This is when a new Vietnamese restaurant is set to open in Sheffield city centre

Some of the food on offer at healthy Vietnamese restaurant Pho. Photo by Paul Winch-Furness.

Pho, which is pronounced ‘fuh’ and was given its name after the Vietnamese soup, will officially open in Leopold Square on Friday. The chain already has 29 venues across the UK, but this will be its first in South Yorkshire.

The owners of the restaurant brand, Stephen and Juliette Wall, are celebrating the opening by holding a free pho day on February 14, where free bowls of pho will be served to diners all day – while stocks last.

Pho is the Vietnamese national dish; an aromatic rice noodle soup served with a side plate of fresh herbs to add as the diner wishes to suit their taste buds.

The addition of these herbs, and the sauces provided on the table, are an essential part of eating phở and add another dimension to the dish, tailoring it to personal tastes.

The restaurant’s chilli paste, for example gives the dish a kick, while the fish sauce gives extra saltiness and the garlic vinegar adds sourness.

The restaurant has a focus on healthy Vietnamese food, and Stephen and Juliette are hoping the opening of the Sheffield branch will be as popular as the street food it is named after.

Stephen said the opening would be poignant for himself and Juliette because they met in the city when they were students.

“We are really excited to open Pho in Sheffield later this week.

“For us, this opening is special because myself and my wife Jules actually met when we went to Sheffield Hallam University here years ago.

“We’ve always loved this city and we can’t wait to open our doors here at last.”

The pair also pride themselves on running a family-run business which serves great value, healthy Vietnamese street food that is cooked fresh daily on site.

There are meat options available on the menu, including phở chín which is tender beef brisket slow cooked in the broth, and also vegetarian and vegan options, such as the spicy green which includes tofu, green beans, pak choi, fresh lime and Thai basil in spicy veggie broth.

There are also other dishes on the menu, such as wok fried noodles and Vietnamese salads.

Stephen and Juliette decided to open their first Pho in 2005 after they travelled to Vietnam and fell in love with the food.

Pho is at 6 Leopold Square, city centre. To see the menu or learn more about the restaurant, please visit www.phocafe.co.uk/Sheffield.