Culinary fusion triumphs: deep fried pho wins big at Texas fair

This innovative dish, crafted by Michelle Le, captivated the taste buds of judges and fairgoers alike with its take on Vietnamese comfort food, blending southern American and Vietnamese flavors, according to the fair's website.

The Big Tex Choice Awards, held annually at the Texas State Fair since 2005, showcased 57 entries from 37 vendors this year.

Deep fried pho is served with sides of pho broth, hoisin sauce and sriracha. Photo courtesy of Instagram/statefairoftx

Deep Fried Pho infused pho's traditional ingredients, including noodles, beef, fresh herbs, and bean sprouts, into a delectable roll. These rolls are then fried in the Texan style to create a crispy exterior that complements the flavors within.

The dish is served alongside an array of accompaniments, including pho broth, lime, jalapeños, cilantro, hoisin sauce, and sriracha.

Deep fried pho triumphed over competitors like deep fried cheesy crab tater bites, loaded fries pizza, OX’cellent soul roll, and turkey ribs to win in the savory category.

Deep fried Vietnamese coffee is served with whipped cream and condensed milk, adding an extra layer of creaminess to this treat. Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas

In addition to deep fried pho, another Vietnamese delight gracing the fair is deep fried Vietnamese coffee, recognized at the Big Tex Choice Awards. This innovative treat blends coffee into cake, frying it and serving it with powdered sugar and condensed milk.

Attendees can enjoy this winning dish and other innovative creations during the fair, which runs from September 29 to October 22.