Just Pho

(Update: I was here awhile ago and the broth was very different, much darker, the taste was different, nothing like it was before! New owners? New cheaper ingredients?) Being American Vietnamese and then learning that Pho originally came from North Vietnam was a shocker. My whole Pho life has changed because this place. At first you would think it is "JUST PHO" but it is not, compared of other Pho shops in the city, the broth is usually darker and has a more sweeter taste to it. I have never tasted broth this was before. The Pho (Pho Tai)- The broth came clear and had an amazing aroma, as I tasted it, there is no salt in it and tasted extremely natural, no additives and barely any serious spices added to it, it had such a pure flavor to it, perfect stewed for many hours from some good pieces of bone. The meat was thinly sliced and the vegetables were fresh. Everything complimented everything else. I have not slurped down Pho broth after eating, But it was so good that I literally destroyed my bowl and looked as if there was nothing there to begin with. The price is normal for an average of $10 a bowl. But I would say this place is worth it and a place you can become a regular. It tastes that good and amazing. I will recommend this Pho shop to anyone who comes to NYC and friends around the area as well, worth it!

I might have unreasonably high expectation on this pho place in midtown. It ended up only the raw beef stood out. The broth was ok, but the rice noodle itself was definitely too soft. They forgot our crab spring roll until we brought it up, but the spring roll came out cold and greasy. I believe a better quality pho with lower price is not hard to find in the city.

First time here. The reviewers who stated it was good, were correct and thanks for the detailed ones. I had the shredded chicken pho (pic) and some hot tea. The pho was good and a nice amount of chicken too- I'd certainly get it again. When I asked for a refill of tea, the friendly server apologized that they ran out of hot water. A bummer that one can run out of hot water in a restaurant :( Not the worst, right? On the tables there is a jar of vinegar spiced with crushed garlic and peppers (pic), really good stuff! I'll be back for more. And yes the prices are great for NYC in this neighborhood. Soups came out in 5 minutes, so if you only have 30 minutes, you'll be fine.

Got 2 regular bowls of pho ($11 for just raw and $13 for just combination) and very fulfilling. They said is northern style pho. I asked for extra lime and got it, it was a bit strange there were no bean sprouts, might be a regional thing? Anyway, the pho was great! The Just raw had a bunch of raw meat, but the soup was boiling hot even after our 10min walk back home, and as soon as you pour it in your bowl, the meat turns cooked. Service was fast (only saw 1 guy inside working but it was early around 11:15am) and nothing to complain about! Note there was no bean sprouts and also no meatballs in the combination, might be a regional pho thing?

We ordered the cooked beef pho and the raw beef pho. I hadn’t have pho in a long time and was a little disappointed this time. The soup didn’t have a strong umami flavor. The noodle was a little bit too wide compared other places. And they didn’t provide bean sprouts, basil or lime. Besides the waiter was ignorant and not welcoming.

Exactly what we needed around Penn Station. Small menu and small place - perfect combination for a quick in and out type of a place especially when you are in a rush during lunch time. I got the raw beef pho and it did not disappoint. I suggest anyone who is about to enter the armpit of NYC, aka Penn Station, do yourself a favor... make a quick pit stop and grab a solid bowl of Pho.

Just come back from Hanoi and have a craving for authentic northern-style pho? Well you’ve come to the right place! If you haven’t tried it before, you definitely have to visit as the flavor profile is very different from the southern-style you’re probably used to, that is served everywhere else. The broth is both rich and savory, while the flat noodles complement the thinly sliced flank steak. Top this with an assortment of greens and you have an amazing meal. Just remember to add some Thai chili and vinegar pickled garlic for that extra kick!

VIETNAM 🇻🇳 Eat the World NYC review: With only a small ripple, the city's newest entry into a lackluster pho (and Vietnamese) landscape recently opened in the shadow of Madison Square Garden. The promise of "just pho" is almost accurate, as the menu concentrates on four versions of the noodle soup, cooked in the Northern Vietnamese style which you might find in Hanoi. Pho bò tái ($11 for small/$13 for large) is their signature "raw" beef pho. The thin strips of beef will cook themselves in the bowl, arriving slightly pink but quickly changing to brown. As you will find in Hanoi, the broth does not arrive super complex and full of different savory, sweet, and/or funky elements as a bowl in Saigon might. The soup base is simple and savory, with hints of anise and cinnamon and possibly cloves. This might be initially off putting to fans of pho, but know that it is intentional, as is the lack of herbs served alongside a bowl. Instead, thinly sliced green onion and cilantro is added before serving. Take a few sips when it arrives piping hot, but then grab the condiments at the side to suit your needs. This is the real magic, as their house made vinegar-garlic-chili sauce (toi ngam giam) is just waiting to do tricks for you. Once the pungency levels are to your tastes, add a squirt of sriracha for the necessary kick and pick up the wide noodles found in northern-style phos. With all of these little things done right, and the background of actual Vietnamese being spoken between the staff, it almost feels like you are not in New York for a moment.