Sometimes, there’s nothing better than a steaming hot bowl of pho.
If you’re not familiar with this yummy Vietnamese dish, let me get a few frequently asked questions out of the way. Pho is arguably the most famous Vietnamese meal. This noodle-based soup can be found everywhere in Vietnam, from households to street vendors to high-end restaurants.
Traditional pho is made with rice noodles in clear beef broth, with thin cuts of beef and herbs. Over the years, pho has continued to evolve as the popularity of the dish began to reach new regions of the world.
Finally, and this bit of info is crucial since you’ll be ordering it, pho is pronounced “fuh”. You can hear it here.
Okay, now that we’ve got the quick facts out of the way, let’s dive into where you can find the very best pho in town.
Saigon Asian Bistro
About: Saigon Asian Bistro offers a few different types of pho, including their house pho and raw beef pho. The Vietnamese noodles are cooked for 8 hours and made from scratch.
Location: 50 Neverland Dr, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Website: Saigon Asian Bistro
Huong Vietnamese Restaurant
About: Huong is one of a few locally-owned, 100% Vietnamese restaurants in Columbus. To make the most out of your pho experience at Huong Vietnamese Restaurant, the owners want everyone to take the advice of chef Alton Brown: come in with an open heart and an empty stomach. The staff is so friendly at Huong, so if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Location: 1270 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43229
Website: Huong Vietnamese Restaurant
Lan Viet
About: Looking for authentic Vietnamese food while visiting the historic North Market? Lan Viet is the spot. They serve a classica Hanoi style pho that will leave you wondering why exactly it took you so long to try this incredible dish in the first place.
Location: 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Lan Viet
Mili Cafe
About: Mili Cafe has been serving up authentic Vietnamese pho since 2005. They offer 8 different kinds of pho, which comes in both individual and shareable sizes.
Location: 5858 Emporium Square, Columbus, OH 43231
Website: Mili Cafe
Pho Chef
About: The pho at Pho Chef is slow cooked for hours. The delicious golden broth comes with rice noodles, and your choice of beef, and is garnished with onions and fresh cilantro. You can jazz it up by adding bean sprouts, basil, lime, and jalapenos if you’re feeling a little spicy.
Location: 3540 W Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235
Website: Pho Chef