Keto at a Vietnamese Restaurant

It takes some care, because the starch is central to the menu. Pho without the noodles is a big bowl of rich broth, beef and herbs, and many shops will make it that way if you ask. Grilled meats and herb salads work too. Watch for sugar in marinades and the dipping sauces.

Pho with no noodles and extra bean sprouts and herbs, grilled lemongrass meats on salad, shaking beef without rice, and fresh herbs and lime.

Rice noodles, banh mi, broken rice, fried egg rolls, hoisin and Vietnamese iced coffee. Hidden carbs to watch for: rock sugar in pho broth (a small amount per bowl); sugar in nuoc cham dipping sauce and lemongrass marinades; caramel sauce in clay-pot fish and pork (kho dishes); rice paper wrappers on fresh spring rolls.

Try: “Could I have the pho with no noodles and extra vegetables?” Keep requests short and friendly; kitchens handle substitutions all the time.

Vietnamese iced coffee is made with sweetened condensed milk. Ask for black iced coffee with cream instead.