Justin M.
Google
This was my first time eating at Pho Tran, located in Lion Square next to Sun Wing Supermarket in Little Saigon. I recently found my new go-to banh mi spot inside Sun Wing, and the owner, Andy, recommended I try Pho Tran. I had also read several reviews mentioning that their pho comes with a large beef bone, which is pretty unique and not something many other pho restaurants offer, so I decided to give it a try.
I ordered a bowl of pho, and my partner ordered bun rieu, a tomato- and crab-based soup that we both really enjoy but is harder to find since not all Vietnamese noodle shops serve it. We arrived on a weekday around 1 p.m., and it was quite crowded. We had to put our name down and wait outside for a table, but the wait was only about 10 minutes. The dining area is fairly small, but it’s clearly very popular—almost every table had at least one bowl with a large beef bone.
The staff were friendly and welcoming. One thing to note is that the beef bone only comes with an order of pho. If you order one of the specialty dishes, like the bun rieu, it does not include the bone.
Pricing is noticeably higher than many other pho spots. A small pho is $13.40 and a large is $14.80. For comparison, Pho Ben in Sugar Land—one of my go-to pho restaurants—charges $10.50 for a small and $11.50 for a large, with very flavorful broth. While Pho Tran says the beef bone is included “for free,” the higher price makes it feel like you’re essentially paying about $3 extra for it. If you dine here and don’t want the beef bone, you’re probably overpaying.
Unfortunately, the pho itself was a bit disappointing. It wasn’t piping hot like pho usually is—it was more warm than hot—and the broth lacked depth of flavor. The veggies were fresh and standard: bean sprouts, basil, lime, and jalapeño. The beef bone experience was enjoyable, though. It’s served separately with scissors so you can trim off the meat, collagen, or fat and add it to your bowl. Inside the bone is marrow, which you can scoop out or even use a straw for. The marrow was very tasty and definitely the highlight of the meal.
If you’re curious about trying pho with a beef bone, this is a good place to experience it at least once. However, it won’t become one of my go-to pho spots. I still prefer places like Pho Ben in Sugar Land or Pho Dien in Little Saigon. Parking is easy since it’s in a shopping center.
Overall, worth trying once for the beef bone, but not a repeat visit for me.