Popular Dishes: The oxtail pho and rib pho are highly recommended, popcorn chicken also amazing Atmosphere: Visitors describe the vibe as clean, modern, and nicely decorated. A recurring "hidden gem" mention is the strikingly gold-colored decor in the restrooms. Service: The staff is widely praised for being polite, welcoming, and proactive with menu recommendations read more

Pho Lab - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Tried this spot and honestly it was great. The oxtail was super tender and packed with flavor--like fall-off-the-bone good. We also got the spring rolls and they were fresh, crispy, and just hit the spot. You can tell they actually care about the food here. Definitely one of those places you'll want to come back to. Highly recommend! read more

the pho was delicious and the spring rolls were so fresh and yummy. Service was 10/10 will definitely be recommending and coming back read more

Pho Lab - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Ngon! Just had the pho your way and it hit the spot. Authentic Pho without having to go to Westminster or Garden Grove. read more

Came across this spot one night while trying to figure out dinner and decided to check out Pho Lab for some pho. My husband and I both ordered the pho combination and added the rib bone. The broth itself was really good--flavorful and comforting--but the rib bone didn't quite hit for me. It wasn't as tender as I expected, and I think it could've been cooked a bit longer to get that fall-off-the-bone texture. We also ordered their fried chicken wings, which are a must every time we come here. They're perfectly fried and seasoned, and honestly delicious even on their own. The garlic butter dipping sauce is a great bonus, but not even necessary. Even our 3-year-old loves the wings. The restaurant itself is pretty spacious, and we've never had to wait for a table. They do seem to get a lot of to-go orders though. Overall, solid food and a place we'd come back to. read more

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The good at Pho Lab is absolutely delicious. The meat is tender and the broth rich. The pho with beef bone is my favorite. The meat falls off the bone. The service is just ok. My biggest complaint is the cleanliness. The floors and booths are always dirty which can be off putting. FYI if you pay cash you get a discount. read more

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A 4.7 star rating and glowing reviews got me to try this restaurant, but come on guys? Really? This place has the highest rating for a pho restaurant in the surrounding area and it was the most disappointing of the places I have tried this week. I have been on a pho binge the last couple weeks so I've been ordering everywhere to see where makes good pho. The ingredients weren't the freshest or the cleanest tasting. In fact, they kind of put me off. A lot of Asian restaurants are family owned, and sometimes they fall behind on sanitation and hygiene, and it becomes obvious in the food and how it tastes . The broth had an OK flavor. The pork in the spring rolls tasted strongly of garlic, but not in a good way I couldn't tell what kind of pork that was. It wasn't a slice of pork. It was more of a ground pork that looks kind of like sausage or raw despite saying it was grilled. It was questionable and I didn't eat it.. Try eating at soup shop and district 5, and then eat here and you'll see what I mean. If this is my introduction to pho, it would've put me off of pho and I wouldn't have been inclined to try it again. read more

Stop here because we play a tournament at great park . Have to recommend this place , because of the chili sauce . So good ! read more

Pho Lab - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

More like 3.5 stars. I came for lunch excited to try a new spot for Pho since I was in the area. Sadly it was just ok. The broth in the pho was too light in flavor which is more telling of a northern style pho. I prefer a southern style pho so please take that into consideration with my review. I also got the golden bao which was interesting. I never had a fried version of the bao. I'm glad I tried it because the texture of the crispy outside with a soft dough on the inside was nice. That being said, I wish it was more juicy. I was looking for the wonderful meat juices that normally come with a steamed bao. Vietnamese coffee was also just ok. I was looking for that bold coffee depth of flavor but it also seemed a little on the light side. read more

Pho Lab - Golden Bao - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Came here for a late night dinner, was sat fairly quickly and the inside was so clean and nice. Lights were a bit bright but nothing too bad. I love the shrimp spring rolls here they're so fresh and the sauce is amazing. I highly recommend getting fish sauce with your crispy spring rolls. My go to is either the oxtail pho or the brisket pho. They definitely don't skimp out on the meat. You get your moneys worth every time. Truly love this spot so much especially for a good late pho fix. Service was speedy and so kind. read more

Pho Lab - brisket pho, shrimp spring rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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This neighborhood pho restaurant have a good selection of appetizers, pho, vermicelli noodles, and rice dishes. I ordered the garlic noodles with prawns and enjoyed it. Noodles are very tasty & prawns are cooked right & very flavorful. Staff are really friendly & attentive. Will definitely come back to try other dishes. read more

Pho Lab - Garlic Noodles w/ Tiger Prawns - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Our first time here ! Our daughter lives in the area. Wow! Delicious , amazing food! We had the rice plates , got mine with Fried rice and egg on my grilled Pork combination ! We also got a Banh mi!! Servings are great ! Large portions ! Plus the service was exceptional ! Friendly , quick and attentive ! Love this place !! read more

Pho Lab - Grilled Pork plate with fried rice ! - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Mannnnnnnnnn, when I had gone the very first time, it was truly an amazing experience. I have been twice after my first time and every single time I dislike this place more and more. The last time we went, they forgot 20% of our order , and it was so hard to get service. The workers seemed annoyed. Then I went again today on 02/28/25 and 1. I found an animal in my soup....... I wanted a refund, instead gave me another one. 2. I had asked for tofu spring rolls & got shrimp instead 3. The garlic noodles were so cold..... 4. Our sitting area was dirty and it just killed the vibe Im like what the heck. And it was so hard to get service!! My boyfriend had to go to the counter at least 3 times to ask for something. It's definitely no longer a favorite .... read more

Pho Lab - Build your own pho, tofu spring rolls, shrimp spring rolls, crispy egg rolls. - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

We don't have a go-to Vietnamese spot around us yet, so we gave Pho Lab a try. Unfortunately, this restaurant will not be it. We came here on an evening for a pretty hot day, and I don't think the AC was on. The venue was pretty warm, which is probably even more annoying for those who ordered pho. Now admittedly, we didn't order pho, but still, I'd expect your other menu offerings to be of good quality. Here's what we got: Spring rolls - I'm a huge fan of spring rolls but this was such a let down! It was like 90% lettuce and the shrimps were sliced ever so thin. They very obviously cheapened out on this. Pork Banh Mi - Bread good, meat pretty good, but again that stupid lettuce is there! I already had enough from the rolls... and also I think this is the first time I see lettuce in a banh mi? There was also barely any pickled carrots and daikon, which is my favorite part. No jalapenos either. I do like the green sauce though. Garlic Noodles with Filet Mignon - The meat was cooked well, but there was all this oil on the plate? It was just too much. Overall, we were quite underwhelmed with our experience. There are a lot of Vietnamese options around here, so I'm quite surprised that this one in particular has such a high Yelp score. read more

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This is a fun new place for pho. It gets crowded on a weekend so I would recommend getting earlier to avoid peak hours. The place is clean and nicely decorated. We got thai tea to drink and pork rolls with peanut sauce for an appetizer. For our main course, we got pho with rib eye and rib bones. Thai Tea- This was rich and creamy with just the right amount of sweetness. Very refreshing! Pork Rolls with Peanut Sauce- The pork sausage was savory with a hint of sweetness. You get a wonderful mix of veggies and fresh herbs to heighten the flavor. The peanut dipping sauce was the cherry on top. Rib Eye- The broth base is flavorful and the noodles are soft and chewy. The rib eye is thinly sliced and tender. The bean sprouts provided on the side add a layer of texture. Rib Bones- The meat is fall off the bone and very tasty. Pairs well with the rich broth and chewy noodles. A squeeze of lime adds a burst of freshness. Very filling! Great experience overall! read more

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Came here since I saw the reviews were very good (4.8/5). Walked in was a very cool vibe and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Not sure why but everything to me did not seem that way at all. Dirty floors, bathrooms and tables all around. My pho had A HAIR in it, manager came around to show me that the hair is from the cow. Yeah fat chance. Pho was very mid too and the severs are just some kids that like messing around in the kitchen instead of tending to their guests. Won't come back read more

Garlic steak noodles are very delicious . Love coming here for them. Always get sat right away when I come.

Absolutely delicious broth! Tried both their brisket and chicken pho and both stood out! Their popcorn chicken was also great. Very attentive staff and plenty of seating inside! read more

Pho Lab - Brisket pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Seriously the best Beef Pho in SoCal and beyond! Mike offered great service! And he passionately explained other dishes to try and a few off menu items. What I loved about their pho - - Generous green onions sliced as a garnish - Broth was spectacularly well balanced (other pho places too much medicinal herby spice), not here!!! - The rib eye well done (cooked in the back) was plentiful, when I thought I ate it all, I kept finding more meat - This is a very satisfying portion Usually other pho places the noodles are clumped together and take some time to separate, as well as it brings down the soup temp. - NOT at Pho Lab - The noodles are already separated and ready to eat - SUCH A PLEASURE EATING IT THIS WAY I asked for extra bean sprouts, sliced onions, cilantro and lime to make my own salad (w Hoisin and Sriracha). So delish. They have three sauces: - Chili garlic - Sriracha - Hoisin But the best part is their electric pepper grinder (Imagine fresh black pepper with a rough grind). It totally elevates the dish! I also ordered an appetizer to take home, the Goi Cuon (Shrimp Spring Roll - 2). Excited to try it! If you pay with cash, you get a 5% discount! I left very full and happy. Satisfying portion size! Super well made! I am going to think about this meal for days! read more

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Easter Sunday, 2026. Stores closed, restaurants open! Yay for me!! Although I know I've definitely physically been to this location before, it definitely was NOT Pho Lab.... however, still unable to remember the previous business, I guess *that* is precisely how memorable that last spot was. Pho Lab is a fantastic hybrid of the authenticity of central OC restaurants and the more modern, 'newer' generation style of south OC suburbia. The food is amazing. AMAAAAZING. But the place is definitely run by, I'd estimate, younger-end millennial-esque employees. In other words, you'll love what you order might have to fish for a water refill. No big deal -- it isn't any kind of a dealbreaker. The spring roll wrappers are just about the freshest around, and that. Peanut. Sauce. *chef's kiss* The pho: broth tastes like it came from the tiny kitchen of your Bà, the meats all *literally* melt in your mouth, and the noodles have the perfect balance of chew and soft. All this, along with a generous amount of typical accouterments, plus a pretty tasty iced coffee, and a grilled pork banh mi to go, went for just under $38. I consider this a steal in this economy and neighborhood. Edit: the banh mi is disappointing. It has some sort of flavor-canceling lettuce shred that kills the char and marinade of the delicious, albeit tiny portion of, pork filling. My unsolicited advice? Kill the shrubbery, increase pickled veggies, slather the mayo spread on the entire baguette ("crust to crust, is a must" -- Chef Jeff Mauro). Overall, I understand, and wholeheartedly endorse, the high rating this place has earned thus far. It was busy today, so my waits were understandable -- but thankfully everyone is kind and responsive. Can't wait to visit Pho Lab again! read more

Pho Lab - Ah, the star of the show -- combination pho. The bowl is a looot deeper than you can probably tell - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Jen and I decided to try this place on Saturday. After reading the reviews, we felt coming early (just before 5pm). Good choice as the place only had two tables with diners. I ordered the Pho Chicken (breast) and Jen ordered the Pho Combination. I also had an order of Shrimp Spring Rolls. The Pho was great, plenty of meat and my broth had all the comforts of chicken soup. Jen said the same about her order. The staff was a bit light when we arrived and place still needed to be cleaned up, with several tables needing to be bussed and a few napkins, etc on the floor. Perhaps we caught them on a shift change. As the place started to fill up, they got around to cleaning tables to make room for new customers. We paid cash and saved 5% on our order. By the time we left (6pm) the place was full and people waiting for tables. The food is the star of this place and worthy of a 5 star rating. We will be back. read more

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Weeknight dinner. Lots of parking and was seated right away. Very clean and really friendly staff. We really enjoyed everything we ate: pho, crispy chicken w/ rice, filet mignon w/ rice, ribeye garlic fries, and the drinks. Great portions and prices. Open late too. Til next time! read more

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Had their oxtail. Super tender and large portion. Now it's my new favorite spot. Highly recommend this spot. read more

Pho Lab - Oxtail pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I have visited Pho Lab twice. I was highly satisfied both visits. The place is clean, great service, the food comes out hot and fast! Rib eye pho with egg rolls Both delicious read more

Pho Lab - Rib Eye Pho. Crispy Egg Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

FINALLY a good pho spot with really good broth (coming from a Vietnamese woman!!!) Service is awesome, space is huge and spacious. Can't wait to come back soon! read more

Pho Lab - No hoisin sauce needed - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Ambiance Such cute decor and plenty of seating Service Really and and everyone was so friendly! They checked up on us constantly and we got to eat within our 1 hour lunch break. Food I got the pho combo, it was so good and the both were light and hearty. It came with so many meats - trip, - Rare steak - flank - meatballs - tendon The rice noodles had a good chew and all the herbs were fresh. The broth was so clean and really great on a rainy day. read more

Pho Lab - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Fan of their restaurant in HB and glad they opened up another spot near me. For historical reference, this location has seen many a pho restaurants come and gone. At least a handful over the years. Some restaurants had broth not so good, or too oily, or charged way too much. There's a lot of competition from other Pho Vietnamese restaurants around. When I think of pho, I think cheap quick tasty comfort food. Im not paying $20+ for a bowl of pho. I like pho lab because their pho broth has great depth flavor and its not oily. The prices are also reasonable. I have tried their pho rib bones and you get a lot of meat around the bones and is very satisfying at $14.95. Their shrimp spring rolls are also great and probably the cheapest price I've seen in South OC at $5.45 (2). Lots of comfy bench seating. Big screen tv playing sports. Friendly service. They only had 2 people working entire place so service was slow but overall prob my favorite pho spot around me. As long as they keep their prices low, maybe add another server or 2, I think they will last. Tip: Pay cash get 5% discount on bill. read more

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Good food and nice service! Lots of meat in the pho. Hits the spot when you have a pho craving read more

Pho Lab - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

So heavenly ... I came here as a post Final meal and it was definitely the right decision. The pho [7/10] was definitely good, though due to personal preferences, not my favorite. But the garlic fries [10/10] ... WAS HEAVENLY Everyone should try their fries!!! Their service is definitely amazing! Always checking in on us, and making sure we are getting the best service possible! The overall place is well lit and very organize. I saw there is a waitlist during rush hours, but it is not too bad to come and try their fries read more

Pho Lab - Cajun Garlic fries and sauté ribeye - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

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Pho Lab has only been open a couple months, but it already feels settled. The pho is the reason you come. The broth is clean and well balanced, savory without being heavy or overly salty. It shows restraint, which is often the hardest thing to get right. The beef pho comes with generous portions of meat, and the beef cuts are tender, properly cooked, and easy to enjoy. No fighting with tough slices, just solid, satisfying bites. The pho ga is just as good. The chicken pho had lots of dark meat, plenty of flavor in the bowl, and fried onions on top that added another layer of texture and depth. It felt hearty and well thought out, not an afterthought on the menu. One detail I appreciated was the way the green onions are cut: long, thin, and fresh, layered generously on top, just like in the photo. They add aroma and texture without taking over the broth. Small detail, but it shows care. Service is friendly and easy going. Comfortable from start to finish. The banh mi is decent. Not the star, but solid. The iced jasmine tea is clean, refreshing, and only $2, which pairs nicely with a hot bowl of pho. Pho Lab isn't trying to do anything flashy. It's just doing pho well, and that's enough for me. read more

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+ Yummy phở. + The garlic noodles with prawns was good too. Flavorful and crunchy. + Polite, helpful staff. - Slow-ish service. + Good amount of indoor seating. - A lot of customers here. A little crowded. + Ample parking. read more

Came in craving a solid bowl of pho and left seriously impressed. The broth was rich, aromatic, and clearly simmered for hours -- exactly what you want. I ordered the rare steak pho, and the meat was fresh and tender, cooking perfectly in the hot broth. The noodles had a great texture (not mushy like some places), and the portion size was generous without being overwhelming. The side plate of herbs, bean sprouts, and lime was fresh and plentiful, which really let me customize each bite. Service was quick and friendly, and the place itself was clean and comfortable -- nothing fancy, but perfect for a casual meal. Only small downside: parking can be a bit tricky during peak hours, but honestly, the pho is worth it. Definitely coming back next time I need a comfort meal. read more

Pho Lab - Pho my way - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

The pho broth was delicious and soothing. My Oxtail pho was ono but had too much meat (Like that's a bad thing?) and I only ate 2 out 3 of them. My wife had the combination Pho and she loved it. Egg rolls were fresh and delicious as well. We washed it all down with some jolting iced Vietnamese coffee. We'll be back! read more

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We were seated right away and the place was spacious. My husband and I both ordered the "pho your way" and we were able to choose 3 meats each. The broth was delicious and flavorful. We also got the shrimp spring rolls high my husband loved. The staff was attentive and friendly. We'd definitely come back! read more

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Great spot for pho in the area. Get the extra bone-in with the pho. Clean and fast service too. read more

Pho Lab - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

Pho Lab has extremely delicious broth and the atmosphere is very nice and friendly! My partner and I enjoyed the Pho, Popcorn chicken, and egg roll. The service was also helpful and nice. read more

Pho Lab - Vietnamese Near Me - Lake Forest, California

I'm back for another Pho. Combination - delicious, full of beef and great value. Staff were friendly and food came is a few minutes. Ambiance was casual and comfortable. read more

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While in the area and in the mood for Pho, I was fortunate to come across this gem in Lake Forest. It definitely satisfied my craving and more. It also happened to be their grand opening and they were offering 20% off and free dessert. We were also pleasantly surprised to find that it's an extra 5% off if you pay in cash. This evening visit was during the dodgers game and they have 2 big TVs that were showing the game. The rest of the restaurant is nicely decorated with hanging lantern lamps and pictures of Vietnam on the side wall. Right off the bat we received a friendly greeting and throughout our dinner, everyone helping us was very nice and attentive. Now on to the food - pretty impressive! The menu contained all of the dishes you would expect and more. I ordered my favorite spring rolls and all of the ingredients were fresh and was everything I could hope for in a spring rolls. Next, to satisfy my pho craving, I went with the shrimp & broccoli pho with beef broth. Amazing rich flavor of the broth and lots of shrimp! My dining partner ordered the rib bone pho and had never seen such a pho bowl, with 2 huge rib bones with a surprising amount of meat. A little messy to eat but well worth it! I hope I get to return in the future and try some of their other dishes. read more

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Great location and service. We ordered the pho, garlic noodles with prawns, and fish sauce wings. Everything hit the spot and satisfied the craving. Make sure to ask for fish sauce wings because the ones on the menu are mango habanero and garlic butter. read more

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Man just go here. Just got the combo pho but it was so flavorful. A lot of protein added as well which made it worth it. It was packed for lunch and I can't wait to come back again and try some of their other items on the menu. read more