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    Pho Basil

    4.1 (1.6k reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese, Thai, Noodles
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Pho Basil Takeout or Delivery

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    PHO BASIL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Pho Basil

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    Kao Soi With Crispy Chicken
    Laura D.

    Khao Soi at Basil Pho I've ordered it a handful of times now and it genuinely never disappoints. The chicken is perfectly crispy and adds that extra heartiness and protein that makes this feel like a REAL meal. One thing though: in person is definitely the superior experience. When you get it to-go or delivered, they separate the chicken, noodles, and broth so you can assemble it yourself (which honestly keeps everything from getting soggy), but eating it fresh in the restaurant just hits differently. The service is quick and the restaurant is small. There's always usually a line but the food is worth it.

    beef pad see you
    Grace W.

    Delicious food!! We came for lunch and got the pho dac biet along with the beef pad see you and both were flavorful and well made.

    Dac Biet and Vietnamese Iced Coffee
    Ying X.

    This place is very close to Boston Symphony Hall, so I brought my colleagues here after the concert! Pad Thai: Just like at Nine Tastes, my first bite was overwhelmed by the strong sourness... According to ChatGPT, American Southeast Asian restaurants may use concentrated tamarind sauce instead of the original tamarind-infused water, or reduce the sugar to suit American tastes, hence the extra sourness of Pad Thai. Learned something new! The shrimp was very fresh, firm and tender; the rice noodles were stir-fried with a great wok hei 鑊氣(wok aroma), and the portion was huge, but it got a bit oily towards the end. My favorite was the peanuts--they were incredibly fragrant, and not too finely ground, giving them a better texture. Also, a larger plate is really needed; it would be much easier to mix all the ingredients together. Drunken Noodles: The wide flat rice noodles were authentic. The spicy flavor added another layer of wok hei, and the thin layer of chili oil helped retain heat and enhance the aroma. Although a bit spicy, I felt it was the best of the three. Saigon Noodle: It felt like a combination of the two above, with a touch of sweet and sour and a hint of spicy, but neither was particularly prominent. It had a hint of sesame oil, but I personally don't really like sesame oil.

    Pad See You
    Charis W.

    This place was packed with a line out the door right before one of the BSO concerts. That was already a good sign. Once we were seated, the portions that came out were HUGE, not to mention delicious. I got the drunken noodles with crispy chicken. Although the crispy chicken didn't really go with the noodles, they were still all delicious. I was only able to eat half of the portion and took the other half home.

    Saigon Noodles
    Mia H.

    This spot is the perfect place if you're looking for a hearty, cozy, and delicious meal! Located in the back bay, Pho Basil specializes in Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. Their portions here are huge, prices are really good, and service is very quick and kind. I got their Saigon Noodles (something I've never seen at any other spot) and the dish came in a portion big enough for two meals. Super flavorful and bouncy noodles. Absolutely loved this place.

    Vicki M.

    Pho basil never disappoints and is our favorite go to ordering place for Vietnamese food! We had just come back from a big trip and hubs was not feeling well came down with a cold and cough. So what better than to order some hot pho noodle soups! We ordered 2 pho ga and 1 pho chay. All very satisfying and I just love all the veggies in the pho chay soup and that broth is super flavorful!! We also ordered the fried rice with chicken which was also quite good and a huge portion too. The chicken wings and dumplings were great! Delivery came quickly. Leftovers for a couple lunches were great!

    Pho
    Hayley A.

    This right here is the place. Sign up for the waitlist online because it is worth it. The menu is extensive, the scallion pancake is the crispiest you'll ever have. The tofu curry was insanely flavorful. The pho is good but potentially a bit overpriced. I'm still dreaming of the curry from here, it's that good.

    Kao soi
    Lydia C.

    I've been to Pho Basil several times, with the experience ranging from great to mediocre. My favorite time to come is for the lunch special, when the restaurant is relatively quiet and dishes are even better value. In the evenings (even on weeknights), the restaurant fills up quickly. There are no reservations here, and the wait often trails out the door as diners circulate. Service is quick, especially in bringing out food, and the restaurant is quite casual. Drunken noodles here are decently spicy and a favorite. On the other hand, I found the kao soi to be average. While also spicy, I didn't enjoy the pickled vegetables much.

    Thai iced tea
    Lily Q.

    Came with a friend for a 6pm dinner on a weekday and there was only a 5-minute wait. Staff was decently attentive; we were in the corner by the window so didn't get passed very often and had to flag the waitress down a few times. Restaurant itself seemed pretty clean with good lighting. My friend ordered the pho dac biet and I got the pho bo vien. I found it interesting that they don't halve the meatballs like most other places. Bowl had a good amount of noodles and the broth was not bad but not the best I've had. The Thai iced tea I ordered as a drink was pretty solid. They did seem a little antsy to get us out and give us the check despite the restaurant being only half-full when we finished eating. I would be okay coming back but don't think I'd seek it out.

    Pho tai, pad see ew
    Persia E.

    One of my favourite Pho places. I always get the Pho Tai or the Pad See Eww, and both coming from someone who was raised in the bay with lots of good Thai/ Vietnamese places that is very good. The service is very fast, and the waiters are very kind. Normal atmosphere, very casual.

    Menu (1/5) as of 11/23/25
    Winston L.

    A refreshing meal on a gloomy fall day. The Roti'N Curry Dip was a great starter, but surprisingly not spicy at all. The Pho Dac Biet was very enjoyable: a nice balance of tender beef and hot noodles, appropriately savory broth, and a variety of garnish. There was a large line outside when I came ~12, but was able to be seated within 10 mins after joining the waitlist. Service was very prompt (not rude though). +1 for the quick turnaround time (for the table and for food)! Def recommend!

    Dac Biet...
    Kartika H.

    first time here. place is a bit small and space is too tight between one table and the others. it was packed when i went there at that time. table itself too small. two people with lots of orders can make the table full and not comfort while dine in. for foods... 1. dac biet: love the broth. it is rich and flavorful. expect to get more broth, mostly during cold weather. oh by the way, their dry chilies with fried garlic sauce is so so good!!! should put lots of this inside the pho and even yummy!!! recommended pho... 2. chicken wings: it is just mediocre. just a recommendation if you can marinate longer, i think will taste even better... 3. spicy crab rangoon: just so so... overall, i will say a recommendation place for pho and prices are just average. will come back again if i visit massachusetts again...

    Ethan R.

    Well helloooo Pho What a wonderful local gem of a place to discover on a whim while having a craving for Pho. A warm & bright local eatery with a comfortable atmosphere and a menu with a mix of Thai & Vietnamese dishes. Needless to say, but I'm going to say it anyways... our need & craving for delicious Pho was wholeheartedly fulfilled & completely satisfied.

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    3 years ago

    Love their basil and rice with fried crispy chicken . Every time I go I get it . Get you some !

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    2 years ago

    i would die for their pho tai i can eat it everyday and be happy i love you guys. servers are also always so sweet

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    3 years ago

    Delicious! My favorite Thai restaurant in Boston! Great Pho Ga, curry dishes, and yummy appetizers!

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Every time. EVERY TIME. Everything is good. Pho. Com Chien. Thai curry. Can't go wrong. Biggest problem is the wait.

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Takeout pad Thai was only noodles I was very disappointed and wish there was more variety in my order.

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    12 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Excellent first visit ! Food was fantastic. We will definitely be back soon to try other dishes. Great menu choices !

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

    This place still SLAPS!!!!! Since opening it has literally never let me down. Hands down the best restaurant in Boston. I love this place.

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    4 years ago

    Drunken noodle is the best I ever had! Convenient location with fair price, the staff is friendly.

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    3 years ago

    Super yummy and affordable. It has a causal and cozy atmosphere. The service is nice.

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    Page 8 of 40

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    Yume Ga Arukara

    4.5
    (250 reviews)
    2.2 mi
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    As an Asian diner, I'm pretty picky when it comes to Asian restaurants. I always worry that…read moretraditional flavors will be toned down to appeal to a broader audience, so I walked into Yume Ga Arukara with a little hesitation. Those concerns disappeared almost immediately. Looking around the dining room, I noticed many of the customers were of Asian descent, which gave me confidence that I was in the right place. I grabbed a seat at the counter, and it ended up being the best seat in the house. Watching the cooks prepare each bowl from scratch was fascinating. They hand-cut the udon noodles, cooked every component to order, and assembled each bowl with incredible care. It felt like dinner and a show all in one. On a rainy Boston afternoon, the Spicy Hot Niku Udon with an onsen egg was exactly what I needed. The broth was deeply flavorful, with rich dried fish and beef notes that tasted comforting without being overwhelming. The thinly sliced beef was tender and perfectly cooked, while the freshly made udon noodles were the star of the bowl. They were silky, smooth, and wonderfully chewy. The tempura flakes added a satisfying salty crunch that contrasted nicely with the soft noodles. The star of the dish, onsen egg, stole the show. The white part had an almost custard-like texture and the yolk was rich and creamy, blending effortlessly into the broth to make every bite even more luxurious. My only suggestion would be to offer sliced jalapeños as an optional side garnish. As a Korean who grew up enjoying spicy foods, I found myself wanting just a little more heat. I understand that Japanese cuisine typically isn't as fiery, but having the option to add fresh jalapeños would have taken an already excellent bowl to the next level for my personal taste.

    Authentic and unique, this restaurant specializes in udon noodles (both hot & cold). We tried the…read morespicy & original cold udon. I thought the flavor was interesting, though not my favorite. Since we came in pretty late, we were able to get seated, but the restaurant gets pretty busy, so be prepared to wait. Loved the Japanese decorations and vibe as well.

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    Cold spicy niku udon & hot spicy niku udon
    Cold spicy niku udon & hot spicy niku udon
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    REDWHITE - Boston

    REDWHITE - Boston

    4.2
    (577 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Vegan friendly

    Absolutely top-notch vegan ramen. Coming from Vancouver, BC, where we have a killer…read more(vegan-friendly) ramen scene, I am a tough customer for ramen when visiting elsewhere. But this place completely lives up. 6 different ramens, $17.95 for the regular bowls. I was recommended the red hot miso ramen, a spicy option. You order up at the counter, and they give you a buzzer that buzzes when your ramen is ready to grab at the counter. The ramen was ready in under 10 minutes. First, the broth was remarkably complex and rich, with an endless depth that never became too overbearing -- perfect. The noodles were perfectly cooked as well, served up in a decent portion. Toppings-wise, you get tofu, soy crumble, corn, arugula, and sprouts, along with plenty of sesame seeds. I would've liked some proper greens (other than a few raw arugula leafs), but that's the most minor of complaints. Service was decent enough -- informative and helpful in describing the options. All in all, top-notch vegan ramen. Highest recommendation.

    I have been dreading writing this review, because as much as I wanted to love this place - I…read moreprobably had one of the worst eating experiences ever. Swung by this place on a weekday for lunch to avoid the rush - most weekends I pass by this place and the line wraps around the street! My friend and I stepped in and were immediately greeted with a sour attitude. We were confused on the menu whether our ramen included chili oil or not, and the staff did not help explain anything and just quickly dismissed our questions to get us to order quicker. Once we sat down, the food was done relatively quickly. However I was very surprised on what we had gotten. Now I admit - I am not a vegetarian. However, I have enjoyed many vegetarian meals and this was quite upsetting. We both got the garlic miso ramen. The ramen was not temperature hot at all. The chili oil was not flavorful. The "soy meat" was simply just mushed tofu with awful texture, and it soaked into the soup and created a pretty unpleasant texture (I took a picture which makes me sad and unappetized). I was unable to finish my bowl. The food combined with the service made for a pretty negative time for me. I really wanted to love it - a place with a full vegetarian menu is amazing for all my friends who have that restriction! Maybe if they tried pan frying the tofu create a better textural experience? I will not plan to come back, and will highly recommend you go to any other restaurant in Back Bay.

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    Roasted Miso Avocado Sushi
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    JiangNan - Boston

    JiangNan - Boston

    4.4
    (351 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    TLDR: Potentially…read moreone of my favorite Chinese restaurants in all of Massachusetts! Beautiful interior, centrally located, and delicious, high-quality food. Will definitely find a reason to come back here soon. ------ FOOD: 1. [MUST TRY] STIR-FRIED CABBAGE W/ PORK BELLY (5/5) Presentation was phenomenal (in a clay pot with its own burner underneath to keep it hot). The portion was much larger than expected, and most importantly, it tasted incredible. Generous amounts of pork in this, and the sauce was authentic and addicting. 2. SCALLION CHICKEN (5/5) Another great choice. This was a huge portion with lots of tender chicken, and the scallion was present without being overpowering. 3. CRISPY BEEF WITH FRIED DOUGH STICKS (5/5) I was expecting Chinese you tiao but these were actually the small, ultra crispy manhua twists! Paired with the beef, this was a large and unique dish that I loved. The crispiness of the mahua made this a textural delight to eat. 4. MANGO SAGO DESSERT (5/5) Big portion, wonderful assortment of toppings including grapefruit, mango, sago, and popping balls over a creamy dessert soup base. 5. PEKING DUCK (4/5) I think I'm a tough critic since I just came back from Beijing and had so much Peking duck there. We ordered the half portion here and it had a generous amount of meat for not being the full portion. There were an assortment of accompaniments, including pineapple (new to me) and sugar (like the Beijing style) which were welcome additions. The wrappers were steamed well and didn't curl up on the edges. Overall this was a solid Peking duck, but the meat wasn't as standout as I was hoping. 6. STEAMED PORK SOUP DUMPLING (4/5) Solid soup dumplings. Not the best I've ever had, but definitely hit the spot. 7. SAUTEED PEA SPROUTS (4/5) Another solid classic. 8. PORK MEATBALL IN CRAB MEAT SAUCE (4/5) This was the most unique thing we ordered. I've never had a shi zi tou meatball with crab meat sauce before. The meatball itself was large (maybe size of a tennis ball), tender, and fatty, as it should be. It was then drowned in a generous lake of traditional crab meat sauce. If you're not a fan of crab meat then this might be a bit too fishy for you, but honestly it all combined surprisingly well and I grew to like this dish more and more with each bite. I wasn't the biggest fan to start, but by the end I wouldn't have minded getting another one! ------ AMBIANCE / ENVIRONMENT: * The interior has the classic Asian style of decor, but you can tell it was recently built / renovated because everything felt new and fresh. * The ambiance also felt more new-school luxurious vs. the typical Asian establishments that are more no-frills with as many tables packed in as possible * You're still somewhat close to the tables around you, but it's not overwhelming during lunch time and we still felt like we had enough space regardless * There's a bar area at the front of the restaurant and then a large, spacious dining room in the back * This is a great place for a date or a meaningful family gathering * Right outside is Boston Common, making this restaurant very well-located for lunch before or after a nice day in the park. While there's lots of parking around the park, a spot itself can be hard to come by, so your best bet might be to use the nearby parking garage instead ------ SERVICE: * Overall the service was great and quick. They did forget our tea, but when we asked for it later they apologized profusely and were quick to bring it out for us * This place fills up quickly so be sure to come early if you don't have a reservation or if you're a big enough group, make a reservation for your desired dining time

    Xiao Long Bao (5/10): Not worth ordering. To their credit, at least there was soup inside. The…read morefilling was not very flavorful, though. I had this with my Shanghainese relatives and they thought it was so bad Fish Slices w/ Pickled Mustard Greens (6.5/10): This tasted fine. The fish itself was not memorable. The spice level was ok, but could've been spicier. Crab Roe over Rice (7/10): Pretty tasty, but more of a side dish. Peking Duck (7/10): Honestly, I never order Peking duck unless I'm with my relatives. It tasted good to me, but pretty comparable to other Peking ducks I've had in the US. I think this is their #1 specialty dish or something, so knowing that, it doesn't really live up to the hype. tl;dr Too expensive for the quality of food you get.

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    Kenzoku Mazesoba

    Kenzoku Mazesoba

    4.6
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    1.0 mi
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    Wheelchair accessible
    Catering service

    Looking for something different while visiting Boston. This place was withing walking distance of…read moreour lodging so gave it a shot. There was a small line of people waiting when we arrived, but the wait was not very long. The dining area is not huge, but the Staff hustles so it seems to turn over quick. Super friendly hostess/server who was non-stop energy and movement. She made it flow while still being personable. I have never had this type of food, so cannot base it on anything except it was delicious. I followed the instructions and added the rice at the end (nice top off). The Miso soup was good along with the Sushi roll. The Hostess gave us a new drink to try and we all enjoyed it. Definitely a great spot !!!

    I've had my fair share of Japanese cuisine, but mazesoba isn't exactly in my usual lane. That's…read morewhat made my visit to Kenzoku Mazesoba in Fenway such a pleasant surprise. My first impression? Bright, modern, and incredibly welcoming. The space has an inviting energy, but what really stood out was the hostess. Since it was my first visit, she took the time to patiently explain the menu and made me feel completely at ease. Her recommendation of the Tan Tan turned out to be absolutely spot on. Loaded with spicy minced pork, minced garlic, onions, chives, sesame sauce, dried chili pepper, and a perfectly poached egg, this bowl was a beautiful marriage of flavor and texture. The savory minced pork stole the show, while the chewy hand-pulled noodles held onto every bit of that rich, nutty, spicy sauce. Just when I thought the experience was over, I learned the best part was still to come. After finishing the noodles, you're encouraged to ask for a bowl of rice and mix it into the remaining sauce. It transforms the leftovers into an entirely new dish, making sure not a single drop of flavor goes to waste. The entire meal felt like an adventure--one I genuinely didn't want to end. I've always considered myself a ramen guy, but this experience reminded me that it's worth stepping outside your comfort zone every now and then. Japanese cuisine really is the gift that keeps on giving, and I'm here for it!

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    Somenya - Soba restaurant

    Somenya - Soba restaurant

    4.4
    (199 reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    This charming little restaurant a few steps down from the sidewalk is a lovely addition to the…read morerestaurant choices in the neighborhood. The decor is bright and cheerful and the room (and restrooms) sparkling clean. The service is quick, gracious and calm. And the food is delicious! I don't care to eat meat, so it was wonderful to have several selections of vegan and pescatarian dishes to choose from. My husband and I enjoyed the soups we chose and want to come back to try the cold noodle dishes.

    Nothing beats a place where they have 12-year-old Asian kids from working. The service here can…read morerange from slow to normal considering that the place itself is not very big. The restaurant focuses mostly on soba or udon noodle dishes with a good selection between hot and cold options. It's not going to be the best udon or soba you've ever had. HOWEVER, I tried the cold ikura & uni cold soba and LOVED it. It's seasonal, so I tried that one out and was extremely surprised about how much I enjoyed the bowl. Not too much soup and the uni didn't completely obliterate when I stirred it up. They do use American wasabi though, and I found it superfluous to the dish and wished it was served on the side. But regardless, despite not having some extremely high quality noodles, the flavor and experience of the bowl itself was super pleasant. I ended up coming back the very next day because I wanted to try their clam soba. The clam soba only comes hot, which is a bit unfortunately because I actually think a cold clam soba with some lemon or yuzu would be phenomenol. I've been seeing recipes for it online so I've been wanting to try it, but their clam soba is a lot more standard and hot. They had a very good amount of clams in it, but I generally like their cold soba better. Still good, but didn't give me that feeling of needing to come back the very next day like I did with the ikura-uni combo. Overall, I'd still come back when I'm in downtown!

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    Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

    Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe

    3.9
    (511 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $

    Gene's is slightly off the beaten path, but it's hard to say it is a hidden gem as word has been…read moreout now for many years that Gene's serves some terrific, authentic, Xi'an noodle dishes. While there are a few tables nestled into the cozy space, most customers opt for takeout. The quality of the plastic goods for takeout pales in comparison to the quality of the food though, so dining in vs. takeout is a bit of catch 22. I was craving the their spicy classic hand-pulled noodles today, and they were as good as I remembered. Chewy and fragrant, with enough potent garlic to ensure my coworkers would leave me alone for the afternoon. Ha! One thing that has changed is their prices. Their website is woefully out of date, as the noodles (no additions) are now $9.40 vs. the $6.87 listed on the website menu! Ordering through their website also tacks on a service fee, which is a bit annoying as ordering in the store usually comes with at least a 10 minute wait.

    I brought my friends here this time, and the quality control seemed inconsistent…read more Cumin Lamb Hand-pulled Noodle孜然羊肉拌麵: The portion was really generous, especially the lamb--they were really lavish with it, and it was very fragrant. However, the noodles, soaked in the sauce, became a bit sticky, and they were too thick, as if they were just quickly stretched and cooked. Chilled Noodles涼皮: A weekend limited edition, icy cold, which was nice for summer. But the garlic flavor was too strong, extremely spicy, almost masking all the other seasonings. The presentation was just a box lid, which was a bit too perfunctory. Lamb Skewers羊肉串: Completely cold, and with an extremely strong gamey smell. I really don't understand how they dare to sell this?

    Photos
    Front counter. Mainly for to go orders but window bar seating for 5 people and a table for 3
    Front counter. Mainly for to go orders but window bar seating for 5 people and a table for 3
    ##16 Hot sour hand-pulled noodle soup
    ##16 Hot sour hand-pulled noodle soup
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    Pho Basil - vietnamese - Updated August 2026

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