A Christmas Lunch in Dongguan: Pho and Festive Cheer with the Ricoh GR II

December 25, 2025

A Christmas Lunch in Dongguan: Pho and Festive Cheer with the Ricoh GR II

The chilly, overcast Christmas Day in downtown Dongguan made the warmth of DaLat&Pho, a Vietnamese restaurant, particularly inviting.

Inside the Restaurant:

Upon entering, we were seated at a warm, wooden table. The tiled floor was spacious, accommodating comfortably arranged tables and chairs. The rustic decor was complemented by wooden accents. Details like the simple paper cup and a spoon resting on a napkin bearing the "DaLat&Pho" logo set a convivial atmosphere.

Our meal began with a vibrant plate of stir-fried water spinach and a cool drink. The table soon filled with condiments—a bottle of chili pepper sauce, ketchup, and fish sauce—ready to enrich the flavors of our meal.

The main course was the classic beef soup Pho, generously served with tender meat slices, a lime wedge, red chili pepper, and fragrant basil. To provide a contrast to the richness of the Pho, we also ordered crispy fried chicken wings and a cup of coffee.

Outside and the Urban Scene:

Stepping outside after lunch, the city's holiday spirit was evident despite the grey afternoon, with Christmas decorations shining everywhere. I took several detailed shots of a beautifully adorned Christmas tree, complete with ornaments, a star topper, a festive reindeer, and a bright red bow.

Just outside the restaurant, a large umbrella strung with numerous lights cast a warm glow as the day transitioned to evening. The urban landscape was further highlighted by a striking piece of public art: a sculpture of a giant hand holding chopsticks, perfectly framed by three buildings, visually connecting our dining experience with Dongguan's urban scene.

Gears & Settings

Gears & Settings	Figures
Camera	Ricoh GR II
Lens	GR Lens 18.3mm F2.8
Creative Style	Standard
Date	25 December 2025
Location	Dongguan, Guangdong, China

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Photos

#: 1 | SS: 1/80s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A paper cup sitting on a table in the restaurant

#: 2 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.5 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A tiled floor with chairs and tables in the restaurant

#: 3 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.5 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A wooden table and wooden decoration in the restaurant

#: 4 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.2 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A bottle of chili pepper sauce sitting on a wooden tray

#: 5 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.2 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A tray with a bottle of ketchup, a bottle of chili pepper sauce, and a bottle of fish sauce

#: 6 | SS: 1/45s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.2 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A table with three bottles of different sauces on a tray

#: 7 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A plate of stir-fried water spinach with a drink on a table

#: 8 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.5 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A spoon on a napkin with the logo of the restaurant “DaLat&Pho”

#: 9 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.2 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A bowl of beef soup Pho with meat slice, lime, red chili pepper, and basil

#: 10 | SS: 1/30s | ISO: 400 | F: 2.8 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A plate of fried chicken wings and a cup of coffee

#: 11 | SS: 1/100s | ISO: 400 | F: 5.0 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A christmas tree with ornaments and decorations

#: 12 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 400 | F: 4.5 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A christmas tree with ornaments and decorations

#: 13 | SS: 1/125s | ISO: 400 | F: 5.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A christmas tree with a star on it

#: 14 | SS: 1/100s | ISO: 400 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A christmas tree with ornaments and decorations

#: 15 | SS: 1/100s | ISO: 400 | F: 5.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A christmas tree with a star and a star decoration

#: 16 | SS: 1/60s | ISO: 400 | F: 4.0 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A christmas tree with a reindeer and a red bow

#: 17 | SS: 1/40s | ISO: 400 | F: 3.2 | +/-: -0.3 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A large umbrella with lots of lights hanging from it

#: 18 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 400 | F: 5.6 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 35mm | Caption: A sculpture of a giant hand holding chopsticks with three tall buildings in the background