By Stephen Peter
I was on holiday in Italy, had a great meal (and mostly cheap) – but there was noise and hustle and bustle everywhere. Back in Berlin, I am amazed at the calm, even in Prenzlauer Berg, which is not poor in tourists.
Rather by accident, I ended up in the Pho Bar on Rykestraße, just a few minutes’ walk from the water tower. On a Sunday evening there is only one other table occupied on the terrace. Extremely wide sidewalk, lots of greenery, a car rarely drives by. Almost idyllic.
The restaurant promises “Vietnamese tradition & modern sushi creations”. This mix of Asian dishes is not uncommon in Berlin, and it is not always successful.
Here it is!
The pho, a flat rice noodle soup, is already wonderful. According to the menu, boiled for 16 hours to fully develop the aroma, seasoned with cinnamon, star anise, pak choi, cardamom and ginger. The soup is said to be good for colds or hangovers. The variant with beef costs 13 euros. For smaller stomachs, this can also be used as a main course.
But I still throw myself on a small sushi platter (20 euros). Avocado Maki, Crunchy Big Riolls, Sake Nigiri and a small bowl of miso soup. Precious.
Rykestraße 18, Prenzlauer Berg, Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday/Saturday until 10.30 p.m. ☎ 845 12 378