Pho Star

Soft Opening + Pho Review I walked in on their soft opening (first day according to—I think—the owner) for a bowl of pho, and was very happy I did! I got the rare beef and brisket pho, which for my money, was a better value than other Vietnamese places I’ve eaten in the mission, by a long shot. That said, if you’re looking for a deeply authentic bowl of pho, you already likely have your favorite spot, but this is a solid option and worth eating again if you find yourself in the area. The broth had good depth of flavor, good balance, and is satisfying in its own right, though it certainly seems like the expectation is that in addition to the bean sprouts, basil, sliced jalapeño, and lime, customers are expected to add in the hoisin and sriracha provided at the tables, to taste (rather than to dip the beef into). The pho comes out already topped with thinly sliced red onion, and a healthy amount of cilantro (heads up to those who don’t like cilantro), which I appreciated. I also appreciated that the woman I spoke to seemed open to feedback, and honestly, I wish this place the best. The food is good, it’s spacious, clean, and the service is warm. It’s a good option, especially if you getting a couple drinks nearby and want something that won’t be too heavy, especially when it’s warm out.

Speedy service and really good. I come back once a week for their fresh, flat rice pho noodles, something rare even at popular pho shops in SF. Their chicken pho broth is clear, clean-tasting, and balanced. Feels like home-cooking. Highly recommend!!

Love them!! I live around the corner and i’ve seen business’ come and go at this location but I really hope they’re here to stay. I’m pescatarian so I always get #17 (vegetable with tofu) and add shrimp ($6 for usually ~5 pieces). My total order is about $25 including tip. I leave extremely satisfied every time and never get sick of it. I am also alway thinking of when my next visit will be!

Eaten almost everything on their menu. Really love the cabbage/papaya salad with crispy tofu - fragrant sweet sauce, cool crunchy veggie, hot crispy tofu goes really well together, opens my appetite for the rest of the meal! Loved all the soupy pho and bun, chicken pho comes with a ginger paste that just makes the dish feel like a warm hug, wish I had a cold just for it to heal me! Five spicy chicken for the bun is solid, I’m not a chicken fan but this place has expanded my options! Really recommend here for a satisfying week night dinner or grab a banh mi on your way to Dolores Park!

I’m Vietnamese. Fresh herbs, plenty of meat, chewy noodles and a flavorful broth. What more could you want from a bowl of pho? Welcomed addition to the neighborhood! Reminds me of the pho I ate growing up :) I’ve been here 2x in the last 2 weeks already! I only hope they add more off cut options like tripe. I think the decor could also use a face lift, I feel like the Vietnamese restaurants that are more “themed” often do better.

Wonderful addition to the neighborhood! We haven’t had a Pho spot and it joins Thanh Tam and Bee’s Vietnamese who offer different viet dishes nearby. The chicken banh mi was full of flavorful and nicely browned five spice chicken, fresh bread, and great pickles The shrimp spring rolls had a refreshing veggie:protein:noodle ratio! Crispy lettuce and light peanut dipping sauce. Came back another time to try the Pho Ga (chicken) and it was better than I expected! It’s more northern style chicken pho with wider noodles, super flavorful broth with the side of ginger to dip your chicken in. I barely added any sriracha or hoisin sauce because it was well rounded on its own. The coffee was really good too - traditional chicory, I got it black with a side of half and half instead of condensed milk Service was prompt and friendly! The dining room is stylish and naturally bright especially for lunch.

Good food! The soup was rich and delicious. I had the braised beef stew. Awesome to have a good noodle place in the area. Very comforting Service was great too, waiter was very friendly and smile.

I got the imperial rolls + chicken pho. The pho noodles were overcooked/too soft, and the quality of chicken is better at Joy Hing. It didn’t come with the typical plate of veg + bean sprouts. Instead, there was Haianese ginger dipping sauce?? Not mad, confused. Would 100% go back for the imperial/fried egg rolls. Crunchy and filling was a good mix of meat and vegetables.

I'm now eating here twice a week. Killer pho (I always get the meatball) and the grilled pork vermicelli is satisfying without feeling heavy. The imperial rolls are a showstopper, too. Great service and attitude from a very sweet staff.

Went to Pho Star this past weekend and thought it was a pretty solid spot for Vietnamese food. Pho was really great and they are very generous with the fatty brisket which I really appreciate. Soup was super rich and addicting. We also got the grilled steak and garlic noodles, which I thought were a little bland for my personal taste but still really good overall. Located right in the mission district as well, so plenty of fun activities and parks to frolic around in afterwards!

This viet placed replaced the old sushi spot that I tried once. They kept the interior pretty much the same. Service was good. One waitress that took care of everything but she was attentive and timely! Ordered the beef pho #9. It was good but nothing special. My friend ordered the bun Bo hue and she said it was a 7/10. Overall, pretty average. Probably wouldn't return because I don't wanna deal with the possibility of not finding parking when it's for something that's just okay.

I came here on a cold SF day to warm myself up with noodles. I ordered the Special Beef Pho and a cup of tea, the latter of which cost $2. The tea bag was from Yamamotoyama. It tasted like a black or oolong tea and was pretty good (though it was too hot for me until the end of my meal). I was disappointed that they didn't have tendon or tripe, which are some of my favorite pho ingredients, but the bowl was still pretty good. The meat was excellent quality. However, the noodles were slightly different from what I'm used to, though I'm having trouble putting my finger on what it was. It was either cooked to a different firmness or has a slightly different flavor. It's nice that the tables only have Sriracha and hoisin sauce on them (instead of also having utensil and napkin dispensers) because I liked having more room on the table. Overall, the ambience and service was slightly better than your typical pho restaurant, but the noodles tasted slightly below what I expected (though still good). I definitely would (and have) come back because it's a convenient location for me. ECO NOTES (Dine-In) Dine-In Dishware: Reusable plates and bowls Napkins: Single-use disposable paper napkin Utensils: Metal fork and spoon plus disposable wooden chopsticks Tea cup: Reusable plastic cup Water cup: Tall glass cup

Pho Star is a good place if you're looking for comfy Vietnamese food! It's already very busy despite opening just recently. I ordered the Bun Bo Hue (4/5) and thought that the portion size was great! Well-priced and comes with lots of meat. I do think it's more of a unique take on the Bun Bo Hue, with the broth being a bit sweeter and not as spicy as what I'm used to. I also do wish it came with some fresh lettuce. I thought that the service was attentive, quick, and friendly. I would definitely come back to try some different items, but this was a pretty good start!

Great pho, friendly service, clean restaurant, no wait. Pho Star checks all the boxes. Both the chicken and beef pho broth were well balanced and flavorful. Good portion sizes. The imperial rolls were perfectly crispy. We will be back!

Another new restaurant on this corner, changes so frequently! Hope this places lasts though because my first visit was great! I was really craving five spice chicken with garlic noodles and I was definitely not disappointed. Everything was tasty and the chicken was tender with crispy skin! Great portion sizes. Imperial rolls were also delicious and served piping hot. Will definitely come back to check out the other food.

Food was great Servers friendly Lunch was slow it's great quiet I really love it the bah mee sandwich

Big space, small flavor. I came in hopeful--plenty of seating, clean vibe, looked promising. But the pho? Meh. Broth was bland, noodles forgettable, and--shockingly--no plate of herbs or veggies. It felt like showing up to a party and realizing the DJ didn't bring music. Portions were fine, but when the star of the show is this mediocre, it's hard to care. Not the worst pho I've had, but definitely not worth a return trip. Great place if you want to sit with lots of elbow room and ponder life's disappointments over lukewarm broth.

I ordered a pho beef special soup with extra meat. Lots of noodles and plenty of meat without adding the extra meat to the bowl. I appreciate the light broth of the soup. It was an late Sunday afternoon so it was fast to get seated a table and order.

The service was prompt and friendly. Bathroom was clean. We ordered shrimp rolls and braised beef stew noodle soup. The rolls were good, very fresh. The soup however was too sweet and not at what we were expecting. The ingredients were fine and the portion size great. We just did not expect this kind of cooking. Also the noodles were different from what we usually get at a Vietnamese restaurant. Not for us.

Came here to try the new pho spot. I had the imperial rolls and pho tai. The broth was absolutely delicious. Loved the toppings and app. Reasonably priced. Highly recommend.

I got the imperial rolls + chicken pho. The pho noodles were overcooked/too soft, and the quality of chicken is better at Joy Hing. It didn't come with the typical plate of veg + bean sprouts. Instead, there was Haianese ginger dipping sauce?? Not mad, confused. Would 100% go back for the imperial/fried egg rolls. Crunchy and filling was a good mix of meat and vegetables. Good service and clean ambiance. Would go back.

Great service each time I've come! All of the food is incredibly delicious, the broth is rich in flavor and the imperial rolls are so good. The place overall is cute and clean, I really have no complaints this is by far my favorite Pho place

So disappointed, I ordered a vegetable pho and the tofu was not pan fried the way it was shown in the photo. It was also incredibly bland and had a slight bitter flavor. Just terrible all around. Wish I would have ordered something else. People please taste the food.

Got the rare beef pho and the broth was too sweet, I did not like. It was a large bowl with lots of noodles. Service was nice and fast though and it was a large space

Okay, whenever I go to a new Vietnamese restaurant, I always have to order some egg rolls to "set the tone." Pho Star did not disappoint! They use rice paper as the medium for the egg roll wrapper, which is traditional and not usually used bc it is just a little harder to make. The egg rolls were a good size and good portion (4 cut in half) and were served with the appropriate herbs and veggies and nuoc mam! I ordered the vermicelli bowl with pork and my friend ordered the bun bo hue and it was lovely. Service was fast and efficient, and the ambiance was your typical Vietnamese restaurant-- no frills, great clean space. I will definitely be back!

I'm always looking for a good bowl of phở gà, and I'm happy to report that the one here was excellent -- maybe even the best I've tried in the city, comparable to Pho Huong Viet in Richmond. Perfectly seasoned broth and actually tender chicken pieces. Also loved the fresh ginger condiment. Will definitely be coming back!

Came here for lunch. Imperial Rolls were very good. I got Chicken Pho and specifically asked for there to be no dark meat. My pho came with no white meat and all dark meat. Broth was flavorful and noodles were good but the dark meat killed my deal. Probably wouldn't go back.

I happened to pass by Pho Star in the Mission and decided to give it a try--so glad I did! I ordered the Five Spices sandwich, and it was so good--super fresh, flavorful, and satisfying. I didn't dine in, but the cashier was incredibly friendly and full of positive energy. Seriously such a joy--he made the quick stop feel even more worth it. The inside looked surprisingly spacious and had a nice vibe. Definitely seems like it'd be a great spot for a casual date or relaxed meal with friends. Can't wait to go back and try more from the menu!

I have tried many pho places and this is the closest one to compare back to home in Florida. The broth is so yummy, tons of noodles and has a good amount of meat. I also enjoy the modern vibe of the restaurant and the staff were so friendly and attentive. Would come back!!!

Pho Star is a great find. Small and cozy. Friendly service. Food is good and tasty. Had the Beef Ball Pho with egg noodles, and the veggie Spring Rolls.

Have tried the chicken bahn mi, the beef pho, and the grilled pork bun/ cold vermicelli. Oh! And added imperial roll for an additional $4... Everything is delicious! Not too salty, rich broth pho, w/ lots of meat and very fresh table greens. Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken... Friendly service. So happy they are right by the salon I work in!!

They're new to the neighborhood and I'm stoked to have this option - I've been twice and the pho and spring rolls are 10/10. It can be hard to find gluten free, vegan options and Pho Star has me covered for that, while still offering tons of meat options for my partner and friends. It's really cute in there too, great vibes for a date night or just a quick and delicious lunch. 10/10, already becoming a regular!

My meal was delicious, and my dining companion loved his richly flavored Rare Beef Pho. Reasonable prices. Very attentive service, and we even enjoyed the 90s Mixtape background music.

This spot just opened up on the corner of my apartment and I finally went in to try it out! I preferred the Rare Beef and Meatball Pho, shrimp spring rolls(they looked fresh we didn't get a chance to take a photo) and pork fried egg rolls. It was delicious tested out the broth before adding the spices and it was so flavorful! Our waitress was great and super attentive. We went for a late lunch so it was pretty quiet but over all great experience will be returning to try other dishes.

I'm so glad to have a good Vietnamese place in north mission! The beef Pho is delicious

This is my first review ever. This place def deserved it. Everything was delicious. Service was great our server was amazing. Ambiance I mean they were playing bad bunny so we loved it haha. But the food was on point everything had flavor n cooked to perfection. And that cold fresh coconut was a cherry on top ! Def recommend this place to well everyone !

The best pho I've ever had!!! The broth was rich and deeply flavorful clear but packed with beefy umami. The rare steak was tender and sliced thin, and the noodles were perfectly cooked, never mushy. What really set it apart was the balance every bite felt dialed in, with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lime bringing it all to life. Fast service, generous portions, and a place that always smells like comfort. It's Llke your mom made it. If you're ever in the area, it's a must.

I got the chicken pho. The broth is so good. This place might serve the best pho in SF at the moment IMO

Pho Star is the sweetest family-run spot serving up some seriously delicious food. We ordered an avocado smoothie, iced Vietnamese coffee, spring rolls, and tofu banh mi and loved everything. Service was really friendly and warm; the space is bright and inviting; and there's plenty of vegetarian options. Looking forward to going back soon. UPDATE: Returned to try the vegetarian pho and it's incredible. Most restaurants serve fairly bland vegetarian pho, but Pho Star's is delicate and packed with flavor. The veggies were all super fresh as well.

We went to gem that is Pho Star three times in the first two weeks of their grand opening. . We stumbled up it for a dinner of their vegetarian yellow curry with a flavorful broth full of tofu, bok choy and purple potatos with bun and a grilled pork banh mi with seasoned pork tucked in a toasted short baguette. Within the same week, back again for the curry but with garlic noodles and the equally delicious grilled five spice chicken banh mi. Then back for the vegetarian banh mi and grilled pork banh mis with their Vietnamese iced coffee and coconut cream Vietnamese iced latte for lunch with the right balance of condensed milk and not overly sweet--because you don't want to have Vietnamese iced coffee at night! Each time we had attentive and friendly service in an unfusy but inviting casual space. Pho Star's current 1990s-early aughts soundtrack makes the current 1990s fashion trend seems like time travel during our meal.

Love the addition to the neighborhood. There are several good Vietnamese restaurants in the area, but I was still excited to try the newest one out, and it did not disappoint. We had the special beef pho, imperial rolls, and a chicken vermicelli. All were great. I am excited to get some banh mi for lunch in the coming days!

Since the recent opening of this space - we have been twice! Both times have been delicious. First time I got a vermicelli bowl, and it was massive. Both times we have ordered the imperial rolls and they are delicious. They are not too greasy and the oil tastes clean. I also got the wonton soup and the broth was super delicious and tasteful, the wontons were just okay but the broth and the noodles made up for what the wontons were lacking. This has been a great addition to the neighborhood.

I had beef and brisket pho. Soup was tasty and noodles were cooked well. Fay is so friendly! Try this new, family-owned Vietnamese restaurant. I really want them to succeed here in the Mission!

I have high expectations for pho. This one hit the spot for me. I knew it was good the moment I tasted the noodles. Broth was excellent as well.