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Pho Mai: My Go-To Spot for Authentic Vietnamese in Eden Prairie
When I crave authentic Vietnamese food, my memories always drift back to Garden Grove, California. That area is packed with amazing Vietnamese restaurants and shopping malls filled with food courts where you can try just about everything.
Here in Minnesota, I found a little reminder of that when the Eden Prairie Mall opened. It gave me the same kind of vibe—lots of shops, food, and energy—and quickly became one of my favorite shopping spots.
And tucked right in the mall is one of my favorite finds: Pho Mai. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it was opened by the son of the owner of MT Noodles in Brooklyn Park. While the menu at Pho Mai is a bit more streamlined, they kept all the essentials—pho, banh mi, and their famous egg rolls.
Now, let me tell you about those egg rolls. They aren’t the typical kind wrapped in pre-made skins. Instead, they’re made with fresh rice paper, which makes them perfectly crisp and totally worth the extra effort it takes to prepare them. They’re seriously labor-intensive, but you can taste the difference.
On my last visit, I went for a bowl of beef and meatball pho—comforting, flavorful, and exactly what I needed. Of course, I couldn’t resist the pork egg rolls too, which were just as tasty as I remembered.
Pho Mai isn’t your typical deli-style pho shop either. It’s always buzzing with energy, full of people, and has this lively, modern vibe. Whether you’re in the middle of a shopping trip or making the drive just for a good meal, it’s worth stopping in.
If you’re in the Twin Cities and craving authentic Vietnamese flavors, Pho Mai is definitely a must-try spot.