Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Pho Dakao

    3.2 (734 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese, Noodles, Soup
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Pho Dakao Photos

    Business Info

    PHO DAKAO ATMOSPHERE

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

    Recommended Reviews - Pho Dakao

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Pho ga
    Jamie C.

    Pho Dakao specializes in chicken pho and it's excellent! That being said, I've had better at A Nu Quan but I still think if you want something that's easily accessible and hits the spot, Pho Dakao is your place! Just note that they are traditional and traditionally you don't put in sauces in your chicken pho like you would do with beef pho so if you're really into the hoisin sauce taste... Well to be honest I don't know if they even have those condiments so you'll have to ask! Their herbs are super fresh which I always appreciate and their ginger dipping sauce for the chicken is so good! It gets packed on the weekends - both the restaurant and the parking lot since it's in the same plaza as a ton of other great vietnamese spots like brodards and all those other kei concepts restaurants.

    com ga roti
    Megan D.

    I haven't been back to pho dakao in a while, but the food this time was just okay. The bánh bèo was pretty bland, and the cơm gà rôti was dry and lacked flavor. The miến gà was alright, but nothing special. Honestly, I'd probably only come back if they had trứng non.

    We come in and order 3 Pho Kho and 1 Pho Bo 4 water. The owner should train their employees again. No respect to the customer at all. If you want to waste your money and treated at shit you can come here. I dont care how good the food is but with this kind of service they should sell the business. The waitress who take my order was rude, we wait for 20 mins and constanly ask 3 times for 4 waters. When she bring out the water I saw she hostile glare at us. We wait for 10 more minutes no food. The table who come in after me but they already had their food so we question another waiter. That waiter begin to yell at us disrespectful and said our waitress is new, and do we want to cancel the order and take our busniess somewhere else?? Never say a sorry or whatsoever. I would never spend my money here ever

    Julia J.

    Have been back Phở Dakao for a while. Order chicken wing noodle Turned out the chicken wing went out ( maybe weekend) Looking on reviews, there was not only couple time they were missed what customers ordered by went out! Remind me at Phở Song Hai the most or always went out the chicken wings in the time open, can see it happen in this restaurant. Hope they could fix this happen. Replace the chicken wing noodle , the beef stew noodle was smelling good. Service was good

    Pho Ga Kho
    Binh L.

    Pho Dakao is the spot for pho ga kho (dry chicken pho). I love coming here for that when I want something comforting but am too lazy to cook. Also notice how I specifically said pho ga kho. I have tried their pho ga uc (the soup one) the first time I visited and it fell a bit short for me. While the broth was clean, it tasted a bit plain and the amount of chicken I was given was underwhelming. It was mostly bone, hardly any meat. I also have a preference for the thin noodles, so do note that they serve the thick noodles here. When I came back a second time, I got their pho ga kho. They also serve the soup on the side when you order this. I was much more impressed with this dish. The amount of chicken in my bowl was generous and the soup tasted much better this time. Ginger-infused, savory, and comforting. The sauce is also what brought this dish to life. It was mostly sweet, but also savory with a kick to it. The veggies added a nice crunch and the noodles were chewy. I've been here a few more times after to order the same thing. I don't think the service here is as bad as everyone is saying. They're helpful and attentive when I need them. It may be difficult to flag somebody down when they're busy and also in those cases, the only time you see your server is when you order and they bring out your food. However, this is pretty common at many Vietnamese restaurants in the area lol. My food always comes out quickly after I order though so no complaints there from me. The inside is also very spacious and clean. Parking is a hassle sometimes so I would recommend coming on a weekday when it's not as busy.

    Kayla H.

    Service is slow but the food is good! You know it's good when you see older Vietnamese people here. They're picky! I come here for one dish that is a standout. I come for the Pho Ga Kho / Dry Chicken Pho. I've never had anything like it before and it's delicious. My mom introduced me to this dish and we always come here on the weekends. I typically choose the dark meat option. You mix the sauce into the dry pho and enjoy. The mixture of the salad/herbs along with the pho noodles and the sauce is chef's kiss. There's also a small side soup that comes along with it. Everything about this dish is just right. I highly recommend coming here to try this dish out.

    Menu
    Jakaria A.

    We went to a nearest restaurant but it's was too crowded and long wait time so we decided to eat there. Food was quick but the service was okay. In the pho has more fat then the beef and crispy rice with beef needed little bit more cooking it's was kind of hard rubbery. Inside the restaurant was beautiful the have a nice tree inside.

    Beef stew
    Jennifer Yolanda B.

    Pho Dakao If I could give 10 stars , I would! Their beef stew is seriously the best Vietnamese food we've ever tasted. We've tried many Vietnamese restaurants, but this one takes the cake. Please, do yourself a favor and try their beef stew - you won't regret it! excellent service and ambiance

    RIP Anthony!
    Will M.

    We were in the area the other weekend, and a friend recommended this spot for lunch, saying they had legit chicken pho. Pulled up, got seated right away, and noticed a cool Anthony Bourdain quote about pho on the wall--always a good sign. I ordered the Mien Ga, which is glass noodles in chicken broth with a side of poached chicken. The chicken was tender, and the dipping sauce was solid, but overall, it was pretty simple. The real standout was the Pho Ga Dui Kho Long--dry noodles with chicken giblets and dark meat, served with a sweet soy sauce to pour over. This one had way more flavor and was definitely the highlight of the meal. Honestly, I'd only rate this place 3.5 stars. The food was decent, but nothing mind-blowing. If I come back, it'll definitely be for the dry noodle dish!

    Nhi R.

    My go to chicken pho spot. The broth is clear and clean, definitely a healthy alternative. Clean and modern restaurant with plenty of seating. Big plus that they accept credit card. Tip: They do run out of dark meat chicken towards the end of the day.

    Amy Y.

    I came here from my Viet friend's recommendation for the Pho Ga Kho, the dry chicken pho. This place definitely hits the spot when you're not in the mood for too much broth and want to just enjoy the noodles and chicken. My friend recommended the dark meat but unfortunately they ran out even around lunch time on the weekend. However, the lighter meat was still great! The entire meal is flavorful yet light, which is what I love about Viet food. Tons of veggies. The appetizer banh khot was also delicious - soft but crispy on the edges with a flavorful sauce to pair. We also had the mungbean drink which really surprised me, it was delicious and not too sweet. I took my family here again and they loved it as well.

    Jasmine A.

    Came here for dinner while visiting my sister and friend. They are frequent regulars here and raved about the dry chicken pho. We ordered the banh khot, summer rolls and dry chicken pho. Everything was delicious! I loved the banh khot - crispy, savory pancakes. The star of the show was the dry chicken pho - I ordered it with white and dark meat. The noodles were tossed in a light sauce and it was pretty flavorful. Came with a side of chicken broth and that felt very homey. Not pictured is as the stir fry shaky beef pasta. That's was delicious! The noodles were soft and coated with a sauce. The beef was very tender and dipped in the lime salt was tasty! I definitely would come back when I visit CA again.

    Dry pho
    Hanh N.

    I bring all my friends here and every single time, it slaps. they love the flavor bomb of umami goodness that these dishes ooze of. My favorite is the dry chicken dish with dark meat. At times if it's really busy, they may run out which is a bummer. The service is good - it's a really busy place with all the mom and pops showing up for authentic cuisine, so be sure to cut their folks some slack. Love all their creative drinks as well. The aesthetic is foodie casual. They are efficient too!

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of T P.
    34
    1101
    1393

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julia J.
    23
    446
    2296

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Will M.
    345
    502
    2287

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Hanh N.
    763
    391
    5252

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Trinh D.
    61
    46
    15

    20 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy N.
    349
    576
    2924

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 108
    Thanks 38
    Love this 107
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jay O.
    595
    497
    2020

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gina P.
    4
    25
    25

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    28 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 6

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Toktok R.
    14
    82
    143

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Long K.
    130
    805
    1880

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Linda S.
    120
    20
    11

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Tina c.
    1351
    117
    443

    6 months ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 3
    Love this 1
    Oh no 8
    Photo of Tuyen V.
    51
    81
    555

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Trinh M.
    168
    78
    83

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 19

    Pho Dakao Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pho Dakao

    Are there any gluten free options?

    Chicken pho is gluten free, just dont add soy sauce

    Do they still serve hainan chicken?

    Yes, for $7.75

    View All 3 Questions

    Mai Phat Noodle House

    Mai Phat Noodle House

    4.5
    (867 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Eco-friendly

    So good and so affordable. Each dish was around $15-18. They have 2 locations but I think this one…read morespecializes in their egg noodles. We got: Taiwanese soup noodle (5/5): new on the wall and wanted to try. Lots of good beef pieces in the soup, and not too heavy on the spice. Came with a vinegar dipping sauce Dry noodle combinations (5/5): we basically tried all of them. Perfect Al dente egg noodles with a clean broth on the side. Mine came with intestine, others had a fried chicken or dumplings which was really good and meaty. I like how all combos came with a sauce to accompany it Oxtail noodle soup (5/5): slightly spicy, very satisfying. Tender oxtail Overall so good and will be coming back! Also want to try the #2 location down the street

    I'm not sure why I had this place bookmarked. Maybe it was an Instagram or TikTok…read more I would say the food was pretty good. My granddaughter and I ordered oxtail pho & chicken wings. The chicken wings were phenomenal. We got all flats, which I'm not sure if they normally serve it like that. They were crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and just enough seasoning. The broth was super tasty. The oxtail cooked well. The noodles were in my opinion too soft. That's fine, my granddaughter likes him a little soft. The service was service, not bad or good. It was a small place, felt a little chaotic. Would I go back, if I was in the area probably.

    Photos
    Mì Hải Sản
    Mì Hải Sản
    Mì Hoành Thánh
    Mì Hoành Thánh
    Mì Sủi Cảo Khô

    See all

    Mì Sủi Cảo Khô
    Grandpa's Kitchen - Grill Bar 168

    Grandpa's Kitchen - Grill Bar 168

    4.0
    (985 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Big portion!! Grandpapi is here for you in this economy!! Has a couple of bigger tables (4 seater)…read moreif you want to come here with family, quite chill, 3% surcharge on credit card, decent plaza parking. Service chill, can pay at register in the front, like typical viet restaraunt where they kinda leave you to it. The Grandpa's noodles was good (a dryer noodle), great portion, meat was tender, the radish cube looking things was crispy bits of pork skin. The menu is unique here and mostly in vietnamese. I think I had wished for some sauce to go with the noodles (but I understand its mostly with the soup on the side), good tightness of the meatballs :D... They have the classic condiments on the side, the pickled garlic isn't very crunchy and kind of on the sweet side, the pickled chili does have that slight acidic kick that works well. I modified my noodle to egg for a dollar. The soup was good, on the more umami soy/beef side than clear. The wontons were abundant too, instead of a chili oil the sauce is more like a tangy sweet chili vinegrette thing. My accompaniment got a garlic noodle soup (fried garlic oil) that was rich and also in a huge bowl. For the price and portion its a hidden gem for someone who needs to feed a family. Not like gourmet, but good enough! Omg, also I missed the corn milk :((

    I came in for the Sweet Corn Milk BOGO & the cashier already told me they ran out, I asked further…read more& he said an hour ago. So I decided to try an OC entree for $9.99. I picked the Sò Lông Nướng Mỡ Hành & it was really good. But then I felt something hard when I was chewing & I think I chipped part of my tooth - I'm going to go home & have my boyfriend check it for me & I'll attach the photo of my chipped tooth. Anyway, I have a crown cap so I wasn't super alarmed, but still a bit shook. I still finished my food but I politely tried to let one of the cashiers know. I showed him & everything & he was apologetic & asked what they could do to fix the situation. So I asked for a refund. And the other cashier said in Vietnamese something about me, like "Con nhỏ này" & I thought maybe he's talking about something else-but then when he gave me the receipt of my refund, he said "and I don't want you to be a customer here anymore." I was very appalled and I stood there wondering if he really just said that to me after I had an experience. I asked him why he didn't want me to be a customer anymore. And he turns to a customer to ring them out, ignoring me. So I waited til he was done with that transaction & repeated my question. He flat out said "because you're annoying." WOW. That's just so rude. And unfortunate bc I thought the food was really good & wanted to come back for the clam & the sweet corn milk. So I definitely wouldn't want to be a customer anyways with that kind of attitude towards a customer. Btw they give you plastic utensils here even for dining in which is a con.

    Photos
    New special item - Banh Mi Chao
    New special item - Banh Mi Chao
    4. Hoành Thánh Saté - Spicy Wontons (7 PCS) | $9.99
    4. Hoành Thánh Saté - Spicy Wontons (7 PCS) | $9.99
    PHNOM PENH DRY EGG NOODLE WITH SOUP ON THE SIDE #6

    See all

    PHNOM PENH DRY EGG NOODLE WITH SOUP ON THE SIDE #6
    Xishang Roodle

    Xishang Roodle

    4.4
    (243 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$

    Met with friends from all over So Cal for an event down South. After the event our friend found a…read morenoodle house in Santa Ana, odd find location but lets go ... Massive parking lot so that was easy, one friend went ahead and let them know we had 10 incoming. They made room and we sat immediately. One of the spots that you scan a menu at the table and you review, order and pay all in the app. I was really not familiar with the line up and went with the "House Special Beef Pot Roodle" (Roodles are their rice noodles). It was a weekend only item and I tried that. The noodles came separate from the soup. Over all it was very tasty. The meat was a bit fatty and the soup had tendons too. I took that part home and my wife loved it. I tend to avoid the fatty meat and tendons are not good to me. 10 of us so some of the appetizers got passed around. The smashed cucumbers are excellent, and my buddy also got some friend potatoes of sorts, reminded me of a fat French fry. Because my buddy and I sat at the same table we scanned the same menu, he ordered a bunch of stuff and also House Special Beef Pot Roodle. That confused the kitchen and they asked me if I meant to order 2, I said no and didn't realize I cancelled my buddy's order. Part of the confusion of a large party and many scanned menu orders. My buddy was struggling to order and our initial waiter seemed to not understand my friend and that took a little bit to work out, young lady came from the back and was able to quickly resolve some of the confusion and get questions answered as needed. In the end he had lot of food to explore. One thing that caught my eye was several couples there and sharing a large soup item served with a tray of various food items for the soup. Kind of a date night visual and something that looked very interesting. Several couples around us had that same dish and its got me more curious. Might have to come back with my wife and try this one.

    I decided to give this place a try because I heard their noodles were very authentic, and as…read moresomeone who loves noodles, I was excited to try it. I ordered their most popular dish, the A1 set, but honestly, it didn't really live up to the hype for me. The broth tasted pretty underseasoned overall. From what I understood, you're supposed to mix all the toppings into the soup with the noodles, but even after doing that, I still felt like the flavor was lacking. Yes, they provide seasoning on the side, but personally, I wish the broth already had enough flavor on its own without needing to adjust it myself. Would I come back? Probably not. Nothing really stood out to me enough to return, and it felt more like a one-time experience. Overall, everything was just okay.

    Photos
    We came from all over to meet at this Roodle spot in Santa Ana. Fun times.
    We came from all over to meet at this Roodle spot in Santa Ana. Fun times.
    Beef Stew Noodle
    Beef Stew Noodle
    Devil Chicken | $9.99

    See all

    Devil Chicken | $9.99
    Happy Lamb Hot Pot

    Happy Lamb Hot Pot

    4.5
    (389 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$
    Free parking
    Kid friendly

    Amy is an excellent hostess . She is very attentive to the needs of my mom ! She makes sure that my…read moremom and everyone in our table is well taken care of. She refills our water and keeps on checking on us . The place is very cozy and good quality meat and vegetables!

    Had a wonderful AYCE hot pot experience at Happy Lamb! The quality of the ingredients was…read moreimpressive, with a great selection of meats, vegetables, seafood, and hot pot essentials to choose from. Everything tasted fresh and was consistently replenished throughout the meal. One of the highlights was the broth. It was rich, flavorful, and comforting, serving as the perfect base for all the ingredients. Whether you're a fan of classic flavors or enjoy trying different combinations, there's something for everyone. The atmosphere was spacious, clean, and welcoming, making it a great place for family gatherings, celebrations, or a casual meal with friends. Even during busy hours, the restaurant maintained a comfortable and enjoyable dining environment. The service was excellent as well. The staff were attentive, friendly, and quick to assist with refills and requests. Their hospitality made the entire experience smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. If you're looking for a delicious all-you-can-eat hot pot spot with quality ingredients, flavorful broth, and great service, Happy Lamb is definitely worth a visit. I'll definitely be coming back for another hot pot night!

    Photos
    Happy Lamb Hot Pot
    Happy Lamb Hot Pot
    Happy Lamb Hot Pot

    See all

    Pho Dakao - vietnamese - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...