Title: Finding Redemption in a Bowl: Authentic Pho & Value in Playhouse Village Rating: 5/5 Stars After a disappointing experience a few months ago at another spot just a few blocks away (where we were served pho with udon-style noodles - and no, it wasn't fusion), I was hesitant to try pho in Pasadena again. But my partner has been coming to Ginger and Spice for two years, so we stopped by for a Tuesday dinner around 7:00 PM. This place restored my hope that authentic Vietnamese flavors can actually be found in Pasadena. The "Hidden Gem" Context: Located right on Colorado Blvd in the heart of Playhouse Village, a versatile spot for coworking office spaces, shopping, and local restaurants, this place is easy to miss amidst the flashier, high-end dining options nearby. But don't let the unassuming storefront fool you; this is a Playhouse Village anchor for locals who know where the real value is. The Food: - Fresh Spring Rolls ($7.85): We started with these (shrimp option, though they have tofu as well for vegetarians). Super fresh, served with peanut sauce, though I dipped mine in the fish sauce from my salad for that extra kick I grew up on. - Beef Pho ($14.45): The dish of choice for my partner, this was the redemption I needed. The broth was excellent - honestly the best pho I've had in LA so far. My partner loved it, and I deeply appreciated that they used real rice vermicelli noodles (unlike my last experience). I generally avoid beef, but I tried this and could immediately taste the work of an experienced chef using honest, traditional flavors. - Note: If you like heat, I'm planning to come back for the Spicy Pho next time. - Grilled Salad with Pork ($14.00): Since I was feeling cautious about the pho, I opted for this salad (sticking to my preference for lighter fare). It was fresh with an excellent crisp to the greens, and the pork had that signature savory marinade that pairs perfectly with fish sauce. The Menu Quirks (Know Before You Go): While we stuck to the classics, the menu here is notably broad. - The "Fusion" Angle: Alongside authentic pho, they serve a full American breakfast (French toast, eggs) and burgers. It feels a bit like an identity crisis, but the locals swear by it. - Vegetarian Friendly: Unlike many old-school spots, they offer a dedicated Vegetarian Broth and tofu options for the pho and salads, making it a legitimate destination for vegetarians. Service & Vibe: The staff was memorably friendly and efficient. It was a bit warm inside, so we grabbed one of the tables right outside on the sidewalk. It made for a nice, casual evening watching the Playhouse Village foot traffic go by. Verdict: In a neighborhood where lunch can easily hit $25+, Ginger and Spice is the "Value King." At around $14.50 for a bowl of pho, it is significantly more affordable than competitors nearby without sacrificing quality. If you want authentic flavors without the "fancy facade" markup, this is the spot. read more

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My friends and I stopped by here for lunch on a weekday. It was busy during lunch hours. We managed to find one table outside after we ordered and paid at the counter. Staff will bring out food to your table. I ordered #26 pork and eggroll with vermicelli. My food took a while to come out, but my friend's food came out really fast. I noticed the vermicelli is hotter than usual. Other places I went to is usually room temperature. I ordered Thai iced tea to go after my meal. It was not very sweet. If you're in Pasadena, it's one of the options to go to but I rather go to other places for authentic flavors. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - #26. Vermicelli. Pork and eggroll. - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Being raised in Gardena, I love pho! I have a monthly event at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, so make an effort to come here on those days. I have been going here the past 5 months and it has been a great experience. I mean, it's pho. Order your food, wait, eat, done. Nothing fancy. Until this past time. First off, the pho is pretty good. As mentioned, this is my go-to pho stop when I am in Pasadena. Consistent American style (American style meaning basic meats of brisket, flank, meatballs, etc.. no tripe, tendon, etc.). Noodles were nice and chewy, broth flavorful. However, this past visit, a lady was working the POS system. Usually a man takes my order. This woman was not too friendly. Asked me what I wanted, told me to get my soda at the fridge. When the order came out to me, she did not give me my bean sprout plate, which I had to ask for, along w/ the small dish for sauce. Out of the last 5 times I've been, this one time seemed to lack the friendliness I took for granted, so I'm docking a star for that. It's a pho joint so I can't complain. The service I got this past trip is the normal south bay so why am I complaining? lol I guess it's because I was in Pasadena. I'll still come here. I hope to get the man next time I visit though. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Want to know the latest menu? - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

This very unassuming shop front disguises a quite delicious restaurant. I had the pho and it came out quickly and was just what I needed for my head cold. Take a look at the size of the bowl! read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - 20. Pho Noodle Soup - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill was recommended to me by my wonderful work colleagues. Thank you all! It is located in the heart of Old Town Pasadena. Its specialty is homestyle Vietnamese dishes that includes Pho Noodle Soup, Bun Bo Hue, rice and vermicelli dishes with grilled meats, Banh Mi sandwiches, salads, assorted appetizers such as spring rolls, and various coffee and boba drinks. Everything is made to order which is a good thing, but wait time may be sacrificed. I came here one fine Tuesday afternoon for lunch. They weren't super busy at the time maybe a couple tables and a few take-out orders. Outside patio and inside seating are available. I did not notice a restroom though. I'll have to reconfirm next time. Anyway, I walked up to the counter to order. After ordering, I sat at one of the open tables of my choice. Only one lady staff was working at the front counter. Friendliness and service were okay. I didn't want to get soup since it was warm out so I went with the Grilled Chicken & Pork/Shrimp Eggrolls Vermicelli plus Thai Iced Tea no ice. Good amount of tender grilled chicken, but it needed more flavor. It was on the bland side. Three egg rolls were crispy and tasty, but more seasoning would have been better. Drink was good, but due to no ice, it lost one inch of tea. That is how it goes sometimes. My overall experience with staff, service, and food was decent. Wait time was a bit longer than expected though. I would love to come back one day and try their Pho Noodle and Banh Mi sandwiches. Thank you Ginger And Spice! read more

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This is one of my go-to neighborhood pho spots. The broth is clean and flavorful, and I never feel heavy or sleepy after eating here. The drinks are a bit too sweet for my taste, and the service is just okay. Overall, it's a solid place when you're craving a good bowl of pho. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Beef brisket - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Honestly this is my go to spot for pho but ever since they hired people the service is horrible. Waited almost 30 mins for my veggie pho?? It is not busy inside btw. I hate making bad reviews but all my parking was used to wait for my food, please do better! read more

Came back a second time to give their pho a go. I got the chicken pho, but really didn't find it that enjoyable. Hard to say what was missing for me. The eggrolls were also a bit of a turn off, they were on the burnt side and extra oily. I get that they're fried and all, but it tasted overdone. The service isn't over the top friendly, just to the point. I can't see myself returning, but can see that people will return for other reasons which is great just not for me. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Chicken pho - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Walked here for dinner one evening and was pleasantly surprised. The service was very friendly, they brought me my food outside after ordering at the counter inside and I enjoy my pho. Cute outdoor covered area to eat, but right on the street-side. The only reason for my loss of one star was that the flavor of all the things together wasn't quite as great as I've had with other bowls elsewhere. Something was missing but I can't quite place what. Just something not as good as I've had at other noodle bars. But I would come back! read more

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Looking for a new Vietnamese place to try and saw this place has decent reviews. Unfortunately, it was quite a disappointment. The broth of noodle soups is the soul of the bowl. The bon bo hue's broth was completely void of any flavor. Even the ample amount of hoisin sauce and sirracha couldn't help. A typical BBH also come with a piece of pork trotter and some pig's blood jelly and sliced beef. Theirs came with just a few thin slices of beef. The egg rolls were highly recommended by the staff. They were decent. But strangely they were severed with just one small piece of lettuce instead of the typical compliments of bean sprouts, basil and mint leaves plus ample lettuce for wrapping. The bun (dry vermicelli bowl) came with an egg roll; but, it's not the same egg roll as the appetizer dish. It seemed like a cheap frozen ones with just mushy vegetable filling. Not sure how they receive those great reviews. read more

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Love Vietnamese food. I've been exploring dishes other than pho. Came across Bun Bo Hue and it's amazing. Spicy and savory. Not the best but it's still very good. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Craving a banh mi for lunch and this spot did not disappoint! Walked in and rang the bell for service. No frills decor and pretty clean. Friendly and fast. I decided to eat inside and there were so many orders to go - so you know it's poppin. Next time I need to try their pho! I got the chicken banh mi and it was humungous! Came out hot and fresh. Generous with the chicken, had enough veggies to balance it, and the bread was crunchy with a soft inside. The main taste was the pickled veggies within which complimented the chicken. Did feel like it needed a little bit more of a seasoning element, so I did add sriracha all over. Overall it filled me up and I saved half as a leftover. Also, it comes with a bag of chips! read more

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It was my first time coming here and I was pleasantly surprised! Definitely a whole in the wall. You order from the counter and sit at any of the open tables. There are tables both inside and outside of the restaurant. I was surprised to see fried zucchini on the menu and decided to give it a try. It was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It also came with ranch. I also got the vermicelli with grilled pork and pork and shrimp egg rolls. I was surprised with the amount of food that was in the bowl. It was delicious and worth the price! read more

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It's a nice little place for some homemade Vietnamese food. You will need to order first and find an available table to sit. They do have outside seating as well. Your food will arrive to your table. Overall, it's good. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Loved pho here although there are limited options but what we ordered, seafood pho and tofu veggie pho were tasty, authentic. Will return soon read more

I think there's a reason this place is so highly rated, it's because they are acrually good. Located right E Colorado Boulevard, it is a very unsuspecting place. But with one step into the store, the smell of rich savory broth that has been simmering hits your nose. This no frills place serves up some delicious pho with all the taste you can want. My go to is the beef or pork Bahn mi. The meat is always juicy and beautifully seasoned. You can see all the flavor from the meat on the bread as it glistens in the light but you know that you are about to eat something delicious. Althogh the bahn mi may not be similar to what you've had before and some may have some gripes with it, it is well worth it. Would recommend this place. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Good solid food. It was a bit too, uh, gingery for my taste (yes, I understand this place is called Ginger and Spice...I also understand irony). The inside felt pretty stuffy, so we sat outside, and the day was pretty lovely. The portions are big and filling - I took some home and had it the next day. They have vegan options aplenty, and lots of vegan protein options as well. I got eggrolls and chicken and tofu, my partner got tofu and a soy protein. Really good prices too. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - bun - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Casual, quick, extensive menu, and large portions. Order at the counter and find a seat.

Family run eating spot, very friendly service. They have a lot of vegan offering. The taste is a bit mild, might be perfect if you want to start tasting asian food without being overwhelmed by spiciness and such. Warm and cozy place, rustic and good for lunch or talk over meal. read more

Walking distance from the office. Came here for lunch and ordered the pho. It's a small restaurant with some tables outside and booths inside. There are about 10 tables so it can fill up pretty quickly. You order at the counter and find a table. They bring you your order along with your utensils. The sauces are on the table. You can order the pho with 1-2 meat options. The meat and noodles were plentiful. Soup was delicious. I ordered a Coconut coffee which wasn't an item on the menu but the lady said she can make it for me. I must say, the flavor is just like how it's made in Vietnam, but they make it a little more frozen in Vietnam. The lady was so sweet and offered to remake it. The coffee tasted even better the 2nd time she made it. The service is great. So nice and friendly. read more

What a delicious little place. You would never know such a small and authentic place was on this busy strip of Colorado Blvd. Just slow down and look for this comforting, nourishing taste of Pho, then pullover and this little Siagon will take you away. Just lounge and enjoy a relaxing meal with some Ginger And Spice. If your undecided, try a little bit of everything, make a smorgasbord and even share a full bowl or eat half and take the rest home. Either way, you will enjoy! read more

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Stopped in for a quick bowl of bún bò huế, and while it didn't totally blow me away, it was solid and satisfying. The broth had good spice, decent depth, and came loaded with the usual suspects--brisket, veggies, and a little heat. Service was friendly and fast, which I appreciated, especially for a casual lunch spot near work. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done when you're craving something comforting with flavor. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Girl working the front needs help with customer service. Throws your food at you. And walks away with out saying anything. Why support an establishment with rude staff. read more

By far my favorite place for pho in Pasadena. My favorite is the pho with nam, the broth is flavorful and the meat tender. It's also a small place and you always see the same people so it's comforting. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Pho Noodle Soup (Nam) - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

If you have a killer cold, get their killer pho! I love pho all the time and have been looking for a great pho place that is reasonably priced and a good value for your money. Most of all, it has to taste great! Ginger and Spice is flavorful, tailors your dish your way (I'm picky), and hits the spot! I got beef broth with lemongrass chicken, a ton of white onions with all the herbs and powered it down! Ginger and Spice is a cute nostalgic hole in the wall that is family run with smiling faces all around. I can only promise you, I'll be back! Two thumbs way up! read more

My favorite pho restaurant. Steaming hot, deep broth and very fresh bean sprouts and basil.

A bunch of us got there and there was no instructions if we should wait to be seated or not and they make you pay for your food first before they bring it out. Wackiest pho I ever had. read more

This place is pretty small and quiet! Staff are friendly. I ordered to-go and got a Bahn Mi sandwich with beef. It was very good. The veggies tasted super fresh and had a great crunch and they do not skimp out on the meat. The meat itself was also very well seasoned, this was a great quick sandwich. Also got an iced coffee, which was STRONG. Definitely a great spot if you want something quick and tasty, or want to chill out in a quiet space. read more

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Great spot for quick pho fix! I got the combo pho and spring rolls. I dinned in since I was staying close by for work. You pay first and then seat yourself. The place is fairly small but has enough seating indoors. There's also a few tables outside on the patio. The prices are very reasonable. The spring rolls had the perfect texture and balance of all ingredients. The combo pho came out nice and hot. It included a generous amount of meat and the taste of the broth was great. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - 1A. Spring Rolls - BBQ Pork Patties (Nem Nuong Cuon) - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Absolutely delicious!!! I love coming in and getting the pho special ':) it's especially delicious pm a rainy day, but all year round' mine comfort food! read more

We stopped by Ginger Spice and Noodle after a fun morning right next door at the Southern California Children's Museum -- and it was exactly what we needed! The staff was kind and welcoming, even with two slightly tired, slightly wild kiddos in tow. The food came out quickly, which we really appreciated, and everything was delicious. The restaurant is clean, comfortable, and casual -- a great little escape after the energy of the museum. It's rare to find a spot that works so well for both adults and kids, but this one nailed it. Definitely adding Ginger Spice and Noodle to our list of go-to places whenever we're in Pasadena. Bonus points for being just steps away from the museum entrance! read more

I will start by saying that I'm not familiar with authentic Vietnamese food, so I don't have much to compare to lol! With that said, I had a craving for spring rolls and pho, so I walked in to the closest spot that can fulfill both of my cravings. Enter Ginger and Spice Noodle. It looks like a bit of a hole-in-the-wall, but I didn't care too much about how the place looked for a quick lunch bite. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I ordered the Spring Rolls with shrimp and beef, and also wanted pho, but I felt like it was going to be too much food. I asked if there's a smaller portion that I could order, and she kindly offered me a kid-size portion for $10. Perfect, exactly what I wanted! Thank you for offering this to me. I sat solo by the window seat and people watched as I waited for my two items. I've read previous reviews that the food takes a while, but my order came out within 15mins - very reasonable in my opinion! Again, I'm not too familiar with pho, but I liked how it came with bean sprouts and other toppings on the side so I can control how much to put in. There could have been a bit more meat, but again, I got a kid-portion so I guess that was to be expected. The broth was light and the noodles were delicious - I enjoyed this! The spring rolls tasted fresh and sealed my craving! I'm allergic to peanuts so I paired mine with fish sauce, which I really enjoyed. I liked the beef one better, as I found the shrimp to be a tad bit bland. I think I was in and out in less than 30mins. A good solo lunch spot! read more

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Very delicious and fresh. Server hot and good value for the price. Good quality veggies. Tofu lightly seared to perfection. Indoor outdoor seating similar to a cafe. Decent parking upfront. It's a little dark inside so I sat outside for some fresh air. Small place with a few tables. I like that they're open early read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - #20 Giant fresh soup - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Was craving some soup, looked up some PHO places around the area and this place came up. The food was good. Ordered the Pho soup with brisket was good. Also ordered some breaded Chicken wings that were also ok. Ordered some some fried rice with chicken which was really good and and tasty. It was a nice quiet little spot And you'll have yo go to the counter to order and they'll bring the food out to you. People were really nice would stop by again if I was in the area. read more

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Delicious and fairly priced! The pho and vermicelli bowl was great. Classic flavors done really well. Highly recommend for people who just want a good bowl of food without being overcharged or going somewhere fancy. Staff was nice and establishment was quiet. read more

This was a casual Vietnamese restaurant where you order and pay first. There is outdoors seating if you'd like to people watch but there are also regular tables. It doesn't seem like they have much staff so they weren't as fast as some places but I didn't feel that it took too long. We both ordered the bun bo hue medium spicy, but I really wish it had been spicier personally. It had a very clean fresh taste and the meat was tender. I also ordered a banana smoothie, which was made with real fruit, not flavor powder. It was delicious and not too sweet. There is plenty of street parking in the area depending on what time you go. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - 21. Bun Bo Hue - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Food: delicious Service: fast and efficient Ambiance: great. I ordered the beef spring rolls. Total came out $7.99 The peanut sauce was tasty and had some crunch to it. read more

Ginger And Spice Noodle & Grill - Sandwiches Near Me - Pasadena, California

Ordered takeout from here when we got back from Puerto Vallarta and wanted something quick and easy. I was also craving Asian food badly after eating nonstop tacos and Mexican food. Pickup was a little tricky as it's on a busy street on Colorado so my bf has to stop on the curb on the side street while I ran in to grab the food. We went the family meal deal which is 2 plates with either rice, salad or vermicelli and we got the vermicelli. I got the grilled beef and filet mignon for mine and the bf got grilled beef and pork. It also comes with an option of 2 veggie or meat egg rolls and 2 drinks (milk tea or Thai tea) for about $34 which we thought was a good deal. We also got a side of the breaded chicken wings. The plates also come with a veggie egg roll so it was a good amount of food. The chicken wings were breaded nicely with a good crisp and flavor. The meats were seasoned well and very tender. The Thai teas were good, nothing special but that's ok. We definitely enjoyed this for dinner and liked the family meal deal. Next time I think we'd like to try the pho and some of the other menu items. Otherwise it's a great option for takeout and good prices for good portions. read more

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Great and quick service. I usually call in my order and pick up. Parking is street. I used to work nearby in City Hall and this spot was a nice alternative to lunch in old town. Prices are fair but ambiance is a bit rushed and cozy. Food is plenty and so tasty. Would definitely come back for the lunch specials and fresh spring rolls. The lunch specials come with a bag of chips. They also have Vietnamese coffee which is pretty good. read more

The owners were very nice and friendly. The food was also delicious, definitely would come back here.