Pho Element

2216 S El Camino Real, San Mateo
(650) 212-1166

Recent Reviews

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Ivan Corona

Wasn’t expecting much when coming in but this place really disappointed. The food lacked flavor and it wasn’t very authentic. They don’t even give you thail basil and mung beans. The food is just ok. There’s much better places out there

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 2

Anping Zhu

Has to be my favorite pho spot outside of Guatemala!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Victor Wang

Ordered the rare beef, beef brisket, beef meatball combo pho and it was ok. Didn't have Thai basil and bean sprouts on the side like I was expecting. Large bowl was filling but the beef didn't have a lot of flavor and the noodles were overcooked and mushy.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

john C

Beef pho is really good

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 4

oagaitan

The waiter suggested I try the Ox Tail Pho Noodle Soup so I did and was not let down. It was perfectly flavorful. Very friendly staff and great food. Will come back for sure!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Betsy

Enjoyed oxtail pho with rice noodles! Stop over

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

S Chin

One of my favorite restaurants to go to when I feel like eating Hainanese Chicken. As usual, the service is amazing since we frequently go there. I usually order the boneless Hainanese Chicken, while mother order’s Chicken Noodle Soup (small), her favorite because it comes in wide noodles and Honey orders his Beef Bowl Soup (large). We also order appetizers: like the Butter Tofu, and the Pork Spring Roll. These are also very good.

Update: 06/19/2025

Took a friend to try this restaurant and we ordered: Haines boneless chicken, beef noodles ( small) and large. And to share: butter tofu. I got my friend’s thumbs up for everything.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Rare Beef Noodle Soup, Hainanese Chicken with Rice Boneless, vietnamese crispy squab with onion and raisin sauce - 越式洋蔥提子汁乳鴿, Noodle Soup, Butter Tofu, Hainan Chicken

Dave Liu

Wow the service was good and the curry pho was surprisingly great! Delicious!!

Shaking beef garlic noodles is part of the “secret”menu.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Johnny Huang

Haven’t been here for a while, coming back got a pho ga, chicken rice and tofu coconut drink. Everything was really good, and just like before.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Linh Nguyen

Pretty good Vietnamese food. They serve northern style pho, which is my favorite. Pho ga is good—I would return for this one. Also ordered Saigon butter tofu. While the tofu was tasty and crunchy outer with a soft middle, it was a little too oily for us

I love that the place served us hot tea right as we’re seated. Very common in restaurants in northern Vietnam, but tea would typically be served at the end of the meal. No issue though since the tea pot they gave us stayed warm until we left. They also have fresh chili sate sauce as a condiment!

The bathroom was a bit messy, but the dining area was super clean

Jasmine Luo

Food is amazing, service is excellent! Love the Asian guy! Called at 8:15 to get a table when they close at 8:30. He gladly took us and told me “do not worry we won’t close until 8:30! Take your time!”

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Minh Hua

I stopped by here after landing at SFO and on my way to the valley. I saw the 900 something reviews and in nearly five star rating. I don't get the ratings. Overall, a solid Vietnamese restaurant but not exceptional. The pho broth was authentic, but they didn't provide your typical bean sprouts and lettuce. The fun noodle was way overcooked, but I assume that's just an unusual mistake. The shrimp summer roll was excellent. The place was clean but I found myself having to wipe the plate because it had a little something on it?.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 4

Beatrice Li

Decent beef pho. Seems to be partly Chinese based off of the menu and the staff. Was looking forward to ordering a pho with tendon, tripe and steak but that wasn’t on the menu. The garnish plate didn’t have bean sprouts or other herbs. Just lime wedges and jalapeños. Their chicken base was fairly good as well.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Rare Beef Noodle Soup, Chicken Pho

Katie Lambert

Friendly, cozy, very good pho, and very fast! Lots of nice booths to sit in, wonderful for a quick lunch.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Natalia Boldurescu

The food was delicious we visited this place because we are soups 🍜 fans so it worth the money for sure, besides the server was so nice and helpful in suggestions he recommends to try seafood soup with coconut milk for myself and he was right I love it from the first taste for my son regular seafood wich my son describes as a delicious as well and beef brisket for my husband. Obviously I’ll come back for new dishes and more flavor taste of Vietnamese cuisine.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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