Pho8 opens in former Hog’s Breath site with karaoke, Asian fusion menu
A new restaurant in the Cairns CBD has transformed the former Hog’s Breath site into an immersive Asian dining experience, complete with two karaoke machines and chess on Sunday mornings. Check it out:
Pho8 is the newest restaurant on the block in the Cairns CBD, offering an immersive Asian dining experience complete with two karaoke machines and chess on Sunday mornings.
Located at 39 Shields St, the location of the former Hog’s Breath Cafe, owner Jay Le said he wanted to bring an “authentic” Asian dining experience to the Cairns CBD.
The space is decorated to mimic an Asian street or night market, with a tailor shop, grocery store, a library, lanterns and neon lights.
As well as the two karaoke machines available, there is a 30-seat VIP area for functions, and it is BYO.
“We want to produce memories of Asia, for both the Asian community and those that have been to Asia,” Mr Le said, whose business partner is head chef John Nguyen.
Their menu has Vietnamese, Chinese, Malay and Thai influences, featuring eight types of pho, banh mi and classic noodle dishes.
Signature dishes, which will change seasonally, include twice-cooked beef ribs and crispy barramundi, and a Chinese barbecue section features their speciality Peking duck, crispy pork belly and honey BBQ pork offerings.
A banquet dining option lets patrons hand-pick favourite dishes to share, with portions tailored to party sizes, and Mr Le said they would soon introduce a Thai barbecue buffet option on weekends.
On Sunday mornings from 8am, Mr Le said all are welcome for Vietnamese tea, coffee and chess.
“We want it to be a place where everyone can come and chat. We want to bring all the cultures together,” he said.
Mr Le said the restaurant’s name had a double meaning – pho is a key dish on their menu and eight is a lucky number in Vietnam and China.
“Eight” also means “tam” in Vietnamese, and the phrase “pho tam” means a place to gather and talk, Mr Le said, symbolising the type of space he hoped to create.
Pho8 is open seven days a week, from 10am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, and 10am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, Vietnamese tea, coffee and chess is available from 8am, with regular trading from 11am to 9pm.
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Originally published as Pho8 opens in former Hog’s Breath site with karaoke, Asian fusion menu
