Dakao

"The only thing more intense than the length of the menu at Dakao is the decor, which is a fever dream of blue sky and cloud ceiling tiles, oversized woven pendant lamps, and fake topiaries akin to Edward Scissorhands. We’re not sure who designed this place, but we absolutely love it. Grab a miến gà dakao dặc biệt with clear noodles and take it all in. What to order: miến gà dakao dặc biệt" - chelsea thomas

"Dakao makes enjoying a bowl of hot soup a slightly eerie uncanny valley experience. The entire restaurant resembles a very fake-looking garden with fever-dream decor of cloud ceiling tiles and Edward Scissorhands-style topiaries. Here phở is the sun all other dishes orbit around, like the phở gà lòng trứng non with chicken, giblets, and soft egg, or the miến gà with springy glass noodles as opposed to vermicelli." - chelsea thomas

"This popular Asiatown restaurant has an extensive menu, from congee to vermicelli and rice plates, and it specializes in chicken phở. Get the house signature phở gà đakao đặc biệt that comes with white and dark chicken meat, gizzards, liver, and egg in a fragrant, herbal broth. Try it khô, or dry, where the bowl of noodles and meats are presented with the house soy-based sauce and the broth on the side." - Minh Truong

"The only thing more intense than the length of the menu at Dakao is the decor, which is a fever dream of blue sky and cloud ceiling tiles, oversized woven pendant lamps, and fake topiaries akin to Edward Scissorhands. It’s down right whimsical, sort of like they’re attempting to obscure an urban street view with as much (plastic) natural material as possible. We’re not sure who designed this place, but we absolutely love it. Grab a miến gà dakao dặc biệt with clear noodles—the noodles soak up the rich both becoming long, gummy ropes of chicken consomme—and take it all in. photo credit: Quit Nguyen" - Chelsea Thomas

"Mai Pham, Eater contributor: Pho 54 and Pho Ga Dakao for chicken pho." - Amy McCarthy