I spontaneously found this spot while looking for a place to have a late breakfast at. Definitely a place I'd recommend to anyone. I have a soft spot for places with hyper-specific menu with small amount of items that they specialize in. The spring rolls were thicc with two "c" and the soup was so delicious. The meat was so tender it fell off the bone! 11/10 would recommend and come back myself. The staff is very welcoming and nice! The restaurant is small and fills in quick so you gotta get on a waitlist and pay attention hard when called. As an entertainment side story that is in no way regarding service here because guys nailed it well for how busy it was: We did have an "interaction" with another guest who was convinced we took her spot in line and were seated at "technically her table." While in reality they never even answered when were called (a person called them inside and came outside to call as well) and somebody else (a party of two) ended up being sat instead of them. When it was our turn, they didn't even call our party by name, the person running the shift just pointed at us and called us up because he knew we also were waiting for an hour and we had a friendly conversation earlier. But yeah, for some reason girly-pop really felt a need to not only tell us they were skipped "because of us" but go on nagging about it lol read more

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Another great pho spot. Also great value. There is a lot of rib meat in the signature pho. The rolls are also one of the largest I've seen. The restaurant is kind of small so when they are short staffed the wait can take a bit longer. But even with that the service was really good and quick. read more

PHOnomenal - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

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We felt like something fresh for lunch so we grabbed some spring rolls from our neighbor PHOnomenal. The shrimp & pork roll always hit. They have the most delicious peanut sauce for it..... Limited menu items. BUT don't be fooled. They specialize on what they do have. We know this because they're always busy.... Luckily we live across the street so we can see when it's safe to visit. Always great service & vibes. Their Pho is AMAZING.... #DiningWithTheAndersons #Phonomenal #SpringRolls #CambodianGoodness read more

We enjoyed our experience and the food: * The House Special ($18.95) 5/5 -- The pho had good texture and was perfectly cooked. * Shrimp & Pork Rolls ($9.95) 4/5 -- Fresh veggies and flavorful sauce. Service: 3/5 Pleasant, however, we weren't given menus when we were seated. A few minutes later, the waiter came by and asked, "Are you ready to order?!" Lol. Also, we ordered one bowl of Pho, but they brought us two. No problem though; they took it back with no fuss. read more

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Back here again and this place never disappoints! It just gets better each time. Utterly obsessed! read more

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This spot lived up to the hype for me. The pho was delicious and the service amazing. The ultimate comfort in a bowl. We were there on a Thursday at 10am in case they was a line. Luckily there was not but by 11am folks were waiting and by 1pm, they were sold out for the day. The Pho broth has a really nice beef flavor and the beef rib is definitely fall off the bone, but may need scissors to cut bite through some of the tendon. The noodles were bouncy even in the broth too. I ordered the vinegar white onions on the side and 100% worth it. We ordered ordered the spring rolls for a starter and they are densely packed with a good peanut/hoisin sauce. A lot of vermicelli noodles, but the lettuce was crispy and the shrimp are full pieces, not like cut in half like some other spots. Also their homemade chili oil is one of the best I've tasted. It really has the kick, has some texture/crunch, and just really good flavor. We bought one to take home too - just delish. The staff was incredible and super accommodating. We had some children in our party and were on toddler time so half of our group arrived very early. They allowed us to order for the first half and when the second half arrived, we ordered even more. read more

PHOnomenal - Spring Shrimp Rolls - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

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Agree that this is definitely the best pho in San Diego! I can see why this place sells out quickly so recommend you call ahead to see if they're already sold out for the day. The owner and staff are very nice and attentive! The pho portion itself is hefty and comes with all the usual toppings and a rich yet clean broth. DO NOT SLEEP ON THE CHILI OIL, it's spicy and a wonderful pairing. Go easy on it though if you can't handle spice. We also enjoyed the THICKEST shrimp and pork roll if you're not still satisfied with your pho! read more

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They only have 2 items on the menu, the pho and the spring rolls, and it did not disappoint! The meat fell off the bone and the broth is one of the best broths in San Diego! I accidentally added too much chili oil in mine but the store owner offered to give me extra broth and made sure we were enjoying the food, which was great! The store was clean and parking wasn't too bad, the vibes were awesome! read more

PHOnomenal - House special - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

You know a place is good when they only have one main item on the menu. By the time our family got there, the spring rolls sold out. The broth is clean and tasty. I enjoyed the fall off the bone ribs. Service: they are busy and I wouldn't say they are speedy. It took a bit to seat us but that's ok. Ambiance: cool high ceilings. Nice large tables. Condiments and utensils all on the table. Parking: it's tight. Make sure you aren't taking resident parking! read more

PHOnomenal - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

"The Kuy Teav (Ka'thiew) was absolutely delicious. Our host, Sam, was incredibly hospitable and shared the fascinating history behind the dish, explaining how it uniquely differs from traditional pho. It was a wonderful dining experience." read more

PHOnomenal - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

At last, I finally made my way to this popular pho restaurant after failing twice! I was super excited to try their Cambodian styled pho as I heard AH-MAZING things about it and the beef ribs. Finally! It's located in the corner of a residential building on K Ave and E 8th St. There's a small designated parking area for customers in the back with, I believe, 4-5 stalls. If not, there is ample free street parking around the area. The menu was simple, with only two main items: beef rib pho (with the option to add extra ribs or meatballs) and spring rolls (shrimp and pork combo or individual protein). They also offered drinks and a la carte pho broth and noodles. Small menu, huge flavors! We all ordered a bowl of pho and a serving of the pork spring rolls. The spring rolls arrived first, and they were HUGE! What a great price for the portion size though they were mostly vegetables. They were cut in half and came with individual "peanut" sauces, which had a sweeter flavor than traditional Vietnamese peanut sauce. My cousin added quite a bit of their chili satay to his sauce, and it was incredibly spicy! The chili oil was very very very good, but extremely spicy. I almost made the mistake of adding too much to my pho. The star of the meal came out - the beef rib pho! The broth was very deeply rich and aromaticc, and I enjoyed it without any added sauces. But definitely had to add little drops of chili oil to make it spicier (but not too much!!). There were two beef ribs cooked perfectly - one where the meat fell right off the bone, and another with more cartilage, which made the meat stick on a bit more. Both were very delicious and tender! This meal really hit the spot. I can see why this restaurant is so highly rated. The broth and beef ribs were incredible! I will definitely be back, arriving early to make sure I don't miss out like the previous two times. P.S. It seems that they sell out within 2 hours of opening - be sure to arrive early! read more

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PHOnomenal specialises in spare ribs pho. Their menu is very simple and small. Just spare ribs pho, spring rolls, and some drinks. I've been here several times and tried both spare ribs pho and spring rolls. Their pho is very rich in flavour and the spare ribs are very tender. The spring rolls are very fresh and delicious. The portion is huge. They have a good space inside and it's very neat. All the staff are very friendly and welcoming. The spare ribs pho sells out fast so you should go as early as you can. Even if it says it's closed early due to their pho sold out, you can still go in and check with staff. There are few parking spots reserved for the restaurant or you can park on the street. I'd highly recommend PHOnomenal if you love pho. read more

PHOnomenal - Beef Bone In Spare Ribs Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

I understand the hype. It definitely deserves its spot on the Yelp list and it's for sure best pho in San Diego. The ribs definitely had tendernism! And the servers were so kind and helpful! We came right at open and got seated right away but at the end of the meal it got really busy. The restaurant is pretty small maybe 10 tables total so come early. Not a lot of parking either. Only street parking read more

PHOnomenal - Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

It's pouring down rain so a great day for pho! Broth always makes the difference my pho had so much meat. So tender it fell off the bone. Bad day to drive but a great day for pho! It gets super busy here and they serve till they run out. read more

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Everything from the owner to the food is like the name Phonomenal. Highly recommend this place. Very popular and call ahead for pickup or walk in. Be expected to have a wait list started. Best advice come early. read more

Thursday November 6th, 2025, Around 1130AM I came here hearing about it being in the Yelp Top 100! The FOOD. The spring rolls are springs rolls. Nothing too special about them. But the House Special Pho.. was absolutely PHOnomenal! (Pun intended!) The two big ol ribs were fall off the bone, super juicy, and tender! Sided with a refreshing "Fresh Sugar Cane" juice was top notch! The SERVICE. Thank you SAM!I loved the homefelt HOSPITALITY! We came in, put our name down, and was seated within minutes! Everything was just amazing. The server mentioned putting some of the chili oil into the side of peanut sauce and it did not disappoint, it was such a great recommendation! The AMBIANCE. It was very modern and hip, yet simplified! I loved it. Not too flashy, not too much. I liked the high windows! The CONS: there is no designated parking, so street parking it is. The parking lot directly behind the establishment is private property to the apartments. The bathroom is a single person unisex. I wouldn't say it's Top 100, mainly because that's an understatement. After eating at many other PHO restaurants, this is definitely in my TOP5, maybe even my No. 1!!!!!!!! OVERALL RATING: 9.5 of 10! read more

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We've been wanting to try this place for a long time! They make enough for each day so when it's gone it's gone! There are only two items on the menu: spring rolls and pho. We had both. Shrimp spring rolls were filled with lots of veggies & less noodles which I liked. The peanut sauce was amazing. The star is the Pho. The broth was tasty and full of flavor which matters the most. And what makes their pho stand out is the 2 beef ribs that are placed meat still on bone. But don't let that fool you. The meat just slid off the bone. Service was fast and friendly. We were greeted right when we came in and for us the wait was atypical. I think we just got lucky waiting 15minutes. There are lots of tables for people to have their own space to talk. I get a sense they do not rush people out rather stay and enjoy good conversations and great pho! Highly recommend! If you want to increase your chances of getting your hands on this special pho, head over at opening during a weekday. read more

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One of the best pho places ever!!! You know it's good when they basically only got one thing on the menu!! Their pho comes with two fall off the bone ribs which are superrr tender. It also comes with a lot of cilantro so if you don't like it be sure to say you don't want any. They also gave us a plate of the lime and bean sprouts. The service was super quick as well. This place opens at 10 and will close if they sell out so come early! read more

PHOnomenal - Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

Go now! Stop reading this. Meat, great. Broth, great. Noodles, great. Pho Hoa has a competitor now. Service is attentive, Ambiance is modern. read more

PHOnomenal - House Special Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

Phonomenal has been voted as a top 5 restaurant in all of America! I have been wanting to try their famous Cambodian style pho and I am glad I finally got the chance to stop by. This spot is located in National City on the bottom level of an apartment complex. They have a smaller parking lot and street parking all around the area. Keep in mind that they are only from Thursdays-Sundays from 10am-3pm. They do tend to sell out of a lot of their stuff towards the end of the day so plan accordingly. Wifey and I stopped by around 10:30am and there was a 20 minute wait. For their menu, they keep it simple with their pho and spring rolls. We ended up getting the Shrimp & Pork Spring Rolls and The House Special Pho. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here. The broth of the pho was rich and flavorful while the rib meat was completely fall off the bone! All of the staff here are very friendly and welcoming. The hype and recognition they are getting is well-deserved. Come stop by to support an awesome AAPI-owned business and enjoy a bowl for yourself! read more

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There's only one main on the menu and this shop definitely deserves to be a yelp top 100. The broth was super beefy and the ribs were tenderism. The only problem is that big ribs are a bit difficult to eat compared to the usual sliced meat that comes in pho. read more

PHOnomenal - Shrimp and Pork Roll - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

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Beef rib pho was flavorful and hearty. The broth was savory, noodles were bouncy and the beef ribs were so tender it fell off the bone! The spring rolls were delicious with the peanut dipping sauce. The only cons are parking and if you don't come early there's a line. Other than that the food came out fast and very friendly service. read more

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Grabbed some lunch here on my day off and it was pretty amazing. The staff were so super welcoming and helpful, and I ended up ordering the pho plus the spring rolls which were huge. Pho was crazy delicious with the broth, noodles and the meat. Finished that but couldn't finish the spring rolls cause I got so full so they offered to wrap them to-go which was cool. Nice little spot which felt bigger than I expected based from the outside. Was able to get seated and my food right away cause it wasn't busy, so it must've been the right time to go. Thanks so much! read more

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Their soup broth is amazing!! Not only is the broth flavorful, but they give you a BIG portion of meat- two spare ribs along with a hefty amount of noodles. Come early to grab their pho since they close their restaurant once they sell out! Great customer service and their speediness of serving the food is great! read more

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Coming from out of town and this place was definitely saved on my collections to try during my vacation. I made a point to my family to wake up early so we could make it just before they opened lol Party of 6 adults and 3kids on Saturday we arrived 5mins before 10am and saw they were already open. As we entered we were greeted and thankfully there was no wait/line. As the rest of our party entered they sat us down at separate tables. We ordered a few The House Specials and shrimp and pork spring rolls and a kids bowl of plain noodles and meat ball. Service here is lightening fast!! All within 10mins after ordering our food was all infront of us. The broth speaks for itself it was delicious, clean and literally PHOnomenal! I only normally put bean sprouts, a lot of lime and sriracha in my pho, but here I didn't feel I needed too lol the broth was so flavorful and the beef was so tender and falling off the bone. The spring rolls were ginormous and fresh. The staff were so friendly and they worked fast. They started getting busy and the lines were forming outside and not once did we feel rushed. It was a great experience. Definitely a place to check out when you're in town or in the area. Parking is limited they have 6 reserved spots and limited street parking on a busy day. The resturant is clean and modern. I would return. read more

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I can't say enough good things about Phonomenal. My first time going there, I was too late. The owner (I think) informed me that they only sell a certain number of units per day, and to come back again soon. He was very kind, and gave us a few jars of their housemade crispy chili oil. When I came back, I felt very well taken care of by the staff. They showed that they were very knowledgeable and passionate about their food. The pho broth was very flavorful and refined. Their noodles were the perfect texture and did not stick together at all. The staff also checked in with us a few times to make sure everything was good. They also have the crispy chili oil at the table, which I of course added to the pho for a nice added kick. read more

PHOnomenal - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

Open for a little over two years now, PHOnomenal in National City has ascended to #4 in the 2025 edition of Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in the US. I finally had an opportunity to visit recently after learning that they frequently close early because all 200 bowls of pho for the day have sold out. This place operates only from Thursday to Sunday beginning at 10:00 am. On weekends, customers line up as early as an hour ahead of the opening time. Four dedicated parking spaces were located behind the building along with some visitor spots. The inside of the suite had nine tables and could seat less than 40 customers. There's something to be said about simplicity as the kitchen only served two food items... The House Special and Spring Rolls. The first was a bowl of pho containing two large beef bone-in spare ribs that have been simmered for hours. Not only was the meat tender, but the broth was light and sweet that's typical of Cambodian style pho versus Vietnamese. I added meatballs to my bowl which cost $3.50 more, however in hindsight they weren't worth the cost. The second was two shrimp and pork rolls wrapped in rice paper with baby greens and shredded carrots. Fish or peanut sauce was available for dipping, and I chose the latter. As others have noted, the rolls were as large as any in town. Even after splitting them in half, I was unable to finish both rolls and took some home for leftovers. Their size justified the $9.95 price tag. For beverages, soda and Cococane were available. The latter was a combination of fresh young coconut juice and fresh squeezed sugar cane juice. You could opt for just coconut or just sugar cane, but I selected the combo without ice which cost $1 more. The liquid tasted pure and refreshing. A crew of four workers delivered the orders from the kitchen, bussed the dirty tables, and closed out the tabs. They were pleasant and easy to deal with. I gave my lunch at PHOnomenal a 4.5 star rating as it's one of the better pho shops in SD County. read more

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Pictured below is the best bowl of pho I've ever had. We got lucky- we arrived at 1pm just to order the last 5 bowls of pho that they had for the entire day. Now let me tell you about this bowl of pho...after so many years of eating pho at well over a dozen spots across Southern California I thought that I had tried it all. I thought that I wouldn't like having beef rib pho. I mean I tried a beef rib in pho at another place, and I didn't enjoy it. But here... it was phenomenal. I was wrong to be skeptical. I enjoyed my pho with some of the added sugar and their house chili oil. Unreal. One of the major downsides are the hours. The hours are hard to make. I know, because that's why it took me so long to come here. Despite that, I think it is well worth making a trip out of it. It's that good. We also met the owner, who let us know that this pho was probably a little different than others we'd tried before because it's Cambodian style. It's also his family recipe. Whatever the reason for this pho being so good, I recommend it to anyone who's thinking about visiting. read more

PHOnomenal - Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

I've had a lot of pho, and this is easily one of the best bowls I've ever had. The broth is clean, rich, and actually tastes like it's been cooked properly--not rushed or overly salty like most places. The real standout is the meat. It literally falls off the bone--no effort, no toughness, just perfectly cooked and insanely flavorful. Everything tasted fresh, from the herbs to the noodles, and you can tell there's real care put into the food here. It's not one of those spots that cuts corners. - Sai (mikes boy) read more

PHOnomenal - goodness - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

Service was spectacular - food was literally phenomenal - and overall hip cool vibe in the room! We came early enough not to have to wait and these guys know how to keep their customers fed timely and up and out smoothly without feeling rushed. The soup broth was soothing and the meat so tender it was falling off the bone - then the spring rolls and sauce added a nice freshness to the boldness of the soup and meat! Also - don't pass on their sugarcane coconut. So so so delicious! I will be visiting again and definitely worth the trip when in SD! read more

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Hands down the best pho in San Diego. Family-owned, incredibly kind, and they truly let you enjoy your meal--no rushing at all. We had a long wait (my husband wasn't thrilled), but I loved how considerate they were. One pho on the menu, and it's perfect: two huge beef ribs, rich broth, and giant spring rolls. I wasn't feeling well and not very hungry, yet this pho cleared my sinuses and hit the spot. We left extremely satisfied and very happy. A total standout--worth the wait. read more

PHOnomenal - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

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~Food/Drinks~ The House Special: Besides the spring rolls, this is the only thing on the menu and they're best known for it. A large bowl of pho with two huge beef ribs where the meat just falls right off the bone. I actually really liked their broth and I found out that this is a Cambodian style pho. It didn't taste as herby? Like the cinnamon or star anise flavors were more subtle. The noodles were great and had this springy texture. If you can handle spicy, you have to try their sate sauce. And if you really enjoyed it, they sell small jars of it to take home! ~Service~ Since they only make one thing, they already know what to keep preparing so the food comes out really fast. Once you're finished, you pay at the front but it was such a mess with groups ordering to-go and people waiting for a table. Payment would be a lot easier if there was someone running between the tables and cash register. We had an issue where they skipped our name on the waiting list. For some reason, it was crossed out but we were never called. It was a good thing we were standing next to the front desk and noticed when they called the group after us. But thankfully, the staff were quick to fix the mistake. There was a group that just finished and we were immediately seated. ~Atmosphere~ Small space for diners and not that many tables for large groups. They don't really have an efficient seating plan because there aren't any 2-people tables. So for my party of 2, they gave us a 6-person table. I would wear very casual clothes because it's toasty inside and the smell of pho will stick to you. ~Logistics~ There's a small parking lot behind the restaurant but I think it's just for residents of the apartment complex. We ended up parking in the residential area across the street. Make sure you get here before they open. We arrived 20 minutes before opening, thinking it would be fine but there was already a lot of groups ahead of us. We still had to wait 40 minutes before getting a table. And luckily, we got there as early as we did because they close once they sell out and that was by 11:20AM! ~Conclusion~ This was the best pho I've ever had and I can see why it was ranked so highly on Yelp. I just wish it wasn't such a limited commodity so we could enjoy it at anytime of the day. read more

PHOnomenal - House Special - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

Went to lunch here with coworkers and waited about an hour- long enough that we almost left. I'm so glad we didn't. This was hands down the best pho I've ever had. The broth was incredibly fresh and rich and the beef ribs were fall-off-the-bone amazing. The staff was kind and welcoming which made the experience even better. They have limited hours and close when they sell out (which always happens ), so you definitely need to plan ahead and be patient-but it's absolutely worth it. read more

PHOnomenal - Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

The Pho was amazing along with the great customer service. Must try pho in San Diego without a doubt

Wow, super grateful and happy I get to visit Phonomenal again (April 2025), luckily it was on Thursday, since we were at San Diego for just a day. I have to say, 2nd visit dam it is really Phonomenal not a hype! Luckily I made it in since they were SOLD Out. Sam and staff are awesome as usual, got our special pho, tried the rolls and cocoane juice this time, also bought more chili sauce to bring back. The pho is just as tasty as how I remembered, the rolls are filled and stuffed, we both loved it and saved the other piece for road trip snack and the cococane juice, Wow, super good, loved the sugar cane and coconut juice, the best I've had ever!! We sure enjoyed our food, so stuffed and ready for our San Diego adventures. Check them out, Phonemenal for sure, not only my appetite is full but my heart too, As I am typing this review, I am trying to see when I can go back again. Thank You Phonomenal staff, can't wait to be back again!! read more

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Came here for the first time and had to come back the very next day! The broth is so good and the beef is nice and tender. 10/10 Also had the shrimp spring rolls and the coconut juice. Also very good! Plus the service is always amazing! Thanks guys for always being so welcoming!!! read more

Came in on a sunday at ~10:30am, placed our names on the waitlist, and ~5 mins after arrival the pho was sold out. They check the number of people on the waitlist and if the number reaches a certain point, they don't allow any more parties to join the waitlist. If you're thinking of coming, you definitely want to arrive before 10:30 to be safe. Then, my table of 4 waited almost an hour to be seated. Their menu consists of two items: the house special pho and spring rolls (choose from shrimp, pork, or both pork and shrimp rolls). House special pho 4/5: From the first sip of broth, I could tell that this was different from the usual Vietnamese southern style pho that I usually see. It was rich and clear and not very beefy at all, tasting mostly of the spices and flavors from other ingredients. I heard that this was a Cambodian style pho so that would explain the differences to the usual pho in the states. Personally, because I enjoy a broth with a beefier taste, I didn't enjoy this as much. Additionally, my friends and I had thought the soup was a little too salty. The stand-out part of this meal was the short rib! The meat was so tender, delicious and so easily fell off the bone. Shrimp spring rolls 4/5: Held up well and never, for even a bit, fell apart. They were thick but I enjoy a roll with a greater proportion of meat to the rest of the roll. read more

PHOnomenal - Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

San Diego is amusingly known as taco shop and craft beer capital of the world, but it's also a cultural culinary melting pot. It's no wonder that Phở, traditional Việtnamese Beef Noodle Soup, can be found in dozens of locations across the county, each carrying their own nuances that make them unique. PHOnomenal takes the traditional Vietnamese soup and takes it to another level, putting a Khmer (Cambodian) twist on it. Essentially it's Kathiew, crafted into Phở. Sporting a simple menu, the House Special Phở, Spring Rolls and a blended mixture of Coconut Water & Sugarcane Juice, affectionately called Cococane, it won't be a hard decision process. It all starts with the broth, boiling soup bones for hours with a sachet of herbs & spices, a process derived from mom's traditional recipe. Most likely it starts before you've awakened, but definitely wayyy before the sunrise. The beef ribs are slow boiled for hours as well and served Jurassic style, on the bone, typically breaching the surface of your soup bowl, hanging over the edge. The primal engagement of picking up beef on-bone, with meat so tender it nearly melts off, is complimented so well by the broth's rich, hearty, full bodied signature flavor. It's an experience that distinguishes itself from almost all other restaurants across the nation, not just other phở spots. So much so, they've achieved Yelps Top 100, 4th place to be exact in less than 2 years from opening. Like it HoTT? Turn it up with that homemade saté chili oil. Beware, a little goes a long way. Sides minimized, Spring Rolls come in 3 options, pork, shrimp or a combination served with house made peanut sauce, some of the best I've had from anywhere. The restaurant itself is small, seating only about 40 people, but has tall ceilings and is comfortably climate controlled with a couple of TV's and modern light fixtures. Service is prompt, attentive, welcoming & friendly, as if you're eating a home cooked meal. In a sense it is, the recipes are a family tradition, and the business is a family run affair. All done & told, eating here is nothing short of PHOnomenal. read more

PHOnomenal - Small, but inviting restaurant, small kitchen too, once they're out, they're out, always call ahead - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

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First experience here and wow. Great hospitality. Bright environment. Amazing food. I see why there was a good amount of people waiting to eat here. And when you see only one thing on the menu with a full house and more? That's how you know it's gonna be good. Came by here with a few friends today and we were greeted by a very sweet, upbeat girl behind the counter. We signed in and waited. It took some time to get a seat because of our party size, but the wait was definitely worth it. We ordered off their menu, which was short and sweet. Basically it was pho or no pho, and we all got their house special pho plus one order of their shrimp spring rolls. The pho was so good. I'm the type to not use sriracha or hoisin, so I really focus on the broth and the flavor. The noodles had a good bite to them, the broth was super flavorful, and the meat was so tender that it just fell off the bone. I've tried many places like this where they offer spare rib pho, but every single time, they were overwhelmingly gamey flavored, plus the meat was rough and difficult to remove off the bone. The taste of these places was overall just unappetizing. Phonomenal really changed that for me! And it isn't just their food that makes people want to come back. It's the service and the dedication. You can tell how much effort they put into this. Sam helped us out when splitting our bill and was super friendly throughout the process. He asked us about ourselves, if we were visiting, if we enjoyed the food. He just made us feel welcomed. Overall, just a great experience and I highly recommend coming by! read more

PHOnomenal - Special Pho - Noodles Near Me - National City, California

This place is restaurant goals!!! What a gem. Came here on a Sunday around 11am and there were around 4 parties ahead of us. It's a small spot so it took around 30 minutes to get seated. The menu is extremely simple - which is a sign of the restaurant's confidence. They only have 3 items - a house special pho (with the option to add meatballs), spring rolls, and sugarcane juice. The pho was phenomenal hahaha - the broth and noodles were both delicious. The stand out is the bone-in spare ribs, the meat just falls off the bone and is SO TENDER. Definitely my favorite part of the meal. The add-on meatballs were skippable because it is already plenty of food. We tried the shrimp and pork spring rolls and shrimp spring rolls - rolls are pretty big and the peanut sauce is tasty. These are pretty comparable to other pho places. Also love that they serve sugarcane juice! I love sugarcane and it's pretty hard to find this drink in San Diego. Super refreshing and not overly sweet. Service was great - you can definitely tell they are a tight-knit family-run place. Only open on select days a week, close when they sell out, small and solid menu, and lots of warmth and pride in their food. Awesome! read more

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