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    Pho 21

    4.2 (1.3k reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    PHO 21 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Pho 21

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    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Jenny D.

    This restaurant is one of my family's favorite Vietnamese restaurants. It is crowded but spacious so we don't have to wait for a table. We have eaten here with extended family before so they are accommodating. We ordered the Shaking Beef Pasta (51) and the Stir-fried Seafood with Crispy Egg Noodles (55). The crispy noodles are fresh and crunchy, blending well with the seafood. The pasta is tasty and cooked to perfection, served nicely with beef bites. These are popular meals and they're delicious. Overall, this restaurant has quick service, good pricing, and large portions. I would recommend this spot for anyone looking for Vietnamese food in San Jose. This restaurant is one of my family's favorite Vietnamese restaurants. It is crowded but spacious so we don't have to wait for a table. We have eaten here with extended family before so they are accommodating. We ordered the Shaking Beef Pasta (51) and the Stir-fried Seafood with Crispy Egg Noodles (55). The crispy noodles are fresh and crunchy, blending well with the seafood. The pasta is tasty and cooked to perfection, served nicely with beef bites. These are popular meals and they're delicious. Overall, this restaurant has quick service, good pricing, and large portions. I would recommend this spot for anyone looking for Vietnamese food in San Jose.

    #2.Phở Tái | Rare Pho
    Christina H.

    This place always has a line to dine in. When we came, there was a 10-20 minute wait. When we left, there looked to be 30+ minute wait. The pho is really good here. 5/5 The last time I came, I tried the shaken beef rice plate. I didn't like it but didn't hate it. 3/5 Service is quick even though the restaurant and servers are extremely busy. They get a lot of phone and to go orders! We were in and out after eating, but plenty of families were there enjoying their meal and chatting.

    #21. Spring Rolls | Gỏi Cuốn ($9), #22. Egg Rolls | Chả Giò ($9)
    Elena N.

    Date: Tuesday, February 10th, 2026 Party of: 2 Meal: Dinner Takeaway Time Ordered: around 9:15pm Picked Up: about 45 mins later Placed Order: BLogic Systems thru their website #1. Phở Đặc Biệt - Special Combination Pho ($17.50) - 3 Limes #21. Spring Rolls | Gỏi Cuốn ($9) #22. Egg Rolls | Chả Giò ($9) #31.Hủ Tiếu Nang Vang - Cambodian Pho ($17) - Nước | Soup, Hủ Tiếu Dai | Clear Noodle ($0.75), Giá Trụng | Cooked Bean Sprouts *Extra Limes - 3 Limes *Free Drink (Min $15 Order) - Flan Cake (Free) *Sales Tax - 9.375% ($4.99) On the way home to SJ, the hubby and I decided to grab some pho. After looking around, I picked Pho 21. When we arrived around 9:45pm, we noticed this was the old Lee Noodle House. Ah, memories! Vibe is def different - robots delivering some items, booth style seating, etc. When I arrived, our order wasn't ready yet, so I tried to find a spot to stand and wait. There were quite a few ppl waiting and no real area to get out of the way. I had to keep moving around so I wouldn't be an annoyance. One thing I noticed, before I got to the register to tell them I was here for my order, the girl in front of me, placed her order and got it before mine was even ready. Weird, cuz I placed mine about 30 mins before I arrived. Not sure how they prioritize making their orders. The pho was fine. As were the apps. They didn't give us any of the extra limes I asked for. I had lemon at home so made it work. The bean sprouts were also not cooked. I think they just give a generic side of sprouts, lime, jalapeno, etc, to everyone. So not sure why it's even an option to order that way on the site. The free flan was a nice sweet treat, tho it was slightly burnt. Might be more fun and an experience to eat in resto, but for takeout, be prepared to wait longer for your pickup order. REVIEW #3984

    Jonarose V.

    It's been quite some time since I've had to do a bad review. I've heard many reviews from friends both having good and bad experiences. For my personal own experience, yeahhh... it was bad. I did come in late at night to curb my craving and finally decided to give this place a shot. I semi regretted it after everything. Walked in, was quickly seated. However, while walking to my seat I almost slipped because the floor was wet and had water spills on the floor, I pointed it out but nothing was done about it. Secondly, order system was decent and quick but when it came to delivery and look of the food. It was sub par. My dish hardly any meat at all. It felt the proportions were 80% noodles and 20% protein. Like yea I get it, but not this. Additionally, the broth... I questioned where the flavor was. It lacked the depth and savory goodness at other Pho spots I've been to in San Jose. At this point, it was just a darker "flavor" water. That was it. I literally just ate what I could find of the protein in my bowl, paid and left. I hope to try this spot again in hopes of improvement, but not anytime soon.

    #1. Phở Đặc Biệt | Special Combination Pho
    Stacy S.

    It was solid. Only Pho spot that opens late. There's a yelp waitlist. It gets busy after 9 when other Pho spots close. Onsite parking, but lot isn't huge- it can get pretty packed. Left around 9:40p and several cars were pulling up. When I arrived I saw two homeless guys in the lot, but didn't see them bother anyone. One of them was talking to the air... Just be aware. Got here around 8:30p after Pilates and met up with my bf. I arrived first and was seated at a booth immediately and water came right after. Only other interaction with an employee was when the food came out and the check was given. Place looked clean, constant stream of customers, average noise level (Depending on who you're sitting next to anyway. A group of gen z came in and were sat across the aisle from me and one of them was very chatty. Can clearly hear her, but not the other patrons from other tables around me.) Ordering is from a QR code at the table on your phone. Check was brought to us when they saw that we were done with our meals. Employees are quick! What we ordered: #1 Special Combination Pho with wide noods #31 Hu Tieu Nang Vang (Cambodian Pho) with wide noods I love wide noods. I also tried to order the side of onions and add to order after submitting the first initial order, but it didn't add. I ended up just removing it. Couldn't bother with trying to figure it out at the time. The kitty robot server brought over the noodle garnishes/toppings after the order was submitted. So cute! Both bowls had a decent amount of noodles. The combination pho had a variety of meat, a good handful of it too! Almost just as much meat to noodle ratio. I appreciate that they didn't skimp on it. Standard beef broth. Beefy flavor, but not heavy. Hu tieu with soup. I find that wide noodles don't really work well with dry (broth on the side) version-- noodles break too easily. For those not familiar, the broth is pork based, tastes light and leans a liiiiiiiiiittle sweet rather than savory like beef pho. Broth is solid, but had better. Doesn't come with as much protein as the beef pho. 2x restrooms with code lock. I already forgot the code. Hand air dryer, no paper towels (if it matters).

    Amy C.

    I've visited Pho 21 twice so far, and it's a solid pho spot. First time, my boyfriend and I came here for a late dinner. We both got pho and spring rolls along with some drinks. They were all very tasty and perfect for a cold day! I remember that I liked that they have a cool robot bringing us our drinks. Second time, I got takeout from here. Parking here is very touch and chaotic in their lot. I luckily parked in the next door plaza and just walked over. Food is still pretty delish! The place is clean with indoor and outdoor seating.

    #24. Popcorn Chicken

    2.5 rounded to 3. The popcorn chicken was a disappointment. This was the second Vietnamese establishment to serve popcorn chocken like this; it looked and tasted like something out of a box. I wouldn't have ordered it if the menu had provided a photo of it. Special Combination Pho (#1) wss decent; I thought the broth was good. The Shaking beef was ok, less sweet than average but I found the amount of beef to be less than average as well and didn't think the rice platter was worth the price. I wouldn't order this again either. The Thai tea was only ok. Service was average in terms of demeanor (some servers better than others) but responsive to requests. The restaurant was rather busy at 8 P.M. on a Tuesday and there were 4 servers, plus staff in the kitchen to bring food out (along with the robot). Somewhat noisy but not overwhelming. Lots of locals probably, and that was a mix. At 8 there were plenty of spots but most of the other businesses ar this strip mall were already closed.

    Screen usually sits like this for a full minute or two before loading. The worst!
    Nick N.

    Food: five stars Web app for ordering: negative ten million I don't know what blogicsystems is but they are costing this business real money, it is slow and barely works. For our group, it took 20 minutes to get the web app to load well enough to get out order in. Easily slower than ordering actual food.

    ##1. Phở Đặc Biệt | Special Combination Pho
    Shellaine G.

    Spacious restaurant and great for large groups, but heads up--the wait can be long. Even with just two people, we waited about 50 minutes. Once seated, service was fast and the servers were attentive, which we appreciated. The only dish that truly felt worth the wait was the shaking beef. Huge portion, perfectly cooked meat, and great flavor with the bell peppers--absolutely delicious. The pho was mid. The beef broth was bland; although, the meat itself was cooked perfectly. Egg rolls were undercooked as well. I'd come back, but only for the shaking beef.

    #3. Pho Suon Bo | Short Rib Pho
    Jon Z.

    I recently came here with friends after one friend strongly recommended it. And overall it was very good! I got the short rib pho and it was delicious! The food comes out super hot. You get a huge piece of meat with the rib, and honestly it's a bit difficult to eat with how hot it is, but it was still very tasty. But the broth and the noodles were great as well. We went on a weekend and it was pretty busy and we had to wait a bit, so keep that in mind. I also love that they're open late in case I wanted to stop by for a late night meal. I would definitely come back if I was in the area!

    Sunny R.

    I've been here a few times with my friend, and after trying many pho places, this one has become my favorite. The food is fresh and delicious. It may take a little time, but it's definitely worth the wait. The service is kind and helpful, and the atmosphere is nice. I will definitely come back again.

    Lelong P.

    Pho 21 is a solid go-to spot whenever I'm craving pho. It's one of those places you can reliably rotate into without thinking twice. I usually switch between the pho tai, pho dac biet, and their short rib pho, all consistently good, flavorful, and satisfying. I've tried one of their rice plates before and it was just okay. Not bad, but nothing that really stood out. If you're coming here, I'd definitely stick with the pho. The restaurant itself is clean, the service is good, and a big plus is that they stay open late, which makes it perfect for late-night cravings. Overall, good pho, solid service, and a dependable spot I'll keep coming back to.

    #50. Mì Xào Giòn Chay | Stir Fried Veggie Crispy Egg Noodle
    Tiffany S.

    This place was PACKED when we came and I can see why. Check in on Yelp ahead of time if you can. This place accommodates bigger parties/families, which is why the waitlist is so long, but the wait for a party of two is quick! I wanted to try fried stir fried noodles because I love this in Cantonese food and wanted to compare them. These noodles are wheatier than what I'm used to, the sauce is less thick and the seafood is very generous! Definitely different from the Cantonese version, but yummy in its own way. Crispier than ours too. We also tried the egg rolls and pho dac biet, which met expectations. Drinks are delivered via robot. It's quick if you order all together, but if you add it later, it takes a little while.

    Receipt

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    Page 1 of 34

    Pho 21 Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pho 21

    Do you offer banh tuổi?

    Yea we do have Banh Tuoi

    What are the egg rolls made off?

    Our Egg Rolls made from pork, eggs, shrimp and vermicelli with fish sauce

    What is the thin white noodle called, trying to place an order online don't know which one to choose?

    Thin is more popular. I think its better for you

    View All 4 Questions

    Kunjip

    Kunjip

    4.1
    (2.4k reviews)
    8.7 mi
    $$

    One of the most popular K-food restaurants in the Bay Area, and their food is always a 10/10!…read more I've come back here so many times because all of their soups are so comforting, especially the galbitang - my absolute favorite. It feels just like a warm hug in a bowl! Their cold noodles, both spicy and non-spicy versions, are refreshing and perfect for cooling down summer heat. We also almost always order the mo deum soo yook for extra protein. It's a combination plate with boiled beef brisket, tail, and tendons. You will have to season them yourself with salt and pepper, but beef is always so soft and tender. I highly recommend ordering this only if you're dining with a group of 3 or more because the portion is huge! After finishing your meal, they'll serve you a yakult, super yummy and great for digestion (super thoughtful of them) They're busy and almost always have a waitlist, especially during peak dinner hours. From my experience, the longest I've waited was about 45 minutes, but normally it's only around 20-30 minutes. There's a boba shop nearby where you can grab a drink while waiting. Overall, I have nothing to complain about with this place. Try it once and you'll understand why everyone loves it!

    Cold noodles on a hot day is what Koreans do well if you want to try a refreshing beef noodle soup…read morethen this is where you should go. The spicy version was delicious and also the variety of banchan was good. Service was good and the restaurant has a contemporary feel. The line does get long on a weekday later in the evening, so go early if you want to get a quick spot As a note, I do not eat beef and this definitely was just an all beef location

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    #13 Cheese maeun galbi jjim ($82)
    #13 Cheese maeun galbi jjim ($82)
    Mul naengmyeun/cold buckwheat noodles

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    Mul naengmyeun/cold buckwheat noodles
    Uzumakiya

    Uzumakiya

    4.5
    (1.4k reviews)
    11.0 mi
    $$

    Thank you so much for bringing back your amazing udon!! My friends and I were all so excited to see…read morethat they had udon on the menu again. We went back as one of my final meals before I got my wisdom teeth removed, and it was the best decision that I could've made. - Aburi Shime Saba: must get, fire - chicken karaage: crunchy and yom - uzumakiya udon: YAAAAAAAAA - hojicha panna cotta: creamy rich deliciousness I'm so happy and relieved that they chose to listen to customers' input and that the quality is just as good as it was prior to the menu changes. UDON JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED

    Tried the Uzumakiya Udon, Tonkotsu Ramen and Hojicha Panna Cotta…read more The big difference between the Uzumakiya Udon and Tonkotsu Ramen is the broth. Uzumakiya had beef broth, supposedly oxtail broth. It's lighter in consistency than the ramen broth. Tasted more meaty without being heavy or fatty. The noodles were thicker but not chewy. The chashu (pork) slices that came with it was tender with just enough fat to give it the umami flavor. The Tonkotsu Ramen had the thinner noodles. The broth was creamier and richer than the beef broth but not bold or complex compared to other ramen broths I've had but still has a nice balance of flavor between the pork and dashi. Had the same chashu slices. Had more umami flavor than the Udon. Love the Hojicha Panna Cotta. Very smooth consistency. I felt like I'm eating something fancy but not heavy. Combination of light roasted tea and milk flavor. Just the right amount of sweetness. Enjoyed this the most. They had a $3 discount on their Udon. Food came out quickly. Staff were welcoming.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Karaage - @rayz
    Karaage - @rayz
    Spicy Uzumakiya Udon

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    Spicy Uzumakiya Udon
    YGF Malatang

    YGF Malatang

    4.3
    (525 reviews)
    8.7 mi
    $$

    I love the concept of malatang. You grab a bowl, load it up with everything your heart desires,…read morepick your broth and they cook it all for you. The concept might be simple but the possibilities are endless! I went absolutely overboard with my proteins (both beef and lamb), enoki mushroom, napa cabbage, tripe, baby corn, fish balls filled with roe and tofu skin. I saw that they had tofu mochi too and it was one of the best new things I decided to give a try. The bone broth was rich, flavorful and had that perfect mala kick with the numbing spice. I got mild flavor so it was not the kind of spicy that I could not tolerate. Each topping also soaked up all the flavorful broth. My friend got the medium spicy bone broth and that was packed a punch! I love how all the ingredients are fresh and fully restocked. The staff is very efficient. And they also give out vouchers, and free oranges.

    I was looking forward to trying this place, but unfortunately I left disappointed…read more The first thing I noticed was that the bowls and tongs didn't appear very clean. On the positive side, they do offer a large variety of ingredients to choose from. When my bowl was served, I realized it wasn't the one I had ordered. They had accidentally switched my bowl with another customer's. Later, while eating, I came across some of the marinated cilantro beef, which looked raw. I asked the server if it could be cooked a bit longer, but she explained that it was supposed to be pink. I tried a small piece, but the texture was still very tender, which made me uncomfortable. It also didn't have the texture of what I expected from beef. My cousin also had an issue with her bowl. The lotus root slices were cut fairly thick, so after cooking, it was still undercooked and crunchy. Overall, it was a disappointing experience due to the cleanliness concerns, the order mix-up, and the food quality. There are plenty of ingredient options, but I don't see myself returning.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Medium beef bone broth
    Medium beef bone broth
    Beef bone broth medium spicy

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    Beef bone broth medium spicy
    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    4.4
    (481 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Mom and pop known for Hu Tieu Nam Vang, which is a Vietnamese pork and seafood noodle dish. Place…read moreitself is clean, with a little parking lot, and service is nice and fast. Close to SJSU. I got the Hu Tieu Nam Vang dry style with both the hu tieu (rice noodle) and mi (egg noodle). It was very tasty and a texture lovers dream. Bouncy noodles, crisp veggies, succulent pork and shrimp. The broth that comes on the side has a nice sweetness. Overall, great food and highly recommend!

    It's been about a year since my last visit, and I'm so glad I came back. They're well known for…read moretheir Nam Vang noodle soup, and it did not disappoint. The broth is fresh, clean-tasting, and the portions are generous. They also offer a great smaller portion called the Baby Noodles, which was perfect for the kids. The restaurant appears to be family-owned and operated, and everyone there is incredibly kind and welcoming. They regularly checked in on us, kept our water and tea refilled, and made us feel well taken care of throughout our meal. When we packed our leftovers to go, they even offered to refill our soup container for us--now that's exceptional service! It's the little things like that that keep customers coming back. They're currently offering 10% off during the month of July to celebrate their 10-year anniversary, which makes it an even better time to visit. I'll definitely be back and look forward to continuing to support this wonderful local business.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar
    Condiments

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    Condiments
    Tasty Pot

    Tasty Pot

    4.0
    (1.4k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$

    Nothing beats hunger and the cold than some hot soup with lots of meat, noodles, vegetables, and…read morebroth. If I had to choose a last meal, this could be it! Since it is cold at night and I am hungry for dinner, this place is perfect!

    They got AYCE hot pot now and it feels a lot more chaotic!…read more  I came here to celebrate Father's day on Sunday around 12pm. There was a bit of a wait and you can waitlist on their ipad inside. We waited for about 20-30 minutes.    Before getting seated they ask if you want to do the normal hot pot style or AYCE. The AYCE runs for 90 minutes and is $24.99 during lunch and $30.95 during dinner time. They also charge for leftover food which is $6 per lb. We ended up doing the normal one pot hot pot for each person.    I always get my usual lamb hot pot which already comes with vermicelli noodles and choose rice as my free side dish. There are various levels of spiciness and I chose extra spicy which is a level down from there flaming spicy from what I can recall. Honestly it was not spicy enough but I did not want to get the spiciest level in fear that it would be too oily. Perhaps I will try that the next time to see if it is.    They have a bar further in the back of the restaurant where you can get creat your sauce and get some garnishes for your hot pot. I also noticed they have some other sides like noodles and such next to it. It seems if you are not participating in AYCE you can still get sauces and garnishes but I am not sure about the other sides.    The interior has changed from the last time I came here and it looks nice! Service was standard and everyone was nice. It does feel more chaotic now that they have AYCE but that  is understandable.

    Photos
    Tasty Pot
    Tasty Pot
    Sizzling Plate

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    Sizzling Plate

    Pho 21 - vietnamese - Updated August 2026

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