ASAP Phorage

Permanently Closed

ASAP Phorage

Permanently Closed

Vietnamese food in a market: Washugyu pho & curry banh mi

Information

303 Culver Blvd, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293 Get directions

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

ASAP Phorage Review - Playa Del Rey - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"What is it about humans and completely losing our minds over hidden restaurants and bars? Push us through a refrigerator or a coat closet or the back kitchen of a grilled cheese shop and instantly everything tastes better, feels better, and is far more important on social media. But then there are places who just happen to be hidden from view. They’re not trying to be cool or get on your Instagram, it’s simply where they’re located. Welcome to ASAP Phorage. In the heart of the sleepy beach enclave of Playa Del Rey, there’s a no-name convenience store that’s essentially the area’s general store. Need some toilet paper? Red wine? Strips of beef jerky to put under your pillow for later? This is where you go. And yet, it’s also home to something slightly less expected - one of best pho spots in the city. photo credit: Holly Liss ASAP Phorage is actually the second location of the popular West LA spot Phorage. And as the name suggests, this tiny counter is meant to be of the more on-the-go variety. And while you could certainly be in and out in under 10 minutes, we’d recommend hanging for a bit if you can. There are about six tiny tables surrounding the counter and a few out front on the sidewalk that, if for nothing else, provide excellent people watching. On our last visit, there was a guy in line juggling a soccer ball, a couple middle school girls in the corner talking sh*t about Rachel, and two old men having an in-depth conversation about VoiceOver. It’s feels like Playa’s living room and we never want to leave. But of course, none of this matters if the food isn’t good. Luckily, it’s excellent. The Washugyu beef pho is one of our favorites in LA and the papaya salad isn’t far behind. While ASAP’s menu doesn’t have the vermicelli noodles like the other location, it makes up for it in the sandwich department. The beef curry banh mi is fantastic and unlike anything else in town. Oh, and there’s breakfast starting at 6:30am with a banh mi burrito you’ll want to get involved in. ASAP Phorage is functional, well-run, and downright delicious. Drop in with the crew for some banh mis before the beach, or pick up pho to-go after a long day of work. ASAP might be hidden away in a convenience store, but that’s hardly why we’re losing our minds. Food Rundown Beef Washugyu Pho We could eat a bowl of this every week for the rest of our lives. The beef is actually rare when the bowl hits the table and cooks itself in the heat of the broth as you eat. It’s magic and also unbelievably delicious. Beef Curry Banh Mi Only served at the Playa location, this sandwich is truly special and completely different than any other banh mi you’ve had. It has the just right amount of spice to it and when dipped into the pho, it’s heaven. Green Papaya Salad This doesn’t have the heat level as some of the other versions around town do, but it’s still fresh, delicious, and an absolute must-order. Jidori Chicken Broken Rice Plate If there’s one dish at ASAP we’d pass on, this would be it. It’s not that the plate is bad, it’s just a little dull and there are frankly too many other great things on the menu. Banh Mi Breakfast Burrito Holy sex. How it took this long for this to be a thing is beyond us. But it’s here now and it’s as good as advertised. Only served Wed-Sun 6:30am-11am, your weekend hangover just got a lot easier." - Brant Cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/reviews/asap-phorage

Holly Liss

ASAP Phorage

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

Where To Eat Healthy When You Don’t Want A Salad - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Vietnamese food isn’t the first thing you expect to find at the same place where you pick up your laundry detergent and Solo cups, but that’s just part of the beauty of ASAP Phorage. Located in the back of a convenience store in Playa del Rey, this tiny counter seems like the kind of place your instincts tell you to avoid, but in reality, they serve some of our favorite pho on the Westside. The crowd is a mix of barefoot surfers, teenagers who peaced out of school early, and you, holding on to the remnants of your New Year’s clean-eating resolution." - Brant Cox, Kat Hong

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/where-to-eat-healthy-when-you-dont-want-a-salad

@TheInfatuation

ASAP Phorage

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

The Healthy Lunch Guide - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Located in the back of a convenience store in Playa Del Rey, ASAP Phorage is one of our favorite secret spots in the city. We realize pho isn’t the healthiest thing you could put into your body at 1pm, but you could also do a lot worse." - Jess Basser Sanders, Brant Cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/healthy-lunch-los-angeles

Holly Liss

ASAP Phorage

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

Where To Eat When You Just Want A Sandwich - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"If you start thinking about ASAP Phorage’s washugyu beef pho the moment your plane begins its descent into LAX, we have that in common. But the real secret at this tiny Vietnamese shop in the back of a convenience store in Playa del Rey are the banh mi sandwiches. The lemongrass pork and jidori chicken are both excellent, but it’s the ground beef curry with shaved coconut and red curry aioli that keeps us up at night. Or should we say, while we’re trying to get some sleep on the plane." - Brant Cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-sandwich-shops-in-los-angeles

@TheInfatuation

ASAP Phorage

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

The 12 Best Pho Restaurants In Los Angeles - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"The pho at Phorage in Palms and ASAP Phorage in Playa del Rey is pretty much the same, but ASAP tends to be the one we end up at, partly because of the joy that comes from eating in the back of a convenience store. And also the excellent pho - we always order the Washugyu beef. The broth tastes like it’s been cooking for days, and their meat is really high quality." - Jess Basser Sanders, Amy Clark, Brant Cox

https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/best-pho-restaurants-los-angeles

Holly Liss

ASAP Phorage

Jenae L.

Google

I am so thankful they are here located at the back of Gordon’s market. It may seem odd to have a pho place there, but they make really really good pho and banh mi sandwiches. Being part Asian, I get pho cravings. And being part Asian, I know good pho. This is good pho. Vegans and gluten free eaters are welcome here. Their pho is gluten free and they have vegan options. Their papaya salad is amazing too, it’s not vegan cause it has fish sauce but I love the taste. Call ahead and place orders to go. Eat inside or outside of the market at their wooden tables. Pho goes for around $11 a bowl and I always feel super full afterwards.

Jason H

Google

Ive been inside this market a million times but never knew this place had Pho. It was a really great lesson about stopping and looking around. Any who- PHO was really good. I had the beef one, as a dude kinda dude I left and wasnt hungry so the portion side is on point as well. The Pho was flavorful and the ingredients were fresh. As Arnold would say "I'll be bach" Pro Tip- make sure you get something to drink.

David S.

Google

Vietnamese restaurant in the back of a super market. Had the washugyu pho and the lemongrass pork bahn mi. Pho: 3/5 The pho was average in flavor, with limited amounts of beef included. Also the ladies at the counter told us that sprouts, jalapeno and all the extras wouldn't be available. This kind of is unacceptable as this is what makes pho. If you are serving pho this should always be included. Lemongrass Bahn Mi was good. Large toasted bun. Pork was like pulled pork style and had some great flavors.

Gia P.

Google

Tiny little spot in the back of a convenience store. I personally enjoyed the quirky atmosphere. Service was fine, the steak Pho was pretty good. They give you a good size portion for the price. I took half of mine to go. My friend got the "new" meatball Pho, which had good flavor but the texture of the meatballs was weird, kind of gelatinous and chewy.

Bunny B.

Google

The price of $12.00 does not match the quality . To salty of a broth, taste like it's out of a box. I know it's high rent district, still expect value for my dollar. Cool looking kitchen and the folks that work here are nice. Skip this place if you want real vietnamese food. As an avid diner in Little Saigon (Westminster, 4 mile park area) I have tried many regional Pho dishes. The soup base is not good, sorry ya all.

Hav N.

Google

The Pho has no flavor. The broth tasted like reheated from frozen pho that was cooked last week. I love to support local and do not mind paying the price for a good quality of PHO, but this is not it. And please change the menu...items are not available or no longer serve shouldn't be on the menu.

Madison M.

Google

Probably the best Banh mi we’ve had! I got the vegetarian and added crispy tofu and my boyfriend got the Banh mi with pork belly. The sandwiches are huge- big enough to share (however I’d recommend saving the rest for later.) it’s in the back of a liquor store which seems a little odd but definitely worth coming back again and again!

Kirsten Ortega (.

Google

I have eaten here twice before and fell in love the first time. I especially loved the Imperial Rolls ($7) which comes with lettuce, vermicelli noodles, and a special sauce for the rolls. This is my favorite thing on their menu. This trip I tried the Shaking Cheesesteak Bahn Mi ($13) and was truly satisfied. Usually I would get the Berkshire Pork Bahn Mi but it was not available at the time. The imperial rolls kind of filled me enough where I could only eat one half of the sandwich. iLife how consistent this place is and can't wait to try it more. My next thing to order is the Mary's Free Range Chicken Pho, which is very popular. I would suggest this to anyone who hasn't tried Vietnamese Bahn Mis. I would HIGHLY recommend the Imperial Rolls because they are always so delicious and order more than one and just it that as a meal and you'll be set! They have a wide variety of drinks considering it's in a market. The market also has tons of delicious snacks from chips to candy. So you have options inside the market on what to drink and what treats you want after.