All of their ingredients are made fresh, in-house, and are 100 per cent MSG free. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

AUTHETIC VIETNAMESE

Signature Dish: Sealand Pho’s house noodle soup and special sub

Mar 26, 2022 | 11:42 AM

NANAIMO —Offering authentic and healthy Vietnamese cuisine with beautiful views of the marina, Sealand Pho is one popular spot.

One of their most popular dishes is their Sealand house special noodle soup, paired with their Sealand special sub., according to owner Donny Tran.

“We put chicken broth, beef broth, grilled chicken, and sliced beef. We put all the ingredients in the healthy and traditional way of north Vietnam.”

The house special noodle soup also comes with sliced beef and chicken balls, rice noodles, the option of beef or chicken broth, and garnished with onions and cilantro. The portion sizes on both dishes are extreme generous.

In Vietnamese cuisine, bánh mì is a short baguette with a thin, crisp crust and soft, airy texture filled with savory ingredients, much like a submarine sandwich. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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The sub, also known as banh mi in Vietnamese cuisine, is based on a French-style roll topped with lemongrass grilled chicken, grilled minced pork patty, avocado, mayonnaise, pork pâté, soy sauce, pickled carrot and daikon radish, white onion, and cilantro.

Originally from north Vietnam, Tam and his partner have been in kitchens for most of their lives.

He prides himself on bringing authentic north Vietnamese cooking style and flavours to every dish they prepare.

“Pho originally came from north Vietnam…the ingredients are a little different in central and south Vietnam. In North Vietnam, we slow cook with a lot of chicken and beef bone for a long time, and we make sure the sweetness comes from the bone.”

Onions, ginger and cut almonds are prevalent in the north Vietnamese cuisine and feature heavily at Sealand Pho.

Ingredients bought daily from local Nanaimo shops and markets ensures the quality of every product on their menu.

Tran opened Sealand Pho in September 2020, a few years after working with his partner to establish Pholicious, a classic Vietnamese restaurant in Vancouver.

He said they made sure to bring the same traditions and hard work to Vancouver Island.

“We do everything homemade, because we had the restaurant in Vancouver a few years, and all the sauces and products were made in the restaurant every day.”

While opening a restaurant in the middle of the pandemic wasn’t easy, Tran said the community has given them tremendous support, especially since they didn’t accept any COVID-19 related government assistance.

“Without the customer we would not have survived until now. The most important thing we focus on is good customer service and good food, and keep continuing with our mission, which is to stay true and authentic, and healthy.”

Located off Stewart Ave. on the docks of the marina, the restaurant overlooks the Newcastle channel with beautiful views of Saysutshun (Newcastle) island.

Tran said being right next to the marina really brings in a variety of customers from all across the Island, especially during the warmer months.

“We do membership for all the boat people with a 10 per cent discount for VIP cards, so that means we get a lot of repeat customers during the summertime.”

He said they also have a lot of positive reviews online from customers all over the world, who compliment them on their authentic tasting dishes.

“They feel like my food is the exact same as the food they have in Vietnam. But we have a lot of different communities here: Philippines, Chinese, and Thailand come into the restaurant, and they love the food.”

Sealand Pho is open 11 a.m until 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and is open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

They also offer take-out service, as well as delivery through food delivery services such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, and they offer free delivery for orders over $25.

More on the restaurant, including their menu, is available on their website.

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