Maybe, or maybe not…

Finding It Is Half the Experience

When I said ‘tucked away’, I meant literally. Thank goodness for Google Maps (not sponsored). It’s pretty hidden, but don’t give up finding it because when you do, you’ll realise you’ve hit gold. The large gold sign read  “I <3 PHO”, and "VIETNAMESE CUISINE". If it wasn’t obvious enough, I’d arrived.

Warm, Honest, and Full of Heart

Walking inside, I was instantly welcomed in the kind of way that makes you feel like you’ve been there before. Everyone was so warm, kind, and authentic. No script, no stiffness, just real. The interior mirrored that energy. The decor was simple, honest, and far from overdone or gimmicky. It  felt like the kind of place locals would gatekeep, and I wouldn’t blame them. 

We got seated in front of the sushi station because I love dinner (lunch) and a show. No, I wasn’t an iPad kid, but I was very much a TV dinner child. #90s. I also love it when a restaurant has an open kitchen. It just shows they have nothing to hide. Massive green flag. Another green flag? The owner being present and involved. Vicky, the owner, came over to our table. She was so gentle and had a quietly powerful presence. I could tell she had a story, and I was really excited to learn about it through her food. 

Something Different to Start

First things first, drinks. We decided not to be basic and go for something we hadn't tried before. I pointed at a bright green bottle covered in writing that definitely wasn’t English. “Yep, that should do”. Oh my word, it was absolutely delicious, especially over ice. It had a slightly candy-like taste. Super refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink. Exactly what you want on a humid Cape Town day pretending to be Southeast Asia. 

Small Plates, Big Impact

Right, time for food.

We started with the prawn dim sum which was served in a cute, little bamboo steamer. The steam rose as I opened it,  to uncover four neat, plump parcels sitting perfectly in place and a mouthwatering aroma. You could see the filling through the wrapper, which is always a good sign. They were silky soft but still had a slight chew, and packed with flavour.

These beauties were incredibly fragrant, sweet, and prawn-forward (in the best way). Just simple, done properly, and gone in a flash. It’s one of those dishes you don’t overthink, you just keep going. Thankfully there were only four, I would’ve demolished more. But alas, we had much more food on the way. 

The Vicky Effect

Speaking of more food, our waiter was back to casually drop off three more dishes. This time, we were served two larger than life bowls, and a basket with a well filled sub inside of it.

Vicky came over to our table grinning from ear to ear. She said something along the lines of: yes, it’s a lot of food, but it’s all very healthy and won’t make you put on weight. She pointed to herself as proof. I loved this moment, because, I mean, fair enough! She is in great shape!

My 2026 goal: eat like Vicky, look like Vicky. 

The Banh Mi That Changed Everything

The banh mi was genuinely one of my favourite bites of the year, no exaggeration. The baguette had that crisp crack on the outside and a soft chewy centre. The tofu was deeply savoury, the egg spread and pate combo was rich, creamy, and utterly indulgent, then the pickled veg just cut through everything.

The balance was unreal… crunch, softness, acid, fat, UMAMI. I fully get the hype now. This isn’t just “a good sandwich”, it’s a moment. As a bread person, this changed something in me. 

The Pho (Of Course)

Then I went for the familiar one of the three. My first sip of the chicken pho was light, clean, and quietly packed with flavour. I loved that it was super comforting without being heavy. The chicken was soft, delicate, and properly seasoned.

Everything was perfectly executed, but with all noodle dishes, slurping them is my favourite part. Maybe it’s the way they hold onto all the flavour, or the fact that 80% of my body is carbs, or just because I love making a mess. Likely all three.

You could taste it had taken time to make without any shortcuts, and of course, the Vicky way. It was healthy, but not in a boring way. In a “this is exactly what my body needed” way. Rest, restore, breathe.

The Unexpected Favourite

One last breath before I pulled the final bowl towards me. Again, this one surprised me. The chicken vermicelli dish looked so bright, light, and healthy. Not a bad thing at all, I just thought it would be a bit bland. Wrong. This might be my second favourite meal of the year so far (after the banh mi).

I poured the side of fish sauce over it, gave it a good mix, and then everything started to come alive. I loved that it was cold and fresh, and slurping up those slippery, addictive noodles was life changing. You need to try it for yourself. The more you mix, the more it sits, the better it gets. It literally evolves with every bite. Flavour-packed chicken, crunchy veg and peanuts, sweet and salty fish sauce.

It's one of those dishes where you suddenly realise you've finished it. Which I did. Effortless, balanced, and dangerously easy to eat. I hope I made Vicky proud. 

Don’t Skip the Egg Coffee

When we thought all was said and done, my mind was blown once again. My Vietnamese egg coffee arrived and I don’t know how I’ve lived this long (27 years) without this. First of all, that velvet-like top layer was rich and ever-so-slightly sweet and it just melts into the strong coffee as you sip through it.

The best way to describe it is like a carb-free tiramisu. The only downside is that I now crave it, and I’m fairly sure my local coffee shop isn’t whipping this up anytime soon. Consider this your warning, once you try it, you won’t stop thinking about it. 

And Then Dessert Happened

Just as I thought life couldn’t get any better, it did. Dessert was served. I didn’t expect much… again. I was wrong… again. To be fair, how exciting could fried bananas and ice cream be? It was thrilling, genuinely. Think crispy, lightly battered, ooey gooey banana against melty vanilla ice cream, all  drizzled in chocolate. What’s not to love?

 It reminded me of banana pancakes, but slightly elevated, and dare I say it, healthier… Vicky, I see you. Look, these didn’t last long. Dangerously good. I’m still not over this.

Came for the Pho, Stayed for Everything Else

It’s quite obvious I had an amazing experience at I Love Pho. It completely exceeded my expectations and I am so happy it did. I came for the pho, and I left with a warm heart, full belly, and a changed mindset.  I always knew healthy could mean tasty, but this… this is the kind of food that guarantees it. No compromise, no questioning. Just genuinely good food that also happens to be good for you.

I feel grateful I got to taste all of this, and to meet Vicky. It just made the whole experience feel that much more special. I’ll definitely be back. 

Until next time!