PHO DIEN · YELP ASSISTANT
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My favorite pho place closed for two weeks so I decided totry Pho Dien, a long standing establishment that I've heard good things about. The interior felt a bit cramped due to the close proximity of some of the tables and the service was curt but efficient. It was neither good or bad. Just very minimal and very to the point. Ever since I was introduced to fresh pho noodles, I've been unable to return to regular noodles so I was really disappointed to know they did not have fresh noodles. Unlike everyone I know who enjoys pho, I don't usually add any sauces or spice to my broth. Just a squeeze of lime and that's it for me but I had to add Plum sauce and a lot of lime juice to the broth here. Also, I wasn't a fan of their pickled onions. I don't think they use sweet onions because they were more on the better side. The pho was just okay to me and most likely won't be returning.
Solid 4 stars. Came in for a weekday lunch with the family. Everybody had a bowl of pho. Prices are pretty reasonable, service was super fast, and the restaurant is decent and clean. Pho -- 4.5/5. Large bowl, good value, with a pretty good depth of flavor. Not the best pho I've ever had in my life, but very above average for Houston. Cà phê sữa đá -- 5/5. Good value and a large cup. Might not be for everybody -- it was extremely strong and just a little sweet -- but that strong is exactly how I like it. Would recommend, and would return. This might be my new go-to spot for pho in Houston.
This might be the best pho I've had! Broth is lightly sweet and umami but the real highlight was the meat! Very generous servings and a thicker cut than what I'm used to but very somehow very tender. Rare steak and fatty brisket are very nice. Service was super quick even though go we came at an off time. Plenty of parking in front, definitely want to come back soon.
No frills pho spot that has been serving up consistent bowls of pho over the years. Choose from a simple menu full of your standard offerings, wait a few minutes, and eat away. The broth is very flavorful and while the meat pieces aren't as great as Pho Sapa, the price also reflects that. Service is fast and efficient and allows you to get in and get out if you're looking for a quick lunch.
I've heard a lot about the pho in Houston's Chinatown, and what a way to end off my trip to Houston! I ended up getting the pho with rare steak and tripe, and it was probably one of the best pho I've ever had! The meat was really tender and not like the normal circular slices of beef that you typically see. The broth was also rich and very flavorful. The prices were also a lot cheaper than pho in California, which made it even better! If only prices in California were as good as in Texas. If you're looking for some good pho in Houston, highly recommend this spot!
Typical ~ small busy parking lot! Line about 20min long at 11:30am! Staff scrambling around with fresh delicious bowls of Pho! As a party of one they had to seat men and another dude with a family and their two young sons! But trust me This bowl of #12 Pho was worth being a little patient to have to park! Worth a patient wait in an uncomfortable queue! Worth it to sit and meet new people, and enjoy a 5-star bowl of deliciousness 5 out of a 5 stars!!!!! Next time I'll know to order the bread for dipping If there's no chili oil on the table just ask for it but before you add anything to this Pho just try the broth on its own!!! It's truly deep in flavor
Oh man, the Phở Tái was outstanding in this bustling pho restaurant deep in the heart of Alief. The place is a typical hole in the wall gem with kind service and lots of regulars. Get there early so you don't have to wait!
My fiance and I recently went to Houston for a wedding and when he told me let's get pho.. I instantly hesitated. I grew up eating pho everyday as a child so instantly had trauma when I heard those words. Regardless, I went with him anyway and man am I excited to have gone! Pho Dien looks like any typical pho restaurant. Their menu is very basic. Just pho with different variations and fixings. We shared the pho dac biet XL and added a side of bone marrow with egg. The XL was truly XL and was enough noodles and meat to feed the both of us and keep us full. The broth was delicious and not too salty. Usually when I eat pho out, there's lots of MSG and makes me drink lots of water. This wasn't the case for Pho Dien. The bone marrow and egg added an extra béo-ness to the pho that was to die for! Don't forget to ask for the pickled onions on the side. The fresh squeezed orange juice was also very good. As some would say, it healed us. Overall, I'm definitely adding this Pho place to my houston food rotation and can't wait to come back for another delicious bowl of pho!
So many pho choices on Bellaire but I always find myself going back to this one. Something about their broth is just really clean and comforting. It doesn't taste like made from bone broth powder. Color of the broth looks pure and balanced, not oily. I heard that they stew the broth for over 12 hours, I would believe it because no where else make the broth like them. Normally when I eat pho from other restaurants I drink a lot of water after because they are salty, not pho dien's. They sell so well that sometimes on the weekend they close early because they are sold out for the day! Besides the taste, the portion is really nice and affordable. They give a balance amount of noodle and meats, I'm full after eating a regular size bowl. Service here is like a blind box, sometimes good sometimes ok. They serve the food pretty fast though overall. Always pretty crowded with people during meal times like any Asian diners so it gets little loud with many voices overlapping, but they have plenty seatings. It's always my go to when I want pho in and out quick and I will always get them on a cold day.
Houston staple for a reason! This is one of the pho spots I visit every now and then and it has always been solid throughout the years. My go to is the Rare steak, Fatty Brisket, and Flank with a side of Bone Marrow. I would say this is one of the cheapest spots right now for a bowl and it just doesn't disappoint. Overall, 9/10.
I enjoyed my experience here. The pho was decently priced and of course they give you a ton, even with the small bowl. The fixings were nice and fresh and they give you a lot. The broth itself needed an extra kick for me but the jalapeños and sriracha sauce helped. There were a ton of people coming in and out on Saturday at 2 PM, so that's a good sign. Parking lot was kind of packed so that's something to keep in mind. Overall, not sure I would come back because there's so many pho places to try. But it was a good experience and I would recommend if you are in the area and love pho.
The broth overrated for I never can go here it's not the same as the original owners that ran the one in Kimson location, the original owners at were her parents she said daughter has different cooking skills or family from her parents. I had just placed one pho lean brisket Togo. It was the most least enjoyable experience that will keep me from returning here to not step into here until the broth taste legitimately better. If there are many that this would stay on the list I say top mid range list not anywhere in the top 5 of Houston and please when it's lean it should not be looking fatty like bacon strips that is a ratio of 3/4 fat to lean meat. I would totally skip and use my quick instant pho bowls I have saved up for emergency and call it a real desperate rescue food then to waste my $$ money here.
3 years ago
A friend recommended this place and we decided to eat here. The restaurant was clean and looked like it was recently renovated. The menu was very simple. They don't have any other dishes... Not even egg rolls. The broth was okay and the meat in Pho Tai was very tender. I prefer what I can get back home much better. They provided good amount of sprouts and basil, but we had to ask for sliced onions and cilantro. I ordered the hand drip vietnamese coffee, hot and black. They brought it over ice and with condensed milk. . I asked to get what I ordered, and it took a long time to get it. I was so hungry that I forgot to take photos of the food... Lol The service was okay. read more
2 years ago
The pho was too good that I forgot to snap a photo until after I finished my meal True to their name, this place only sells a variety of pho as their main dish. Each dish is paired with a small plate of herbs and vegetables to add to your soup and a bottle of hoisin sauce and sriracha at every table. We came on a Saturday morning, and it was already packed - luckily we had no wait though. They took our order quickly and our pho was ready within 15 minutes. I ordered Pho Tai while some of my family ordered Pho Dac Biet. I loved the pho tai as the rare beef was super tender and the soup was delicious. This place is super homey and seems family run. If you're looking for just a nice hot bowl of pho, this place does it well without any craziness or surprises! read more
The food was very flavorable. Everything in it was just the right amount. Options of cooked or raw beans prout. Service was good and the restaurant was clean. Has separate bathroom for Men and Women. Bathroom was very small and tight. read more
I'm a cold ass rainy day I take my ass to a pho store thinking no one else is coming. Boy was I wrong. It was crowded AF and it was just a regular weekday. I opted for the medium bowl bc my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I ate about 1/4 of it. Next time I will get the small bowl instead. The soup was good. The flavors were there and I got my usual. Brisket and tendons. So good y'all !! I'll be back again for sure. The service was fast. The food was hot but the parking lot was small AF. That's the downside of coming here. It's also right off the main road so if there's a lot of people waiting for a parking spot, u might be waiting on the street and I don't like that. read more
Bellaire Boulevard has many great Vietnamese pho restaurants, but this one is certainly my favorite. Pho Dien's incredibly flavorful broth is a remarkably original feature and it stands out in my estimation. The extraordinary cleanliness, a delightful flavor and a perfect balance are exemplary; it is precisely what a single bowl of pho should be. Each sip reveals an important time commitment to its creation; it's wealthy but not overpowering. This pho is exceptionally delicious, a truly outstanding culinary achievement. It offers solace and it's deeply comforting. How is the atmosphere? Its level of sophistication is somewhat limited, yet that's precisely what makes it appealing. The floor might be somewhat slick, a common trait of a busy kitchen, but the restaurant's undeniable authenticity and extraordinarily delicious food more than make up for it. Pho Dien's exceptionally early opening hours are very appealing. Begin your day with one steaming bowl of pho. Since they serve breakfast, you can have a wonderfully energizing meal. Several avid pho enthusiasts can be found on Bellaire Boulevard. They should absolutely make a visit. I make it a point to visit whenever I'm in town. read more
3 months ago
2 years ago
I had some friends coming from out of town and we settled on trying pho dien! They are purely a pho place with no other additional food items but they do it well for sure! We came Saturday for lunch, and it was pretty busy. There was about a 10-15 minute wait for a table. Once seated, I did feel like we were pretty rushed to get our orders in but their menu isn't too extensive so it wasn't too hard to decide. The pho came out quickly, and at first I was worried the small bowl was too small but it actually was the perfect amount as I wasn't super hungry. The rare steak and brisket meat is some of the most tender meat I've ever had with pho. That was definitely the star of the show. I also felt like they gave more meat than I had noodle, which doesn't usually happen so definitely a good deal! The broth was delicious and overall it was definitely a solid bowl of pho!! They also have large and XL bowls but my friend wasn't able to finish the XL haha. Overall, definitely come here for a delicious bowl of pho with loooots of meat!! read more
3 years ago
Went with a friend to have Pho here today and it was absolutely amazing! 10/10 We ordered the Pho Dac Biet (that has rare steak, brisket flank, tendon, tripe, and meatballs) The service was super fast 10/10 They also had a seasoned chili oil which was such a good add on for the pho the seasoning was so balanced and yummy. It was raining today so this was perfect and comforting! The large pho bowl was for $12 and justifies! Would definitely go again The ambiance is casual and homely. read more
From a Vietnamese born and raised, this place has the best Pho in the US. The broth is full of flavors and savory sweet from the bones. They offer a variety of meat cuts: brisket, tendon, flank, tripe, etc. and even bone marrow as an add on. They only serve Pho which is always a good thing - good Pho places have fewer options :) I had the #13 and everything was great. Meat was so tender and flavorful. There is a good amount of noodles but not too much. Went on Easter and it was busy but the waitlist moved fast, we waited for around 10 mins. This place is no frills, in and out place. Restaurant could be cleaner though. read more
7 months ago
2 years ago
FAST SERVICE. You order and you get your food in minutes. The broth is so good and not salty at all. Hot and fresh. I got the small size, but if I was REALLY hungry then I would get the large size. They give you a good amount of meat for the small size too. You pay at the cash register so you don't have to wait for your bill to come to your table. read more
2 years ago
Great portion size and super tender meat. The broth was flavorful and not too heavy. Service is quick and there are plenty of tables available. read more
9 months ago
There are numerous pho spots throughout Houston, but few are more popular than Pho Dien of Bellaire Asiatown. Generic pho spots tend to have numbers (e.g. Pho 88, Pho 54, So 1, etc.) or adjectives ("Ngon" "Dep") or geographical shout outs ("Tay Ho" "Saigon") but the "diện" in Pho Dien is actually "electric." (#1) It's so popular that during prime hours there is a security guard out front regulating the mini lot out front. I have been fortunate to find a spot during their non-peak hours (4pm-6pm) but I've seen most people having to walk around the block to get in. The place is spacious and seems to be family run, with no shortage of tables for groups of all sizes. There is a bit of a no frills element to the decor and feel, but most everyone is here for the pho. Outside of drinks and a few dessert choices, that's all they have on the menu. It's pho all day every day. The prices for small / medium / large are currently $9.50 / $11.50 / $13.50, a slight jump each year in the last few years since the pandemic. They do accept credit card, but I tend to pay in cash each time I'm here. Pho Dac Biet is the bonafide choice for me usually, but I also appreciate all the add-ons that they have which range from additional meat choices (#2) to steamed bean sprouts with extra fatty broth (nuoc beo). They don't skimp out on the meat portions, which means it's a nice bowl of various meats. The broth is a *little* darker than what I'd prefer, but is solid no less. Service varies. I've had super slow service here and I've had ultra fast service during their busiest hours. While speaking Vietnamese isn't a requirement, it is always super helpful. I would consider the casual atmosphere, consistent food, and central location a win for anyone who decides to come here. ____________ (#1) Yes, Chinese folks, it's also "電." (#2) Bone marrow. Mmmm. read more
Some of the most tender meat I've ever had in pho! I was recommended this place by my friend's Vietnamese parents and they advised that I ordered the pho tai meat on the side, and they were right!! The tai was so incredibly soft and melted in your mouth. The pho broth was also very fragrant on its own, and they had options of small, large, and even x-large bowls for those that are super hungry! The restaurant is also super spacious and like most pho restaurants, service is incredibly fast. Will definitely be coming back. read more
9 months ago
1 year ago
One of the classic, staples for pho in the Houston area. Looked up pho places in Houston and you will come up with dozens of delicious spots but Pho Dien has been an institution for decades and they only focus on pho. Pros - quick service. The menu is just pho and no other fillers. The meat options are very fresh and the broth is incredible. Portion sizes range from small to XL. They do a fantastic job Cons - none! The classic pho restaurant that sets the standard for all other pho places in Houston. Definitely stop by for an authentic, pure experience. read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
Still great place to go pho- it's pho tastic- huge portion for one special enough for two, noodles are very fresh and lots of meat!! Broth is nice and they give plenty of bean sprouts and fresh herbs. Highly recommended! read more
Came here early yesterday morning w my bf and got the chicken pho, he got beef pho. The service is really fast and it was busy even early in the morning. Only complaint was the music was a lil too loud. The broth was delicious. I would eat there again. read more
2 years ago
Pho Dien is one of the staples of Bellaire, and we've been coming here for years for a reason. This family owned establishment sticks to the basics, and only sells pho and non alcoholic drinks. That's it because they do those two types of things really well. Their pho comes in a small, large, extra large, and giant bowl size if you're looking for a challenge. I usually get a large, but even when I'm really hungry, finishing the large is a lot. They have a lot of different kinds of pho, but really the only difference is just what kinds of meat you like. I personally like rare steak, meatballs, brisket, flank, and tendon. If you're feeling extra fancy though, get their bone marrow and egg, super rich tasting. As far as drinks go, you can't go wrong with their vietnamese coffee or avocado smoothie. Overall Pho Dien keeps it simple yet the quality is always high. The only downside is that their parking lot is always full. But a full parking lot is only more reason as to just how good their pho is. The broth is rich and will have you coming back for more, enjoy! read more
6 months ago
Went for lunch and they were super busy. Well balanced of protein to noodles ratio. The only thing missing was some extra fish sauce that they don't have at the table which I could have asked for. I usually get my bean sprouts fresh but my sister asked for steam. Eating it fresh, has a crunch to it that I like when eating with pho. But to each their own. read more
Very solid bowl of pho. Plenty of garnish, with this one leaf that I haven't seen before. Broth is very on point, the meatballs are perfection. This could very much be a pho representative of the food powerhouse that Houston is. Two points to note: 1) one of the pho's they brought out was the wrong one, not too big a deal, make you get the right one! 2) this might be the most expensive pho shop I've been to, and this this is comparing the recent menus of other spots. Even the midtown Pho Saigon is cheaper, by roughly $1. Given it's pretty deep west on Bellaire I would've thought the pricing would more competitive. I give Pho Dien 4 this-was-a-nickel-in-my-day's, out of 5. read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
It is great phở. Not sure what else I am supposed to say. It is great phở, period. Possibly the best in Houston. I still SLIGHTLY prefer Phở Noodle Station but eh, what the hell do I know. read more
1 year ago
I was craving for some pho so my parents and I decided to have lunch over there! Lunch is pretty packed today, I thought I would have to wait a little longer but ended up getting a table very quickly. The parking lot here is a little tight but I was lucky to find a parking spot when I turned in. We ordered some pho and the food came out quickly! I loved the broth and the meat but the meat was a little red but I would love the meat to cook a little more. Anyways the experience wasn't bad. I would definitely come back again for sure. read more
There's a reason this place sometimes rans out of pho. I know, pho real? And the parking lot is usually packed Parking can be intimidating, but people are usually in and out. When you go inside, the decor isn't fancy. Rather old school and a simple Menu. The menu is just pho and drinks, with of XL bowls available. Also lots of Vietnamese families here. Food: here's what we ordered Pho dac biet - the broth was flavorful but also light at the same time. The cuts of meat were huge and delicious. Avocado smoothie - creamy and right amount of sweetness Coconut smoothie- creamy and you could taste the flakes Just want to point out, I brought my husband from nyc here, and ruined Pho for him. Thanks for to Pho Dien, we won't be having pho in nyc anytime soon. Once you've tasted Vietnamese in Houston, you can't go back to the mediocre stuff in nyc anytime soon Service: was fast, you pay at the cashier. read more
3 years ago
I was personally a bit disappointed since I saw some people saying this place had the best pho in Houston. The broth was pretty good and flavorful, but I think I still prefer Pho Ben in Sugar Land (cheaper and also more flavorful). 8/10 tho, still solid! Also, the service was crazy fast here, I literally got my food 2-3 minutes after ordering. Also if you're going, order their Thai tea! read more
2 years ago
Probably my go to for pho here in Houston. Don't expect 5 star service but it's definitely not bad, it's a good bowl of pho at a decent price. read more
3 years ago
More info about Pho Dien
11830 Bellaire Blvd
Ste C
Houston, TX 77072
Alief
Directions
(281) 495-9600
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http://phodien.info
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Ask the Community - Pho Dien
I know this is a stretch.... But do they have an option for vegetarian pho?
No they only have beef and chicken pho
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