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Pho Face-off: Pho Soho vs Cafe Mama Pho

Pho—the beloved Vietnamese national noodle soup—has carved a dedicated following across London. Born in early 20th-century northern Vietnam, it evolved from Chinese and French influences into a deeply aromatic broth simmered with beef bones, rice noodles, herbs, and meat. Today, the city brims with pho-worthy kitchens—but these two stand out: Pho Soho in the heart of Soho, and Café Mama Pho in Deptford (and South Kensington). Here’s how they stack up.

Pho Soho: steam, spice, city-soul

Nestled near Newport Place in Soho, Pho Soho embodies youthful energy and authenticity. Bib Gourmand praise and community love makes it a regular in best-of lists. With bright minimalist decor, friendly counter service, and both traditional and vegan pho options, it’s a vibrant slice of Vietnam in central London

On my Visit

Pho bò (beef): The clear, star anise–clove broth arrived steaming, its layers of umami and hint of sweetness richly coaxed from hours of bone simmering. Hand-cut rice noodles glided into the broth, slurped alongside bean sprouts, Thai basil, and thin slices of rare beef.

The herbs and chili added acidity and heat, rounding each spoonful. Tender tendon and brisket pieces added depth. All together, the bowl sings Vietnamese home cooking.

Vegan tofu & mushroom pho: Silky tofu and meaty shiitake took centre stage in a mushroom-rich stock—a crowd favourite.

Visit reviews rave over the balanced broth and authentic feel, calling it “the best pho I’ve had in ages” and “a little Vietnam in Soho”

Cafe Mama Pho: Deptfords Viet champion

Over in Deptford and with a branch in South Kensington, Café Mama Pho makes Hosiers Lane feel like an extended family kitchen. Reddit regulars praise its genuine taste: “far better than the ones on Kingsland Road”. Known for generous bowls, friendly service, and affordable prices, it’s beloved by locals and students alike.

On my visit

Beef pho: The broth had a clean, deep bone‑driven flavour, richer than bolder broth but still lighter than Pho Soho’s. The beef slices were thicker, the noodles slightly softer. Fresh lime, bean sprouts, and fragrant herbs added freshness, though the chili kick felt a shade muted.

Chicken pho (phở gà): Lean shredded chicken, zippy coriander, and sharper ginger notes. The broth was lighter, fresher—ideal for a sunny day.

You got crisp lime wedges, fish sauce, even sweet hoisin on request for seasoning. Portions were hefty—no skimping here.

Reviews praise it as authentic, student‑friendly, and consistently welcoming—“worth your time and money” for pho hunters across London.

Face-off

At Pho Soho, the broth hits you first: aromatic and layered from blistering beef bones simmered for hours. The depth of flavour achieved by slow roasting stock and seasoning heavily is evident.

In contrast, Café Mama Pho takes a straighter path. The broth is clearer and lighter, relying on pure bone reduction with minimal seasoning interference. Its strength is clarity, not sweetness. One reviewer emphasised that the broth was “perfect, not overly sweet/dosed in MSG like most places”. The beef here comes in thicker cuts, offering more chew and texture.

The Verdict

Both hit their marks, but Pho Soho just edges ahead for depth of broth and vibrant central location. Café Mama Pho shines for price, portion size, and neighborhood charm.

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Jurassic Jackpot: $30.5 Million for a rare Ceratosaurus skeleton

This summer, Sotheby’s stunned attendees with the auction of a rare juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton, fetching a staggering $30.5 million, far exceeding its $6–$9 million estimate and placing it among the highest fossil sales ever

Unearthed in 1996 at Wyoming’s famed Bone Cabin Quarry, part of the fossil-rich Morrison Formation, this skeleton is one of just four known Ceratosaurus specimens globally, and the only juvenile ever discovered.

Mounted at approximately 6 ft 3 in (1.9 m) tall and 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m) long, it comprises 139 original bones and a nearly complete skull assembled from 57 bone fragments, complete with 43 teeth and the distinctive nasal horn and osteoderm ridges across its spine.

Living during the Late Jurassic (around 154–149 million years ago), Ceratosaurus was a medium-sized predator, standing out with a bony nasal crest, pairs of brow horns, four-fingered hands, and a row of armor-like scutes along its back

This sale continues a trend of fossil commodification: "Apex" the Stegosaurus sold for $44.6 million last year, and "Stan" the T. rex fetched $31.8 million. The conversation now turns to the ethics: does private acquisition serve science or silence it?

 In this case, Sotheby’s confirmed that the purchaser plans to loan the fossil to a museum, a gesture welcomed by many scientists.