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    Pho Lab

    4.7 (458 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese, Noodles, Soup
    Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    PHO LAB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

    Recommended Reviews - Pho Lab

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    Keycee D.

    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.

    Maritza S.

    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.

    Broth
    Vanessa G.

    I picked up some broth for my husband, since his dr put him on a temporary broth diet. He said it was delicious. It smelled amazing. The service was quick. Next time I'd love to stop inside to enjoy a great meal.

    GraceChan E.

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

    Golden Bao
    Christine T.

    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.

    Garlic Noodles w/ Tiger Prawns
    Karen A.

    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.

    Build your own pho, tofu spring rolls, shrimp spring rolls, crispy egg rolls.
    Aileen V.

    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 ....

    Spring rolls
    Michael B.

    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.

    Pork rolls
    Raven R.

    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!

    brisket pho, shrimp spring rolls
    Denice J.

    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.

    Brisket pho
    Agnes P.

    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!

    My salad making set
    J'aime K.

    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!

    Chicken Pho
    Don M.

    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.

    Ah, the star of the show -- combination pho. The bowl is a looot deeper than you can probably tell

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    7 months ago

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    Business owner information

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    Andy N.

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    12 days ago

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    12 days ago

    The pho here is great, the soup is very hearty. The workers are very kind and accommodating.

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    2 months ago

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    1 month ago

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    1 month ago

    Our all time favorite Pho Spot! Super fresh and delicious drinks too! Love the Pho Ribeye, shrimp spring rolls, and ice mango jasmine tea!

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    7 months ago

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    2 months ago

    Ordered the shrimp spring rolls, pho, and shaken beef. Everything was so fresh and delicious!! Definitely coming back.

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    3 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Food was delicious - flavorful broth. Friendly staff and great service. Will definitely come back!

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    4 months ago

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    12 days ago

    Great food! Great service! Very nice and clean place to eat! Definitely would come back next time!

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    4 months ago

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    2 months ago

    The pho here is so delicious! Food came out quick and the atmosphere of the place is very welcoming. I will be coming back.

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    Page 4 of 12

    Pho Lab Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pho Lab

    Simply Pho - Shrimp spring rolls

    Simply Pho

    4.3(998 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I'm from LA, and I can honestly say this spot is unmatched! Finding a place that balances quality,…read moreportion size, and price this well is rare. I ordered the XL Pho, and it did not disappoint. Packed with plenty of protein, and the broth was super flavorful--everything ties together perfectly. For the amount of food you get and the quality of the ingredients, the price is unbeatable. The staff is super nice but some are not that attentive. but i really appreciated that they let us sit exactly where we preferred. It's a pretty calm and peaceful environment too for a smaller space, It wasn't noisy, which made for a really enjoyable, relaxing meal. If you're in Lake Forest, i suggest you to check this place out! Highly recommend for anyone looking for authentic, top-tier pho.

    I came here with my in-laws for a late night dinner as they're always on the hunt for a great, non…read morehomemade pho option. They're definitely tougher critics than I am (as I don't have grandparents/family recipes to compare them to) but I'm always happy to tag along with them. The interior of the restaurant is small and I could see that it could be a bit tough to move around if they're busy. They also have little to no waiting area inside so if you aren't seated right away, chances are you'll be hanging outside in the parking lot. But we were there when the restaurant was maybe 1/3 full and we could move around easily & not feel like we were talking over other guests. The wait staff was incredibly friendly and attentive, but not so much so that it felt like they were trying to move us along with everything. I appreciated that. The menu is quite extensive. Yes, Pho is in the name but there are plenty of other Vietnamese options. I opted for the shaken beef plate. I wanted to get the version with fries, but my wife accidentally told the woman in Vietnamese that I wanted just the regular version. I guess I'll have to come back another time to see how it compares to one of my favorite dishes: Peruvian lomo saltado. However, I will say the standard plate I was served was delicious. Everything was well seasoned & cooked perfectly. Definitely one of the best bò lúc lắc dishes I've had in a restaurant in awhile. We had a good meal. My in-laws said the pho was fine. I think it tasted good. Our 3 kids slurped their bowls all up so that's a great sign. In all, if we're in the El Toro area & want some Vietnamese food, we'll absolutely be back.

    Photos
    Simply Pho
    Simply Pho - Beef and rice

    Beef and rice

    Simply Pho

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    Pho So 1 - Oxtail Pho with bone blending an incredible flavor in broth, and a side of tendon

    Pho So 1

    4.4(346 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I am giving this place a 5/5 rating solely on their pho (and bun bo hue)…read more Their broth was very flavorful and had a lot of depth for being free of msg! There aren't a lot of restaurant that offer bun bo hue, so I thought I'd also give that a try. I ordered the pho special, but swapped the pho broth for BBH because I saw another review on here mention they did that - and I am so happy I did! It was really tasty and flavorful with the perfect hint of spicy! I would say I'm pretty picky with food and I would bring my Vietnamese parents here. 5/5 on their taro smoothie. I like that it tastes like fresh taro. I don't really like when it tastes too artificial or too sweet, like the taro milk teas from boba shops. It's also extremely light. Super refreshing on hot days. For being a pho shop in lake Forest and not having to drive all the way to Westminster or bolsa. 5/5 on their pho 5/5 on their bun bo hue 5/5 on their vermicelli noodle dishes. I liked their fish sauce with the sambal 3/5 on the shaken beef (bo luc lac) they don't give you a lot and texture was a bit inconsistent. Flavor was good but wouldn't order it again for the price 2/5 on the chicken curry (ca ri ga) I'm used to Vietnamese curry being a bit sweeter and more coconut/creamier? It tasted a little unbalanced, not enough cream and too much spices (tumeric + cumin + coriander). Slightly salty and watery. I didn't like the chicken either . Service is good when you walk in to be seated and when ordering, but they don't always check in if you need water. You just flag them down. Not a big deal. I'm more interested in how the food tastes. I like that the inside reminds me of typical pho restaurants. Nice and simple. Here for the food! I'll be back!

    Have only done takeout here. It's a casual restaurant with plenty of tables. The food is consistent…read moreand service is average.. The charbroiled pork noodles (bun) is a big portion with fresh veggies and generous with the pickled daikon and carrots. The large chicken pho hits the spot. The shrimp spring rolls are also solid. We only had an issue one time when the way they packed two pho broths and other dishes in one bag in such a way that it was precarious and spilled out everywhere on the drive home. I get wanting to conserve plastic bags but it wasnt practical or smart and they were unwilling to repack. To order takeout, it's the old fashioned way - by phone. They have a decent website but no option to order online.

    Photos
    Pho So 1 - I enjoyed the food BUT the lack of service was disappointing. I pay for service; not to be treated as if a simple request is an annoyance.

    I enjoyed the food BUT the lack of service was disappointing. I pay for service; not to be treated as if a simple request is an annoyance.

    Pho So 1 - #61 - Shaken Filet Mignon...sofa king good! Meat was so tender and delicious!

    #61 - Shaken Filet Mignon...sofa king good! Meat was so tender and delicious!

    Pho So 1 - Beef and Eggroll rice combo.

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    Beef and Eggroll rice combo.

    Pho Tám Cali - banh mi charcuterie

    Pho Tám Cali

    4.0(229 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Happy hour specials

    We dined in here. The lady who helped us was very sweet so she provided great customer…read moreservice...She was very careful with our table and approached eventhough we didnt need anything and that service is 5 star for me. The ambiance was chill. Lay back decoration, clean and cozy. The food was missing the protein portion. The spring shrimp roll had very tiny shrimps so i didnt get the taste of shrimp. About Banh mi, the same thing as you see in the picture the meat portion is too little in compare to bread. Most of each part was bread so tasting mostly like bread If not the meat itself was delicious when i tried separately. They didnt offer jalapeños or lemon. For me jalapeños is the most with my spring roll. Also, i didnt like the peanut dipping sauce....It was too sweet. There is also bunch of parking lot outside...

    It was a hot day and we found this Viet restaurant served other options beside Pho…read more All the dishes were delicious. Very authentic flavor. I grew up eating Bun thit nuong - vercimilli with grilled pork and it is rare to find a restaurant that can nail this exact flavor .The rice noodle was not overcooked, they incluced pickle, chopped veggies and egg roll, every condiment was on point . The star of the dish was the grilled pork and it was perfectly seasoned. Such a refreshing dish to eat in the summer. I also tried their Garlic Noodle with shrimp and the shrimps were giant! Not overcooked. Very nice seasoning. I'd like the green sauce to be condensed but their version is on the liquidly side. Overall, I will come back next time to try other dishes!

    Photos
    Pho Tám Cali - Garlic noodles with chicken!

    Garlic noodles with chicken!

    Pho Tám Cali - BYOB - Rice w/ Pork Chop

    BYOB - Rice w/ Pork Chop

    Pho Tám Cali - BYOB - Vermicelli w/ BBQ Pork and Lemongrass chicken

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    BYOB - Vermicelli w/ BBQ Pork and Lemongrass chicken

    Pho Lab - vietnamese - Updated May 2026

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