Eat This Now: Combination beef phở at Phở Tươi

A small combination phở at Phở Tươi // Photo by Kylie Volavongsa

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and silently praying for a bowl of phở to fix you. 

Here’s an extra certainty, at least in my book: Phở Tươi’s combination beef phở with fresh noodles will more than fix you. 

At $17 for a medium bowl—you can also order small or large—it comes with the works of sliced steak, beef flank, beef meatballs, brisket, fatty brisket, tendon, and tripe. 

Be not afraid of the tripe and tendon. The tripe is not at all gamey, and that ever-so-slight crunch gives you a nice change of pace in texture. Meanwhile, the tendon’s got collagen, which is great for the skin if you want to glow like a beautiful little baby. For the already initiated: the tendon at Tươi melts in your mouth and richly coats the palate. 

A small combination phở, post-Kyliefication // Photo by Kylie Volavongsa

I concede that the un-rendered fat along the edge of the fatty brisket comes with a bit of a chew, but the flavor still comes in spades. 

Yes, they are generous with the portions. And yes, if I were an influencer, I would be totally obsessed and beg you to run, don’t walk, to Gladstone for this iconic dish. 

Of course, these are elements you can get at any phở joint worth its salt. What truly stands out here are the fresh noodles for a 0.75 upcharge. Fully worth it, though. They’re a bit flatter and wider than what you’d find in most other Kansas City spots, and house-made with a glossy, springy bite that makes this fact abundantly clear. The noodles aren’t just a vehicle for everything else in the mix. They’ve got a subtle rice flavor that is enjoyable in its own respect. 

My protocol for dressing the bowl is relatively simple, especially for Phở Tươi’s milder, less-sweet, more-savory broth: a squeeze of lime, a pile of bean sprouts and cilantro, and a dollop of the chili oil. If the fat from the brisket starts to taste like it’s launching a coup, hit it with the holy basil later. 

After it’s all said and done, kill your post-meal fatigue with Vietnamese coffee rocket fuel—and be fixed. 

Phở Tươi is located at 6559 N Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118.