Vietnamese cuisine is influenced by the Asian principle of five elements, a fivefold conceptual scheme used to explain phenomena including cosmic cycles, the interactions between organs, the succession of political regimes and the properties of herbal medicines. The five agents are fire, water, wood, metal and earth.
Using this philosophy, Vietnamese food typically represents the five agents in flavor, color, senses and nutrients as bitter, red, taste and fat for fire; salty, black, sound and water for water; sour, green, visual and carbohydrates for wood; spicy, white, smell and minerals for metal; and sweet, yellow, touch and protein for earth.
Vietnam celebrates National Day on Sept. 2, but you can enjoy the best Vietnamese restaurants in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties any day of the year.
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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
Photastic Vietnamese Restaurant
Photastic offers Vietnamese cuisine like bánh mìs, pho, vermicelli noodle salads and fried rice. It is open for lunch and dinner and has vegan options.
770 S. U.S. 1, Vero Beach; 772-778-7666; Facebook
Mama Hue
Mama Hue is a family-run restaurant that serves authentic Vietnamese food. It features dishes such as house-made krab rangoons, beef pho, double-friend chicken leg rice platter and the option to build your own Pho.
629 21st St., Vero Beach; 772-999-3967; Facebook
Red Wok
The huge menu includes traditional Chinese favorites as well as Vietnamese pho, rice dishes and fresh rolls, boba milk tea, Vietnamese iced tea and Vietnamese condensed milk coffee. They're open for lunch and dinner and offer daily specials featuring fresh ingredients. Don't miss the bò lúc lắc, or Vietnamese shaking beef.
737 22nd St., Vero Beach; 772-226-5618; website
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Viet Bowl
Viet Bowl serves authentic Vietnamese food and was opened in 2023 by the Tran family, who owns numerous businesses on the Treasure Coast. The menu features the option to build your own pho and rice or vermicelli noodle bowls, as well as homemade Vietnamese desserts.
835 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce; 772-242-8697; Facebook
Pho Deli
Pho Deli is owned by a Vietnamese family who migrated to Port St. Lucie in 1993. After moving to Boston and working at Le's Restaurant (formerly Pho Pasteur) for 20 years, they returned and opened Pho Deli in 2016. Some popular menu items are the Pho Deli, crispy egg rolls, soft spring rolls, bánh mì, brisket pho and Thai ice tea.
466 S.W. Port St. Lucie Blvd., Port St. Lucie; 772-877-2133; website
Pho Wagyu
Pho Wagyu offers vermicelli rice noodle bowls with options like BBQ short ribs and pork belly; house favorites including the beef stew and bun bo hue; sandwiches including lemongrass chicken, pork belly and pork topped with house-made pate and house-made mayo butter; as well as fried rice, pho and boba tea.
1707 N.W. St. Lucie W. Blvd., Port St. Lucie; 772-800-7179; website
MARTIN COUNTY
Pho Yummy Bar & Cafe
Pho Yummy stays true to authentic Vietnamese food preparation. Its signature dishes include pho bowls, stir-fried noodles, bánh mìs and spring rolls. It also offers desserts, hot or cold Vietnamese coffee and boba tea.
2621 S.E. Ocean Blvd, Stuart; 772-310-9199; website
Pho 772
Pho 772's food is made fresh every day and incorporates the authentic essence of a balance of aromatics, heat, sweetness, sourness and fish sauceiness.
891 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach; 772-261-8240; website
Eve Pierpont is a freelancer for TCPalm who looks out for the best things to do across the Treasure Coast. Do you have an upcoming event you want to be potentially included in this weekly roundup? Email it to her at epierpont@gannett.com. You can also upload your event to TCPalm's event page at events.tcpalm.com.
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