Monsoon Noodle House: Spartanburg, SC

The Monsoon Noodle House in Spartanburg burnt down right before I moved to this wonderful state. It is finally OPEN for business again. When I asked about the re-opening, no one really seemed to know anything about it, "I think we have been open a week or three" was the most common answer. I cannot compare the new design to what the old restaurant used to look like or how the food is (although I am going to assume the food is very similar if not the same) to the old restaurant, but I can say that the decor and layout of this place is wonderful. It is very clean and open with a vibe that encourages conversation with the two strangers sitting across from you.

Ever since I left Minnesota last May and my old office right down the street from the best Pho restaurant I have ever stepped foot into, I have been a little scared to try it in the south. That doesn't mean I haven't been craving it almost every single week. Not only that, not a single noodle or Vietnamese restaurant is convenient to anything in Greenville. They are all north of the city in an area that I am rarely ever seen.


With that said, I ordered the #1 Noodle Bowl, Pho Vietnamese Noodle Soup with beef for $7.35. Typical Pho is served up in some super rich beef broth with not too much in it to start with. This is one of the great things about Pho if you have never experienced it for yourself (every bowl is made to your liking by YOU). Along with a massive portion of "soup" larger than your head, you get a side plate with all the fixings. You then get to doctor it up to your liking. I have to say, the only negative thing about Monsoon Noodle House was the side plate of garnishing. It was missing the Cilantro as the Pho itself already was served with two or three leaves in it (clearly not enough) already and no fresh jalapeno slices. The Basil was not the freshest and had started to wilt and go bad the day prior and only one tiny lime wedge. Other than this little issue I got nothing else bad to say about this place.

The Pho itself was freaking fantastic (after adding tons of hot chili sauce and a few dashes of hoisin), the huge portion of beef that was served with it was the most tender beef I have ever encountered in this type of dish. I actually felt bad watching the petite waitress trying to carry this massive sized bowl with the side plate and all the condiments that come along with it, but she managed to get it delivered in one piece. People actually turned their heads to see this thing get delivered and one man commented to the waitress if she needed help with that.

The "M" below I thought was supper cool. This is the engraving of all the new chairs in the place. Not one single thing was sacrificed or a single corner cut in the new opening of this place, including the portion sizes and quality of food. Prices are below what "normal" should be which just makes this place an even bigger draw for me and the hundred or so people that were piling through the door.

Bottom Line:  This place is a true gem, but you don't need me to tell you that as I am just one among the thousands of people who love this place. The food is kept very simple, yet the quality and intense flavors are not left behind. You could tell that the staff was still in that "chaotic, new restaurant" stage, but it wasn't bad as things seemed to run fairly smooth (just one manager politely telling staff what to do when doing nothing) . I just wish that they had more marketing to get the word out that they are once again open for business after being closed for nearly a year. I honestly didn't even know they were open again and I cannot find anything on the interweb stating this. I just happened to be walking past by mistake after losing out on my parking spot to a cop on Main Street.