So long, Saigon – just when you thought a plane ticket to Vietnam was in order (who are we kidding? Pho is that good!) G&G swoops in to save the day with a list of the Brisbane’s best pho places to get all hot and brothered.
Are you ready? Full steam ahead!
Quan Thanh | West End
For a humble yet un-pho-gettable soup, brave the crowds at Quan Thanh and take a seat on the Vietnamese side of the restaurant. If you’re a fan of beef pho and BYO, this place is pho you. And a whole bunch of other pho fans too, so be sure to get there early.
Banoi | King Street, Bowen Hills
Chicken soup may be for the soul, but we’d ditch it any day of the week for just one slurp of Banoi’s spicy beef and pork noodle pho! Taking inspiration from traditional Bún Bò Huế, this dish will bowl you over with its bold textures and fulsome umami flavour.
Tan Thanh | Inala
Tan Thanh is one of the oldest pho establishments in Little Vietnam, aka Inala, and have not pho-gotten their roots, brewing up traditional steaming bowls of pho. With eight different kinds served in generous portions, including a chicken pho served up with crispy fried chicken, it’s no wonder Tan Thanh is one of our personal favourites.
Pho Hien Vuong Pasteur | Sunnybank
A true showstopper in the pho game (and with the outdoor neon sign to prove it), Pho Hien Vuong Pasteur makes you feel right at home with complimentary tea and pho in serving sizes so generous, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the small bowl was actually a large. For unique combinations like brisket and rare beef, and bang for your buck, this is the place to go.
Phuc Deli Viet | Various
Pho is perfectly good the way it is. Viet as it may, however, we also admire when a restaurant ain’t afraid to stray from tradition! Case in point is the delicious pho at Phuc Deli Viet, whose fragrant beef noodles simmered in anise broth comes topped with meatballs, tendon, and tripe (mum says ‘don’t waste’ after all!).
Pho Inn | Camp Hill
Blink and you’d miss it. But once you find this Camp Hill hidden gem and taste their Hue-style vermicelli pho, you’ll never forget its bottomless flavour and tender beef slices. Many a pho fan has fawned over the extensive range of soupy goodness available at Pho Inn, so be sure to go in and see what all the fuss is about!
Sago | Kelvin Grove
A favourite among the bleary-eyed students at QUT Kelvin Grove is the sacred Sago’s multitudes of lemongrass and vermicelli pho. Their flavourful toppings range from the usual chicken or beef options to tofu, prawn, and fish for all the pescatarians and vegetarians out there.
Phuong Trinh | Inala
For less than $15, you can have yourself a mini feast that’s hearty in the stomach and easy on the wallet at Phuong Trinh. With a delicious broth teeming with meatballs, beef and tripe alongside a load of side dishes in front of you, surrounded by old world décor, you’ll feel like you’re in the heart of Ho Chi Minh city.
My Pho Bar | Jindalee
My Pho Bar not only dishes up vibrant pho, but an epic SuperBowl Challenge – almost two hefty kilograms of noodles and tender meat served in a super-sized bowl of steaming broth. Finish it, and you’ll get your face on their wall of fame pho-ever.
District 1 | Fortitude Valley
Contrary to a certain blockbuster movie, the only hunger games you’ll find at District 1 is the eenie meenie miney pho you’ll use to decide what to eat. We personally suggest you grab your weapon of choice (aka chopsticks and a soup spoon) and make light work of their aromatic crispy chicken noodle soup, served with pickled vegetables and slow-cooked egg noodles in broth.
Pho Hung | Sunnybank
Like your noodles Pho Hung? Then kick it southside to this handsome mini-restaurant in Sunnybank for the perfect pho fix. Don’t be fooled by the tiny space and long queues – these guys cook tender beef pho with fresh toppings at lightning pace, ensuring you’ll never have to wait pho too long.
AJ Vietnamese Noodle House | Brisbane CBD
In true street food fashion, AJs is tucked away on Charlotte Street and noticeable only by those who make the establishment their final destination. Gorge on their AJ Special Noodle Soup topped with tripe, tendon, beef balls and beef slices and served with thick rice noodles in a sweet and salty broth.
Trang | West End
Tucked away in the back corner of West End, Trang’s has an intimately simple setting, and has been brewing their famous pho noodle soups for thirteen years. For a pho-nomenal feed, tuck into their beef and fatty brisket noodle soup. You could opt for the lean brisket, but why would you?
Pho much, Pho good.
