Pho Tai — Asia's Finest

About a week ago, I was at the tail end of a persistent cold. I needed something to help me round the corner and force this sickness out of my system. Chicken noodle soup? No, I needed something more potent, something that would really clear out my sinuses.

So I headed to Asia’s Finest in south Lansing for my favorite culinary cold remedy: pho. This Vietnamese beef soup is the perfect mix of hearty broth, tasty noodles and enough spice to get things moving.

Asia’s Finest includes five versions of pho, all made with beef broth (sorry vegans). My go-to is pho tai, which includes thin strips of beef. Don’t be alarmed if the beef strips look a little rare when the soup arrives at your table, the beef actually finishes cooking in the broth.

A bowl of pho comes with a plate of fresh toppings — basil, sprouts and jalapeños — and two bottles: sriracha (the hot sauce with the rooster on it) and soy sauce. This is the fun part. Add a little bit of this, take a sip, then add a little bit of that. After a while, you’ll be a pro. I usually start with a good dose of sriracha, a little basil, a few sprouts and a couple jalapeño rings.

Whether you’re trying to kick a cold or just need some comfort food with a little kick, head down to Asia’s Finest and dive into a heaping bowl of pho.

Asia’s Finest

11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon- 9 p.m. Saturday, 4-9 p.m. Sunday 6443 S. Cedar St., Lansing (517) 393-1688

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