I'm so glad Pho Lab has opened in South OC! I had tried their Huntington Beach location before and was really impressed with the quality of their pho, so I had to check out the new Lake Forest spot. I came during their soft opening weekend, and everything was off to a great start. The decor fits perfectly for a Vietnamese restaurant -- modern, clean, and welcoming. I was warmly greeted by the staff and felt taken care of the whole time. I ordered the spring rolls and brisket pho, and both came out quickly. The spring rolls were fresh, and the peanut dipping sauce had the perfect consistency and flavor balance. But the pho was the real highlight. The brisket was thin, tender, and perfectly cooked, and the broth was rich and flavorful. The herbs were fresh and aromatic, with the right variety for topping off the bowl. My server was attentive and friendly, and the restaurant manager even checked in to make sure I was satisfied with my meal. I've tried several pho spots in the area, and this is by far the best one outside of Little Saigon. Highly recommend! read more

I tried the crispy chicken garlic noodles and they were so good. The noodles were perfectly coated in that savory garlic sauce, not greasy, and the crispy chicken added the best texture -- crunchy on the outside, juicy inside. Super flavorful and filling without being heavy. I finished before even taking a picture. My friend got the combination pho and it was heavenly. I also ordered the mango jasmine iced tea with mango jelly, and it was super refreshing. The jasmine tea was fragrant and light, the mango flavor wasn't overly sweet, and the mango jelly was a fun extra that made it feel like a treat. The vibe is clean and modern, service was smooth, and everything came out looking great. Definitely coming back to try more -- this spot hits when you want something comforting but elevated. Highly recommend! read more

Came in craving a solid bowl of pho and left seriously impressed. The broth was rich, aromatic, and clearly simmered for hours -- exactly what you want. I ordered the rare steak pho, and the meat was fresh and tender, cooking perfectly in the hot broth. The noodles had a great texture (not mushy like some places), and the portion size was generous without being overwhelming. The side plate of herbs, bean sprouts, and lime was fresh and plentiful, which really let me customize each bite. Service was quick and friendly, and the place itself was clean and comfortable -- nothing fancy, but perfect for a casual meal. Only small downside: parking can be a bit tricky during peak hours, but honestly, the pho is worth it. Definitely coming back next time I need a comfort meal. read more

PHO LAB is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is warm, clean, and welcoming--modern yet cozy, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a great meal. The food is outstanding: rich, flavorful broth, fresh ingredients, generous portions, and everything tastes authentic and perfectly prepared. You can really tell they take pride in the quality of their dishes. The service is just as impressive--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. The staff makes you feel taken care of without ever rushing you, which really elevates the entire experience. PHO LAB delivers on all levels: amazing food, excellent service, and a great atmosphere. Highly recommend to anyone looking for top-quality pho and a great dining experience! read more

We had an outstanding experience at Pho Lab as always. The pho options are fantastic - rich, flavorful broths with plenty of variety to choose from. We also love their fried rice and the charbroiled pork spring rolls, which are perfectly cooked, fresh, and packed with flavor. Service is always warm, efficient, and genuinely welcoming, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. A special mention to Tiffany, the manager, who truly elevates the experience, she is attentive, professional, and goes above and beyond to make every guest feel valued. Everything from presentation to taste, was consistently on point. Easily one of the best spots for pho in the area, and definitely worth returning to. read more

I have been here a few times and I love it it's our new favorite go to Pho restaurant. The service is great everyone is super friendly especially Mike! The pricing you can't really beat it honestly it's some of the best Vietnamese food I've had and its delicious and prices are pretty nice. I've tried the shrimp spring rolls, the shaken beef garlic noodles, and the rib bone pho and those were my favorite dishes. I just love bringing family and friends to this place because it also has a lot of vegetarian and gluten friendly options so it's one of my favorite places to eat because it can work with anyone's restrictions. Definitely come try it you won't regret it. read more

Pho Lab in Lake Forest is hands down one of the best pho spots around. The broth is rich, flavorful, and tastes like it's been perfected over hours of cooking. Every bowl comes out fresh, hot, and packed with quality ingredients. Their garlic noodles are absolutely amazing too! Perfectly buttery, garlicky, and full of flavor. The service is always friendly, the restaurant is clean, and the overall vibe is welcoming every time I visit. You can really tell they care about the quality of their food and customer experience. If you're craving authentic, comforting pho and incredible garlic noodles, Pho Lab is definitely worth the stop. Highly recommend! read more

From the moment I walked in, this pho restaurant felt welcoming and authentic. The combo pho was the standout dish, packed with tender brisket, juicy meatballs, flavorful rare steak, and perfectly cooked noodles. The broth was rich, aromatic, and clearly simmered for hours without being overly salty. Fresh basil, bean sprouts, lime, and jalapeños added the perfect finishing touch. Service was quick, friendly, and attentive even during a busy lunch rush. Portions were generous for the price, making it a great value overall. If you enjoy hearty, comforting Vietnamese food, this spot absolutely deserves a visit soon with friends anytime read more

Pho Lab is easily one of my favorite spots to eat. Everything about it hits the mark. I got the Shaken Garlic Filet Mignon Noodles and the Fries with Ribeye, and both were insanely good. The garlic noodles were buttery, flavorful, and perfectly cooked, and the filet mignon was super tender and juicy. The ribeye fries were crispy, savory, and packed with flavor, the kind of dish you can't stop eating. The vibe inside was chill, the service was super good and friendly, and the food came out hot and fresh. If you love pho or just want some seriously delicious noodles and meats, Pho Lab is 100% worth it. read more

. Popular Dishes: The oxtail pho and rib pho are highly recommended, often served with the meat in a separate bowl of broth to maintain the quality. Other favorites include the shaken beef with garlic noodles, popcorn chicken, and flavorful chicken wings. Atmosphere: Visitors describe the vibe as clean, modern, and nicely decorated. A recurring "hidden gem" mention is the strikingly gold-colored decor in the restrooms. Service: The staff is widely praised for being polite, welcoming, and proactive with menu recommendations read more

The pho was simple and comforting, made with a rich brisket broth that tasted slow-cooked and hearty. The broth was warm, savory, and not overly seasoned, letting the beef flavor stand out. The brisket was tender and paired well with soft rice noodles. Fresh herbs and a bit of lime added lightness without overpowering the soup. It wasn't fancy, but it was filling and satisfying. A straightforward bowl of pho that focused on good broth and solid ingredients, perfect for a casual, no-frills meal. read more

This was my first time at Pho Lab and I was really impressed. The broth is super flavorful and comforting, and the noodles were perfect. The portion size was big, the meat was tender, and everything tasted fresh. The service was quick and everyone was really friendly, which made the experience even better. I'm already thinking about what I want to order next time, definitely coming back. If you love pho or just want something warm and delicious, you have to try this place! read more

Our party of four came here for lunch on a Sunday and ordered the grilled pork spring roll,, the shrimp spring roll, brisket pho, garlic noodles with crispy chicken, garlic fries and a sautéed ribeye banh mi. The food was uniformly well-prepared and tasty, and the service was attentive without being intrusive. The garlic fries in particular are crisped perfectly and dusted with just enough cayenne pepper to give them the perfect amount of heat. We'll definitely be back! read more

Very good customer service and great food The food was really good and tasted fresh. Everything was hot and nicely made. The flavors were simple but delicious, and you could tell good ingredients were used. The portions were just right and filling. Service was fast and friendly, which made the experience better. I enjoyed my meal a lot and would come back again. I would also recommend this place to friends and family who want a good, tasty meal. read more

Staff were friendly throughout our entire experience. The food was exquisite. I got the garlic noodles with tiger prawns, which were cooked to perfection. I would have taken a photo of the food, but I devoured it too quickly. The sauce that came with the noodles was full of flavor. 10/10 wonderful experience. Will be coming back and glad to have found a new spot close to home. read more

I had such a great experience here! The staff was incredibly friendly, kind, and patient -- they made me feel very welcome from the moment I walked in. The food was delicious, and the broth had such a rich, flavorful taste. The portions were generous too, which made it even better. You can really tell they put care into what they serve. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

Absolutely delicious experience! We ordered the brisket, shrimp spring rolls, and chicken nuggets, and everything was incredible. The flavors were rich, fresh, and perfectly balanced--honestly some of the best we've tried. Whether it's a cold day or a hot one, this place hits every time. Highly recommend if you're looking for something satisfying and full of flavor! read more

The food here is incredible! We ordered the pho, wings, and egg rolls, and everything was amazing. The broth was especially delicious. The customer service was outstanding, everyone was so welcoming and attentive. We were even given free dessert for the grand opening! We'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend checking this place out! read more

Absolutely loved this spot! The pho was rich, flavorful, and tasted super fresh. The broth had that perfect depth without being too heavy, and the portions were generous. Everything came out hot and quickly. Service was friendly and attentive, and the place felt clean and welcoming. Great comfort food spot -- I'll definitely be coming back! read more