A few weeks ago, right before Labor Day, I came down with what, in retrospect, I believe was an early case of the flu.

You know how having a touch of something–whether a cold, flu, grippe, or whatever you want to call it–makes you feel. Sore, draggy, headache-y, generally crappy.

And when I feel that achy-breaky feeling, the first thing I want and crave is hot soup.

The Vietnamese have a wonderful way with all things warm and broth-y. So that particular Saturday, Spencer and I headed uptown to the long-running Seattle restaurant, Bambuza Vietnamese Bistro.

This place really rocks on the weekdays, drawing nearby office workers who need their Asian dining fix. Weekends things are much more quiet; there is never a wait for a table and you get lots of attention from the cute young male server.

Vegetarian Pho courtesy of Bambuza Vietnamese Bistro

Here’s the dish that saved my soul that achy Saturday afternoon–Vegetarian Pho–and a half-eaten Chicken Salad Roll with Peanut Dipping Sauce along with a pot of steaming jasmine tea.

And here is the dish that Spencer always orders–Catfish Claypot–redolent with garlic, chiles, and just the right touch of sweetness. With an order of healthful brown rice, we were both good to go.