San Diego Pho Restaurants

Best Pho in San Diego

ByChris Emery

Picking the best pho in San Diego is not easy. In Convoy restaurant district alone, dozens of places serve this savory Vietnamese noodle soup, many of which are great. And that’s not to mention Mira Mesa and downtown, which also have many options. Below, we’ll list some of our favorite pho places, based on lots of (delicious and filling) research.

Pho Cow Cali Express

Pho Cow Cali Express

If I had to give up one name for my favorite pho place in San Diego, it would be Pho Cow Cali Express in Mira Mesa. I may be biased, as it’s only a few minutes from my house. And it doesn’t hurt that there’s a Somsomi and Mochi Nut next door for dessert afterward. But I also really like their broth, which is anise-forward and savory. They don’t seem to thin it down as much as some places, and I like the heavier broth. Apparently, I’m not the only one: there’s always a line to get in during dinner hours.

NeighborhoodMira Mesa
Address9170 Mira Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92126
Phone number858-271-8341
WebsiteSeems to be down
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Pho Duyen Mai

The saying goes that if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere. When it comes the same can be said of pho in San Diego’s Kearny Mesa/Convoy neighborhood. This is the epicenter of San Diego’s thriving Asian food scene. You can pretty much throw a rock in any direction and it will hit a pho place. Pho Duyen Mai, located in a nondescript strip mall just off the Clairemont Mesa Boulevard exit of the 163, managed to stand out in this crowded pack. The rich beef broth is heavenly and the sprouts and basil are always fresh. It’s next to Quantum Brewing and a ham radio store (which is apparently still a thing).

NeighborhoodKearny Mesa
Address5375 Kearny Villa Rd Ste 111 San Diego, CA 92123
Phone number858-560-5354
Websitehttp://phoduyenmai.com
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Pho Cow Kitchen

Pho Kitchen San Diego

If you are looking for a pho place in the Linda Vista/Moreno Boulevard area, Pho Kitchen is a great choice. This restaurant has slicker branding and an interior design that’s a bit more chic that the other places on this list. But there’s nothing pho-ny here…sorry, couldn’t resist. They make a mean bowl of pho with a tasty beef broth and fresh garnishes. They also have a location in Mira Mesa, at 6785 Mira Mesa Blvd Ste 144, San Diego, CA 92121.

NeighborhoodLinda Vista
Address5375 Napa St Ste 104B San Diego, CA 92110
Phone number619-684-5009
Websitehttps://phokitchenusa.com/
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Pho FAQs

Vietnamese pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup that is deeply rooted in history. It consists of broth, noodles, and spices such as anise, cinnamon and cloves. Pho broth is usually made from beef or chicken bones combined with herbs like cilantro, Thai basil and onions. The broth then simmers for hours to bring out the flavor of the ingredients. Noodles can be added according to preference—from thick spaghetti-like noodles to vermicelli or rice noodles. These are added once the broth has been finished with a little fish sauce for extra flavor. Topped off with chilies, beansprouts and fresh herbs, this light yet hearty dish satisfies many different cravings.

Ramen and pho are two popular dishes that both hail from Asian cuisine, but they have many differences. Ramen is a Japanese dish consisting of wheat noodles in a broth made with soy sauce or miso. Ramen is often topped with egg, pork, and vegetables for an even heartier meal. On the other hand, Pho hails from Vietnamese cuisine and has a lighter base of rice noodles in a flavorful broth of beef or chicken. This dish is typically garnished with lime wedges, Thai basil leaves, fresh bean sprouts and occasionally chilies or black pepper as well. While both ramen and pho are delicious options for lunch or dinner, their distinct flavor profiles make them very different culinary experiences.

How one pronounces this savory delicacy depends on region, with many referring to it as “fuh”. This variation of pronunciation is commonplace amongst Southeast Asians while many Westerners commonly say “foe”. However, either way you choose to pronounce it, enjoying some pho is sure to bring a delicious experience.

I wasn’t able to find a definitive answer on this, but it probably has to do with the fact that the soup used in many San Diego pho restaurants is beef broth.

In Vietnamese cuisine, thin, linguine-like rice noodles known as “banh pho” are typically used for pho. Banh pho are often slightly curved and vary in size from quite thin (similar to vermicelli) to larger ones that are close in size to flat noodles like fettuccine or pappardelle. While varying ingredients and toppings might change depending on the region, most restaurants outside of Vietnam generally serve the same style of rice noodles for their pho dishes.

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