Ipho Restaurant & Noodle Bar

It’s kind of a weird set up. Mobara Japanese Restaurant iPho seem to be one and the same. They also have a Stonegrill sign up in their restaurant. Seem to be trying to cover too many bases. I came here for a pho. I initially found it hard to find as the google map didn’t take me to the right spot. I ordered number 21. Meatball pho. There paper menu is a bit chaotic. Upon paying I found that the price I needed to pay was not the same that was on the menu as there was a 1% surcharge for cards. Whether it’s a strategy to get people to pay cash or they just want to pass the eft merchants charge on either way it leaves a bad taste in people’s mouths at the start of a dining experience (in my case). The service was quick. Took them less than 5 mins to get the food to me. The quality of the pho was ok. Nothing to write home about. I probably would have preferred the brisket in retrospect. $3.70 for a can of coke is pushing the friendship. Most of your customers know how much you would pay for them. My experience says that most cafes would sell a 500ml for close to that. Won’t be hurrying back.

I think this unassuming restaurant deserves more credit. Yes, the location is not so accessible (far from CBD) and other considerations that people might think knowing the area. However, I was quite impressed by the taste of their food. The Pho soup was not only tasty yet also heartwarming. I ordered Seafood noodle soup and I was shocked by the toppings. In the soup, of course the usual vegetables, prawn and squid, it also included mussels, fish slices, and scallops (a rare addition) when you eat at fancy restaurants in the CBD. The restaurant was clean. Enough parking space. Staff service was ok. Prices are reasonable. Highly recommend to have a meal there when you're in the area.

Service was really friendly but sadly this was not replicated in the quality of the food. The noodles I'd ordered were extremely hard to eat and quite messy. I understand they were crispy noodles but the lack of a sauce to complement the dish caused a very uncomfortable sitting.

I have been here twice, the first time I ordered beef pho and it was fantastic. A large serve with plenty of bean sprouts, herbs and a slice of lemon. Chili oil on the table was a fantastic addition to the pho. This time I had the the pork cold rolls you roll yourself. The pork meatballs were fantastic and there was plenty of filling for the rolls (carrot, lettuce, cucumber, mint and rice noodles). My only complaint would be that the rice paper sheets were quite small so you couldn't fit much in, but there was 8 of them which made up for it. Also had the chicken spring rolls which were pretty good. I would definitely recommend I-pho for lunch with friends or family as it's a perfect place to have a meal and catch up.

So when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine, I 'm extremely picky with the restaurants I choose to go to, especially if we 're talking pho . Their broth for the their pho is quite bland, you don 't get those aromas coming out of the broth and it can definitely do with a lot more seasoning! Had it once and never again. Now, I NEVER order Bun Bo Hue (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup) in restaurants because I prefer my MIL 's homemade/version over any restaurant. But I one day really craved it and thought I 'll give ipho 's one a go and my.... It 's the closest thing to my MIL 's BBH!!! I was so surprised! I 've been ordering this ever since every time I step foot here. Give their BBH a go guys! Their laksa is quite good too, much more flavoursome compared to their pho! ????????