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    Pho Papa

    3.8 (790 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese, Soup, Noodles
    Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Pho Papa Photos

    Business Info

    PHO PAPA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Pho Papa

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    Reviews With Photos

    Dac biet special. Barely any meat and broth is really dark not traditional northern style more southern style.
    Matt V.

    Pho Papa gets a lot of hype, but my experience didn't fully live up to it. On the plus side, the outdoor seating is a nice touch, especially if you want a more relaxed, casual vibe. Service was quick and efficient, which I appreciated. The meat itself was tender and clearly good quality, so they're doing something right there. That said, the broth was a letdown for me. It leaned too sweet and had a darker profile than I prefer, which took away from that clean, balanced pho flavor you expect. The bigger issue though was the portioning. I ordered a special and it came with no meatballs which was odd for a "special dac biet", and the amount of meat was surprisingly small. It honestly felt like there was barely any protein in the bowl. You could clearly see a lot of noodles, which is not what you want with pho. At most other spots, the meat is layered generously on top to the point where the noodles are almost hidden. That wasn't the case here. Overall, it's a decent spot with good service and tender meat, but the broth and portion size need work. I'd come back if they fix the balance and start being more generous with the meat.

    Kevin D.

    The pho had a rich broth. They didn't have the fat noodles when I went. The pho was good but it's pretty average compared to other pho restaurant.

    Beef Rib Special ($8)
    Alisa B.

    It's a decent spot to get some pho in San Jose! Seating is pretty cramped and there can be a long waitlist on the weekends, but it's worth a visit! The broth can be on the oily side, but the flavor is good! Light and not too salty. They are really generous with the portion of beef! Almost more beef than noodles!! The beef rib special is yummy and high quality! The two of us shared this and it was FALL OFF THE BONE tender!

    Grace N.

    Finally got to try Pho Papa in January. When my dad was still alive he raved about this place whenever he went up to SJ to visit. My partner and I finally got to try it and it was very good. Broth and meat were good and the fresh noodles were yummy! Store was clean and staff was fast and efficient! Simple, delicious and yummy! Highly recommend!

    Sarah C.

    Pho Papa is good! But..... I got the #1 and wanted to sub the tendon with the meatballs, and didn't know I was going to be charged a sub fee. I know you could add it for additional price but damn! I should just said no tendon. It would've been nice for the server to ask. They also charge a 3% fee for card so cash is preferred for this place. I got an order of the hanh dam which I like putting sriracha over it. Super good. Besides the substitution issue, everything was fine. Didn't realize pho got super expensive over the past couple years. After paying card for 2 small bowls of pho (1 with substitution) with the hanh dam, the total after tax was $43.24! Without tip! Wow. I tipped $8, but but no pho is ever worth paying over $50.

    Amanda M.

    I came here on weekend since I wanted some pho. It was a good sign when I saw on the menu they only serve pho. I got the small Phở Đặc Biệt which came with thinly sliced beef, brisket, flank, tendon, fat brisket and fresh noodles. I also got a side of their beef rib. The food came out pretty quickly after ordering. The broth itself is a little sweet for me on its own, but they have fish sauce and lime to help balance it out. The meat quality was good and a big portion for a size small. The beef rib was much bigger than anticipated but it was also delicious. Overall, this is good pho. Will come back here again.

    Anh P.

    A favorite place for people who love northern pho (me) The broth here was so clear and flavorful, and the restaurant is also very clear! Highly recommended

    Reina C.

    I decided to try this place only because pho #Y across the street is closed on Tuesday. Pho Y is my usual go to. I would rank this a 3.5 stars but there's no half star so I'll round up. They only have beef here and I'm really a chicken pho person. The beef broth was good and flavorful but not the best I've had. Would I be back? I'm glad I tried this place but I'll stick to my go to place across the street. This place does seem cleaner than Pho Y but I'm nostalgic for the classics.

    Cynthia W.

    5*! Food was great! I got the small size #1 and there was generous amount of toppings. The portion was more than enough. It was flavorful and soup was very warm. Perfect for cold weather. I love the tendon a lot. They only serve pho and not a lot to choose from. But I think their pho is really good and that's all we need :p Service: fast and casual. Typical pho place. The food came pretty fast after ordering The shop has tables inside and outside. Everything was pretty clean and tidy when I visited. Will return!

    Alliza Anne K.

    WOW. We were craving pho and a friend recommended this spot. We didn't really know what to expect but once we tried the first sip of the broth - WOW! There was so much flavor and we loved that there were soooo many green onions! Since we went on a Saturday - it was busy. We waited for about 30 minutes for a table for 2 but it was definitely worth the wait! Once you're seated - the menu is simple (which makes it so much easier to decide for those indecisive like me!)

    Yucy J.

    pho probably better than the other ones ive tried in the area. i love the noodles in particular... HOWEVER, the seats are incredibly uncomfortable because theyre high and the tables r low

    Giselle R.

    This was my first time trying pho this spot will forever be my go to it was so good so flavorful even if all they have is pho in their menu it's worth the try they have inside and outside seating it's very cozy and clean service was very good as well very friendly definitely would recommend this place

    #15 and #9
    Saya N.

    Hubby and I were craving PHO and that's all this place serves so headed over for lunch. He ordered the #15 Pho Bo Vien (Beef Balls Noodle Soup) and I ordered the #9 Pho Chin (Well Done Brisket) - both were delicious especially the broth - just what we needed on a chilly day. Service was quick and efficient, lots of seating but a little cramped for the tables in the middle, and parking might be hit or miss as it's in a very busy plaza. Will definitely come back if in the area.

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    11 days ago

    This is one of my favorite Pho restaurant,i loved their ramen,their noodles is so good too for me.We always go their with my hubby.

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    25 days ago

    Hands down best pho in bay area. I dont even know whats second so. Good stuff. Wordswordsw words words words

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    Pho Papa Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pho Papa

    Do they take card or only cash?

    Both.

    Do you have any vegetarian pho and vegetarian options?

    No. This place is not vegetarian friendly.

    Is the business open for dine in now?

    Outdoor seating is now open

    What's the best soup I am sick so that's why I am asking?oh sorry to be pacific for cold and fewer?

    they put so much MSG not good for your health ok

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    4.4(478 reviews)
    4.5 miDowntown
    $$

    Went here on New Year's Eve for a warm bowl and tried both the H4 - Nam Vang and the filet mignon…read morepho, both with clear noodles. The Nam Vang came with sliced pork, ground pork, and one prawn in a clean, savory broth--light but flavorful. The filet mignon pho was a solid upgrade: tender beef, silky noodles, and a broth that leaned richer but still easy to sip. Noodles had a nice bounce in both bowls. I was craving a vermicelli bowl or bánh mì too, but heads up--they only serve pho and noodle soups here. No rice plates or sandwiches. Still, if you're in the mood for Vietnamese comfort food, this spot delivers fast and clean.

    Thank you to my bro and his fam for treating us out to some Mother's Day noods!!!…read more My bro and his family are massive fans of Kali Noodles + Tea Bar. Even with them moving out to the East Bay, they make periodic drives just to enjoy what KN has to offer. I've had one dining experience here previously and was not impressed. This lead to not returning. Fast forward 2.5 years or so, here I was again. Our large party of 9 arrived at opening hours and the owners were so very welcoming. The restaurant was clean and the condiments were in tip top shape. Our family's order was massive. We started the meal with xiu mai [Vietnamese pork meat balls] and Chinese donut sticks. This then continued with mi do bien, filet mignon and beef ball pho, & a variety of nam vang noodle versions. The great thing about Kali Noodles are the multiple options of noodles they provide. There are a number of combinations that could be made with the 6 offerings. The food was surprisingly really good- so much better than what my first visit was. The bowls were presented neatly but plated in a way where the large chunks of lettuce made the bowls seem a lot more fuller that it really was. The noodle soups also consisted a lot more broth than noodles. Having said that, the egg noodles are really really good!! The restaurant cooks them perfectly- chewy with a slight bite that keeps you wanting more and more. Hu tieu dai was unfortunately too mushy in texture for my liking. 4 stars overall. Customer service from the owners were exceptional. They were attentive to each person's order and were so welcoming. The food was good but maximize the deliciousness by strictly going for the thin egg noodles. You will not be disappointed and this recommendation is coming from a person who typically steers clear of this. I'd happily return.

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    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar - Interior

    Interior

    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar - H2 or nam vanh style with thin yellow noodle...

    H2 or nam vanh style with thin yellow noodle...

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    Daeho Kalbi Jjim & Beef Soup

    Daeho Kalbi Jjim & Beef Soup

    4.4(1.5k reviews)
    10.0 mi
    $$

    Genuinely so impressed with my experience here and cannot wait to visit again. I stopped by on a…read moreFriday evening, and it was insanely busy. You'll have to wait at least thirty minutes unless you get there extremely early. My party of nine was seated around 45 minutes after we first joined the waitlist. However, we were able to order our food ahead of time. The atmosphere of the restaurant was bustling and noisy, a super fun and casual spot. Our dishes arrived minutes after we sat down, which was impressive. There was also a variety of delicious side dishes, with various types of kimchi. The nine of us split two braised beef short rib dishes - and we were struggling to finish it all. The portion size is massive, which makes sense since it's a pretty penny. The meat was so tender, literally falling off the bone. There were a ton of potatoes, daikon, rice cake, and carrots as well. The entire dish was savory and delicious, pairing perfectly with rice. You can also specify your spice level. The medium spice was a fair amount of spice but not overpowering. I highly recommend getting the cheese on top, it provides a creamy contrast to the sharp flavors of the meat. I'm still thinking about the braised beef short rib - it was just that delicious!

    My sister and I ordered the kalbijjim short ribs topped with cheese, and wow--this dish was…read moreabsolutely outstanding. The short ribs were incredibly tender, practically falling off the bone, and the sauce was rich, savory, and deeply flavorful. The melted cheese on top added a creamy, indulgent layer that made the dish even more satisfying. The banchan that came with the meal were delightful and well-prepared, offering a nice variety of flavors that complemented the main dish perfectly. Service was great--friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout the meal. The restaurant itself is on the smaller side, but it adds to the cozy and intimate dining atmosphere.

    Photos
    Daeho Kalbi Jjim & Beef Soup - If you come before noon during the weekday, there are several tables open.

    If you come before noon during the weekday, there are several tables open.

    Daeho Kalbi Jjim & Beef Soup - #1 Braised Short Rib Kalbijjim  (갈비찜.특) $92/Large + $6/Cheese

    #1 Braised Short Rib Kalbijjim (갈비찜.특) $92/Large + $6/Cheese

    Daeho Kalbi Jjim & Beef Soup - #1 Braised Short Rib Kalbijjim  (갈비찜.특) $92/Large + $6/Cheese

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    Tasty Pot

    Tasty Pot

    4.0(1.4k reviews)
    2.9 miEast San Jose
    $$

    Delicious. They have a number of types of vegetables and mushrooms as well as all kinds of seafood…read moreballs and other things that are part of the buffet you can pick for yourself (if you go with the All You Can Eat option). When going with AYCE you pick your broth (from the menu) then go make your sauce concoction, grab veggies and such from buffet, and bring everything back to the table. You order the meat from the menu and it will be delivered to your table too (usually very quickly). If you do not want All You Can Eat, you can get any of their pre-made hot pots. The people working there are friendly and helpful.

    Been dining at this location for as long as I can remember and I'm definitely a fan of their soups…read more My go-to is their beef hot soup medium spice level which hits the spot every single time. The broth is flavorful, meat slices are fair, and I enjoy all of the other various fish balls, veggies, and more provided as well. Their soybean paste is my favorite and it pairs well with everything. I've dined here when they tried doing Malatang and I wasn't much of a fan so I'm glad they got rid of that style. Now they offer AYCE and I very much enjoy it! They updated the place with new tables and different stations offering a variety of fish balls, veggies, tofu, noodles, a drink station, sauce bar, and more that you can choose from. They also have ice cream to end your meal. As for the meats, out of all the choices I'm a fan of their angus marbled beef slices and angus beef slices. The meats are good quality, not frozen, sliced thin, and cooked very fast. I got the tom yum broth and it was flavorful. It was cool that our server was able to accommodate my mom as she wanted the cheesy milk broth since it isn't offered on the AYCE menu. I was already a fan of their hot pots before the AYCE option, and now I enjoy it even more!

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    7 Noodles & Sizzling - Ramen Noodles

    7 Noodles & Sizzling

    4.5(117 reviews)
    7.2 miCambrian Park

    Super authentic Taiwanese night market style sizzling plate restaurant. They used to have another…read moresister restaurant in Mountain View too, but it closed down. I think this spot is way cleaner and tastes better though. Every few weeks I would come here to get a sizzling steak plate to satisfy my cravings. They let you choose between black pepper sauce, mushroom sauce, or both. I love getting both because I can't decide. The noodles are so good with the sauce too. My partner usually tries something different. They have curry rice and beef stew rice as well. Both pretty good. Personally they're too plain for me. I still would only want to get the sizzling plate here. The service here has been pretty good so far for the many times I've been here. Ordering and serving were quick

    First time visit this restaurant in my neighborhood. Is very small restaurant and I think is family…read morebusiness. Not much table inside but surprise is full house, people keep coming in! So I think must be good. Ordered beef noodle with thick noodle. The beef is so soft and tender! I really like the soup, is thick and full of flavor. I like a lot and highly recommend. Deep fried tofu is good also but nothing outstanding. I notice lot of people order hot iron plate noodle too, I will definitely try next time. In my list for sure and will come back for sure!

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