Pho: History, Types, How to Eat It, and the Best Spots in the US

Pho

Few dishes are as comforting as a steaming bowl of pho. This Vietnamese noodle soup combines a clear, deeply flavored broth with soft rice noodles, thin slices of beef or chicken, and a pile of fresh herbs. It’s breakfast in Hanoi, a late night meal in Saigon, and one of the most loved dishes in American cities from Seattle to Philadelphia.

This guide covers everything: what pho is, where it came from, the different styles, how to order and eat it like a regular, how to make it at home, and a long list of the best places to try it across the United States.

What Is Pho?

Pho (pronounced “fuh,” with a slight rising tone) is a Vietnamese soup made with:

• Broth: Usually beef bones or chicken simmered for hours with charred onion, ginger, and spices
• Noodles: Flat rice noodles called bánh phở
• Protein: Thin slices of beef, beef balls, tendon, tripe, or chicken
• Toppings: Scallions, onions, and cilantro
• Side plate: Bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime, chili peppers, and sometimes sawtooth herb

The broth is the heart of the dish. Good shops simmer bones for eight hours or more and season the stock with star anise, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, coriander seed, and fish sauce. The result is clear but rich, savory, and fragrant.

Quick Facts

A Short History of Pho

Born in the North

Pho first appeared in northern Vietnam, around Hanoi and Nam Định province, in the early 20th century. Historians believe it grew out of a mix of Vietnamese cooking, Chinese noodle traditions, and French influence. The French colonial period increased beef use in Vietnam, and some food writers link the name to the French dish pot au feu, though that theory is debated.

Early pho was sold by street vendors who carried kitchens on shoulder poles. Workers ate it for breakfast before long days in factories and fields.

Moving South

In 1954, after Vietnam was divided, about a million people moved from the North to the South. They brought pho with them. In Saigon, the dish changed. Cooks added more sweetness, bigger herb plates, bean sprouts, and sauces like hoisin and sriracha.

Arriving in America

After 1975, Vietnamese refugees resettled across the United States. Families opened small shops in places like Orange County, Houston, San Jose, Seattle, and Northern Virginia. Many of these restaurants, like Pho 79 in Garden Grove (1982) and Pho 75 in Arlington (1985), are still going strong. Today, pho is a mainstream American comfort food.

Northern vs Southern Pho

Most American restaurants serve southern style bowls, since many owners came from southern Vietnam. A growing number of shops, like Turtle Tower in San Francisco and Pho Street in Philadelphia, highlight northern flavors.

Common Types of Pho

Beef (Phở Bò)

The most popular kind. Menus often list numbered bowls with different cuts:

Chicken (Phở Gà)

A lighter broth made from whole chickens. It’s often served with shredded chicken and sometimes a ginger fish sauce for dipping.

Seafood and Vegetarian

Many shops offer shrimp, seafood, or tofu and vegetable versions. Vegan pho uses a broth of charred vegetables, mushrooms, and spices.

Other Styles

• Phở khô: “Dry” pho, with noodles and broth served separately
• Phở xào: Stir fried pho noodles
• Phở cuốn: Pho noodle sheets rolled around beef and herbs

How to Order and Eat Pho

Ordering

1. Pick your size. Small, large, or extra large. Large is plenty for most people.
2. Pick your meat. Try the đặc biệt if you want to sample everything, or rare steak and brisket for a classic bowl.
3. Ask about noodles. Some shops offer thick or thin noodles.
4. Add a drink. Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá) is a classic pairing.

Eating Like a Regular

1. Taste the broth first. Respect the cook’s work before adding anything.
2. Add herbs and sprouts. Tear the basil leaves and drop them in.
3. Squeeze in lime. A little brightens the broth.
4. Sauces go on the side. Many regulars put hoisin and sriracha in a small dish for dipping meat, so the broth stays pure.
5. Use both tools. Chopsticks in one hand, spoon in the other.
6. Slurp freely. Eating noodles quickly while they’re hot is normal.

Is Pho Healthy?

A bowl of beef pho often contains about 350 to 500 calories, depending on size and meat. It’s a good source of protein and contains herbs and vegetables. The main concern is sodium, since broth can be very salty. To make it lighter:

• Choose lean meats like rare steak or chicken
• Add extra sprouts and herbs
• Go easy on hoisin and sriracha
• Leave some broth in the bowl

How to Make Pho at Home

Ingredients for Beef Pho (6 servings)

• 4 to 5 pounds beef bones (knuckle and marrow)
• 1 pound beef brisket or chuck
• 2 onions and a 4 inch piece of ginger, charred
• 5 star anise, 1 cinnamon stick, 6 cloves, 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, 1 black cardamom pod
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon rock sugar, salt
• 1 pound dried flat rice noodles
• Thin sliced raw eye of round
• Herbs, sprouts, lime, and chilies for serving

Steps

1. Parboil the bones. Boil for 10 minutes, then drain and rinse to remove impurities.
2. Char the aromatics. Blacken onions and ginger over a flame or under the broiler.
3. Toast the spices. Toast them in a dry pan until fragrant, then tie them in a spice bag.
4. Simmer. Cover bones, brisket, and aromatics with water. Simmer gently for 6 to 8 hours. Remove the brisket when tender, after about 2 hours.
5. Season. Add fish sauce, rock sugar, and salt to taste near the end.
6. Cook noodles. Soak and boil according to the package.
7. Assemble. Place noodles, sliced brisket, and raw beef in bowls. Pour boiling broth over the top to cook the raw beef.
8. Serve. Add scallions, onions, cilantro, and the herb plate.

Shortcut: A pressure cooker can cut the simmering time to about 90 minutes.

The Best Pho Spots in the US

Below are 28 standout places to try pho across the country, grouped by region. Hours and locations change, so check each restaurant’s latest details before you go.

California

1. Pho 79, Garden Grove 9941 Hazard Ave, Garden Grove, CA. Opened in 1982 by Thọ and Liễu Trần, who came to the area as refugees. In 2019, the James Beard Foundation named it one of America’s Classics and credited it with helping Little Saigon become a hub of Vietnamese food. Order the đặc biệt.

2. Pho 45, Garden Grove A Little Saigon favorite that The Daily Meal ranked No. 1 on its list of America’s best pho shops. You can pick flat or thin noodles and choose from many meats, including filet mignon. The broth is light, clean, and rich.

3. Golden Deli, San Gabriel A San Gabriel Valley institution known for long lines, rich beef pho, and some of the best crispy egg rolls (chả giò) in Los Angeles County. Go early on weekends.

4. Turtle Tower, San Francisco Founded in 1999 in the Tenderloin by chef Steven Thang Pham. Known for clear, Hanoi style pho and steamed rice rolls. After pandemic closures, the family reopened in the Financial District in 2025 with a full bar and late hours, and announced plans for a Cow Hollow location on Fillmore Street.

5. Pho Ha Noi, San Jose A popular San Jose spot focused on northern Vietnamese pho, with a clean broth that showcases beef flavor. San Jose has one of the largest Vietnamese communities in the US, so it’s a great city for a pho crawl.

6. Pho Hoa, San Diego An old school favorite on El Cajon Boulevard in City Heights. Local food writers have praised it for decades for its no frills, classic bowls.

Pacific Northwest

7. Pho Bac Súp Shop, Seattle 1240 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA. Run by second generation owners Yenvy and Quynh Pham, whose family is credited with opening Seattle’s first pho shop in a boat shaped building nearby. Seattle Met named it its 2023 Restaurant of the Year. Expect excellent pho plus cocktails and snacks.

8. Pho Cyclo, Seattle Opened in 2003 by chef owner Taylor Hoang, with several locations around Seattle. Known for a fragrant, complex broth and many meat options.

9. Pho Oregon, Portland 2518 NE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR. Open since 2003, with more than 20 pho variations. Eater Portland has called it a “true Portland institution.” The đặc biệt is the signature bowl.

10. Phở Kim, Portland 2204 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR. A family run shop founded in 2013 by Kim Lam and chef Tony Tien. It stands out for house made rice noodles, a rarity in the US. Ask for “big noodles” when available.

Texas and Louisiana

11. Pho Danh, Houston A Houston favorite with several locations. The Daily Meal recommended the shop in the back of the Hong Kong City Mall on Bellaire Boulevard. Expect big bowls, fresh herbs, and a dark, rich broth. It’s always packed.

12. Tan Dinh, Gretna, Louisiana A family owned spot across the river from New Orleans, unchanged for more than 20 years. Try the flank and brisket with bean sprouts, mint, and jalapeños. The banh mi and other Vietnamese dishes are excellent, too.

Mid-Atlantic

13. Pho 75, Arlington, Virginia 1721 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA. Founded in 1985 by Le Thiep and Binh Ngo, both refugees. The name refers to 1975, the year Saigon fell. Pho 75 has several locations in Virginia, Maryland, and Philadelphia. The menu is short and focused on pho.

14. Eden Center, Falls Church, Virginia 6751 to 6799 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA. Not a single restaurant but a Vietnamese shopping center with more than 125 stores and over 30 restaurants. It’s one of the best places on the East Coast to try several bowls in one trip.

15. Pho 75, Philadelphia 1122 Washington Ave, Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia Magazine calls it the baseline for Philly pho. It’s casual and cash only, with call ahead pickup.

16. Vietnam Restaurant, Philadelphia 221 N 11th St, Chinatown, Philadelphia, PA. Family run since 1984, this James Beard Award winner offers about a dozen pho varieties and an upstairs bar.

17. Pho Ga Thanh Thanh, Philadelphia 1100 Washington Ave and 6201 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA. Known for chicken pho served with a dipping sauce. Expect a line.

18. Pho Street, Philadelphia 2104 Market St, plus locations in Springfield and Bryn Mawr. Focuses on northern Vietnamese street food, with 18 pho options, all under $14 according to Philadelphia Magazine.

New York

19. Hanoi House, New York City An East Village restaurant focused on northern Vietnamese food. Its beef pho has a clear, deeply savory broth in the Hanoi tradition.

20. Pho Bang, New York City A longtime Chinatown spot that still appears on 2026 lists of the city’s best pho. It’s simple, quick, and affordable.

Midwest

21. Hai Yen, Chicago 1055 W Argyle St, Chicago, IL. On Argyle Street, the heart of Chicago’s Vietnamese community. Its beefy broth with cinnamon and clove and its sawtooth herb plate have long won fans.

22. Tank Noodle (Phở Xe Tăng), Chicago 4953 N Broadway, Chicago, IL. A busy, high turnover spot where raw beef slices go on top and cook in the hot broth just before serving.

23. Quang Restaurant, Minneapolis Nicollet Avenue on Eat Street, Minneapolis, MN. A family run favorite with big bowls at fair prices.

24. Ngon Vietnamese Bistro, St. Paul University Avenue, St. Paul, MN. Uses locally sourced, sustainably raised ingredients. The beef pho is a highlight.

Mountain West

25. Pho 95, Denver 1002 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO. Federal Boulevard is Denver’s Vietnamese food corridor, and Pho 95 is one of its best known pho houses.

26. Pho Duy, Denver 945 S Federal Blvd, Denver, CO. Just down the street from Pho 95 and a local favorite for classic beef bowls.

Southeast, Northeast, and Hawaii

27. Pho Dai Loi #2, Atlanta area Buford Highway, the Atlanta area’s famous international food corridor. A long running, no frills spot for classic beef pho.

28. Pho To Chau, Honolulu Honolulu’s Chinatown. A small, old school shop known for lines out the door and a simple, focused menu.

Pho Destinations at a Glance

Tips for Finding Great Pho Anywhere

If you’re searching for a bowl close to home, our Pho Near Me guide can help you find local options. These tips also help you spot a great shop in any city.

1. Look for a short menu. Shops that focus mainly on pho often do it best.
2. Check the broth color. It should be clear, not cloudy or greasy.
3. Smell the spices. Star anise and charred ginger should come through.
4. Watch the crowd. Vietnamese families eating there is a good sign.
5. Go early. Some shops sell out of their best broth by afternoon.
6. Bring cash. Some old school shops are cash only.

Pho vs Other Vietnamese Soups

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you pronounce pho? It’s pronounced “fuh,” not “foe.”

What’s in the broth? Beef or chicken bones simmered for hours with charred onion, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and fish sauce.

What’s the best pho to order first? Try rare steak (tái) with brisket, or the house special (đặc biệt).

Where is the best pho in the US? Orange County’s Little Saigon is often called the top destination, with spots like Pho 79 and Pho 45. Seattle, San Jose, Houston, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia also have excellent options.

Is pho gluten free? Rice noodles are gluten free, but hoisin and some broths may contain gluten. Ask the restaurant if you have an allergy.

Final Thoughts

Pho began as a street food in northern Vietnam and became a global comfort food. Whether you love a clear Hanoi style broth or a southern bowl piled with herbs, there’s a great bowl waiting in nearly every major US city. Start with the classics on this list, then explore your local Vietnamese neighborhood to find your own favorite.

Key Takeaways

• Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with slow simmered broth, rice noodles, meat, and fresh herbs.
• It began in northern Vietnam in the early 1900s and spread south after 1954, then to the US after 1975.
• Northern style broth is clearer and less sweet, while southern style adds herbs, sprouts, and sauces.
• Taste the broth before adding sauces, and consider putting hoisin and sriracha on the side.
• Top US pho destinations include Orange County, San Jose, Houston, Seattle, Northern Virginia, and Philadelphia.
• Standout spots include Pho 79, Pho 45, Turtle Tower, Pho Bac Súp Shop, Pho Oregon, and Pho 75.
• Check hours bef