Bluff City Vegan Eats: Pho Hoa Binh

If you're a vegetarian in Memphis, you know Pho Hoa Binh. I mean, like, you know it intimately. You know the overwhelming sense of joy that comes from the first bite of chewy, salty, deep-fried Lemongrass Tofu. You know the satisfaction of stuffing your plate with as much tofu from the buffet as possible and then going back for seconds. You know how good it feels when you shell out a measly $6 and some change for enough food to feed a vegan army.

If you're not in Memphis, let me fill you in on the best little Vietnamese joint in the M-Town. Everyday at lunch, this modest eatery offers a small-but-packed-with-goodness buffet featuring mostly tofu dishes. There's always about two meat entrees, but most people skip right over those. Even omnis go there for the tofu, and that's sayin' somethin'. Here's my omni friend Halley stuffing her plate with tofu, no meat:

And here's my haul from a recent lunch — Lemongrass Tofu, Black Bean Tofu, and Coconut Curry Tofu:

Now, they do offer a few salad items on the bar, but you don't go to Pho Hoa Binh for the veggies. It's all about the chewy, fried tofu. No place fries up bean curd quite like Pho Hoa Binh.

Pho Hoa Binh is located at 1615 Madison Avenue. Call 901-276-0006.