Hoang Gia - Kelowna

I decided to write this after a rather disappointing Valentine's Day meal in another Kelowna restaurant. My wife and I went to a restaurant in downtown, great views of the lake, good service, but really mediocre food. On our way home we talked about our last meal in Hoang Gai. We recognized our meal, it was twice as pleasant, twice taste and quality, but nevertheless half price. Unbeatable Pho!

The pho broth had a rich smoky and herbal flavor, with high-quality meat and great depth of flavor. The sushi was surprisingly good as well. Overall, this restaurant is a cut above other Vietnamese options in Kelowna.

Order Chicken Pad Thai to get out. So disappointed was mostly noodles, a few vegetables and there were pieces of chicken skin. Never go there again.

That was the fifth time I was in Kelowna in Hoang Gia. I really enjoyed the food I had here and my guests too. Today was a completely different experience. I was with two companions, one who really enjoys Vietnamese food and one who's at the fence. I ordered a noodle dish. I offered the possibility of a spring roller and two skewers or two spring rollers and a skewer, I ordered the two spring rollers and a skewer. My companion who enjoys Vietnamese cuisine wanted a noodle dish, but with tofu instead of meat. This caused a big problem. Our server said that this could not be done at all and recommended to stir vegetarian fry. My companion did not want a stirring foam and insisted on a noodle dish with tofu. Our server went to ask the kitchen and came back to say, okay, but we do it only for you and only once. Weird! My other companion ordered a chicken stall. Before the meals were delivered, a plate with two spring rolls appeared on it. When I explained that I thought I would get a noodle dish with two spring rolls in it, our server replied that she thought I would want to share it with my companions. When the food came, it tasted good, but the chicken fry was made with beef and my noodle dish was very sharp. Too sharp. I've been eating Vietnamese food for about 20 years and with the exception of a little chilli in the fish sauce I've never had such a sharp one. The food was brought to our table by a person I think. She came to say that in the future she did not prepare the noodle dish with tofu that she had made it special, but would not do it again. She then said that the vegetarian iron frit was exactly the same as the noodle dish, except as it was served. We didn't believe her! Sad, I will have to find another option for Vietnamese food in Kelowna. Too bad

Stopped in at our favorite Vietnamese Restaurant. We both had the Wor Wonton soup. Large bowl came fairly quickly after ordering. Came with 2 medium shrimp, 2 pieces of sliced pork, lots of different veggies and of course lots of loaded wonton. Was definitely full...after finishing the whole bowl. Came to $36.80 for 2 people all in. Reasonable price for what you get. All covid protocol was in place. Cheers Greg