As their latest restaurant opened in the newly revamped Corn Exchange, About Manchester spoke to its founders.
Manchester is like coming home at least for one half of the husband and wife team who are on a mission to introduce the country to the Vietnamese restaurant concept that is Pho.
Stephen Wall originates from here, his wife Jules a little further north in Durham. They looked at the Northern Quarter when they first set Pho up almost 10 years ago but ended up starting the business in London as that was where their flat was (starting a business was hard enough never mind moving as well says Jules). But the idea of Pho and Manchester was there from the start and recently they have just been waiting for the right opportunity.
That opportunity came with the new plans for the Corn Exchange. “What’s been happening in Manchester in the last few years in particular has been brilliant, it’s establishing itself as one of the hottest places in the UK and the pull to open in my hometown has got stronger and stronger.” says Jules.
The Pho concept, they believe, will hopefully fit in well; It serves fresh, healthy and tasty Vietnamese food (so noodle soups, noodles, curries and other simple Vietnamese street food dishes) in a cool restaurant space.
As for the Corn Exchange she adds ” It’s an iconic building in a great location that’s been begging for redevelopment for years. Manchester has some great eating and drinking destinations – what the Living Ventures crew have done in Spinningfields is amazing in particular – but the Corn Exchange will become an immediate eating and drinking destination in it’s own right and will look fabulous.”
For those who haven’t come across Pho, the idea sprang as the couple, both from marketing backgrounds became a bit fed up with corporate life.
“We decided to quit our jobs and go travelling around the world – I suppose we were looking for a bit of inspiration and we found that in Vietnam. We fell in love with the food, well with their national dish in particular (pho).” says Jules.
They made the decision to start a restaurant serving pho while sat on high stools, slurping pho bo, around the shopfront of Pho Quynh in Ho Chi Minh City.
” Ten years later, Pho is still our family-run business serving great value, authentically prepared Vietnamese street food, with restaurants in London, Brighton, Leeds and Manchester.”
The brand aims to appeal to a range of people really, from students as its good value for money to young professionals and foodies who’ve travelled the world, to families, they have a fabulous new kids menu featuring mini portions of our dishes, and their food is also really healthy, catering to diets like vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free very easily.
There are more than fiveteen types of Pho on the menu,Jules tells us that the most popular ones are Bun Bo Hue, our spicy brisket pho is incredible. Made with our bone broth and extra chilli paste for a kick, and amazing pulled brisket beef. Pho Dac Biet – king prawns, tofu & flash-fried garlic steak in beef broth and Pho Ga – chicken breast in chicken broth (with our garlic & chilli vinegar added in!).
As for future plans they are focused on showing Manchester what it’s all about and have recently rolled out Pho To Go and deliver with Deliveroo as well.
Pho Manchester
Unit 15, The Corn Exchange, 37 Hanging Ditch,
Manchester, M4 3TR
tel: 0161 464 9779
Opening Times
Monday to Saturday
12pm – 11pm
Sunday
12pm – 10:30pm
