Pho Papa

Vietnamese restaurant · Stallion

Pho Papa

Vietnamese restaurant · Stallion

1

1611 E Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95121

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Highlights

Authentic Northern Vietnamese beef pho specializing in rich broth  

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1611 E Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95121 Get directions

@phopapa

$10–20

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1611 E Capitol Expy, San Jose, CA 95121 Get directions

+1 408 270 0600
@phopapa

$10–20

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Last updated

Aug 10, 2025

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11 Best Bowls of Pho in the South Bay | Eater SF

"Pho Papa is one of those spots that cuts right to the chase with not much else on the menu aside from pho and side options. The interior is reminiscent of a ramen bar — they offer seats at the counter where you can witness a bit of the behind-the-scenes magic. The Special Pho comes with a hefty assortment of rare steak, well done brisket, flank, tendon, and fatty brisket, along with a heap of herbs and garnish. Uniquely, Pho Papa offers the option to order a single, large beef short rib as a noteworthy accompaniment to your pho. It’s tender, meaty, and falls right off the bone." - Cathy Park

https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-pho-san-jose-south-bay
View Postcard for Pho Papa

Juan Ca

Google
We were recommended Pho Papa from a unique ceramic master in San Jose in the hills where the peacocks roam free. We enjoyed the broth and generous portions of meat. It's good to find tasty Pho places in SJ that put SF Pho to sh.....e.....

Alice Hou

Google
12/13/2024* Everything tastes amazing, and the service is impressively quick. The moment I was seated, the waiter was ready to take my order right at my table. The Pho Pap’s #1 Beef Noodle Soup was fantastic! The soup base was flavorful and clear, without being too salty. The combination of steak, brisket, flank, tendons, and fat brisket was a great mix of textures, and the fresh herbs, bean sprouts, chilies, and lemon juice really elevated the dish! 8/26/2024 I tried Pho Pap's #1 Beef Noodle Soup, and it left quite an impression! The soup base was both flavorful and clear, which I appreciated. Unlike some other places, it didn't leave me feeling overly salty afterward. That's definitely a plus! The combination of raw steak, well-done brisket, flank, tendons, and fat brisket provided a delightful mix of textures. But what really stole the show were the fresh additions: basil, bean sprouts, chilies, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Each bite felt like a new flavor adventure! It's a cozy spot with efficient service, and their Beef Noodle Soup is a winner

Charles Chen

Google
Quality has really gone down over the years…used to be the best in the Bay Area. Hardly any noodles in the bowl, meat volume has significantly reduced and the broth really isn’t as beefy as it once was. Really unfortunate. Still decent but not going out of the way for anymore.

Luis Aguilar

Google
Someone told me that this was the best Pho place in town. I also Googled "Where is the best Pho restaurant in San Jose, CA," and this came up. So I had BIG expectations. This was going to be my second time eating Pho. Well, it was delicious! It's really great, in fact. The broth was so tasty, and the noodles were perfect. The meat? Great, too! The only minus was the atmosphere since it felt a little cramped. Tables are a little too close. But that didn't take away from the tasty food. I would recommend it. Don't know if it's"the best" in San Jose, CA... but for me, it was great.

Chelle T

Google
This is my husband's favorite for beef pho. If you check the menu, there is only beef pho but you can choose the beef cuts you like in the broth. It has been consistently tasty and satisfying. Service is nice and efficient. It gets crowded but it is one of the better ones for pho in the area.

Ksenia Postolnik

Google
The pho here is fantastic! Especially if you opt for the combo and request to add meatballs—it takes the flavor to a whole new level! The only thing that's missing? Spring rolls! Keep in mind, this place gets really crowded during lunch hours, so it's best to arrive early if you want to savor your hot soup without the rush.

Kimberly Iwamoto

Google
It was full on a Saturday night and I had to queue up, so I thought it would be pretty good. I will said the price is good , $15 for regular size , soup base is great ( feel like no MSG ,not thirsty), meat was ok , noodles texture a little bit harder. Table is small , very near each other . They need to take care of clean job .

Hotcocco 78

Google
This was the best Pho EVER!! Small, clean, co comfortable spot. Went on a Sunday so it was packed! LOVED the atmosphere and table with benches set up. Now, this place only serves BEEF Pho. One veggie Pho. So. If you can't eat beef move on. I got the Oxtail Pho and the other got the all meat one. Super flavorful. Service isn't the best. No one came to check on us one time! No problem. The food was still 💯 Better SERVICE PHO PAPA 😉
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Pauline N.

Yelp
My boyfriend and I love this pho place. The noodles and broth are consistently good unlike Pho Hanoi in SJ's Vietnam town. We've been eating pho exclusively at Pho Papa's ever since we discovered it. We wish there were more locations available!
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Sharon C.

Yelp
No, pho papa! Why are you going downhill? You're not a pho grandpa ... (heh). This place used to be my go-to pho place. Their broth was consistently deep in meat flavor and the ingredients were good quality. I've brought countless family and friends here, who have all marveled at the wonders of east San Jose authenticity. Even people from the OC! But now, the broth is no longer the same. It has a lot of sweet (?) undertones to it, which is weird. Not as meat flavored. The quality of the ingredients are okay, not as good anymore. And THEY DON'T CARRY SRIRACHA SAUCE ANYMORE. It's a watery, vinegary chili sauce. Time to go on the hunt for the next pho spot ... boo.
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Theresa D.

Yelp
This place has earned itself a spot as one of THE pho places in San Jose in my book. I had the đặc biệt - the broth was light and clean tasting. A bit on the sweet side, I do wish it was beefier but for the clear broth it's a trade off. The cuts of meat had good texture and were not tough to chew. The pickled onions weren't very pickly. I couldn't really taste the vinegar as I usually can. The plate of herbs comes with bean sprouts, Thai basil, lemon and jalapenos. The sriracha on the table is house made because it's spicier than the usual. Service was nice and friendly. Restaurant was clean. And they accept credit card!! There's so many pho restaurants in San Jose but I don't need to waste my time at other restaurants when this restaurant is consistent.
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Irene L.

Yelp
This is located on Capitol Expressway, in the same plaza as Boiling Crab and Thien Huong Sandwiches. First timer here and it was actually recommended to try this because of their beef rib special. For me and my sister, we got 2 pho tai & 2 beef rib special. I love that they gave so much green onions in the pho. The broth was pretty flavorful and the noodles were cooked nicely. The beef rib special looked great for the pictures but I didn't think it was worth the $7 because I had to strip it off the bone to throw it into a takeout container and realized that it wasn't much meat. I would come back for their pho and skip out on their beef rib special next time.
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Tiffany L.

Yelp
Came here for a quick pho bite, and the hostess was very kind and quick to get us seated. Last time I visited Pho Papa was in December and had a great experience. Today was a little more busy, but the food was still amazing. Despite it being busy, the vibes of the restaurant were nice & cozy. My boyfriend had gotten #4 large and I got #14 small- they ran out of fresh noodles but that's totally fine! Our total came out to be about $40 with tip, and we left pretty satisfied with our pho craving.
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Linda D.

Yelp
I came with my family while I was visiting San Jose. We stopped by for lunch during probably a bad time, lunchtime. The wait was long and we were a party of 5. My aunt already knew what to do so she placed her name down as soon as we arrived. There is outdoor seating but it was cold so we opted to sit indoors. Indoors is small and tight. I ordered #13 which was beef flanks, and tendons. Order came out rather quickly and there were 2 plates of veggies: bean sprouts, basil, jalapeno peppers and lemon. They also give you a mountain of white onions! You don't see that often! My uncle ordered cooked bean sprouts but they were not cooked. In fact, I think all they did was lightly blanched it and called it a day. When ordering there were 2 options: small or large bowl and thin or wide noodles. I like small thin noodles (regular kind) but there is more pho in the bowl. To each their own but the small bowls are pretty filling. Really enjoyed my bowl of pho and I can see why they have a long wait. Bowls were delicious but there is a lot of MSG added to the broth. I'm normally not sensitive to MSG but when there's too much, I can definitely taste it afterwards. And no, I didn't drink the broth. Some cons for this place is that as soon as we sat down, handed the menus, not even 5 minutes passed and they were asking what we'd like to order. That was a sign that they have a lot of regulars. We told the 1st server we weren't ready and about another 5 minutes passed when a different waiter asked us what we'd like to order. I get that they're busy, but give your customers a chance to look at the menu first! There is no charge for hot water but there is a charge per cup for tea. We opted for hot water. Overall, they are good for lunch or dinner. Customer service is what you can expect at a Vietnamese restaurant. Not the best but not the worst either. Can't go wrong with pho and portions are large enough. If I'm in the area again, I'll stop by for some good pho.
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Mary N.

Yelp
One of the best pho restaurants in San Jose. I've gone here many times, but haven't stopped by for a while. Revisited recently a few days ago and can confirm... I missed eating pho here! I wasn't feeling so great that day and the bowl of pho warmed my soul. What we ordered: #1. Pho Dat Biet - includes rare steak, well done brisket, flank, tendon, fat brisket, and well done flank. If you don't know what to order, you'll never go wrong with the dat biet. You get a little bit of everything to try. Pho Papa has truly nailed down their broth. It is a clean broth enriched with SOOO much flavor. The meat is nice and tender. They always put a TON of green onions on top, which I appreciate. If you like a thicker noodle, make sure to ask for banh tuoi. #2. Dat Biet Suon Bo Papa - this is their beef rib special. If you want extra protein, add this to your order. The meat is basically fall off the bone. Very tender and is a great addition if you're looking for more. Tips: - Order hanh dam (white onion with vinegar) to eat with each bite. TRUST. It will elevate your pho! - If you're still looking to add more protein, you can order a side of Bo Vien (meatballs). I actually really like their bo vein here and would recommend (not pictured) :) Once you eat Pho here, it'll be hard to eat Pho at other places in San Jose. So good! Give it a try!
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Kymberly I.

Yelp
One of my favorite pho places in the area. Location: There is plenty of free parking near the restaurant as it's in a plaza. However, the restaurant itself is pretty small. All the tables are sat pretty close together and is not really suited for big parties. Food: Their food size and portions are good for the price. I especially like the short rib you can get on the side. The broth that comes in the short rib is the best but honestly all their pho broths are pretty good. I also like how they have fat noodles as an option. Always a plus when a pho spot offers far noodles. Service: Sometimes, depending on the time and day you go, you might have to wait to be seated. But they usually take your order right away and the food comes out pretty fast. Overall, I really do enjoy eating here .
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Seana C.

Yelp
I liked the bright ambiance and big windows featured here, creating a nice atmosphere. My friend said this was her favorite pho place in the Bay and I would say it's definitely up there! The food was great and I didn't taste MSG in the same way I do other places. I had a great experience here and enjoyed my meal and the service. I would 100% go again! Pho Dac Biet 4.5/5 (Pictured) Great quality meat with a generous amount, and the broth was classic and delicious. I split the Large with my friend and it was the perfect amount for both of us. They provided sauces that added flavor when needed which also satisfied my spicy cravings.
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Ellery D.

Yelp
One of my favorite pho place! I love that I can taste the beef flavor of the meat, you know they use good quality of meat. The place opens at 8am which is really an advantage for parents like me that after dropping off kids from school, I can get pho to start the day. They have different y Types of pho, coffee and fresh juices. Service is quick, place is decent its a fast pace reataurant and can get packed with customers quickly. You can choose where you want to seat, if you want outside or inside. So many patrona coming here. Highly recommend!
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Sherry Y.

Yelp
We were in the area and found this pho spot that has outdoor seating and allows dogs. It wasn't that pleasant as another table had 2 dogs that just kept barking at us half of the time. There was no wait as we got here around 3:30. This is located in a plaza so there's decent amount of parking. Ordered the combination pho and it was just ok, nothing special. The broth was a bit on the sweeter side, meat was ok, and noodles were slightly over cooked.
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Khoi N.

Yelp
Phở Papa. I got 01. Phở Đặc Biệt. It looks and tastes very good. The broth was savory with lots of flavor. I didn't need to add hoisin sauce to the soup. Plenty of various meats. Vibe very chill I like. If you need a papa, this place gotchu. The service was quick and the server was really nice to us.
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CAScuba Y.

Yelp
We use to go to pho #1 quite often, this is the first visit pho papa. I like the overall remodel but using bench instead of chair suggested they want faster turn over since it's uncomfortable to sit or relax. Pho was fine but I suspected the broth was not brew from the ground up with raw bones, taste kind of like from concentrate or extract. There ere some level of MSG thirst 15 min after eating but not to great extent, so not a big deal. Will be back.
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Irene C.

Yelp
1. Writing your name on the list & wait to be called. 2. Lady comes with menus 3. Lady comes back very fast to take order while you're still trying to decide but that's ok, you quickly pick one & hope it's the right one 3. Food comes out quick & you eat Typical pho restaurant with indoor & outdoor seating so plenty of seats. Menu limited though but covers sufficient toppings but tells you they focuses on the pho. I think the soup tastes pretty clean & refreshing. Ordered 2 large pho as we usually split with our 2 kiddos, but the noodles ratio to soup was a bit off so we actually had to order a side noodle. Big bowl of soup to what appears to a reg size noodles. Ordered side rib to try which is very tender but I don't think worth 7.55 as many places include this as their #1 special that costs like 2 more. The meatball pho surprised me with the quantity! Usually places cuts them I half and you get like 4 whole pieces but these are whole pieces. The coffee was a bit bitter, could used a bit more condensed milk but tolerable and very strong. Overall good pho but I'd try somewhere else if I'm the area.
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Lanette L.

Yelp
Pho Tai will always be my go-to! Simple and filling for breakfast after a party day. The small bowl is perfect for someone who only eats a little. Their beef is super tender and soft. This place is usually super busy, but wait time is usually super fast,
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Jessica N.

Yelp
Viets know this is one of the best Pho spots in SJ. It's very traditional southern style pho. Wait can be long on the weekends so come early. Located near Boiling Crab. Service is super fast. I love their fresh noodles and how they slice the green onions.
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Daniel L.

Yelp
Pho Papa is my go to pho spot in the Eastside San Jose. I got the combination pho with the side of the beef rib, and it was all delicious. There was so much meat in the bowl that supplementing with the beef rib was not even needed. The beef rib was so tender and juicy. I could eat a couple of those beef ribs if I was trying to beef up (pun intended). The broth is very flavorful and light. If I was going on a broth diet to lose some weight, this would be the broth to do it with. This place can't get busy but the service is pretty fast. I will definitely recommend the spot and will definitely be back.
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Kimberly G.

Yelp
I love this place. Pho is so authentic and it NEVER tastes different, sooo good every single time.
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Mike T.

Yelp
This is a spot for the early birds. The place opens early in the morning, so if you're looking to get a fresh bowl of pho, this is the place. There are plenty of seats available and decent service. Pretty chill atmosphere. Highly recommended.
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Carolyn P.

Yelp
I've been here a few times and haven't left a review, but recently went back and it was the best bowl of pho I've had in a while! The broth is flavorful and not too forward in the star anise aroma. I love that that they give so many green onions in the broth. I believe you can choose from fresh noodles or the regular ones. I opted for the regular and it was cooked perfectly. They're also so generous with the vinegar marinated onions. Quick and nice service. You pay up at the counter which is convenient. There are tables inside that are quite small, but they have added tables outside as well. I would definitely come back to try to oxtail pho.
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Ian J.

Yelp
Got the Pho rare steak and well done flank #3 large and my wife got the Pho well done brisket small. I didn't get anything else so it's hard to judge these overall ratings when the ratings can be about different stuff but that's why I stated what I got. Pros: 1. Bean sprouts can be cooked 2. The aesthetics are nice like the wooden tables and placeholders. Cons: 1. The small and large prices are different on the menu but at the register the small is the same price as the large.. might as well get the large. Big no-no. 2. The broth was just okay, it was rich but like... not like "tastes amazing" rich. More like it had a few things in the broth.. can't explain it but maybe like more quantity of flavors than quality. 3. I barely had any meat. My wife's small had more meat. Barely had any "rare steak".
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Cindy N.

Yelp
Don't know why this place has a 3.5 rating-- one of the tastiest phos in SJ in my opinion and my one of my family's favorites too! Generous with the meat!! Noticed their meat was tougher last time I went :( It's usually more tender Service is super quick but not the most attentive-- constantly flagging them down for water refills bc their cups are super small but it's ok Banh tuoi (Fresh noodles) are thicker than most pho places and not that wide, has a good bite to it! Overall always satisfied when I come here for a pho craving :)) feels like home!
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Omi E.

Yelp
Stopped by on a Sunday morning around 10 am with group of 5. Seated fairly quickly. Pho tasted good. May come back to try other items.
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Quynh A.

Yelp
One of my favorite pho restaurants in the Bay Area! I love coming here for a comforting breakfast/brunch! I believe this place specializes in Northern-style pho, known for its minimalistic approach that emphasizes a clear and delicate broth. It's important to note that extravagant toppings such as tripe are not part of the usual offerings here. My go-to is always their #1, Pho Dac Biet. The broth carries a robust beef flavor and is always remarkable consistency every time I come here. I typically don't like raw beansprouts so I love that this place offers to have them steamed! Wide noodles are also a MUST! I've noticed that theirs are slightly slimmer, resulting in a bouncy and chewy texture that doesn't easily break apart. Their beef ball pho is another delightful option! The only downside is that if you want the beef ball, you'll have to order the complete bowl of pho. However, it's absolutely worth it for enthusiasts. A brief glance is all it takes to recognize that they don't play around - the beef balls are so big that they have to cut it in quarters. Service is nice and fast, you never have to wait more than 10 mins!
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George W.

Yelp
I came here with my friends at opening on a cold Sunday in January. This is a ma and pa establishment that specializes in northern vietnamese cuisine. The servers were great, fast and provided a friendly atmosphere. The pho was great, they offer a variety of noodles and don't have cilantro in their broth. For all of those cilantro-intolerant folk, this is the place to come and try a great bowl of pho
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Abida D.

Yelp
Pho Papa is hands down my favorite pho place in the Bay Area. The store is decently sized and even though there usually is a line, it goes really quickly. I also love how homey it feels. You can't go wrong with any pho on the menu--it just depends what type of meat you want. I recommend getting the the fresh/thick noodles, but they always run out early. The broth is delicious and the meat to noodle ratio is always perfect. I always recommend Pho Papa to all my friends.

Jake H.

Yelp
I just visited Pho Papa , the soup is definitely tasty and much unique than other Pho (i am from Westminster/Garden Grove so Pho Holic , Flavor etc you name it and I know) Very good Pho Papa!!
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Francis L.

Yelp
Food: It's my go-to pho place! Not only it's close to my place, it's the best tasting broth ever! They only have pho though nothing else! No rolls, rice plates etc. not even diet sodas but good enough for me! It's 5/5 for the flavor and legit pho taste! Service: it's a small spot so, staff will see you if you need anything. Again, it's good enough for me. Score is 4/5. Ambiance: it's a hole in a wall kinda spot so, it's cool enough for me. It's a 4/5.
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Henry T.

Yelp
I had the Pho Dact Biet, and it was so delicious! They focus solely on pho, and it's amazing. The pickled onions added a tasty crunch. The place is clean, spacious, and easy to park near Target. Their broth is packed with a strong beef flavor and if you're only serving Pho, you have to make sure that is nailed down, which they did! It's a bit pricey, but it's totally worth it. The service was decent but I would definitely recommend this place if you are a big Pho fan
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Ter L.

Yelp
**FYI: this review is not regarding PP's food. I never made it past looking over it's menu** Pho Papa was recommended and since we were semi in the area and needed to think of something for dinner, we made the trip out. While there is seating indoor and out, we went with dining inside since the weather was just too cold to be out & about. Seating indoor is met with benches that give no back support and toting around a toddler in tiny spaces with hot, bubbling soup coming and going was a super NO-NO for me. The menu is pretty small but I guess that's a good thing for anyone who doesn't like to be too overwhelmed. The pho broth aroma lingering in the restaurant was lighter than I expected and that was just another sign for me to hit the exit. 2 stars IMO. Space was just too cramped and claustrophobic for me. Aside from that, the employees seemed to be all over the place. The lack of service aside from them bringing out the menu was just a sign from the universe that we needed to go elsewhere...
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Chris N.

Yelp
Pho was delicious, it was a bit sweet, but overall perfectly balanced. The service was quick which was greatly appreciated. The ambiance was a bit cramped, but it's ok, the pho makes up for it. Everything tasted fresh which was great, from the noodles to the meat, clean tasting. The broth was clean and not cloudy and fatty. I would go back here again. I hope they adjust the sweetness levels!
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Regina N.

Yelp
They said only 1 size for to go. But they charge extra for large one, utensils... When we took home, only half bowl , no hoisin sauce, no utensils... $15.75 for half bowl of noodles, no meat at all
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Danae L.

Yelp
A popular place for a quick lunch. Speedy service for those who need to head back to work. Cash only for under $20 transactions.
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Gerald L.

Yelp
6 years ago Pho Papa was the best but now it's just ok. Smallish portions and biggish prices. I will say the soup is delicious.
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Miriam F.

Yelp
I'm honestly not someone who loves pho (ugh, I know - don't hate me), but my husband insisted that I try this place and said "if you don't like this place, then it's official that you don't like pho." Well, this will be our go-to pho place for sure. Ambiance: acoustics aren't the greatest indoors (or outdoors for that matter because of the traffic, but the decor indoors is quite nice, and same with the bathrooms. There is ample seating both indoors and outdoors. We sat outdoors, where there are long plastic tables to use. Service: Service was great - everyone who works here was so friendly! This is a big deal because we have a highly energetic 3 year old and a baby that sometimes cries lol. They brought out the food super quick too. Food: Incredible. They ran out of the flattened wide noodles, which is a bummer since I wanted to try it. Apparently they usually sell out of those around 5, since they make just enough for the day? Anyhow, the pho was amazing. Flavor was incredible, and definitely recommend squeezing some lemon into the broth to really bring out the flavors. We each got a number 1 (small) and they were incredibly filling! Also ordered coconut waters and they were fantastic. We'll be coming back!
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Eddie E.

Yelp
Solid 3 stars for a good (not great) pho spot (+) Solid pho - broth is good and they give you plentiful meat and without the crazy wait like pho Hanoi. (=) I got the large pho dac biet and it didnt come with meatballs or tripe. Not a minus but just saying for $16... (-) look at my coffee. It came out 1/6 full. Wth? And this coffee didnt sit well an hour later in my stomach. (-) my pho temperature was lukewarm. What is up with making the soup piping hot? i was sitting outside, it was misty and cold, can I get a truly HOT bowl of pho? Tldr; I still might get this place another shot :-)
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Amy P.

Yelp
The service was great. The staff went out of their way to help when we had a request. I really enjoyed the pho too.
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Nicole G.

Yelp
Came on a random weekday for lunch with my husband since this place was recommended by my co-worker for their pho.  After entering the restaurant, we were immediately greeted and told to take our pick of any empty table. Their menu is simple with limited offerings, which is a good thing since the food they do offer is made well.  I ordered their pho tai (#2, pho with rare steak), small size with thick noodles. My husband ordered their #1, large size with thick noodles. We also ordered a side of beef rib to share. We both agreed that the broth is one of the best we've had of the pho places in the San Jose area. The broth was not overly salty, yet it was flavorful. We were pretty sure it was bone broth as well -- all the more nutritious. Their beef rib was served on the side with its own bowl and broth. The meat was tender, flavorful, and fell off the bone. The broth that accompanied the bone was much richer and flavorful than the pho broth. My husband liked the bone broth more than the pho broth, but I found the bone broth to be a bit salty relative to the pho broth.  Parking was plentiful and is in a lot shared with Target and some other small shops. They accept credit cards as well.
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Jessica D.

Yelp
Still my favorite beef pho restaurant in the Bay Area! Now that pho prices have gone up overall, the prices here are not as steep as other places. I like that they offer both thin and wide noodles. The broth is clean, flavorful- and the meat is still good quality. The tai (rare steak) is very tender, but my favorites would be the nam, gau, and gan. The best! Please open a second location in the east bay!
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Bonnie G.

Yelp
This place came highly recommended by family and friends.. The phở here is SO GOOD, it did not disappoint! Went for lunch on a Sunday and it was busy but we were fine sitting outside since we had our dog with us. I'm also glad I tried the beef ribs special, totally worth it. Can't wait to dine here again next time we're in SJ!

Vananh T.

Yelp
So good! I ordered the oxtail noodle soup and added meatballs. The oxtail was super tender and the broth was flavorful and not greasy. Also, their freshly squeezed orange juice is a must-have! Staff is always super nice and attentive! Definitely a go-to spot whenever I'm in town!
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Lloyd C.

Yelp
I've coming here for a few years. This was one of the original places in the area that offered a beef rib with your Pho. Broth is clear and delicious. Lots of green onions. Service: Fast and efficient, even though this place gets so crowded. They have a sign-in list when it gets too crowded. Ambiance: Nice clean decorations. Modern utensils at the time.
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Ngoc Anh N.

Yelp
Usually go get pho with my dad and this is his favorite spot which is now my favorite go to pho spot! Honestly the bánh tươi (fresh noodles) here is one of the best! The broth is great as well, reminds me of the broth back in VN. I got the pho tái bò viên and the bò viên (meat balls) here are huge and delicious. They have the little tendon bits inside which is an added plus. The đặc biệt includes everything except tripe. They also have the giant beef rib bone on the side that you can order. Never disappoint whenever I swing by and I feel like they should have more stars. A small is now $14 and a large is $15. The service is very quick as usual and they bring out the food with 5-10 mins. One thing for me is the table is a lil small, I'm not that tall or anything but had to slouch down to eat, not a big deal but just for anyone 6ft it'll be a lil low LOL.

Mai N.

Yelp
I came at 4:53PM on 04/25/24. the food was good but the cashier is the worst. I order small bowl of pho under $20 so they did not accept my card and I did not know it until cashier told me. I told her if she could wait, I forgot my wallet in my car, she seemed did not agree me to take my wallet even though my jacket and my pack back were at my table so I asked if I could leave my phone with her. It was fine until I got my wallet and paid with her, she kept saying about I went to the restaurant alone , told me to go with my friend next time so I do not have to be worry about money or no wallet with me for 4 times. The way she talked like I am trying to eat and run away. If she just wanted to make fun about it, she suppose to talk about it like 1 time and stop when I did not respond . Employees should be trained in that situation and how they control it.
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Alexis C.

Yelp
Been here quite a few times since I moved from SoCal and it's definitely one of my favorite spots in SJ to go to. Although it can get busy sometimes, service is super quick and the workers are all very friendly. Menu is simple with only pho items as entrees, I always order rare steak and it's super tender every time. I also love the texture of tendon here. P.S. get the coffee if you're looking for a STRONG afternoon pick me up. I was wired for the rest of the day!!!
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Ryan H.

Yelp
I recently moved to San Jose and have been trying a lot of pho restaurants in the area. I found Pho Papa and gave it a try. It's by far the best pho restaurant in the area. The ambience is nice and the place is clean. The customer service is great and food is delicious. I highly recommend trying this place!
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Michelle L.

Yelp
Service was prompt and to the point . Their menu is simple , it's all pho and their selling point is your can order a beef rib that looks cool and fall of the bone meat . Good for groups and families tho it's not that big a restaurant . They do close early at 8pm . Taste wise I thought it was similar to other pho places but I'm no expert. They have outdoor seating .
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Jenni M.

Yelp
This place was recommended by my friends in the Bay Area and it did not disappoint! The soup was clean and unique in comparison to other pho soup I've tried in the past. The beef rib was super tender which I really enjoyed as well. I also loved the ambiance and the cleanliness of this restaurant, and the service was extremely quick. For dessert, I tried #16 from the menu and it immediately became my favorite drink of the trip! I will definitely go back, 10/10 recommended!
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Sohiel A.

Yelp
The beef Pho is amazing. I walked into here with little appetite and had a bowl and had a bowl of pho placed in front of me that I couldn't stop eating. The meat was so juicy and tender (the portions were generous) on top of that the workers were so nice! They checked up on us multiple times and made sure we had everything we needed. Although this is a far drive from my house I cannot wait to come back. Thank you again for giving me and my friends a great experience. Do yourself a favor and visit them next time you're craving pho.

Josephine T.

Yelp
I really didn't think I would write a 1-star yelp review for one of my top pho restaurant in San Jose. First of all, the pho was great, it was when I had to come to the front of the register to pay which was when I left feeling insulted. I always come here in parties of 3 of more, but today I came alone. I normally always pay with card but because I ate alone I didn't meet their $20 minimum charge . I told the lady that I only had cards on me and I typically eat here all the time. She then snapped back and told me "how do you eat here all the time and not know we have a $20 minimum charge. Next time carry $20 in your purse so that my business doesn't lose out on money." Keep in mind I don't care that there is a $20 minimum charge. It's the attitude and the way she interacted with me that left me not wanting to support this business.