Pho, Vietnamese noodles and Vancouver go together like broth and a bowl. In this wet city, Vietnamese noodles are every local’s go-to option on a normal rainy day for good, hearty and delicious Vietnamese food. It’s a dish best served hot, and comes packed with the kind of seasonings and flavour that makes you drool.
If you’re a fan and are looking for the best Pho and Vietnamese noodles in Vancouver, then look no further. We’ve got you covered with a list of Vancouver’s best Pho & Vietnamese noodle spots, serving up the most flavourful and steaming bowls of this amazing comfort food that you soon won’t forget.
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1. Mr. Red Cafe
Passing their family’s recipes down from generation to generation, Mr. Red Cafe is as authentic as it gets. Serving world-class Vietnamese cuisine in a charming and welcoming environment, the award-winning Mr. Red combines simplicity and subtlety in their intricate dishes. Known for their quality ingredients and fresh produce, experience the whole range of Vietnamese food at Mr. Red.
You will find some of the best pho in Vancouver here. Choose between their delicious chicken Pho Ga or the mouth-watering Pho Bo. The freshness of ingredients and deep flavour of the broth really stands out. Their signature Bún Bò Lá Lốt is also a huge crowd favourite, so don’t miss out!
What to order: Pho Ga, Pho Bo, Bun Bo La Lot
Address: 2131 East Hastings St., 2680 West Broadway, Vancouver
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2. Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen
Packing a punch for its size is Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen, the small but busy Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Drive. Beautifully decorated with wall to wall mirrors, Bun Cha Ca is ready to greet you as you walk into their always bustling and vibrant restaurant.
True patrons of Bun Cha Ca Hoang Yen have a tough time deciding between Special Fish Cake Soup (Bun Cha Ca Dac Biet #24) and Special Crab Cake Soup pho (Bun Rieu #23). Maybe you’ll have better luck choosing between these crowd favourites, since both are just that good. The Phở Nam, Bồ Viên is also popular mainly due to its genuine flavour and components.
What to order: Bun Rieu #23 or Bun Cha Ca Dac Biet #24
Address: 5083 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3T9, Canada
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3. Song Huong
Unpretentious and down to earth, Song Huong’s secondary focus is on good customer service ala old school style where you go pay your bill at the counter in cash. The main focus however, is centered around the quality of food and the portions, and we can honestly say that both are excellent. This is the perfect spot for a big group of friends or family to relax and unwind. It’s spacious and usually filled with returning customers who adore the food and ambiance.
The speciality here is the Bun Bo Hue. It’s the first item on the menu and hands down the most popular dish mainly because the broth has solidity, intricacy and balance.
We highly recommend the Banh Cuon Cha Lua Banh Cong, though small, it has a pleasing effect on your palate. The deep fried fish/shrimp cake is unique in flavour, and the Pho Ga Chien broth is excellent with chicken that’s cooked to perfection.
What to order: Song Huong Bun Bo Hue, Banh Cuon Cha Lua Banh Cong, Pho Ga Chien
Address: 1613 Nanaimo Street Vancouver, BC V5L 4T9
4. Pho Duy
We bet you’ve never eaten at a restaurant that doesn’t hand you a menu and basically only serves two items. Yep that’s Pho Duy and we’re all for the simplicity.
What we love about Victoria Drive’s Pho Duy is that they know they make some of the best pho in Vancouver, and that’s what they stick to. Just pho. Just amazing, mouth-watering, scrumptious pho. Even though they have a relatively small restaurant, their cult following is massive because of their excellence at creating classic Vietnamese fare.
So this is how Pho Duy works. Walk in and get yourself seated. Choose between beef or chicken. Eat to your heart’s content. Fair warning: Pho Duy attracts die-hard fans of authentic pho, so it gets busy. Grab a cup of cold refreshing tea or an iced latte on your way out and start planning your return asap.
P.S. Make sure you check their hours as it fluctuates
Address: 1996 Kingsway Vancouver, BC V5N 2S
5. My Chau
Craving good old Vietnamese comfort food? Your next favorite Vietnamese restaurant serving phenomenal pho and the freshest Vietnamese noodles, My Chau certainly understood the assignment giving you the best broth you’ll ever have in your life. With lots of locals eating here around lunch, you know you’re in good hands here.
Famous for their Pho Ga, My Chau’s broth is clean and simple. Who would have thought something so simple could take you to a paradise-like island of pho with fried chicken chirping on the side? Don’t forget to get some Spring Rolls for the best combo!
If chicken isn’t your cup of tea, My Chau’s Pho Bo is equally tasty and tender. Clear, rich-tasting broth with perfectly cooked noodles, they serve the pho super hot so you can have your beef on the side and cook it yourself.
What to order: Pho Ga (Chicken Pho), Pho Bo (Beef Pho), Spring Rolls
Address: 1715 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5N 2S4
6. Cafe Dang Anh
A small hole-in-the-wall family business, Cafe Dang Anh serves good home-cooked Vietnamese food. Tucked away between two Mexican spots, this place is a hidden gem you’ll regret passing by when you’re not paying attention. If you want to see what real pho looks and tastes like, head to Cafe Dang Anh this instant!
When you order a Bun Rieu outside of Vietnam, it’s hard not to find one without the overpowering taste of MSG. Thank heavens, Cafe Dang Anh’s Bun Rieu Cha Ca is authentically flavorful. The Cha Ca is particularly chewy, puffy, and sweet.
Cafe Dang Anh’s Pho Dac Biet has a clear and not overly salty broth that tastes just like a warm and comforting hug. The noodles themselves feel like you’re transported to a corner restaurant in Vietnam. Despite the simple broth, the level of depth and flavor is indisputable.
What to order: Bun Rieu Cha Ca, Pho Dac Biet
Address: 1C9, 5186 Victoria Dr, Vancouver, BC V5P 3V2
7. Cafe Xu Hue
Cafe Xu Hue is a little hole-in-the-wall spot that specializes in Bun Bo Hue, this is the best place to get your spicy beef noodle soup fix!
Locals flock to Cafe xu hue for their Bun Bo Hue Dac Biet, and we understand why! This one has a nice blend of flavor from the beef bones and spices. Their vermicelli noodles have a good amount of bounce and do not slip off your chopsticks.
In case you didn’t know, there is no other pho spot that serves spicy, garlicky Banh Canh Cha Bot Loc other than Cafe Xu Hue! Packed with a flavor, the broth for this soup is BOMB. If you want a mindblowing noodle soup to wake you up, this is the one you should order.
What to order: Bun Bo Hue Dac Biet, Banh Canh Cua Bot Loc
Address: 2226 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5N 2T7
8. Trung Nguyen Cafe
If you’ve driven by Kingsway and King Ed. you’ve probably seen Trung Nguyen’s bright green sign. For locals, this is a hidden gem for some top-notch Vietnamese noodles.
You can say that Trung Nguyen is a typical hole in the wall: low in aesthetics, not the fastest service, and high in that old school family recipe taste. And you know it is a hidden gem and a good hole in the wall when the restaurant is completely full with large families and youngsters.
They are mostly known for the Banh Canh Cua (crab tapioca noodle soup), Bun Bo Hue (beef noodle), and Pho. Banh Canh Cua comes with a sticky, thick seafood broth, and is filled with plenty of pork hock pieces, dill fish cake, and chock full of crab. Don’t forget to add in some basil, bean sprouts, and cilantro, they make the dish more aromatic and flavourful!
The Bun Bo Hue is not overly spicy and the broth is both very flavorful and immaculate. This bowl is full of generous portions of pork blood, incredibly tender beef brisket, and Vietnamese ham. You’ll find every table has at least one bowl of this!
What to order: Banh Canh Cua, Bun Bo Hue, Pho
Address: 1441 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5N 5R3
9. Pho 37
Tastefully decorated, highly trained chefs and excellent hospitality are some of the reasons Pho 37 has three successfully running locations where they serve appetizing Vietnamese-inspired cuisine. They claim they have the best pho in town and we think that the Steveston highway location does credit to that claim.
At Pho 37, you simply must order Tuan’s Special Beef Noodle Soup. Unique in the sense that the chef deep fries some beef, before adding it to the broth for a smoky flavour. Topped with egg, this is easily one of the more popular dishes here. Another hot favourite is the Beef Steak with rice. The beak strips melt in your mouth and the rice is seasoned perfectly. Also try out the Papaya salad. Crisp and flavorful, it can be ordered both as a starter or a palette cleanser in the end.
What to order: Tuan’s Special Beef Noodle Soup #40
Address:
-3120-11666 Steveston Highway Richmond, BC V7A 5J3
-8328 Capstan Way #1101, Richmond, BC V6X 2H8
-1578 Robson St. Vancouver, BC V6G 2G5
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10. Pholicious
When you’re around downtown Waterfront on a cold wet day, Pholicious offers delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine at an extremely reasonable price. More like a fast food joint, Pholicious is extremely popular as their consistency in providing high quality food is remarkable. Even though the place is small, you can always find university students getting their meals from this hidden gem.
Try out their veggie dishes like the Bahn Mi, or their popular vegetable deep fried spring rolls. We always order their House Special Pho, which has a bit of everything in terms of flavour and toppings. Since the prices are comparatively low, order a bunch of items from their menu. You won’t be disappointed.
What to order: House Special
Address: 430 W Pender St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1L6
11. Viet Mama
Serving some of the best-decorated dishes we’ve ever seen, Viet Mama takes great pride in setting the perfect plate. The right blend of colours, condiments, and freshness stand out and proud at Viet Mama. Clean and airy, the ambience here is friendly and open. Excellent serving staff that anticipate most of your needs, are ready to answer any queries you may have about their delicious food.
Try their Clear Dumplings (Banh Bot Loc) that are uniquely sinful and wrapped in banana leaf. Their Vermicelli Crab Meat with Fish Cakes (Bun Rieu Cua Cha Ca)is another popular choice, and the Rice Butter Beef (Com Bo Chien Bo) looks absolutely amazing and tastes even better.
What to order: Pho Ga, Bun Rieu Cua Cha Ca, Banh Bot Loc
Address: 5118 Victoria Drive Vancouver, BC V5P 3V2
12. Anh & Chi
Owned and run by the powerhouse siblings, Amélie and Vincent, the Vietnamese-inspired restaurant Anh & Chi is the result of a shared drive for legacy and love for revamping traditional food. Upbeat and hip, the vibe at Mount Pleasant’s Anh & Chi is rarely seen anywhere else, and their steady flow of loyal customers add to the already vibrant atmosphere. This is the place to hang out, connect, and the complete opposite of the grungey hole-in-the-walls.
Everything here is seriously good (that’s why there’s a line!). However, if it’s your first time at Anh & Chi then we suggest ordering the Pho Hoang – beef noodle soup. The broth is rich and clear, the noodles perfectly cooked, and the meat is rare and tender.
Then, try the Bun Thit Nu Ong Cha Gio Tom – Signature Vermicelli Bowl with grilled pork. This dish comes with many sides like grilled jumbo prawns and spring rolls. It looks amazing and tastes even better. We’re pretty sure that Anh & Chi is going to be your new go-to for Vietnamese comfort food after your first visit.
What to order: Pho Hoang, Bun Rieu Ca, Bun Thit Nu ong Cha Gio Tom
Address: 3388 Main Street Vancouver, BC V5V 3M7
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A rundown of all the best restaurants, cafes, drink spots, shops, and places to stay in the Mount Pleasant area.
That wraps up our list of the 10 Best Pho spots in Vancouver. We hope you visit them and enjoy digging into those steaming bowls of heaven. If you’re looking for some great day or weekend spots to hang out and enjoy a delicious meal, check out these 10 Amazing Brunch Restaurants in Vancouver, or these incredible Vancouver Cafes.
How We Create Our “Best” Lists
All Noms Magazine’s “best” lists are created using multiple factors and signals to help readers find the best restaurants, things to do, and places to stay at. Some of these factors and signs include personal experiences, correspondence with locals, and compiling experiences from review sites.
Each list is also created to be balanced (in terms of price, cuisine type, ambiance, and more) as possible. This means that the lists are not specifically created in ranking order. You should be comfortable picking from any of the spots on the list and generally have a good time. But of course, YMMV (your mileage may vary) and everyone may have different experiences/palates.