15 Best Pho Restaurants That Belong on Your Bucket List

Updated: 08 Sep 2023

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From New York to Los Angeles, pho restaurants are popping up across the country.

This Vietnamese noodle soup is becoming super popular. The tasty broth, rice noodles, and meat have people hooked.

You can find pho shops everywhere, from small towns to big cities. Some stick to traditional recipes from Vietnam. Others add their own creative twist.

We picked 15 pho restaurants you need to try. From old-fashioned shops started by Vietnamese families to fancy places with famous chefs, these spots cook up amazing pho.

Their soups overflow with soft noodles in yummy broth and high-quality beef, chicken, or tofu.

Keep reading to learn about the best comfort food out there – pho! Our guide takes you coast to coast to find bowls full of flavor that’ll warm you up.

The Origins of Pho

Pho had a long history in Vietnam before becoming popular worldwide. This tasty noodle soup likely started in Northern Vietnam in the early 1900s.

At this time, France ruled Vietnam, and many Chinese people moved there too. Pho probably came from French beef stew recipes and Chinese rice noodle soups.

The name pho comes from the French word feu,” which means fire. This refers to the fires used to cook the soup. Pho sellers started serving the dish on the streets of Hanoi, then Southern Vietnam.

After the Vietnam War in the 1970s, many Vietnamese refugees moved abroad. They brought pho with them, introducing it to America. As more people tried this yummy soup, pho became a huge hit across the US.

While pho keeps changing as people add their own spins, it originally came from Vietnam. Knowing its history helps you appreciate how pho became such a popular comfort food!

15 Best Pho Restaurants

Pho is a famous Vietnamese noodle soup. It has a tasty broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat. At its core, pho fills you up and makes you feel cozy. We picked 15 pho restaurants that make outstanding bowls, from keeping it classic to adding fun new twists.

Get ready to find amazing pho places as we list the very best from all over America!

1. Pho Bac – Seattle, WA

This casual, no-fancy-stuff spot in Seattle serves up amazing pho.

Their bowls have lots of hot broth with soft noodles. Try the pho tai with beef – it’s the go-to order. Their garlic wings and rolls are also super tasty.

2. Pho Cali – Los Angeles, CA

This top LA pho shop brings the tastes of Vietnam to trendy Silver Lake. People love their chicken pho made with organic poultry and flavorful broth. Don’t leave without trying Vietnamese coffee.

3. What the Pho – Austin, TX

Texans lineup at this popular Austin food truck for their awesome noodle soups. The pho with beef balls is the best post-party snack. Get there early before they sell out!

4. Pho Shizzle – Miami, FL

Miami’s pho gets an upgrade at Pho Shizzle. Chef Michelle mixes Vietnamese and Latin flavors. Try her special Caribe pho with pork and plantains for a tropical vibe.

5. Pho-nomenal – Chicago, IL

This Chicago pho legend serves amazing soups in the Avondale area. Their combo pho with lots of meat is sure to warm you up on freezing Windy City days.

6. Pho King – New York, NY

Don’t be fooled by the cheeky name – this Hell’s Kitchen gem is pho royalty.

Their broth simmers for 24 hours and comes topped with fresh, never frozen meats. The Pho King Special brings the beefy trifecta of flank, brisket, and meatballs.

7. Oh My Pho – Kansas City, MO

Midwest pho excellence is served at family-owned Oh My Pho. Their signature combination of pho adds brisket, meatballs, and tendon for textures galore. Make sure to try their Vietnamese iced coffee drizzled with condensed milk.

8. Real Pho King Deal – Nashville, TN

Music City’s best pho comes from this ultra-traditional joint serving stellar soups. The pho tai nam, or well-done flank steak pho, is the move for beef lovers. An ultra-savory vegan broth makes their vegetarian pho a top choice too.

9. Pho Ever – Portland, OR

Portland’s pho game is on point at this Alberta Arts hotspot. Their pho ga hits the spot with perfect rice noodles and antibiotic-free chicken. Order it with a local craft beer for the perfect Portland pairing.

10. Pho Bulous – Denver, CO

Near Denver’s Cherry Creek, Pho Bulous serves creative pho dishes. Try their French dip-inspired pho or chicken pho-ritto wrapped in a tortilla. Their fun recipes match Colorado’s adventurous spirit.

11. One Pho All – Boston, MA

Go to Boston’s Chinatown and grab a table at One Pho All’s cozy shop. Try their pho dac biet packed with assorted beef cuts or the pho ga with chicken.

Don’t overlook their imperial rolls with jumbo shrimp and pork.

12. Pho King Great – Philadelphia, PA

In Philadelphia’s Washington Square area, pho lovers line up for Pho King Great’s soups. Their signature French Dip Pho with smoky brisket and jalapenos is killer. Bring cash and patience for these amazing bowls!

13. Pho Sure – Las Vegas, NV

On the Las Vegas Strip, Pho Sure serves pho 24/7. Their filet mignon pho is a tasty upgrade from typical Vegas noodle fare. Cool off afterward with their bubble tea!

14. Pho Real – San Francisco, CA

San Francisco’s lively Mission District has Pho Real beside cool ice cream shops. Try their combo pho loaded with meat or customize your own bowl.

15. Pho Viet – Houston, TX

Houston’s top pho is at Pho Viet in Chinatown.

Their well-done flank steak pho and complex seafood veggie pho are standouts.

Popular Main Dishes

Pho

The famous Vietnamese noodle soup. It has rice noodles, beef or chicken broth, herbs, and meat like steak, meatballs, etc.

Bun

Vermicelli noodles served with lettuce, herbs, grilled beef or shrimp, and nuoc cham dressing.

Com Tam

Broken rice topped with grilled, fried, or sauteed meat and veggies.

Banh mi

Vietnamese sandwiches on crunchy baguette bread with meat, veggies, cilantro, and spicy mayo.

Goi cuon

Fresh spring rolls wrapped with shrimp, pork, noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce.

Cha gio

Crispy fried spring rolls stuffed with pork, mushrooms, and glass noodles.

Banh xeo

A tasty Vietnamese pancake with pork, shrimp, beansprouts, and herbs inside.

Banh canh

Thick chewy noodles in broth with chicken, pork, or seafood.

Banh khot

Tiny crispy pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, and wood ear mushrooms.

Bo luc lac

Cubed filet mignon beef wok-cooked with onions and tomatoes.

Final Thoughts

We picked 15 amazing pho restaurants from all over America. These top spots for tasty Vietnamese noodle soup stand out from coast to coast.

Their commitment to making the perfect broth, using fresh ingredients, and respecting tradition makes them worth a visit. Whether you want traditional pho or creative new styles, these restaurants deliver outstanding soup.

Now that you know about the country’s best pho, you can find new favorites near you. Pull up a chair at one of these pho pros, dig into tender noodles and flavorful broth, and see why pho is magic in a bowl!

From classic mom-and-pop shops to chefs with a modern twist, these 15 restaurants let you enjoy Vietnam’s famous comfort food.

FAQs

What does pho mean in a restaurant?

In restaurants, pho is Vietnam’s popular noodle soup with rice noodles, meat, and tasty broth. It started in the 1900s and is Vietnam’s national dish.

Why is it called pho?

The name pho probably comes from the French word “feu” meaning fire. This refers to the fires used to cook the broth. Or it could be related to the Chinese word for rice noodles, “fen.” Pho first appeared in the 1930s in Northern Vietnam.

Which country is Pho from?

Vietnam created pho in the early 1900s.

Noodle soup is one of Vietnam’s national dishes. It combined French and Chinese cooking styles found in Vietnam at the time.

Why is pho famous?

Pho is famous for its yummy flavors, low cost, and comforting qualities. It mixes Vietnam’s noodle history with French colonial ties and Vietnamese herbs. Its popularity boomed in the 1950s in Vietnam, then worldwide.

Is pho Chinese or Japanese?

Pho is from Vietnam, though it relates a bit to China. Some think pho is an adaptation of Chinese noodle soups. But pho also has French influences. So while ramen is Japanese, pho is fully Vietnamese.

Why is pho so tasty?

Pho tastes amazing thanks to its flavorful broth, fresh ingredients, herbs, noodles, and textures. Long cooking makes a rich broth. It has chewy noodles, savory meat, bright herbs, spicy chili, crunchy sprouts, and zesty lime.

Are pho noodles healthy?

Pho noodles are a healthy base of rice noodles with some protein, iron, and a few carbs or fat. But high sodium broth, fatty meats, and fried sides can make it less healthy. Stick to lean meat and veggies for balance.

Why does pho smell?

Pho’s nice smell comes from simmering bones in a fragrant broth and using herbs, spices, onions, and ginger. Fresh basil, cilantro, lime, and sprouts also make it smell bright.

Is ramen or pho better?

Pho and ramen are both tasty noodle soups from different cultures.

Vietnamese flavors season pho.

Ramen has Japanese flavors. Which you prefer depends on personal taste – both are comforting!

Is pho considered junk food?

Not really, since pho has some healthy aspects like noodles, protein, veggies, and broth. Choosing lots of veggies, lean meat, and less salt can keep it balanced. It’s healthier than soups with MSG. So pho can be pretty wholesome!