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    Pho Lena East

    3.4 (99 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Pho Lena East Takeout or Delivery

    Pho Lena East Photos

    PHO LENA EAST ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Pho Lena East

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    Reviews With Photos

    Phillip C P.

    This restaurant is located in the strip mall off Boniface. They have multiple locations in Anchorage. This is my first visit to this location. They advertise Lao and Thai food. I ordered the Tom Yum Shrimp Soup which came with a cup of white rice. The broth was tasty with the normal flavors that I like. The vegetables were green onion, white onion, and mushrooms. No other greens that I could detect. Their were six cooked shrimp in the broth. The vegetables and shrimp were cooked well and tasty. The rice I added to the broth was well cooked and not mushy. The serving and flavor was adequate. The size would be good for a lunch serving and the check said small. So they must have two sizes, but not a dinner. It costs $13.95 with a $4.00 up charge for the shrimp. I added a can of Diet Coke $2.00 and the server brought a large glass of water. It was early on Friday (4:30?) with one other e"diner eating. I did see several take out orders being picked up during my visit. Plenty of parking and appears to be a family place. They have a party room in back that I didn't observe except for the sign. The server was friendly and polite. She was the only one working the dining room from taking orders, serving the tables, taking phone orders, handling the takeout orders and running the checkout. She performed all of those tasks admirable and efficiently although orders and customers were few. I made an error that I won't do again. I had reviewed their menu on Yelp before going in and I saw no mention of alcoholic drinks. When I opened their site to checkin and read the menu. Yelp asked me if they served alcoholic beverages? Not having seen them on the menu I checked NO before going in. As soon as I entered I saw large bottles of wine and cooler with beer and single wine servings. I took and posted pictures of both. Please forgive me for the error. Live and learn even at 75! I couldn't find a way to correct the mistake. I rated the restaurant only at a 4 primarily on the lack of vegetables in the broth. Also I asked for hot and spicy but it was served mild. I added a teaspoon of chili sauce which improved it greatly for my taste. I do this only after I have tasted the broth several times and the vegetables so I can detect the full flavor before turning it fiery. I have to admit their may have been a communication problem because I didn't look at the menu in house as I had reviewed it on YELP. I knew what I wanted and ordered it. So maybe if I looked at the in house menu I would have known their was two sizes and maybe a heat table. They have a 10% military discount and accept credit cards. I would recommend this restaurant as I hate to judge any place by one dish or one visit unless they are truly outstanding or so bad I would never return. I will go back with someone else to try other dishes and gather their thoughts also. Today has been a terrible day for me and several things went wrong. I missed a Dr. appointment, coming out of the restaurant I found my keys laying by the front car fender, driving off I realized I left the front passenger window wide open when I locked it to eat lunch, the Glenn Hwy was backed up and access closed at Boniface, I had to take Debarr with all the rush hour detoured cars, it took two and half hours from Boniface to Eagle River. I didn't realize it was Friday the 13th until I got home and checked. I am usually not a superstitious person but this is just half the problems today. This was the only good thing that happened.

    a plate of food with rice, soup, and crackers
    John Y.

    Had lunch here yesterday! Syri was great! Fast friendly service. I had the red chicken curry, so yummy!

    a view of a diner's counter
    Brian H.

    The interesting thing about this place is the food is delicious but the service is horrible. Makes it hard to come back but the folks in the kitchen knows what's up. Takes FOREVER to get even a drink ordered or a takeout box when you're ready to go. I don't mind waiting for the food to be cooked fresh, actually prefer it. But it's be nice if the person working the floor knew something about customer service. Bad thing is if I find a spot that had good food and service this place will be in the rear view mirror. Get your service game together, Pho Lena East, if you have any chance of making it. Seriously.

    Green curry

    amazing food taste great you can tell its fresh! as an asian away from home this helps ease my homesickness

    Raw shrimp
    Paul D.

    Food was pretty good. Service was pretty terrible.. will definitely be back. I hope I'm able to change it to 5 stars next time. Slow service. Wrong order. Awkward server Changed it to 1 Star this time around. Ordered food for delivery. My wife got the seafood pho and got the calamari and imitation crab replaced with shrimp.. all the shrimp was raw. We had to cook it ourselves. Pretty disappointing.

    Moldy pork bun
    Tara N.

    I went for dine in and ordered a pork bun to go. When I got home I looked at the bun and it had mold on it. I called to let them know, and they asked me how I knew it was moldy?

    Dry and disappointing.

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    7 years ago

    I was very surprised wow the food is so good. Very impressed the spices they used really bring out the flavor and is so fresh.

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    6 years ago

    Pho and sesame chicken are amazing here. I come at least twice a week. Never a wait to be seated and food comes out pretty quick.

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

    I love these guys! Their yellow curry is the best in town. I am never disappointed and they are quick and great for take out or dine-in.

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    Page 2 of 3

    Ask the Community - Pho Lena East

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    Royal Thai

    Royal Thai

    4.4
    (106 reviews)
    6.2 mi
    $$

    Let me start off by saying this is a small place, minimal sitting. From what I saw as I dined in is…read morethat they keep up with the business. They were able to sit the people coming in and filled to go orders constantly. It was not a moment that went by, that no one walked through the door. How could I miss this spot for 3 years? There was one server, but she served everyone with a smile on her face. My daughter and I enjoyed the ambiance, presentation, and the food was delicious! I don't know what type of dipping sauce came with the fresh rolls, but never had at any other Thai restaurants. It was nice and light, tasted like basil with a hint of spice. There was not one thing I can think of complaining about. By the way, the water tasted crisp and the waitress came around and refilled our cups. Great experience!

    One of the best meals we've had in a long time! We get Thai food everywhere we travel so we've…read morebasically eaten Thai food from coast-to-coast. This is better than most places we've eaten. The food is spicy, as it should be. We thought a three on their spice level from 1-5 would be medium. But it was properly hot and delicious! Get the papaya salad, it's refreshing with its sour, sweet, and spicy combination that defines Thai cuisine. We also got the pad see ew with shrimp. Balanced and delicious. And the gra pow fried rice with chicken, I could eat that all by myself. I mean, if you don't like basil, are you even Asian? My mouth was burning but burning happy. A real gem of a restaurant for Anchorage. Will miss this food when we are back home in Minnesota.

    Photos
    Table flowers
    Table flowers
    Stir Fry 47. Stir Fried with Cashew
    Stir Fry 47. Stir Fried with Cashew
    Chicken Pad Pak

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    Chicken Pad Pak
    So Thai

    So Thai

    4.3
    (226 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    I had DoorDash from here once, and really enjoyed the Gaeng Massaman, then promptly forgot where…read moreI'd gotten it from. But tonight, after going to a different Thai food restaurant, who are now takeout only, which is a no-go, I needed an alternate, so I randomly selected from Yelp, a good Thai food recommendation, and when this appeared, I realised it was the place where I'd gotten the good Massaman from. However, their description states they are noted for their standout Panang. The interior is ok, not fine dining, standard tables and chairs, not too cluttered with artwork, and music was playing. As I also love Panang, I chose to have that with chicken, and husband ordered something called Khao Mu Dang. We also ordered a Thai Tea. The server was energetic, and smiled a lot. We didn't have to wait long, I was served a hefty portion of rice, and a big bowl of curry sauce. Mine came out first, and I started without him. I must say that I do agree, this is standout Panang, and it's the best I've had in Anchorage. It's just the right amount of kick. Just enough to get my nose running after a few mouthfuls. The sauce is amazing, and the chicken is plentiful, and very tender, and I do have leftover sauce and rice in the fridge for later. If it were served on its own as a soup, without rice, I'd call it "Chicken Soup for the Soul" because it surely did my soul good, even eating it alone without rice. Superb, perfectly spiced, perfectly seasoned, deliciously umami. I think I could eat this several times a week, and not feel cheated. His dish had some pretty spectacularly flavoured pork, it was delicious, and the sauce, yet again, so good, but his was what they call a "dry dish" whereas mine was "soupy" or maybe they call it wet. I don't know, all I know is, that the amount of times I was saying "mmmm" was kind of embarrassing. So, that was an absolutely delightful dinner, and I'm grateful because we'd not been anywhere in recent weeks that thrilled me like this. Will definitely be back for more. The Thai Tea was also very good.

    One of the best Thai places I've been to definitely top five. It's so authentic and the flavor was…read moreright on point. I would call this a hole in the wall Thai restaurant. Portion sizes are decent. Prices are in line with the area. Flavor is just incredible. Nothing but good things to say about this place very authentic.

    Photos
    Inside restaurant
    Inside restaurant
    Gaeng Panang with chicken, aka heaven in a bowl. Large serving of rice to the left
    Gaeng Panang with chicken, aka heaven in a bowl. Large serving of rice to the left
    Aluminum water cups

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    Aluminum water cups
    Pho Lena Spenard

    Pho Lena Spenard

    4.1
    (384 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    One of my most favorite food experiences in AK. While debating on what to eat with my international…read morefriends, we thought about this place for Pho. We got so much more than what we could have asked for. Upon arrival the place was PACKED. Very good sign. I ordered the Papaya salad Lao style with 7 Thai chili peppers With one bite, I was somewhere else the flavor took me to some foreign land I've yet to visit. I love the culture fusion the restaurant gives. I will never forget my first experience here. Thank you Pho Lena your hospitality is priceless/unmatched.

    Extremely authentic and flavorful Pho!! Portion sizes are also HUGE. Came here twice during a…read moreone-week trip to Anchorage just because it was so good. Food doesn't come out as quick as other pho places but definitely worth the wait. Will visit again during my next trip! Staff is very friendly and a lot of space inside as well. FOOD: Lao Pork Sausage (8/10) - Can't find this in many places. Amazing!!! Super juicy, slightly salty sausage that pairs perfectly with the sauce and rice. Would get again! Pho Beef Combo (8/10) - Huge portion sizes for the price (superbowl). Amazing!! Broth and noodles are perfect Pho Tendon (7/10) - Also can't get this in many other places, but comes with so much tendon if you like it! Lao Fresh Rolls (6/10) - Solid spring rolls but the chicken is a little bit dry. I would get it again with only the shrimp. Shrimp Eggroll (5/10) - A fried shrimp in wonton wrapper, would skip this.

    Photos
    Dining room
    Dining room
    Pho Gai
    Pho Gai
    108 my favorite

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    108 my favorite
    A Taste of Thai

    A Taste of Thai

    3.4
    (125 reviews)
    7.5 mi
    $$

    Seen the place when leaving another event in the same lot & decided to whip in there and get…read moresomething to eat as I am gluten-free and couldn't have the pizza at the event. We were the only patrons in the place at 8pm on a Saturday. We were met at the door by friendly host and waitress who offered us to sit wherever we wanted. The place was clean and well designed with decor. Nice touch with the water fountain at the front for a sound effect. They have a lot of food on the menu several pages. My first question was do you have gluten-free options and they said that they can do gluten-free on almost everything. The pleasant waitress was very knowledgeable as she has someone in her friend circle who deals with the same issue. I opted for the Three Flavor Fish that usually comes battered but for me they grilled it to make gluten free and it was pretty tasty. Came with a bowl rice. The Thai tea was presented very well in a tall glass and it was pretty tasty as compared to some that I've had. However, the straw is a bit short so I had to chase the straw. My husband had the sweet-and-sour combo with battered fish. His dish looked like mine, but it did not taste the same so the waitress said. He has also came with a bowl of rice. He also enjoyed his dish. I must say the halibut in my dish were small pieces. There was probably about five maybe six in there, but they were pretty tiny. I took a picture of That. Overall, it was a great experience. The waitress made it pleasant with conversation and attentiveness. Will return of course to try the Pad Thai as that's my jam and we have to see how it compares to others that we've tried in Anchorage and elsewhere.

    This was delivered so I never actually saw the restaurant. It was packaged well and the utensils…read moreand napkins I requested were included. I ordered Chicken Satay and drunken noodle. Both were decent Thai style dishes, but not necessarily as good as I had hoped. The chicken satay was a bit dry and the sauce was too sweet. The drunken noodles were a good flavor but lacked a real Thai flavor punch. Probably will try another Thai place next time.

    Photos
    Receipt holder
    Receipt holder
    A. 3 Flavor Fish
    A. 3 Flavor Fish
    Beautiful interior

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    Beautiful interior

    Pho Lena East - vietnamese - Updated August 2026

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