Located just off Macleod Trail on 58th Avenue, Oriental Phoenix is the perfect place to grab a great Vietnamese meal before a movie or trip to Chinook mall, a mere five to ten minute walk away. With attentive service, a pleasant atmosphere, and delicious vermicelli bowls, this is a great place to go for a sit down meal while avoiding hoards of people sure to be packed in the mall’s restaurants.
A family owned and operated business, the first Oriental Phoenix restaurant opened on 17th Avenue in 1987. To this day every sauce, marinade, and broth enjoyed in either of the restaurants is homemade by the Vietnamese family which owns them. As they are from southern Vietnam, many of the dishes include seafood, and the recipes they use have been handed down for generations.
The two locations have different menus, and the 58th Avenue location has less selection. However, the restaurant
still offers an array of choices. Appetizers include dishes such as the Tom Lui ($3.95), shrimp skewer marinated in sate and chili oil sauce. Described on their website as “a jewel when you discover it” the Bun Bi Thit Nuong Cha Gio ($11.50) comes with shredded pork, marinated pork, and spring rolls. Bun is dish made with thin rice vermicelli noodles, and all selections are served with a generous portion. Hu Tieu, Mi, and Pho are all types of noodle soups. Hoanh Thanh Mi ($8.95) is a won ton egg noodle soup served in a simmering broth. Com are dishes served with rice, such as Com Ga Nuong ($12.50), grilled lemon grass chicken marinated with spices and garlic butter served over steamed rice. Do Chay, vegetable dishes, would be the perfect choice for the vegetarian diner, but unfortunately many of the dishes are made with chicken based broth, or come with a fish sauce. A vegetarian choice is the Goi Cuon Chay ($5.75) vegetarian rice wrappers served with a hoi sin dipping sauce. Stir fried noodles, Hu Tieu Mi Xao, have selections such as the Mi Xao Don Ga ($13.50) a chicken and vegetable stir fry served on crispy egg noodles. For those who like to share, the restaurant offers a range of Do Bien, seafood, dishes including Ca Chien Don ($15.95) lightly battered fish, type varying on the season, stir fried with spices and onions. The restaurant also offers soups to be shared, such as the Canh Chua Ga ($13.50-$17.95) a sweet and sour chicken soup with “a taste unlike any other.” Beef, chicken, and pork dishes are also available, and include choices such as the Bo Xao Sate ($14.95) a spicy stir fried satay beef dish, Ga Xao Thap Cam ($15.95) stir fried chicken with vegetables, and Heo Xao Thap Cam ($12.95) stir fried pork and vegetables in a black bean sauce.
One reviewer on Urbanspoon dubbed the Oriental Phoenix “the only place to go for Vietnamese,” yet many reviewers seem to be divided in opinion, either loving it or hating it. Still, the majority were positive reviews.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is surprisingly stylish for a Vietnamese restaurant, which is also quite spacious. Trendy decorations and modern dishes and plates add charm to the restaurant, while the many windows brighten up the restaurant and add ambiance.
The Oriental Phoenix is an delicious Vietnamese experience, served in an aesthetically pleasing and relaxing setting. The convenient location makes it a great place to stop at when near Macleod Trail, while the service could be friendlier. The prices are a little high for Vietnamese, but the taste is worth it.
