By Shelley Winger
When Hari Thapa and his wife visited Redwater to celebrate their anniversary in 2024, they
weren’t planning to open a restaurant. But the quiet, peaceful town left an impression on them,
and eventually became the place where they would begin a new chapter for their family.
Thapa first came to Canada in the spring of 2020, leaving his young family in Nepal while he
worked to build a new life for them. With time and hard work, he was able to bring his wife and
young daughter to join him.
Now, the family is putting down roots in Redwater through The Pho & Noodle House, which
opened its doors on June 16, 2026.
“We felt an instant connection to the area,” Thapa said of the couple’s first visit to Redwater.
“The town was quiet, peaceful and very pretty.”
The idea for the restaurant grew from what the couple saw as a gap in local dining options.
“When we came here, we didn’t notice much variation of food choices,” Thapa said. “The first
thing that came to mind for us was pho.”
The Vietnamese soup, made with warm broth and noodles, was something the couple thought
would be especially welcome during Alberta’s cold winter months.
They hoped to offer people in Redwater and surrounding communities the same warmth and
comfort the dish brought them.
The restaurant’s menu, however, extends well beyond pho and noodles.
“We are so much more than just Pho and Noodles,” Thapa said.
The restaurant offers breakfast all day, Vietnamese dishes, fried rice, appetizers and a range of
Western options. A seniors section is also available, with full-size portions offered as well.
The restaurant also takes a hands-on approach to preparing its food. Thapa said several sauces
are made in-house from scratch, including peanut sauce, chili crunch oil, tartar sauce, ranch,
southwest sauce and tzatziki. Dishes are prepared to order, and the restaurant also batters its own
fish and grinds its own coffee.
The family continues to update its menu and connect with customers through social media.
Thapa said the community has been welcoming, and the response to the restaurant’s Facebook
page has been encouraging.
Looking ahead, the family hopes to build lasting relationships with customers by offering good
food, friendly service and a welcoming dining experience. They welcome suggestions and
feedback as they continue serving Redwater.
Residents can watch their mailboxes for takeout menus and follow The Pho & Noodle House on
Facebook for daily updates and special offers.