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    Happy Pho

    4.1 (266 reviews)
    InexpensiveVietnamese, Soup

    Order Happy Pho Takeout or Delivery

    Happy Pho Photos

    Business Info

    HAPPY PHO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Happy Pho

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    Rare Steak Beef, Brisket, and Tendon Pho
    Jay W.

    Nice little spot in Costa Mesa. It gives you a nice little home feel. The service is great. Our server was super attentive. I wish they didn't run out of bun xeo. The grilled pork spring roll was pretty good. Just remember that on the menu they showed a picture of three burning reality you get two. It wasn't anything that wow me but it was not too bad. I give this a solid 3.4/5. My bowl is the brisket, steak, and tendon pho. The broth was amazing. They stack you with lots of meat and less noodles. Most pho places give you more noodles and hardly any meat. I was super happy. I give this bowl an overall 4.9/5. My kids got the chicken pho and they usually have leftovers but they devoured it. The bowl portions are huge so you will not leave the restaurant hungry. I def recommend trying this place out.

    Chicken pho
    Mary Anne W.

    The staff was super nice, the price is a bit much, but the food was good. Good amount of noodles and meat that comes with the pho. The broth was good, nothing over powering like other places. They don't really provide kid sizes or prices for pho just a heads up. You would have to order regular size bowl for them.

    Rare Steak Beef & Brisket Pho

    Plenty of beef in the rare steak and brisket pho. In a small strip mall that could use a general makeover, but the pho space is updated inside.

    Fried shrimp, comes with fried jalapenos and sweet and sour sauce.
    Rachel M.

    So yummy! This place definitely is family owned. It's the small hole in the wall that hits all the pho/rice/noodle cravings you need. You're gonna get fresh food, and can share with family and friends testing out each other's meals. This is an easy regular restaurant to run back to.

    Shaken Beef / Bo Luc Lac
    Tiffany C.

    My large party of 12 arrived and we were seated promptly upon arrival with the waitress helping us put together the tables so we could all sit together. While the rest of my party ordered pho, I wanted to try their rice dish and chose the shaken beef dish. The dish came with a fried egg which was appreciated and uncommon for this dish. The beef cubes were so tender and well charred as well. I'd return to try out the pho next time!

    Amazing service , amazing food, I would recommend the veggie rolls, they are just so good.

    Brisket Pho, Vermicelli Bowl
    Hannah W.

    On god...one of the best pho I've ever had! The broth was very flavorful and sweet, which is how I like it. The place is pretty spacious and clean, so I can expect to be seated in a nice place. The waitress, who I assume to also be the owner, was very sweet. She made sure our water was filled and came back around when we weren't sure what to order. I recommend anyone who goes to UCI to visit this place!

    Traditional Spring Rolls / Goi Cuon
    Justin T.

    Very solid Vietnamese place, I would return!! I tried their vermicelli bowl & the spring rolls- both significantly above average. It's easy to see why this place holds down the 4.5 star on Yelp. This place serves a variety of Vietnamese entrees, from Bahn Mi (Sandwiches), Pho, vermicelli bowls, rice dishes- to name a few. I was driving from LA to San Diego & this place is located right off the 405 in Orange County, so I decided to give it a whirl. I wasn't disappointed, it's not the best I've ever had but it's really good. The ambiance is average, as is the prices. Ultimately most pho places aren't good enough for me to want to go back to (except my favorite ones) but I'd go back here. If you haven't already given Vietnamese a try, do it the food is so wonderful. Happy eating!!

    Brisket Pho

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    6 years ago

    Delicious chicken pho and shrimp spring roll! Lucky to have them open right now during this time. Generous serving as well for the large!

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    6 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Horrible foods ever, and the owner is awful too. The restroom is so nasty it looks like the owner doesn't clean their bathroom.

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    6 years ago

    Food here is good and authentic. Love the family that runs this place. Always on point and working hard. We will be back !

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Yummy food, good service, was busy but the ladies working here were very fast to get my order. Do recommend

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Some of the best pho we've ever had, if not the best. The portion sizes are good, the bowls are big, and the service was great!

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Amazing service and very friendly. Pho and the stir fry is soo good. I really like the Matcha Milk Tea!

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    Page 7 of 7

    Happy Pho Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Happy Pho

    Is this the same Happy Pho that used to be on Harbor and Westminster a few years back?

    no, we are not

    Do they have a vegetarian broth?

    Yes we do

    Do you guys accept credit card?

    Yes, we do!

    Do you have pure vegan options?

    You can choose from Vegetable Pho, Tofu Pho, and Vegetable + Tofu Pho with vegetable soup for pho options. We also have vegetarian spring rolls that contain cabbage, carrots, vermicelli, garlic and tofu that comes with peanut sauce.

    Do you use MSG?

    Stop asking restaurants if they have MSG. Everything you eat from tomatoes, mushrooms, and junk food contain it.

    View All 8 Questions

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    Fermentation Farm

    Fermentation Farm

    4.5
    (719 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Pleasantly surprised about the food and kombucha! Service was quick, ordered over the phone and…read morepaid in person. The establishment is at the edge of the street and they have lots of seating outside. Tuna melt 5/5 the sourdough bread is perfectly cooked! It gives a nice crunch and the tuna is very fresh. It's different from most tuna sandwiches. Overall a solid tuna sandwich So yummy, i occasionally think about this

    I've been meaning to drop by this spot for years, and I've FINALLY made my way over. I was really…read moreexcited by the concept. The market is modern and well organized. The staff was kind and helpful and there appeared to be a lot of locals enjoying their meals out in their outdoor seating area. While the market had a bunch of fun fermented offerings, the food that I ordered from their cafe was not exactly what I expected. I ordered the chili and spicy kraut grilled cheese combo. The portions were on the smaller side but given it was lunch I didn't really mind. I was more let down by the lack of flavor in their grilled cheese, the spicy kraut was neither spicy and just didn't really add much aside from texture. The chili on the other hand was delicious so that partially redeemed the meal for me. My boyfriend got their bone broth which was very very light and needed additional seasoning though. While I love what they're trying to build here, I'm not sure if I'd go back.

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    Kombucha bar
    Kombucha bar
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    Hook & Anchor

    Hook & Anchor

    4.5
    (2.4k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Finally was able to try this place. Kept driving by it when we have water polo tournaments in…read moreNewport. Outdoor seating is nice, especially when the weather is sunny and it's not too hot. Inside is spacious. Loved the Aqua colored glass chandelier. They have a great cocktail menu! I wish I had time to enjoy a drink because they looked good when I saw a waiter delivering drinks to other tables. Our server, Abbie, was gracious and friendly. She was attentive to us and to all her other tables. Never skipped a beat on what part of the meal her customers were at (ordering, mid-meal, refills, dessert, paying, etc.) We ordered: A bowl of clam chowder - creamy and flavorful. Good amount of clams. A side salad - my hubby and I couldn't agree on dressing so Abbie brought both for us on the side. 3-piece fish and chips - crispy fish batter, not too thick. It's mahi-mahi so it's meatier than the typical cod. Fries were perfectly cooked and seasoned. Doused all of this goodness with their malt vinegar. We recommended this place to the other water polo families. Hopefully they stopped by too. I will definitely return! Thank you.

    My friends and I were craving lobster roll, so we decided to pick Hook and Anchor since it has been…read moreon our bucket list to try! We got the lobster mac & cheese, fish & chips, and 4oz lobster roll. The Mac & Cheese was good, but I didn't like the choice of the noodle. The pasta was a bit undercooked, but the lobster was good. The batter for the fish and chips is so good, but the fish was a bit dry. I would def come back for the lobster roll. Lobster was fresh and the brioche bun was buttery! The lobster roll was def the high light! The ambiance was nice! Def a cute date spot for couple to go on a night out. Service was a bit slow for how empty the restaurant was.

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    The Dolphin beckons
    The Dolphin beckons
    Lobster roll - small kine
    Lobster roll - small kine
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    Bloody Mary
    Meiji Seimen

    Meiji Seimen

    4.5
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$
    Casual dining
    Kid friendly

    This place always has a wait, and for good reason. It's a small shop so waiters are attentive and…read moreyour food will come out in a timely manner - feels like you're transported to Japan :) Also, make sure to join the waitlist before you get there to avoid long wait times. Udon is favorite noodle dish and this place definitely meets my expectations. I've had the Nabeyaki and Chicken Tempura Curry udon, and they're very filling! I will say they're a little pricey but I think it's worth for the amount and quality. If you want to impress someone who loves udon or Japanese food, come here!!

    I stopped by Meiji Seimen Homemade Noodle and had a nice meal. It's not a very large restaurant,…read morebut it has a cozy atmosphere with a small, casual setup. The servers were friendly and attentive, and our food came out pretty quickly. We ordered the Shabu Shabu Udon, Chicken Tempura Curry Udon, and a Small Beef Bowl. One thing worth noting is that their udon contains egg, so keep that in mind if you have any egg allergies. Out of everything we tried, the Chicken Tempura Curry Udon was my favorite. The curry broth was rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, and the chicken tempura stayed surprisingly crispy even after sitting in the broth for a bit. The Shabu Shabu Udon was also good and had plenty of tender beef, while the Small Beef Bowl made for a solid side dish. Overall, this is a good spot if you're craving fresh udon and want something warm and comforting. Looking forward to coming back and trying some of their other menu items. Until next time!

    Photos
    Secret menu
    Secret menu
    June monthly special
    June monthly special
    Mochi and Red Bean Food IG: @nomswithsabs

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    Lemon & Thyme

    Lemon & Thyme

    4.8
    (310 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    One of the best hidden gems I've discovered. If you didn't know exactly what you were looking for,…read moreyou'd probably walk right past it. It's a little tricky to find, but once you do, it's absolutely worth the effort. We started with the grilled peach and burrata salad, followed by the shrimp saganaki and the short rib ravioli. Every dish was exceptional--thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. It was truly one of the best meals I've had in a very long time.

    Made a reservation for two last night at Lemon & Thyme for my friend to take me out for an early…read morebirthday celebration! For everyone who had to do multiple laps around the plaza's parking lot to find this place, you're not alone. We were struggling, but eventually found the restaurant tucked away on the outskirts next to a private training gym (the one with the super tinted windows). Upon arriving, the restaurant was very gracious to bestow upon us a pair of complimentary lemon and thyme dinner rolls. They were warm, fluffy, and everything a carb should be. Honestly wish we had more of them, to be honest! The menu was short, which was helpful in its own way. I have such chronic decision paralysis, meaning the more options I have, the more ordering conflicts I'll have, lol. Forever petitioning for every establishment to have tasting flights!!!! We ordered the Grilled Octopus Al Pastor and Ora King Salmon entrees. The octopus was a unique take on the dish, but I don't think I would order it again. I was hoping for more sauce and flavor, but it was more of a dry dish. Still something everyone should try at least once -- especially because feedback is subjective and my experience may not be yours! My friend enjoyed the salmon dish, but it looked pretty standard to me. They also brought out a complimentary Epresso Creme Brulee for my birthday, which was both figuratively and literally sweet. Very decadent and kinda had a nice tiramisu taste to it -- order this! The service was excellent and very attentive. Was very hydrated during this meal because my water cup was never empty! I would come back to try the other dishes with a larger group so I can pick at everyone else's plates, hehehe.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)
    Peaches and burrata salad (seasonal)
    Peaches and burrata (seasonal)

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    Peaches and burrata (seasonal)
    Wadaya

    Wadaya

    4.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Randomly decided to try this place with the wife last night…read more I remembered there being a spot called mogu mogu here prior and confirmed with the waitress that it's the same menu! Spicy miso ramen: 9/10 Actually one of the better ramens I've had lately. The broth is creamier and isn't overpowering with chicken/beef flavor. The chashu was nice and tender as well. I really liked that their noodles were al dente and not too soft Deluxe mazemen: 8/10 Taking my first bite, I was instantly greeted with an explosion of umami. There's a LOT of flavor packed in this bowl and the noodles used are actually a bit thicker which is right up my alley. My only drawback on this dish was that I wished it came with some sort of veggies to cut through all the flavor. They also give you a small serving of rice at the end for you to mix into the bottom which was a nice addition Kurobota sausage: 7.5/10 We've recently been on a kurobota craze. Don't get me wrong, these were great but we've only had them charred and grilled before so I was taken aback when I saw that these were only steamed. Flavor was spot on but I'm a sucker for a nice char or crisp to my meat Overall, loved the service and small restaurant vibe of this spot. We were seated very quickly and the food came out even faster. Definitely come try this spot, I know we'll be back

    Never had Mazemen before which is basically broth-less ramen with various of toppings. We were on…read morethe way to Kitakata, but after finding this place on Yelp, we had to check out the hype. The interior is cozy and small with authentic Japanese decorations/setup. Kinda felt like we were eating in Kyoto or something, lol. The lady who served us was friendly and gave us good recommendations. I think she was handling the whole operation to be honest. To start it off, we ordered their specialty chicken karaage and it was very delicious. It has a nice crispy and crunchy texture. The batter on the chicken was good and once you bite it, the meat is juicy and tender. Doesn't really need dipping since it's so good. As for the Mazemen, we ordered the Deluxe and Veggie one, both is a 5/5. Very flavorful and it tastes just like ramen, but without the soup. The presentation of the dish looks like a work of art. Very picture pretty. I ate that shit up within ten minutes. After that they give you a scoop of rice so you can mix it up with the leftover sauce. Lots of umami for sure. Definitely will come back again to try the other flavors. People, trust me and come through!

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    Wadaya
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    Kashiwa Ramen

    Kashiwa Ramen

    4.4
    (1.2k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Hands down the best ramen in town , we can argue about it over a beer here 3rd time this week says…read morea lot..

    I've been around this area for so long but only just now am I trying Kashiwa Ramen!…read more Going inside, the seating area is not large, and off the bat, I couldn't get seated with my family because the 2 high chairs they have available were already taken by another family. Thankfully, they had a booster seat available to have our child sit on. We ordered a miso ramen, a spicy black garlic ramen and a gyoza for our appetizer. The person taking our order was patient with us as we ordered even as we were dealing with our toddler. Our requests were accommodated respectfully and to the best they could! Upon first glance, the gyoza looked good, like it was a family recipe and made from scratch! The spicy garlic ramen had thick, and a tasty looking broth and the portion sizes for the ramen looked like decent enough for the price. The taste for the gyoza was good, but the spicy black garlic ramen definitely stole the show! The broth was the perfect level of savory with a delicious blend of garlic that wasn't overpowering along with the pork broth. The chashu was incredibly tender and flavorful and the ramen was cooked perfectly - *chefs kiss*, amazing! Another reason that helped me decide on eating here was that there is a student discount for OCC students! Definitely cool that the local business is supporting local students! I had a great experience eating here with my family - the food was delicious, the staff was helpful and it was joy!

    Photos
    IG: happyfoodieoc
    IG: happyfoodieoc
    Gyoza
    Gyoza
    5 Karaage - @rayz

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    Happy Pho - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

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