We recently visited Pho 321 on a quiet Sunday evening and practically had the restaurant all to ourselves. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful, making for a relaxing dining experience.
One thing worth noting is that the restaurant can be a little confusing to find. The building signage says "Bakudan," while Google and Yelp lists it as "Pho 321." If you're specifically searching for Vietnamese food or pho, just be aware of the different names.
The service was friendly and attentive. One of the ladies helping us appeared to have limited English, but she was incredibly sweet and made sure our water glasses stayed full throughout the meal. Aside from her and the cook in the back, the restaurant was very quiet.
I ordered the Spicy Beef Soup, and it was excellent. The broth was rich and flavorful with just the right amount of heat, and the portion size was huge. I ended up taking half home and enjoyed it again for lunch the next day.
My husband is a fairly picky eater and was a little disappointed that some items we had seen in previous reviews and online menus, such as Chicken Katsu and Chicken Karaage, were not available on the current menu. He ended up ordering the Chicken Fried Rice, which he enjoyed, but it wasn't what he had originally planned to order.
Overall, the food was flavorful, portions were generous, and the service was kind and welcoming. If you're looking for a hearty bowl of pho or Vietnamese comfort food in Melbourne, Pho 321 is worth a visit. Just be sure to check the current menu before you go if you have a specific dish in mind. read more