“Pho broth tastes great, portion is okay I'm not full after eating large. I've tried large brisket pho and chicken pho. One of the spoons still had food stuck on it...... After I put in all the veggies I noticed one slice is stale or bad jalapeno. I had to pray that God will protect me from getting sick... Imma take detox pill at home... Although I want to continue support business here I don't feel spending $22-23 after tip is really worth my money. Honestly this restaurant team need to try harder to gain more regular customers. I've eaten at so called best pho restaurants in OC and LA. Brisket pho was better than chicken though. However after experience today, I ain't coming back... I even tipped 25%... So yeah I'm not a difficult customer to satisfy. Goodluck Saigon Gem team, you guys have real potential but you guys need to listen to customers and make real lasting positive changes. I first gave 3 star but 4 stars is the maximum I can give. I'm being generous like how much I tip... Sauce bottle was sticky...“
“The food here is absolutely delicious! I had the house special shrimp and it was delightful. The breading was perfect, shrimp tasted fresh and the sauce was really good. My grandpa had the orange chicken and he really enjoyed it, I had a piece as well and it was fresh and crisp. My wife had the Beef Pho and it was soooo tasty. Definitely some of the best pho we have had. The owner of the location helped us pick wjat yo get, and was very helpful from start to finish. It is a family owned restaurant so totally get some TLC. The ambience us great, pretty spacious with very cool fish tanks as well. If you are in the area, I suggest you give this spot a try, you won't regret it.“
“I had the pho with rare beef slices and lean brisket. The noodles were a bit chewy for my liking and the meat was ok. My favorite part about the pho was the broth. I also had the garlic noodles with meat. The noodles tasted delicious but the meat had a weird after taste. Overall, the place was good. Def would recommend the garlic noodles.“
“I have been going here for years - since I was a kid to be exact! This was when their walls used to be a medium shade of pink lol. My dad was a huge pho enthusiast and this was one of his favorite spots.After my dad passed away when I was 10, we stopped going. We continued on with our lives and I eventually found myself living in LA for 3-4 years and moved back to OC in 2020.I drove by the shopping center soon afterwards and saw that it was still open! So, I went in and tried it again. Their fresh spring rolls are always* tasty. I LOVE their combo fried rice and their fresh coconut juice. I'm one of those customers that once you find your favorite dish, it is hard to try another one because you just can't get enough of it. I am not a big pho fan like my dad was, but whenever we went here it was like a trip to Disneyland for him LOL.They never changed anything about their food or service since I was a kid. To be exact, I must've been 6-8ish when we began going. I'm turning 27 this year. To say that about a restaurant shows how much they value quality.“
“We enjoyed dinner tonight and the food was excellent. The noodle and rice dishes were so flavorful and the filet mignon cubes would just melt in your mouth. The restaurant is small and simple but very clean and staff is super friendly. I can't wait to go back again. Highly recommend you give them a try.“
“This is a great little place. As soon as you walk you are greeted by a staff member, usually they're come from the kitchen because they seem to constantly be running food out to the tables.They typical Pho Soup w chicken is pretty good, and I would highly recommend the extra spare ribs! They are amazing!. Now back to the soup, like most places, the deep flavor comes from the sauces, bean sprouts,mint and of course jalapeños!.The tables are clean, and the utensils are bountiful with a tin on each table with chopsticks and such. This is a great place.“
“I’ve lived in San Francisco for years. So, I know Pho! And, tbc it takes a ton for myself to feel motivated enough to even consider offering up any kind of review. This place is on par with all the high end Asian cuisine restaurants you can find in the OC. Broth tasty. Meat lean and tender. The server was friendly and consistent. And, with a trendy, up beat atmosphere, that invites you in, too. Chloe took care of me like I was fam as a first timer. I do value great service. And, the cooks (wud up, Matt!!) know how to throw it down. Go here if you’re looking for a satiable dish, and you’ll be happy that you came.Vegetarian options: Superb option.“
“Had about 35 min before class to grab a quick bite to eat and ended here at a warm, Pho restaurant. rainy days call for a delicious bowl of Pho. Staff were extremely friendly and helped me put together a delightful dish!So excited that this place is literally 1 min drive from my school ?Rating: 8.7/10Kid-friendliness: Ask your server about options for the little ones!“
“My spouse and I went Asian kitchen because we were craving Pho. We both had their seafood udon and it was absolutely delicious! I also had a peach martini, and my spouse had a Japanese lager. Both were exceptionally delicious, as well! Our waitress, “Anita“ was a delight! She had a great sense of humor, and made the whole experience that much more fun and enjoyable. The environment is also super stylish! 5 STARS!!“
“Ordered the Green Papaya Salad With Grilled Prawns, Chicken Yellow Curry, House Vermicelli Noodles, Brodard Grilled Pork Spring Rolls "Nem Nuong", Chicken Cashews, and Lemongrass Chicken. The all the food was fresh, authentic, and very delicious. I would recommend it to anyone who like foods and flavors from Southeast Asian.Parking: Parking in the back“
“We had the Shaken Beef Rice, Pho, and Pork spring rolls. The family was very welcoming and made sure we were satisfied. Everything tasted fresh and very delicious. They switched locations from Newport to Costa Mesa and I would recommend everybody to go there.“
“Prompt and friendly service from people who appear to be enjoying their work. Clean and modern decor feels comfortable too. The food is good but a bit pricey and not quite as tasty as some of the more authentic, "hole in the wall" places you find in strip malls.“
“Went yesterday to check this place out. Ordered Bahn Mi with Dip. The dip was not pleasant tasting. I assumed it was Pho broth. It was not. The second item was Chicken curry and it was superb! Perfect balance of coconut, lemongrass and curry that did not overwhelm. A beautiful marriage! Also ordered papaya salad and spicy mango salad. Papaya lacked flavor of any kind: sour, salty, spicy. Bland. Mango was however tasty, fresh and zesty. It complimented both the bahn mi and the curry. Need to work on the papaya salad though. Fir drinks we ordered a herbal lemonade? and Vietnamese coffee. Very good especially the coffee had none of that cigarette butt burnt aftertaste which I hate! It tasted like the old style Vietnamese drip coffee, fine and smooth. The packaging should be noted and complimented. All the dishware were paper except for the drinks which were plastic. Even the lids were paper! Thank you for being eco-conscious! The ambience is outdoorsy with plants and trees providing shade and some degree of privacy. Felt like a little oasis in a commercial complex called the Campus which has various businesses like fitness center, clothing stores and other eateries. My ONLY issue is with parking. We tried in vain to find space but after going around twice, decided to leave the car with a valet service which charged flat $7. People in their cars were blocking the lanes hoping for someone to leave. One asked if we were leaving and told them "Valet". Not worth wasting time to save $7 when most seemed to afford fancy cars! Yeah, parking. That would be the only deterrent to comeback, to save $7 for parking.“
Asian Fusion • $
“I love this place. It's a small local spot with great service and great food. My favorite is the pad see ewe but I also love the combo pho. I've tried so many dishes here and you just can't go wrong. Vicky is fantastic and so friendly.“
“Dining at Pho The Bowl was an exceptional experience from start to finish, earning a well-deserved five stars. The culinary journey began with their aromatic and flavor-rich pho, which was a comforting embrace in a bowl. Each ingredient was fresh, contributing to a symphony of tastes that danced harmoniously with every spoonful. Not to be overshadowed, the variety of dishes offered alongside the pho were equally remarkable, showcasing the depth of Vietnamese cuisine with vibrant flavors and impeccable presentation.What elevated our dining experience to an unforgettable level was the outstanding service, particularly from our waiter, Tommy. His attentiveness, warmth, and genuine passion for ensuring guests enjoy their meal were evident. Tommy's recommendations were spot-on, enhancing our culinary adventure with his insightful suggestions and knowledge about the menu. His enthusiasm for the food and care for the dining experience made us feel truly welcome and appreciated.Pho The Bowl not only delivers on exceptional food but also on creating a welcoming atmosphere where every diner feels valued. It's a gem that shines brightly because of its delicious cuisine and the wonderful people like Tommy who make every visit special. I highly recommend Pho The Bowl to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience that will leave a lasting impression.“
“Pork banh mi was good and a decent value. I'm used to getting them way cheaper but inflation is what it is. Lunch for under 8 bucks is a win in my book.Parking: It's not actually that difficult to find parking, but once you park you basically have to walk through a planter in order to get to the restaurant. Not the restaurant's fault, just that strip mall it's in wasn't planned very well for pedestrian traffic.“
“We have had take-out pho on multiple occasions from Pho Lantern. Tonight we chose to dine in with two of our kids. We had such a fabulous experience. The food is always delicious but the service was extraordinary. Our server Vui had an incredible grasp of customer service and wowed us with her amazing hospitality.We LOVE Pho Lantern.“
“Came here for lunch to use a gift card, and overall thought the food was solid. The menu was straightforward and simple. Got the spring rolls and the Pho Tam Cali special. It was cool they let us try both the shrimp and BBQ pork. You can choose the peanut sauce or the house sauce. The spring rolls and sauce were solid, but nothing special. The pho was quite good! There was a good variety of meat in the Pho Tam Cali special. There didn't seem to be a lot of noodles, compared to other places, but that's ok for me since it's hard to eat a ton of noodles. The amount was just right for me. The place is small, and doesn't have the nicest ambiance. Service was quick.“
“Came here midweek and it was pretty quiet inside the restaurant, but a lot of pickup orders were being made throughout our dinner. Ordered the grilled pork chop and the Grilled Beef Short Ribs. Both were very good, but I would definitely order the pork chops again due to it being on the bone, and serving size. The short ribs were already taken off the bone, and didn't seem to offer as much protein as the chops. Also ordered the Shrimp Spring Rolls, which were just ok, I don't think I'd order them again. Overall, I'd give this place a solid 4, for flavor and price point. Service was a little rough around the edges, but, nothing we couldn't get over.“
“Phan's Kitchen and Bar in Irvine offers a unique blend of contemporary Vietnamese cuisine alongside specialty cocktails and wines in a sleek setting. One notable aspect of the restaurant is its location, nestled almost inconspicuously in the middle of a residential condo area. To find it, diners embark on a short drive into the complex, where they'll discover not only Phan's but also a handful of other businesses.The unconventional location adds an element of discovery to the dining experience, making it a hidden gem for those willing to venture a bit off the beaten path. The restaurant's sleek ambiance provides a modern and stylish backdrop, creating an inviting atmosphere for patrons seeking a culinary adventure. When you walk in, you are greeted by the large screen tv above the small bar seating area, next to the hostess station. I think they were short staffed the night we came in but the hostess saw us, but went about other tasks and left the owner to seat us when he came out and saw us just standing there. The hostess was like, "Oh yeah, they are here." The restaurant was not very busy at the time, but they definitely did not have enough staff to manage the guests they already had.It was a cold and windy night so the DH and I opted to have some wings and some warming Pho with some drinks. The restaurant had an open kitchen area so you can see what was going on in the back. There were three people in the kitchen but only one person was cooking the other two were helping with prep and expediting but the cook/chef was a one man show. The wings took a little time so we thought they forgot our order, but when they came, they were definitely worth the wait. The were crispy on the outside with a mild hint of fish sauce, not overpowering, and the inside was nice and juicy! Given that the wings took a little while to come, we thought we had a little more time to eat the wings before the pho came, but shortly right after the wings arrived, the pho came out. So we hustled to finish our wings and start on the pho before it got cold. By now, there was a crowd that was starting to accumulate at the front door and people were crammed inside to stay out of the wind. I'm glad we got our food at that point as service was almost out the door as it got really busy. We tried to ask for additional condiments to eat with the pho, but they never came. The pho was good, but it could have been much better if we were able to get extra condiments with our pho. We were surprised that no one came to check in on us or give us the check since it was just the too of us sitting at a 6-top table and the crowd was growing. We finally had to flag down someone to get the check, seems like that owner was running all over the place.The menu at Phan's Kitchen and Bar boasts a selection of contemporary Vietnamese fare, promising a fusion of traditional flavors with a modern twist. From classic dishes to inventive creations, diners can expect a diverse range of options that cater to various tastes. The d was quite good, but the experience was somewhat dampened by the lack of service. It could have been on a night where they were short-staffed or it could just be lack or organization and process.“
“I love this place. My first visit to this place is back in 2019. I generally avoid going to fusion places as I feel they are not for me. I happened to try this place and it pleasantly surprised. I always go for their garlic noodles with chicken breast/house chicken which costs around 13$. It’s the best the texture, flavor and above all the taste. They always have good music. I found some undiscovered music artists songs at this place. All in all a great place to have good food. It’s a cute place with good restaurants around this place. It’s a small store I generally take out but also dined in sometimes. I recommended their food to a lot of people and they liked it as well.Parking: If you have trouble parking there is Ralph’s just across the street which has enough parking at all times.“
“I used to live close by and frequently visited Phở the bowl. Always ordered stir-fried beef noodles, grilled pork vermicelli, and wonton soup. Those were the most flavorful to my taste. Fast service and you can also take out or order through delivery apps.“
“First time here, was looking for good pho spots around my work, and I’m so glad I stumbled upon this place. The pho was honestly one of the best I’ve had, the atmosphere was inviting and clean, and the workers were very friendly. 5 stars all around, will be coming back, unfortunately didn’t any pictures, but a picture of this empty bowl should say enough.“
“We came for dinner on a weeknight, right around 7pm and it was not busy. Seemed understaffed, took a while to get even acknowledged, get seated, and get menus. Once we got the menus, we had to flag our server just to order. It has an okay vibe to the place, not bad, but not as lively and friendly as other places we've been. About 10 minutes later, we finally got to place our order, which felt like an eternity. Considering we were one of only a couple customers, the customer service was disappointing. I felt like I needed to get up every 5-10 minutes just to get something, to order, ask for chopsticks or bowls, or get the check. Normally, a server would come once or twice to check on us, not here. The food was fine, we got lemongrass chicken and rare beef pho, prices were reasonable, not as much as we've gotten at other pho places, but it's also not as expensive either. That's the one redeeming quality of this place, which keeps the rating higher, but would have appreciated better service, which took off one star.“
“Happy Pho is a hidden gem, offering a variety of delicious pho options. It's undoubtedly one of the best pho places I've come across. The quiet ambiance and the popularity of takeout suggest its widespread appeal. Don't miss out on trying their Thai tea – it's a delightful complement to the flavorful pho varieties they “
“Entering into the restaurant the first thing you are greeted with is a large collage and other large wall art. The atmosphere of the place is relaxed and casual playing music in the background that doesn’t interfere with the dining experience. What I ordered was the pad Thai with chicken. The meal can be described with two words, sweet and simple. The chicken was cooked well though it was a little bit dry on its own, but when eaten together with the noodles, balanced the meal together, making it nice to eat. The flavour of the noodles was sweet and tangy with a hint of lemon. in addition, I was given red Chili sauce on the side and when mixed into the meal itself brought out the flavours of the chicken pad Thai and made it all the better. My complaint is that the peanuts were not poured with care but were poured into the side corner where I had to mix them in. Other than that I recommend this place. recommend it is a great place to order takeout as from enter to exit. It only took me five minutes to get my food.“
“I ordered chicken vermicelli for take out. The food was literally ready in a box in 30 secs. I’m not sure if the chicken was reheated from the day before or morning. Otherwise the vegetables were fresh. I wish there was no fried onions added to the vermicelli and basil leaves instead of the coriander leaves. Overall the food is tasty with good portion. Eating areas are small. It’s better to get take out.“
“I want to keep this place a secret but I also need it to thrive because the food is SO GOOD!! If you get there before 3 definitely get the waffle but everything is delicious. The pho baguette and sticky rice munchies are my current go to's but that will change in a couple months.“