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    Pho Papa

    3.8 (794 reviews)
    ModerateVietnamese, Soup, Noodles
    Closed 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Pho Papa Photos

    Business Info

    PHO PAPA ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Pho Papa

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    Alice H.

    Everything was delicious, and the service was incredibly fast. I ordered my usual order, the #1 Beef noodle soup with the special beef rib, and it did not disappoint. The broth was rich and flavorful without being too salty, and the variety of beef cuts added great texture.

    I want to try everything on their menu
    Lucy P.

    They have remodeled, kept the price the same and provided much better customer service

    Dac biet special. Barely any meat and broth is really dark not traditional northern style more southern style.
    Matt V.

    Pho Papa gets a lot of hype, but my experience didn't fully live up to it. [[HIGHLIGHT]]On the plus side, the outdoor seating is a nice touch, especially if you want a more relaxed, casual vibe.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was quick and efficient, which I appreciated. The meat itself was tender and clearly good quality, so they're doing something right there. That said, the broth was a letdown for me. It leaned too sweet and had a darker profile than I prefer, which took away from that clean, balanced pho flavor you expect. The bigger issue though was the portioning. I ordered a special and it came with no meatballs which was odd for a "special dac biet", and the amount of meat was surprisingly small. It honestly felt like there was barely any protein in the bowl. You could clearly see a lot of noodles, which is not what you want with pho. At most other spots, the meat is layered generously on top to the point where the noodles are almost hidden. That wasn't the case here. Overall, it's a decent spot with good service and tender meat, but the broth and portion size need work. I'd come back if they fix the balance and start being more generous with the meat.

    2 Phở Đặc Biệt (1) & Phở Chin (9)
    emily d.

    My and my parent's favorite pho spot in the bay and SJ. Always go to 1. Phở Đặc Biệt for them and 9. Phở Chin for me. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Best broth with easy service and nice interior and exterior seating.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Also large servings for the price point and never disappoints, I always look forward to this coming home.

    Kevin D.

    The pho had a rich broth. They didn't have the fat noodles when I went. The pho was good but it's pretty average compared to other pho restaurant.

    Beef Rib Special ($8)
    Alisa B.

    It's a decent spot to get some pho in San Jose! Seating is pretty cramped and there can be a long waitlist on the weekends, but it's worth a visit! The broth can be on the oily side, but the flavor is good! Light and not too salty. They are really generous with the portion of beef! Almost more beef than noodles!! The beef rib special is yummy and high quality! The two of us shared this and it was FALL OFF THE BONE tender!

    Sarah C.

    Pho Papa is good! But..... I got the #1 and wanted to sub the tendon with the meatballs, and didn't know I was going to be charged a sub fee. I know you could add it for additional price but damn! I should just said no tendon. It would've been nice for the server to ask. They also charge a 3% fee for card so cash is preferred for this place. I got an order of the hanh dam which I like putting sriracha over it. Super good. Besides the substitution issue, everything was fine. Didn't realize pho got super expensive over the past couple years. After paying card for 2 small bowls of pho (1 with substitution) with the hanh dam, the total after tax was $43.24! Without tip! Wow. I tipped $8, but but no pho is ever worth paying over $50.

    Pho Tai Chin
    Juliet T.

    Growing up, I've usually had Pho Papa as take out but for this visit, I dined in with my friends. I ordered a small (#4) Pho Tai, Chin with flat noodles. The broth was good and clear, but nothing spectacular. I liked that they were generous with their meat though! The sizing was also the perfect portion for me. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is pretty small/cramped, I think I elbowed the people behind me a few times (sorry!).[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There were a lot of little flies flying around and a few spiders/cobwebs in the window corners.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

    Grace N.

    Finally got to try Pho Papa in January. When my dad was still alive he raved about this place whenever he went up to SJ to visit. My partner and I finally got to try it and it was very good. Broth and meat were good and the fresh noodles were yummy! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Store was clean and staff was fast and efficient![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Simple, delicious and yummy! Highly recommend!

    Amanda M.

    I came here on weekend since I wanted some pho. It was a good sign when I saw on the menu they only serve pho. I got the small Phở Đặc Biệt which came with thinly sliced beef, brisket, flank, tendon, fat brisket and fresh noodles. I also got a side of their beef rib. The food came out pretty quickly after ordering. The broth itself is a little sweet for me on its own, but they have fish sauce and lime to help balance it out. The meat quality was good and a big portion for a size small. The beef rib was much bigger than anticipated but it was also delicious. Overall, this is good pho. Will come back here again.

    Cynthia W.

    5*! Food was great! I got the small size #1 and there was generous amount of toppings. The portion was more than enough. It was flavorful and soup was very warm. Perfect for cold weather. I love the tendon a lot. They only serve pho and not a lot to choose from. But I think their pho is really good and that's all we need :p Service: fast and casual. Typical pho place. The food came pretty fast after ordering [[HIGHLIGHT]]The shop has tables inside and outside. Everything was pretty clean and tidy when I visited.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Will return!

    Alliza Anne K.

    WOW. We were craving pho and a friend recommended this spot. We didn't really know what to expect but once we tried the first sip of the broth - WOW! There was so much flavor and we loved that there were soooo many green onions! Since we went on a Saturday - it was busy. We waited for about 30 minutes for a table for 2 but it was definitely worth the wait! Once you're seated - the menu is simple (which makes it so much easier to decide for those indecisive like me!)

    Anh P.

    A favorite place for people who love northern pho (me) The broth here was so clear and flavorful, and [[HIGHLIGHT]]the restaurant is also very clear![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Highly recommended

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    Pho Papa Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Pho Papa

    Do they take card or only cash?

    Both.

    Do you have any vegetarian pho and vegetarian options?

    No. This place is not vegetarian friendly.

    Is the business open for dine in now?

    Outdoor seating is now open

    What's the best soup I am sick so that's why I am asking?oh sorry to be pacific for cold and fewer?

    they put so much MSG not good for your health ok

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Uzumakiya

    Uzumakiya

    4.5
    (1.4k reviews)
    11.6 mi
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    I wish this place had better hours because I swear it's always closing or closed when I want to go…read more But alas I finally was able to go once, and it lived up to the hype. The uzumakiya udon was sooo flavorful and yummy. A tiny bit oily, but I liked how the broth stayed light yet the meal was very filling. I rarely see crispy lotus root, so I really cherished it. Udon noodles were very qq. Wanna try the spicy one next time!

    I've been coming here since they opened and honestly the spicy udon is one of my favorite noodle…read moredishes in the entire Bay Area. The broth is so flavorful and unique, and the texture of the udon is perfect. Spicy udon 10/10 So when they announced they were moving toward ramen, I totally understood why people were upset. I was heartbroken too. But I also felt bad seeing so many people leave negative reviews without even trying the ramen first. I've been a customer for years but review bombing a small business over a menu change just didn't sit right with me. I decided to give the ramen a try. Is it as unique as the udon? No. The udon is definitely what made this place stand out. But the ramen was still very good. The broth was porky, fatty, and creamy! The Chasiu could use some work. Classic Tonkatsu ramen 8.5/10 I'm really glad they listened to customer feedback and brought the udon back. I hope anyone looking at this Yelp page for the first time disregards the bad reviews and understands that is just how passionate people are about their udon! At the end of the day, I'm happy we get to have both. The spicy udon is still one of the best things I've eaten in the Bay and the ramen is absolutely worth trying too.

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    YGF Malatang

    YGF Malatang

    4.3
    (522 reviews)
    9.8 mi
    $$

    I love the concept of malatang. You grab a bowl, load it up with everything your heart desires,…read morepick your broth and they cook it all for you. The concept might be simple but the possibilities are endless! I went absolutely overboard with my proteins (both beef and lamb), enoki mushroom, napa cabbage, tripe, baby corn, fish balls filled with roe and tofu skin. I saw that they had tofu mochi too and it was one of the best new things I decided to give a try. The bone broth was rich, flavorful and had that perfect mala kick with the numbing spice. I got mild flavor so it was not the kind of spicy that I could not tolerate. Each topping also soaked up all the flavorful broth. My friend got the medium spicy bone broth and that was packed a punch! I love how all the ingredients are fresh and fully restocked. The staff is very efficient. And they also give out vouchers, and free oranges.

    I was looking forward to trying this place, but unfortunately I left disappointed…read more The first thing I noticed was that the bowls and tongs didn't appear very clean. On the positive side, they do offer a large variety of ingredients to choose from. When my bowl was served, I realized it wasn't the one I had ordered. They had accidentally switched my bowl with another customer's. Later, while eating, I came across some of the marinated cilantro beef, which looked raw. I asked the server if it could be cooked a bit longer, but she explained that it was supposed to be pink. I tried a small piece, but the texture was still very tender, which made me uncomfortable. It also didn't have the texture of what I expected from beef. My cousin also had an issue with her bowl. The lotus root slices were cut fairly thick, so after cooking, it was still undercooked and crunchy. Overall, it was a disappointing experience due to the cleanliness concerns, the order mix-up, and the food quality. There are plenty of ingredient options, but I don't see myself returning.

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    Medium beef bone broth
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    Flaming Ox Noodle House

    Flaming Ox Noodle House

    4.4
    (401 reviews)
    7.1 mi
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    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

    Decided to get dinner in the area and glad we went with Flaming Ox. Came with a group of 4 + baby…read morearound 7pm and we were seated right away. I ordered the dry Mala beef + tendon noodle and partner ordered the Mala Beef noodle soup. The broth was flavorful, rich, and spicy but not overall spicy where I couldn't enjoy it. The beef was perfect. It was soft and just melted in your mouth. By the end of it, I wanted another bowl because it was just so good. Instead of ordering a new bowl, we decided to share an order of their popcorn chicken which was also flavorful and loved that they had basil. I'm definitely coming back!

    This is an overdue review for Flaming Ox, I took a look at pictures in my phone and realized today…read moreis actually 30 days from my first visit here. So let's get started!! We came about 20 mins before lunch closing and the restaurant was still super busy, which is always a good sign. Luckily we only waited a few minutes before getting seated. The space is bright and cute, and I really liked the open kitchen and the ox logo on the wall. We got to try the Firecracker Fries, Spicy Shrimp & Pork Wontons, and the Traditional Beef Noodle Soup with thick noodles. The Firecracker Fries were definitely my favorite. Crispy outside, soft inside, flavorful with a little kick, and honestly addicting. The wontons were soft and packed with filling, although sweeter than spicy to me personally. The beef noodle soup was really comforting. Broth had a nice herbal flavor, noodles were chewy, and the beef was tender. The regular size was actually huge, enough for us to share and still have leftovers to bring home. Service was fast and friendly, we literally the last table there but they really took good care of us. Overall, really great experience and now I'm already craving those Firecracker Fries again.

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    Traditional Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup
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    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    Kali Noodles and Tea Bar

    4.4
    (480 reviews)
    4.5 mi
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    It's been about a year since my last visit, and I'm so glad I came back. They're well known for…read moretheir Nam Vang noodle soup, and it did not disappoint. The broth is fresh, clean-tasting, and the portions are generous. They also offer a great smaller portion called the Baby Noodles, which was perfect for the kids. The restaurant appears to be family-owned and operated, and everyone there is incredibly kind and welcoming. They regularly checked in on us, kept our water and tea refilled, and made us feel well taken care of throughout our meal. When we packed our leftovers to go, they even offered to refill our soup container for us--now that's exceptional service! It's the little things like that that keep customers coming back. They're currently offering 10% off during the month of July to celebrate their 10-year anniversary, which makes it an even better time to visit. I'll definitely be back and look forward to continuing to support this wonderful local business.

    You know a resturaunt will have the best food when you walk in and it looks like a mom and pop…read morerestaurant... like literally right when you walk in,. Your greeted immediately it seems pretty clean inside the straw too. The parking was a little confusing, but it was easy to figure out after looking at the map a little bit more. I like the sauce/seasoning options as well and they have fish sauce in actual chili vinegar sauce which was dope.... Ok but SERIOUSLY I just sipped some broth... it's SO GOOOOOOOOD. They use a pork broth and I think I'm obsessed. I got the seafood noodle soup. It didn't have the crab claws, unfortunately but they did a substitute with more calamari as requested. I also got a side of spring rolls which were fire.

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    H2 or nam vanh style with thin yellow noodle...
    H2 or nam vanh style with thin yellow noodle...
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    Daeho Kalbi Jjim & Beef Soup

    Daeho Kalbi Jjim & Beef Soup

    4.4
    (1.5k reviews)
    10.0 mi
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    First tried this place in 2020 and recently had it again. Although it's been six years, the food is…read morestill delicious and the kalbi jjim is sooooo tender and flavorful. Even the rice cakes were good too. The main thing you should get is the kalbi jjim. If you're indecisive about the cheese, GET IT! My friend had the kalbi jjim without cheese once and regretted it. He said it's more tasty with the cheese on it. Other than the meat, I'm not sure if I would come here for soup. The clear soups I've gotten here are so-so. They lack in flavor and taste very bland-- wasn't worth the money. I highly recommend coming here with a party of three or more. The kalbi jjim and clear soup was enough for my party of five, and we also got purple rice and banchan. We came here on a Monday evening and was able to dine right away at 6:30pm. This place gets busy and we had to leave right after paying because other parties were waiting.

    We came here for an early dinner based on reviews say this place can get pretty busy and have a…read morelong wait. Luckily when we arrived there was no wait and were seated immediately. I can see why this place gets busy as it is small inside. It did get pretty busy shortly after we were seated and quite loud. We came strictly for the Kalbijjim and added cheese. Also ordered potstickers I believe. The kalbijjimm did not disappoint and was good portion. I just wish it had more rice cakes. Service was just okay. For some reason, I was really impressed with how they do their to-go containers. They will take the dish back to kitchen and seal it in a container for you. Loved that!

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    If you come before noon during the weekday, there are several tables open.
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    #1 Braised Short Rib Kalbijjim  (갈비찜.특) $92/Large + $6/Cheese
    #1 Braised Short Rib Kalbijjim (갈비찜.특) $92/Large + $6/Cheese
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    Tasty Pot

    Tasty Pot

    4.0
    (1.4k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    Nothing beats hunger and the cold than some hot soup with lots of meat, noodles, vegetables, and…read morebroth. If I had to choose a last meal, this could be it! Since it is cold at night and I am hungry for dinner, this place is perfect!

    They got AYCE hot pot now and it feels a lot more chaotic!…read more  I came here to celebrate Father's day on Sunday around 12pm. There was a bit of a wait and you can waitlist on their ipad inside. We waited for about 20-30 minutes.    Before getting seated they ask if you want to do the normal hot pot style or AYCE. The AYCE runs for 90 minutes and is $24.99 during lunch and $30.95 during dinner time. They also charge for leftover food which is $6 per lb. We ended up doing the normal one pot hot pot for each person.    I always get my usual lamb hot pot which already comes with vermicelli noodles and choose rice as my free side dish. There are various levels of spiciness and I chose extra spicy which is a level down from there flaming spicy from what I can recall. Honestly it was not spicy enough but I did not want to get the spiciest level in fear that it would be too oily. Perhaps I will try that the next time to see if it is.    They have a bar further in the back of the restaurant where you can get creat your sauce and get some garnishes for your hot pot. I also noticed they have some other sides like noodles and such next to it. It seems if you are not participating in AYCE you can still get sauces and garnishes but I am not sure about the other sides.    The interior has changed from the last time I came here and it looks nice! Service was standard and everyone was nice. It does feel more chaotic now that they have AYCE but that  is understandable.

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    7 Noodles & Sizzling

    7 Noodles & Sizzling

    4.5
    (125 reviews)
    7.2 mi

    This place brought back so many memories of Taiwan. I ordered the steak sizzling plate with a mix…read moreof the black pepper and mushroom sauces, and it was absolutely delicious. The steak was flavorful, the sauces complemented each other perfectly, and that classic sizzling presentation made the whole experience even better. I also tried the beef noodle soup. It leaned slightly on the sweeter side, but I actually really enjoyed it because the broth had so much depth and flavor. Compared to a lot of other restaurants where the soup tastes flat or bland, this one had a much richer flavor profile. Overall, the food felt comforting and nostalgic, reminding me of the Taiwanese sizzling steak houses and noodle shops I grew up visiting. I'll definitely be coming back to try more of the menu.

    Tried 7 Noodles & Sizzling for the first time - close to our house and has a pretty diverse menu…read more I was in a ramen mood and ordered the Signature ramen. It was solid, with good noodles, generous amount of pork, some fish cakes, veggies, and an egg. The broth was good, but not top tier. In a place that sells many types of dishes and doesn't specialize in ramen, I understand everything can't be best-in-class. The egg, though, was hard boiled and didn't have a soft center, which I like. That seemed like a bit of a shortcut to be honest. My wife ordered a sizzling dish and liked it - perhaps that's their speciality. Service was good, the inside was pretty typical - nothing fancy, but nothing missing either. Good overall, would come here again for convenience and because the food is solid.

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    Pho Papa - vietnamese - Updated July 2026

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