Sean K.
Yelp
I absolutely love pho. I can eat it every day, 3 times a day. That's how much I love it.
Now, let's talk about the new pho place everyone is talking about: Di An Pho. This spot is tucked away on the far west side of Chinatown (past Dairy Ashford on Bellaire), which has been booming lately with all kinds of Asian food and drink spots. The area is becoming a serious foodie destination, and Di An Pho definitely adds to the mix.
They were running a promo when we went: free Vietnamese coffee with a large or XL pho. Naturally, we ordered the XL ribeye pho -- and wow, that bowl was massive. The broth had a deep, rich color and solid flavor. Not the absolute best I've had in Houston (I'd still rank Pho Dien higher, and Pho Sapa edges it out too), but definitely comparable to Pho Saigon. The ribeye was plentiful, tender, and even better with a dunk in Sriracha. Vegetables were generous, especially cilantro -- usually I have to ask for extra, but not here. Big plus!
The noodles were standard -- not fresh and a little clumpy (common in many pho shops), but it would have been nice if they were house-made like Pho Dien's. Still, the sheer size of the bowl and the amount of broth more than made up for it.
The Vietnamese coffee was a highlight -- strong, bold, and packed with caffeine. Honestly, almost as good as Lee's Sandwiches (and that's saying a lot). Definitely worth the promo.
The restaurant itself is clean, modern, and nicely decorated. Service was excellent -- lots of staff, very attentive and knowledgeable. We were seated right away on a weekday lunch even though it was pretty packed (seems like their Instagram promos are working).
Small downside: I had my heart set on ox tail pho, which was on the menu, but when I ordered, the waitress said they didn't have it. If it's not actually available, maybe take it off the menu to avoid the letdown.
Bonus: they give you a free pair of branded wooden chopsticks to take home (just keep the plastic wrapper). A fun touch!
Overall, a solid pho spot with some nice perks -- not my top pick in Houston, but definitely a place I'd recommend trying, especially if you're on the west side of Chinatown in the heart of Alief (my stomping grounds).