Home Campus Life Food Review: Absolutely Phobulous

Food Review: Absolutely Phobulous


Absolutely Phobulous is a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant located in Tarzana, California. The restaurant is nestled between other businesses along Ventura Boulevard.

Known for the traditional Vietnamese soup, Pho, it is not difficult to notice the play on words in the restaurant’s name.

The inside of the restaurant gave an intimate feeling, as there were about 10 tables for customers to sit. The deep green colors of the walls were decorated with pictures of Vietnamese women in their traditional clothing.

Upon entrance, the greeting was warm and service was immediate.

The menu complimented the color for the restaurant with a green and red color scheme and listed a variety of options to choose from.  Whether someone has a vegetarian diet or they eat meat, the menu offered something for everybody.

Menu items included appetizers such as sesame chicken wings and chicken sticks. The assorted rolls offered on the menu were spring rolls, imperial egg rolls, and summer rolls.

Additionally, there were salad options like green papaya, Buddha’s chicken, and firecracker beef, along with rice dishes. House specials on the menu were chicken curry, Vietnamese crepe, and a baguette sandwich.

Dry noodle dishes were listed on the menu, and different types of Pho such as beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian were available.

The best part about the menu was the prices. Everything on the menu was under $10. Plus, the portions were generous. The ability to dine in a restaurant and not have to worry about a budget can be a big relief to customers.

I ordered the Seafood Pho, sesame chicken wings, and a chai iced tea. I spent a little over $15 for a complete meal that left me full and I couldn’t finish my food.

The first thing I ordered was the chai iced tea. It was served in a tall glass and had an orange color to the drink since it was a mixture of milk with chai tea. It had a sweet taste that

The appetizer, sesame chicken wings, gave a different taste and presentation as most customers would consider for classic chicken wings. The wings were garnished with sesame seeds and had a tangy taste.

The seafood Pho was a soup filled with crab, scallops, and shrimp. The vegetables in the soup gave it a delicious and distinct flavor. The soup was in a bowl big enough for two people to share.

Mai Kohout, owner of the restaurant, said her family owns three restaurants named Absolutely Phobulous in Tarzana, Encino and West Hollywood.

Kohout also said how Pho has gained popularity throughout years since the very first Vietnamese restaurant opened up in the Reseda area approximately 30 years ago. Now Pho is familiar to people in the area and it is healthy to eat.

The address of Absolutely Phobulous is 18612 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, California and they are open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.