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    Pho 81

    3.8 (243 reviews)
    InexpensiveVietnamese
    Open 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

    Order Pho 81 Takeout or Delivery

    Pho 81 Photos

    PHO 81 ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Pho 81

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    02. Steak (Tai), Flank (Nam), Tendon (Gan), Tripe (Sach) Noodle Soup
    Boris W.

    I ordered their Beef-Tendon-Tripe pho with a spring roll. The portion sizes were definitely generous. The pho was pretty good and the roll was, unfortunately, forgettable. What surprised me was that their prices on their menu were actually post-tax. So the pho was labeled $15 and the roll was $5. The after tax bill came out to be $20 on the dot. I thought that was pretty considerate of them. Overall, not an amazing experience but satisfied my pho craving!

    Flank and Brisket (9.21.24)
    Carroll N.

    9.21.24 Aside from pho, they have rice, salad, and other noodle dishes. My dad and I each got a bowl of pho. This is his go-to pho restaurant. He says they put more meat than other restaurants. It was good and comparable to other pho restaurants. The Vietnamese ice coffee was good too. Service was fast and staff were friendly.

    Large house special pho $15 (had to get a bigger bowl lol) (instagram: @issa.cheatday)
    Xavier I.

    Thursday 10/03/2024 Never knew about this spot until my good friend recommended it to me. I've never had any type of Vietnamese food before so this is my first legit experience. I made a call in order for takeout and got the large house special pho $15 and summer rolls $5. - Large house special pho * For takeout, it comes with 3 separate containers: the pho & meat, the broth, and vegetables & duck sauce. * It was my first time having pho and it was decent but none crazy. A 7/10 rating for me. - Summer rolls * I got this accidentally as I was expecting a spring roll with shrimp instead of pork. What I got was shrimp, lettuce, and noodle/rice that's wrapped up in some type of edible gel (is what I would call it) with a side of peanut sauce (I believe). * It was also my first time having summer rolls and it was solid (taste wise) but I wish I got the spring rolls instead. A 6.5/10 rating for me. Overall, its cool but nothing really impressed me.

    Interior
    Kathryn J.

    Pho 81 is my go-to pho restaurant in Montgomery County MD and has been for years. I've tried a few others but they don't seem to compare! I'm a beef pho fan myself, and I typically go for a brisket pho with all the extra toppings. The broth is delicious, and the meat is always perfectly cooked. I've had the chicken pho a few times as well, and it's also very flavorful. The noodles are a great texture and the portions are huge for the price. I like to get crispy spring rolls as well. The outside is really crispy and flakey, and the inside has meat and a variety of veggies, not just cabbage. They're a great addition to a bowl of delicious pho. The restaurant is large and clean and you can always find a table. The staff are hardworking and kind, and typically the food comes out quickly. Take out is great here too, and I never have any issues with the order.

    One of the best Pho places ever! They get it right every single time! I highly recommend Pho 81

    Garnish
    Abegail A.

    Decent spot to grab a bowl of pho when you're in the area. I got a small #12, which came with a decent amount of thinking sliced steak and flank. Sadly the broth wasn't flavorful. Garnishes were fresh which was a plus. The Summer rolls were okay too, with the rice paper being hard in some places. Definitely need to dip these in the peanut sauce. Service is friendly and food came out pretty quickly.

    Kimberly Q.

    Hands down THE best Pho Broth I've ever had. My boyfriend introduced me and we go here every other Sunday or when we can And of course the customer service is amazing as always and very friendly. Couldn't recommend this place enough!

    Another Mexican Dude

    The guys in service just be on their phone and I couldn't get an spoon and the pho ain't that good, the water teste like tap water and

    Evelyn T.

    The food is good and reasonably priced. I like that there are small and large options to choose from for noodles. I definitely will go there again..

    Pho 81 House Special (small)
    Angel P.

    I've been here several times and get the pho 81 house special (pho đặc biệt) every single time and I definitely recommend it. It's one of the good pho restaurants in the area. This time, I decided to get the grilled beef and rice (thịt bò nướng) to try something different. They give very little meat with lots of rice, with one slice of tomato and cucumber and small amount of lettuce. Marinade of the meat was ok if anything. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend the rice dishes if this is what they usually provide. Service was ok. It gets busy on weekends so it's sometimes a wait for service. There's usually only one waiter and one busboy for 15+ tables.

    Pho 81 House Special Raw on top
    Merianne C.

    My husband, friends and I often come here once a week. Service is always great! Staff is nice and accommodating. We always order Spring Rolls, Pho 81 House Special, (raw on top) and onion in vinegar. The pho here is amazing. Pho 81 special basically have every beef meat in it! We order it raw on top, note that you have to request for it to be raw on top. Meat will be more tender if ordered this way. Make sure to dip those raw meats in hot soup right for it to be cooked! Absolutely delicious!! Spring rolls is always freshly cooked. Onion in vinegar helps balancing out their tasty Pho. I crave their Pho all the time! My experience with their food is always great and satisfying! Definitely food for your soul!!

    a restaurant with tables and chairs
    Tyler L.

    Pho 81 is a humble looking Vietnamese restaurant that is located at a suburban shopping plaza. The place is actually decently sized on the inside with many tables for seating. I found the food to be very authentic and their grilled meat was very flavorful. Everything is reasonably priced too with the majority of their entrees being around $10 to $11 each. My only criticism is that they are a little cheap with the amount of meat they give you. However, overall, the meal was still very good.

    Summer Roll

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    Kami N.

    Thank you for the kind words. We hope to see you soon.

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    2 years ago

    Works for us. kids love the white meat chicken Pho. The online menu allows you to pick add ons to the Pho easily

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    Thank you for the positive review. We appreciate you. See you soon.

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    2 years ago

    This place is definitely my favorite spot to eat pho with my family and the service is great

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    Thank you for the kind review. See you soon.

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Pho 81

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    Hello Vietnam - Grilled Jumbo Shrimp with Jasmine Steamed White Rice and Veggies

    Hello Vietnam

    4.3(168 reviews)
    9.7 mi
    $$

    Upon entering we were welcomed by light chatter in Vietnamese and the faint sweet smell of nuoc mam…read morecham. To further fulfill that nostalgic feeling of my weekends having lunch at Eden Center with my parents as a teen, I ordered an avocado smoothie to sip while looking over the menu. I have never been to Hanoi so there were some dishes I hadn't tried before but if a Vietnamese restaurant tells you what their house specials are, you should listen to them. I only ordered three of their house special dishes because I only had one other person to share these large portions with but I definitely wanted to try more. All three dishes were hits! The bun bo hue had a deep shrimp paste flavor, which is exactly what I was craving. Some people complained that it lacked lemongrass, I agree, but it's in there and not a big deal for me. There was plenty of meat in the bowl, the meatballs were bouncy and meaty (maybe even made in house), the pork blood was great quality and not chalky at all. Red cabbage is served on the side with thai basil, lime, and jalapeños; great alternative for banana blossom. The bun cha Hanoi was our favorite. It comes with a heaping serving of house made meatballs and pork belly. The fish sauce it comes in was a little blander than I like but I asked for a little extra raw fish sauce and chilis to spruce it up. It's all served with a mound of vermicelli and fresh veggies/herbs. This was my husband's first time trying this dish and he was obsessed! We also added a nem cua be (crab egg roll) add on so we could try one. Glad we only got the one because it was huge and packed with meat! It was delicious but would have been very filling as an appetizer. I also ordered the banh cuon cha lua which I took one bite of and had to pack home because I was too full to eat it there. This is one of my favorite dishes so I had to try it too! The rice paper crepes were great! Filling was a little lighter but the portion made up for it. Again, I spruced up the fish sauce a bit at home. I really enjoyed dining here. It fills that craving for authentic Vietnamese food without having to go all the way to Silver Spring or Eden Center. I will try to be a little more adventurous next time we head over and try the bun dau mam tom. It looks amazing!

    This restaurant is located in the twinbrook parkway shopping mall that is anchored by the Lotte at…read moreone end and a library at the other. I walked in on a whim cuz friends said it was good and asked for a recommendation from the waitress. She gave me three possibilities and I chose the one from the new menu that they called the Vietnamese seafood crepe. . Did not know what to expect but when it arrived I was very upset cuz it's basically a big deep fried egg, stuffed with shrimp, sprouts etc. I was upset because I had gotten one of these at another restaurant and it was just gross. Really awful. Well so much for that. This crepe is so delicious, I will come back here just to get it. The egg itself is wonderfully crispy. It does not get soggy when you dip it in the dipping sauce. It comes with large pieces of romaine lettuce and a huge spring of basil leaves. It was awesome . The ambiance is very pleasant. It is large, spacious, clean, well-lit, with attractive pictures on the wall and two screens in the front. One has beautiful marine life swimming around and the other one has menu items. It is relaxing and attractive . The service was friendly and efficient. Although I don't think her English was very advanced, it didn't interfere with my ordering or getting something I liked. Bottom line, I have added this to one of the restaurants I'm going to put in my regular rotation. I can't wait to try their other stuff. TLDR: WALKED IN OFF THE STREET NOT KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT. FOUND A TREASURE OF A RESTAURANT THAT I WILL RETURN TO MANY TIMES OVER.

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    Hello Vietnam - 8.15.23

    8.15.23

    Hello Vietnam - Bun Ga nuong

    Bun Ga nuong

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    Lemongrass Grilled Chicken

    Booboo Pho

    Booboo Pho

    4.1(79 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    Booboo continues to be the most solid choice in the area for Vermicelli Rice middle bowls. Get V3…read more It is the best item on the menu. Trust me....

    (5/5) I recently…read morestumbled upon Boo-Boo Pho on a total whim craving hot soup on a hot summer day (call me wild), and let me just say... no regrets. I started with the summer rolls, and boo-boo, they were incredible. Fresh, flavorful, and that peanut sauce? I'm obsessed. Creamy, rich, slightly sweet it deserves its own spotlight. Calms me down from my spicy pho I ordered the small steak pho ($13.97), and it hit all the right notes. The broth was bold, deep, and comforting. The noodles had perfect texture, and the fresh herbs and veggies added so much balance. The portion size was generous, and honestly, worth every penny. The restaurant itself was spotless. I could see straight into the kitchen and it looked super clean huge plus. The vibe inside was laid-back but inviting, perfect for a casual meal that still feels special. And let's talk options,this place has range. Bánh mì that looked amazing Vermicelli bowls, stir-fried noodles, rice plates A full drink menu with Thai iced tea, sparkling lemonades, and milk teas (next time, I'm getting one for sure) I'll be adding photos , but just know: Boo-Boo Pho is officially on my repeat list. Came here three times since June 28. Fresh, flavorful, affordable, and clean. What more could you ask for?

    Photos
    Booboo Pho - Counter

    Counter

    Booboo Pho - Vermicelli with Grilled Pork and Eggroll (V3)

    Vermicelli with Grilled Pork and Eggroll (V3)

    Booboo Pho

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    Pho Nom Nom - Vegetarian Pho

    Pho Nom Nom

    3.8(973 reviews)
    8.9 mi
    $$

    Finally I found another good Vietnamese restaurant near my town. The food appearance and taste was…read morevery nice. I had a sampler appetizer platter, Vietnamese Shaking Beef with steamed rice, and grilled jumbo shrimp and crispy fried egg roll with rice noodle. Anyway, the dining room is quite tiny, and free parking is limited. It is rather better to avoid busy time like lunch or dinner. The service is ok, waiting time was not too bad, food came quickly more than I thought. But the staffs seem less friendly than other Vietnamese Restaurant I have visited. Overall, if you would like to enjoy just a delicious food, this place is fine for you, but if you also want to get great atmosphere, this place might not yet.

    Hubby and I ordered takeaway from here for the first time. We ordered the spring rolls (A5); the…read morevegetarian lemongrass tofu with noodles (C4); Banh Mi with grilled chicken (BM7); Coconut smoothie with boba (B13), and; dessert drink with red bean, green jelly, coconut milk, and mung beans (D1). Total came out to approximately $47. What's Hot - Quality. My noodle dish with lemongrass tofu and veggies was delicious. I enjoyed the flavor and the dish wasn't dry. Their shrimp spring rolls are delicious, as well. Their food isn't overly salty, as well. - Menu. There's something for everyone, even vegans. Their menu states their vegetarian options use vegetable broth. - Price. For the portions and quality, it's good value for money. - Location. Easy to find. It's in a small plaza amongst other shops and restaurants. The interior can be fairly tight. It's a decent space, but their tables and chairs cannot accommodate more than a party of 4. - Service. Pretty good. They gave me an estimated wait time of 15 minutes for our order. There is a small rack in front of their front desk, where you place your order, where they put their takeaway orders. Everything is packed tightly and neatly, which is very helpful, given that you may be transporting broth and dishes that are wrapped in saran wrap, as well. None of our food spilled. What's Not - Banh mi. The flavor of the banh mi was good, but my husband felt the sandwich was a little dry. There was no additional flavor to the sandwich and/or toppings, aside from the fillings. My husband added some sriracha sauce to the sandwich, which added some flavor and some moisture. To each their own, but just be aware, depending on your preference for sandwiches. - To go charge. The receipt showed that we were charged an additional fee, because we ordered takeaway. On the one hand, it makes sense, because there are additional containers and packaging required for takeaway. I appreciate that it was shown on the receipt. On the other hand, there are not many restaurants I have come across that charge for takeaway, and I was surprised of such charges. - Parking. It's a small plaza and there are parking spots available, but it can be difficult to find, depending on the day and time you're there. Final Answer Willing to come here again, but not a first choice.

    Photos
    Pho Nom Nom - A cool looking horse decoration.

    A cool looking horse decoration.

    Pho Nom Nom - Vietnamese Shaking Beef - seasoned sear cubed beef - One of my Vietnamese favorite dish.

    Vietnamese Shaking Beef - seasoned sear cubed beef - One of my Vietnamese favorite dish.

    Pho Nom Nom - Vietnamese Iced coffee, so good & strong!

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    Vietnamese Iced coffee, so good & strong!

    Pho Chi - Black pepper in the Pho that I ordered & tastes very bad!!!

    Pho Chi

    3.6(354 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    I got the Kobe special with ADDED brisket and meatballs, delicious indeed. I don't eat pork or…read moreshrimp so it was good to get some freshly made Chicken Spring Rolls! The service was welcoming and warm. Very upset for not getting a name, but the working grandson of vietnam war vet made sure I was comfortable the entire time. The ambiance was late-night/cozy vibes. Not very busy to my surprise (after eating), but it was 8pm on a Tuesday. The food though? I believe it to be pretty good, and I've had pho around the entire country. The wait was a bit slow, but after eating I will chalk that up to authenticity and love from the chef.

    This place was recommended to us by an acquaintance. The location, parking and ambiance was nice…read more Friendly, warm greetings. We were there for carryout. We were specific in ordering Pho with Shrimp, and when we got home it was Pho with Beef. We called back and the lady was very nice and asked us to come back for the correct order. However, we wished we would have checked the order in details before we left, or Pho Chi would have showed us what was in the bags. Honestly, this beautiful, warm establishiment needs to UPGRADE the cash register receipt system to receipts that reflect the itemized ordered food items for instances like these. Our word vs theirs. However, the Pho tasted good. The fried rice was drier than I'm accustomed to. First time at Pho Chi. We'll debate whether to return for dine-in. Warm place and people. Great beer and wine in the inventory! Go try it out, please.

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    Pho Chi - Food, dining, beer and alcohol to go.

    Food, dining, beer and alcohol to go.

    Pho Chi - Grilled beef com

    Grilled beef com

    Pho Chi - Exterior

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    Exterior

    Pho 81 - vietnamese - Updated May 2026

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