Enjoy Seoul

The best pho I have in Bay Area for now, especially for the chicken one. The chicken is tender and the broth is so good. Staff here are all nice and friendly

Typically, when reviewing pho, I begin with the soup. However, their beef is receiving the majority of the praise—juicy, tender, and exceptionally flavorful. Unlike other pho restaurants, they do not excessively add MSG; in fact, I suspect they do not use any MSG at all. This pho is highly authentic and enjoyable, and I intend to return.

Craving Pho (warm, soupy comfort) we ended up at Pho Ha Noi Elite owing to the long waiting time (at Pho Ha Noi) at the original location and our growing hunger pangs. Parking was not a tough one to crack though there could be waiting at times to get hold of a slot. The restaurant was quite busy and full upon our arrival, but we were promptly seated in the high stool/chair area next to the wall on the left-hand side as you enter. Despite the crowd, the seating arrangement worked fine, though it may not be the most comfortable spot for an extended meal. One key thing to note is that Pho Ha Noi Elite does not carry vegetarian or halal options, which limited our choices. I opted for the Garlic Tamarind Prawns, a flavorful dish with a perfect balance of tangy tamarind and the savory kick of garlic. The prawns were cooked just right, tender and bursting with flavor, making it a delightful choice. Others in the group ordered the Pho Suon Bo (Beef Short Rib Pho) and Egg Rolls. The Pho Suon Bo was the highlight of their meals, with a deeply rich and aromatic broth that paired beautifully with the tender short ribs. The egg rolls were crispy and well-seasoned, offering a satisfying crunch that complemented the other dishes as i was told. While the ambiance was bustling and vibrant, it did mean that service was a bit slower than we'd have liked. However, the food made up for the minor delays. Overall, if you're in the mood for authentic, hearty pho and are okay with the limited dietary accommodations, this is worth a visit. -- Another day another visit: We had a wonderful late-night experience at Pho Ha Noi San Jose. The hosts were incredibly warm and welcoming from the moment we walked in. Even though we arrived just 30–45 minutes before closing, they never made us feel rushed and treated us with the same attentiveness as if it were peak hours. We ordered the oxtail pho, the beef short rib pho, and the rice & shrimp plate with rice substituted for veggies. Everything was served to perfection. The flavors were rich, comforting, and exactly what we hoped for. Parking was also very easy to find, which was a bonus given how late it was. The food here is consistently amazing, and this visit was no exception. Loved every bit of it. Highly recommended!

+6

Great Vietnamese food and they have different special combo offered at very attractive price at various period. The pho broth is tasty and the chicken wing is crispy and juicy. The BBQ chicken with tomato rice is unique with specially prepared rice and nicely marinated BBQ chicken. Always a delight to come back.

Pho Ha Noi is one of the most popular pho places in San Jose. Most seats were taken when we came. The place was also huge compared to other pho places. I also like the customer service here. They were nice, polite, and gave us everything we asked for quickly. * Pho Tai Bo Vien (Pho with rare meat and meatballs) 5/5 - I liked the pho here. The broth was healing for the soul. Flavorful, savory, with a hint of sweetness. I asked for clear broth, so it was not fatty. The meat was very tender and had good flavor. * Bo Ne (Vietnamese Sizzling Steak) 5/5 - The steak was delicious and tender. The sunny side up egg was yummy. It also came with bread and fries (the fries were very crispy but kind of salty and oily). You can dip the bread into the tasty sauce this dish came with. * Ube Smoothie (Sinh Tố Khoai Tím) 5/5 - This was a great drink, smooth and sweet with a noticeable ube flavor.

We came on a weekday late afternoon. There was no wait to be seated. Service was quick and food came out pretty fast too. The hu tieu and pho were very tasty. We enjoyed them both. We ordered off the weekday special menu definitely worth it for the price and still left feeling well fed but not like you over ate. Be aware of parking tho. Our vehicle window got smashed into so be sure not to leave anything valuable in your vehicle.

Spicey Hue Noodle w/ 20oz Beef Short Rib was amazong the right amount of spiceyness the broth is rich and flavorful! Springs Rolls im obsessed with, you can never go wrong with a simple yet flavorful appetizer. My friend got the Combination Beef Pho and he seemed to really enjoy it he said it was perfect especially after a long day of work.

Food was tasty and great quality. You get seated and served fast. The food was fresh and the place was clean. Honestly the best pho I have tried here in the bay area. The atmosphere is quiet. The placed smell good too. I got the combo and the meats were very tender and tasty high quality. Best pho ever!

Unbelievably good pho, especially their P17: 1 lb Bone-in Short Rib Pho which has the softest meat that falls right off the bone. They also have some delicious milkshakes and a lot of great options. Located in Little Saigon, they also have plenty of great options for appetizers and entrees with both indoor and outdoor dining. Note that it gets quite busy during the evenings starting at 6 PM.

Went at opening (5pm) and no lines but it sure got filled up 20 minutes later. Pho broth was great but the meat is even better. A must for Pho lovers if visiting San Jose. Restaurant and bathroom is clean and I recommend this place.

I went with my brother and his partner during a busy dinner rush and the service and food quality make it understandable why they are so popular the staff was genuinely sweet, well mannered and swift moving. They were also very attentive to making sure we were well tended to despite having a full floor which is hard to find these days I definitely recommend going here but I am warning the portions are a lot larger than you think and it is very filling for a very reasonable price considering the quality and the genuine tastiness of the food I will definitely be coming back here.

I’ve been to soo many pho places & nobody beats theirs! No matter what time of day, it’s always a good choice to come here. I’ve had the regular pho, short rib, oxtail pho, a special seafood pho, they’re all delicious!

I’ll tell you what if you’re looking for service ask for Danny probably the best customer service and waiting I’ve ever seen. He belongs in a five star restaurant on the fanciest cruise ship on the planet. I hope they give that kid a raise. And the food is out of this world. Like layers of heaven, it falls one step under godly!!!! But Danny boy Topped it all off!!!!!!!

Amazing Phở Hà Nội restaurant and nice n quick service! The ingredients tasted so fresh. A big shoutout to Khải for being so nice and making sure we had everything we needed. Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a great meal and a friendly vibe

Can’t Stop Coming Back! >< This is hands down the best pho you can get. The broth has that authentic taste—rich, flavorful, and clean, with none of those off flavors you sometimes get elsewhere. Honestly, sometimes I don’t even know exactly what I’m ordering because I already know whatever I pick will be good! I never leave without finishing my bowl completely. My friends, and family love it here. Getting in during night times are usually challenging with wait time. However, it’s all worth it! :) If this place ever had a pho challenge, I’d probably call in sick to work just to indulge!

One of the best pho places, got the pho dac biet, and it comes with lots of combinations of meat and the soup is not too fatty and is very savory. The service was great didn’t have to wait too long in line, and the servers were very attentive to everyone, like when you’re ready to order or need something; like water, etc.

Pho so delicious, I would say best pho I ever had! (Must try the whole rib one, no spicy, flat noodle) Deep fried sticky rice is also good. Arrive early or it will be a long queue

Skyler B

Spicey Hue Noodle w/ 20oz Beef Short Rib was amazong the right amount of spiceyness the broth is rich and flavorful! Springs Rolls im obsessed with, you can never go wrong with a simple yet flavorful appetizer. My friend got the Combination Beef Pho and he seemed to really enjoy it he said it was perfect especially after a long day of work.

Eduardo Vega

Food was tasty and great quality. You get seated and served fast. The food was fresh and the place was clean. Honestly the best pho I have tried here in the bay area. The atmosphere is quiet. The placed smell good too. I got the combo and the meats were very tender and tasty high quality. Best pho ever!

James Wang

Unbelievably good pho, especially their P17: 1 lb Bone-in Short Rib Pho which has the softest meat that falls right off the bone. They also have some delicious milkshakes and a lot of great options. Located in Little Saigon, they also have plenty of great options for appetizers and entrees with both indoor and outdoor dining. Note that it gets quite busy during the evenings starting at 6 PM.

David Olais

Went at opening (5pm) and no lines but it sure got filled up 20 minutes later. Pho broth was great but the meat is even better. A must for Pho lovers if visiting San Jose. Restaurant and bathroom is clean and I recommend this place.

Michelle Greenfield

I went with my brother and his partner during a busy dinner rush and the service and food quality make it understandable why they are so popular the staff was genuinely sweet, well mannered and swift moving. They were also very attentive to making sure we were well tended to despite having a full floor which is hard to find these days I definitely recommend going here but I am warning the portions are a lot larger than you think and it is very filling for a very reasonable price considering the quality and the genuine tastiness of the food I will definitely be coming back here.

Gabby Gonzalez

I’ve been to soo many pho places & nobody beats theirs! No matter what time of day, it’s always a good choice to come here. I’ve had the regular pho, short rib, oxtail pho, a special seafood pho, they’re all delicious!

Rose Lama

Can’t Stop Coming Back! >< This is hands down the best pho you can get. The broth has that authentic taste—rich, flavorful, and clean, with none of those off flavors you sometimes get elsewhere. Honestly, sometimes I don’t even know exactly what I’m ordering because I already know whatever I pick will be good! I never leave without finishing my bowl completely. My friends, and family love it here. Getting in during night times are usually challenging with wait time. However, it’s all worth it! :) If this place ever had a pho challenge, I’d probably call in sick to work just to indulge!

Queenie Nguyen

Amazing Phở Hà Nội restaurant and nice n quick service! The ingredients tasted so fresh. A big shoutout to Khải for being so nice and making sure we had everything we needed. Highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a great meal and a friendly vibe

Sunny Kim

One of the best pho places, got the pho dac biet, and it comes with lots of combinations of meat and the soup is not too fatty and is very savory. The service was great didn’t have to wait too long in line, and the servers were very attentive to everyone, like when you’re ready to order or need something; like water, etc.

Hawkins Huigr

Pho so delicious, I would say best pho I ever had! (Must try the whole rib one, no spicy, flat noodle) Deep fried sticky rice is also good. Arrive early or it will be a long queue

Matthew So

Great Vietnamese food and they have different special combo offered at very attractive price at various period. The pho broth is tasty and the chicken wing is crispy and juicy. The BBQ chicken with tomato rice is unique with specially prepared rice and nicely marinated BBQ chicken. Always a delight to come back.

Eugene Feng

Typically, when reviewing pho, I begin with the soup. However, their beef is receiving the majority of the praise—juicy, tender, and exceptionally flavorful. Unlike other pho restaurants, they do not excessively add MSG; in fact, I suspect they do not use any MSG at all. This pho is highly authentic and enjoyable, and I intend to return.

So many choices and places for pho when you are down in San Jose and especially at "Vietnam Town" on Story Road. But Pho Ha Noi is one of my favorites. They have a Beef Rib pho here that many of the other places do not have. Big chunks of beef on top of of steaming bowl of noodles. The meat is soft and tender. No sauce is needed on it. Great price of 14.95. I also live there eggs rolls. Freshly made and crunchy! You can order online for pickup through their website. If you want to to sit down and eat outdoors, expect a wait. Service can be a bit slow due to alot of customers trying to eat there. Staff wearing masks. Plenty of parking, you may need to walk a little bit further on weekends.

+3

This is a great place to have delicious Vietnamese food, especially for large groups of 10. The one thing I wanted to try was their beef rib pho also known as number 17, but there is a spicy version number 29. The kids enjoyed the rice plates such as the beef ribs and grilled pork chops. The one thing I did not expect was their hot tea was served like a Starbucks cup. I was hoping to have a teapot with actual tea leaves inside. Their drink menu was also as good with Boba Thai iced tea and coconut drink with slices of coconut.

This Vietnamese restaurant is their original one in Little Saigon in San Jose (they have later opened up multiple locations in Cupertino, Palo Alto and Milpitas). We sat outside in the veranda this time on a warm summer day and it almost felt like we were in Vietnam, surrounded by the Vietnamese architecture of the strip mall. The inside decor was very nice as well. We ordered the pho with the beef rib, shaken beef with rice (recommended by our waiter), and a chicken pho. We were glad that we chose fresh rice noodles (the other option is the dry pho noodles commonly found in Asian grocery stores), but the highlight of the meal was the shaken beef. It was so tender and flavorful, and the rice was delicious, too, with a very pretty pink/reddish color that was cooked with tomato sauce. The beef rib that came with the pho was huge, and dipping the rib meat or chicken breast in the bicolor dipping sauce (probably hoisin sauce and extra spicy chili sauce) really elevated the flavor. Overall the food was all very tasty and the service was good. We would want to come back and try the roast chicken with crispy sticky rice and some other pho dishes next time.

Vast menu items to choose from so you may need more time for the first visit. I did find the small bowl is just enough. I found the pho with the right balance between noodles and meat. Will have to come back to try other things. Beware that there will be long line during peak hours so I suggest eating early!

+2

We got here around 1pm on a Saturday and the wait was about 30-40 minutes. The line of people in front of us was huge but I do think they operate very efficiently. Make sure you walk up to the tablet and add your name onto the list. Service overall wasn't unfriendly but rushed which ich understandable given how busy they are. The pho was good, not the best I had but was very flavorful.

Whoa! This place of really popular. If you don’t get here at the right time, you may have to wait a bit. Good news is they have both inside and outside seating. Basic pho style format: waitress takes your order, a runner brings you food, and you pay up at the counter when you’re done. The basic pho zines with was to many green onions but otherwise the noodles were the right texture and the soup tasted really good. Could’ve had a bit more meat. The beef stew pho was really, really good though. I don’t know if it’s that popular because I didn’t see anyone side with it, plus it took a lot longer to come out. Comes with a couple nice baguette breads. I’m a little torn between three and four stars but I think the edge goes to the outside side. The water tastes a little weird though.

+6

Great Bun bo hua. Drive 48 mins just that a taste of this famous dish. I can honestly say, im not disappointed.

The food was amazing. Clean broth and good quality meat for the pho! We were a party of three and were seated quickly. But we also ordered the wings and the server forgot them. Only after we asked about it after getting our pho she told us the wings aren't available. And the restaurant was pretty cold - everyone was wearing their jackets inside🥶

We got the Special Combination Pho, Chick Noodle Soup, Nem Nuong Cuon, and Bun Thit Nuong Cha. All the food was pretty good. Personal preference, I wish the beef in the Pho wasn't so fatty. The place seemed really busy but people were entering and leaving constantly that it wasn't much of a wait for outdoor sitting. The staff will eventually get to you but it was easier for us to wave at the staff so we know that they know we are looking for them to order or ask questions. We needed to go inside to pay for our meal. It was really sweet that the staff provided us containers to share our food and provide water for our dog!

The PHO was absolutely great. The finely chopped spring onion on top and the texture of the broth were definately Northern Viet-style PHO. However, I have to mention that the water in the plastic cup smelled and tasted like dish soap. Some might think it was due to the Thai basil, but that's not the case. The water is served before the Thai basil. It definitely smelled like detergent. So I didn't drink the water. Because there were so many guests, I had to eat in a separate annex area. But it was so cold inside.

Good food, quick and attentive service. We ordered phở oxtail pho (5/5), combination phở (4/5, needed a little more salt), both with fresh noodles and big portions. The nem nướng ninh hoà and soda chanh are must orders! We also got ube coffee; coffee was good, ube cream top was just eh. Clean store with quick service and table turnover; we came on Sunday at 12 PM, peak hours.

As others have said, there are two restaurants called Pho Hanoi at the Vietnam Town on Story Rd. This is the one without "Elite" in the name (anyway, the "Elite" one was closed at this time). Others seems to say the food isn't as good as it used to be, but this is the first time for us, and there is a solid variety with just enough pho favorites while adding plenty of non-standard fare. Plus, the environment was bright and airy, which we always appreciate.

The Greens have multiple kinds here, bean sprouts are blenched on top and raw on bottom so you have both textures… quantity of noodles fills the whole bowl there’s a good balance of broth to everything else ratio. The flavor of the broth is really light for me… the atmosphere needs maintenance… it’s crowded when I visited but sat quickly with waitlist. Overall good experience.

A great pho Resturant with fast service and good prices. We had beef pho soups. It was a short wait on the waitlist but well worth it.

Al

The Greens have multiple kinds here, bean sprouts are blenched on top and raw on bottom so you have both textures… quantity of noodles fills the whole bowl there’s a good balance of broth to everything else ratio. The flavor of the broth is really light for me… the atmosphere needs maintenance… it’s crowded when I visited but sat quickly with waitlist. Overall good experience.

Duong Le

Good food, quick and attentive service. We ordered phở oxtail pho (5/5), combination phở (4/5, needed a little more salt), both with fresh noodles and big portions. The nem nướng ninh hoà and soda chanh are must orders! We also got ube coffee; coffee was good, ube cream top was just eh. Clean store with quick service and table turnover; we came on Sunday at 12 PM, peak hours.

Kevin

A great pho Resturant with fast service and good prices. We had beef pho soups. It was a short wait on the waitlist but well worth it.

I came here for pho after a lot of recommendations from acquaintances. What a disappointment it was! The pho comes with a healthy amount of meat, but the meat was tough and tasted stale. The broth needs a little bit more seasoning. The service was decent. There are seating areas inside and outside. The outdoor part would be great when it is cooler. I would not come back.

First time here in a very long time. Went here after trying on some Ao Dai for wedding purposes. We were surprised the broth seemed watered down. My fiance decided not to eat the food but myself I ate it anyways. Maybe this Batch of food was low to mid. I was expecting better broth as it is Northern however maybe I was too used to Southern Vietnamese broth. Then I realized that was probably why.

This place received so much hype, I had to try it out. I ordered the pho with short rib, the Bo kho with banh mi, the spring rolls, and rice with filet mignon. The pho with short rib is 3/5. The broth and noodles were good. Better than what I had at the Michelin star pho restaurant I went to in Hanoi itself. The short rib is the biggest I’ve ever had and it’s also the cheapest short rib bowl I ever had. The issue was the short rib was chewy. Every other short rib pho I ever had, the entire thing was tender and easily fell apart. However, I was struggle to eat their short rib as I struggle to bite pieces off. Overall, very disappointing. However, broth and noodles were good and I wouldn’t mind trying different cuts of meat here. The ordered the Bo kho with banh mi to go. It’s 4/5. The flavor was great, the short rib meat was a lot and tasted great. Loved the carrots and onion. The broth good. Only downside is the banh mi loaf was small. I would needed 2-3 loaves to be happy with the meal. Spring rolls were 4/5. Packed with meat and shrimp. The peanut sauce came out warm. Wasn’t a fan of the warm sauce. Could use more hoisin flavor but overall was good enough standard dish. The rice platter with the filet mignon was 3/5 for me. The meat was good but wasn’t as tender as it could be. Flavor was good. Not sure what they were trying to achieve with the tomato rice. It was average and I would have been happier with regular jasmine rice. The tomato was cook with the meat and there was a bland/plain side of arugula. Overall, I expected more from a place that went viral but they do have a staked menu. I wouldn’t mind trying again and their other dishes.

+1

Initial impression, looks delicious and smells great! But when we dive in, the broth was bland and hard to finish even adding more siracha and hoisin. The rolls were decent.

Does not live up to the hype it used to have. Portion sizes were large and fairly priced, but the quality of food has definitely declined over time. I tried a few dishes but was disappointed. My favorite dish was the Nước Mắm chicken wings. They had great umami flavor and did not have a strong fish sauce smell. I do wish the wing sizes were larger. Great dish to share with others. The Bún Thịt Nướng dish felt lackluster for me – there was too much noodles and vegetables and not a lot of pork. The pork was also under seasoned and I had to drizzle the dish with fish sauce which made everything soggy. The Bò Né had good flavor but the main component of the dish (the beef) was overcooked and too chewy. The phở gà tasted average and did not have a lot of chicken meat. However the fresh noodles were not bad. Overall, I’d rather take my family elsewhere to eat pho or com tam then go to Pho Hanoi (unless they improve their quality).

Came here on a Monday evening and got seated only after we caught the attention of one of the staff. It took awhile to get our food ordered. But once we ordered, the food came out quick. I ordered the combo beef pho with fresh rice noodles. I do appreciate the option of having fresh noodles. Flavor of the broth was ok and meat were tender. I was a bit disappointed that that we weren't given jalapeños or limes with the basil. This restaurant is in a busy plaza where it can be hard to find parking. For that reason, I would prefer going to the other locations. Overall, it's a solid place but I think there's plenty of better options for the South Bay.

I didn’t realize the hype about this place until I wrote this review. When I came, I was thoroughly impressed. It was the largest and most impressive pho restaurant I’ve ever been to. I was even more surprised by their extensive menu selection. While many of the dishes are available at other pho places, the meat quality here is significantly different, and the prices are higher. I had expected the meat to be tastier, but I was pleasantly surprised that everything was just above average (not excellent). The coffee was also good, but not exceptional. However, what truly sets this place apart is their exceptional attention to detail in serving each customer. Compared to other pho restaurants, their service is top-notch. I ended up spending $40 for one appetizer, one bowl of regular pho, and one coffee. It’s certainly pricey, so be prepared to spend extra. Parking is easy and never a problem.

Thai Bui

Does not live up to the hype it used to have. Portion sizes were large and fairly priced, but the quality of food has definitely declined over time. I tried a few dishes but was disappointed. My favorite dish was the Nước Mắm chicken wings. They had great umami flavor and did not have a strong fish sauce smell. I do wish the wing sizes were larger. Great dish to share with others. The Bún Thịt Nướng dish felt lackluster for me – there was too much noodles and vegetables and not a lot of pork. The pork was also under seasoned and I had to drizzle the dish with fish sauce which made everything soggy. The Bò Né had good flavor but the main component of the dish (the beef) was overcooked and too chewy. The phở gà tasted average and did not have a lot of chicken meat. However the fresh noodles were not bad. Overall, I’d rather take my family elsewhere to eat pho or com tam then go to Pho Hanoi (unless they improve their quality).

Amy Phorth

Came here on a Monday evening and got seated only after we caught the attention of one of the staff. It took awhile to get our food ordered. But once we ordered, the food came out quick. I ordered the combo beef pho with fresh rice noodles. I do appreciate the option of having fresh noodles. Flavor of the broth was ok and meat were tender. I was a bit disappointed that that we weren't given jalapeños or limes with the basil. This restaurant is in a busy plaza where it can be hard to find parking. For that reason, I would prefer going to the other locations. Overall, it's a solid place but I think there's plenty of better options for the South Bay.

Foodie Traveler

I didn’t realize the hype about this place until I wrote this review. When I came, I was thoroughly impressed. It was the largest and most impressive pho restaurant I’ve ever been to. I was even more surprised by their extensive menu selection. While many of the dishes are available at other pho places, the meat quality here is significantly different, and the prices are higher. I had expected the meat to be tastier, but I was pleasantly surprised that everything was just above average (not excellent). The coffee was also good, but not exceptional. However, what truly sets this place apart is their exceptional attention to detail in serving each customer. Compared to other pho restaurants, their service is top-notch. I ended up spending $40 for one appetizer, one bowl of regular pho, and one coffee. It’s certainly pricey, so be prepared to spend extra. Parking is easy and never a problem.

Huong Huynh (Peach)

Initial impression, looks delicious and smells great! But when we dive in, the broth was bland and hard to finish even adding more siracha and hoisin. The rolls were decent.

Unfortunate for such a big name, but I guess the Milpitas one really is the only good one. We got all our appetizers so late at the end of our meal that we wished we hadn't gotten it at all. However, the real crime was calling this nem nuong. Show your mom this pic and ask if this is nem nuong because it's nem not. This looked and tasted like if cha lua and a vienna sausage had an equally pale bland baby. I thought nem nuong was grilled sausage but it was neither nem nor nuonged. Tap water was pretty bad too, but probably had more flavor than then nem nuong.

SL

Unfortunate for such a big name, but I guess the Milpitas one really is the only good one. We got all our appetizers so late at the end of our meal that we wished we hadn't gotten it at all. However, the real crime was calling this nem nuong. Show your mom this pic and ask if this is nem nuong because it's nem not. This looked and tasted like if cha lua and a vienna sausage had an equally pale bland baby. I thought nem nuong was grilled sausage but it was neither nem nor nuonged. Tap water was pretty bad too, but probably had more flavor than then nem nuong.

Got food poisoning from this restaurant a few days ago. Had their pho and beef stew and was throwing up at night non-stop. Food there was contaminated and dirty. Their beef stew used to be my favorite, beef was usually very tender. Their recent one degraded in quality - beef was chewy and stale. I hope no one else suffered from ordering this that day.