I was craving viet food when stumbling upon this restaurant among the busy place full of other restaurants and dessert. I ordered a pork sandwich, side egg rolls and rice with golden Cornish hen. It was all very delicious. I can't believe such a simple-looking restaurant had such amazing quality food. I definitely enjoyed the Cornish hen with buttered rice. Despite their special appetizer being egg rolls, I liked their Banh Mi a lot more. (Didn't snap pic of the sandwich and egg rolls fast enough this time lol ) The service was great and surprisingly quick. The waiter was chill and friendly, but oh man! The cook was amazing! I think we waited no more than 5mn to get all our 3 orders all come out hot and delicious! Definitely will be back when I crave Viet food in Irvine again! read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Golden Cornish Hen - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

My lil piece of home in Costa Mesa. I've tried a lot of things from this place and every single one has been a hit for me. You cannot go wrong with any of their food. I'll be honest, they're not a wow in terms of food, a lot of it you can get better if you drive over to Westminster. But that's the thing, I am lazy to drive to Westminster and I don't want to go to Sup Noodle Bar to get their overpriced food. I come back to Saigon pearl because it's comfort at its finest for me. I know what I'm gonna get. Nothing crazy or fusion about it. Just some classic viet staples like broken rice or vermicelli bowls and that's what I want. I feel they get overlooked a lot because of all the other restaurants in the plaza but the plus side to that is I rarely have to wait to be seated. Service is great, they're always attentive or easy to flag down. Of course the plaza itself is terrible and parking can be rough during peak hours, but if you're patient you'll be rewarded with some comforting viet food. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - 1. Saigon Pearl Egg Rolls - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Definitely a nostalgic spot. I used to come here all the time back when I was a student, so it was nice stopping by again, especially with the same group of friends I used to come with back in the day. My friends were in town and really wanted to revisit, so it felt like a full-circle moment. I don't think much has changed since my first visit, though it's been so long since my last visit that I might not remember all the details. Parking here is usually packed, especially in the evenings, but there is a small parking structure with additional spots. This time, it wasn't too much trouble since we came earlier in the day before heading to a karaoke spot, so we were able to find parking fairly easily. We came with a large group of nine people, and I was glad there was enough seating. The space itself is a bit tight, with smaller tables and limited room, but they were able to combine a few tables to accommodate us. As for the food, the pho was good and pretty much how I remember it. The portion size was just enough to leave you full, and the prices are still reasonable, not too expensive, but pretty average overall. The broth had that classic, comforting flavor. Personally, I prefer my broth piping hot, and this time it wasn't quite as hot as I would've liked, but that's just a personal preference. read more

I visited for lunch on a Saturday. The Diamond Jamboree Center tends to be quite busy on weekends and during peak hours, so parking can be a bit challenging. I ordered the oxtail pho and the seafood pan-fried noodles. This particular dish was a little garlicky for my taste, but it was still enjoyable. The restaurant itself is small and can become crowded, so I recommend arriving either early or later in the evening to secure a table. This establishment serves as a convenient alternative for me when I crave Vietnamese food, saving me a trip to Little Saigon. read more

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We always go to Pho Saigon Pearl whenever we're at the Irvine Spectrum because it's just that good! The chicken fried rice is amazing every single time -- perfectly cooked and full of flavor -- and the spring rolls are seriously perfection. The customer service is great, too. Everyone is friendly, helpful, and makes the experience feel easy and welcoming. My only small note is that indoor seating is limited, so it can feel a bit cozy, but that's no problem because you can always eat outside with your stroller and enjoy the beautiful, awesome view while munching. The food is consistently delicious and satisfying, and this spot has become our go-to for a quick, tasty Vietnamese meal. Highly recommend stopping by if you're in the Spectrum -- we'll definitely keep coming back! read more

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Ordered the Vermicelli noodles with egg roll, shrimp and chicken and the beef banh mi sandwich. Delicious and good quality meat; the chicken and beef were both delicious and seasoned perfectly. Fresh veggies in the banh mi and vermicelli. 4 Stars for me all day. Very good. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Vermicelli with Egg Rolls, Shrimp and chicken. Yummy! - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

I came in for a bowl of pho expecting a warm and welcoming dining experience, but unfortunately the atmosphere felt uncomfortable from the moment I walked in. The owner repeatedly stared at me throughout my visit, which made me feel uneasy rather than welcomed as a customer. Restaurants are not just about the food--they're also about hospitality and making guests feel comfortable. Everyone can have a bad day, but the overall vibe felt cold and uninviting. I hope management can improve the customer experience and create a friendlier environment for future guests. read more

I ordered the vegetarian pho with soft white tofu and it was sooo flavorful! Even though they typically use beef broth, the staff made sure to let me know ahead of time and offered other options if I preferred -- super thoughtful and appreciated. I decided to go with the beef broth and it did not disappoint! I've eaten here before and the quality is always consistently great. Highly recommend Pho Saigon Pearl if you're craving something comforting and delicious. Plus, the plaza has so many amazing spots to check out afterward like H-Mart, Minis, and 85°C Bakery. Love this place! read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Vegetarian pho with beef broth and soft tofu - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

I came here with a friend on a rainy day. I ordered their filet mignon pho and the meat was good. The service was good too the waitress was super friendly and the owner was quick to come by our table when we raised our hands to get their attention. The only thing I didn't like about their pho is that the broth was not hot enough. It tasted lukewarm even right after it came out. If you like your broth hot, try to ask if they can make it hotter for you. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Perfect for a rainy day! Service is fast, food is yummy and so filling (portions are massive). The short rib pho was amazing, I'm not usually a fan of beef but I ran a half marathon in the rain before and needed something hearty and this hit the spot!! Great spot for a casual date night, fam or solo dinner read more

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I regularly come here for pho. It's really good and we tried the fried chicken this time as well. Fried chicken with fish sauce and chili sauce was crispy and not freezer burned. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - 4. Pan Fried Chicken Wings - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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I had the combination pho. I was satisfied with both the taste and the portion size. The price is reasonable too, so I'll be heading back to this restaurant. read more

I wanted to like Saigon Pearl, I really did. The place is clean, the service is fine, but the broth in the pho? That's where things fall short. It's not bad, but when you've had truly great pho from a hole-in-the-wall spot at half the price, it's hard to justify coming back here. The portions are decent, and they do try to present everything well, but pho lives and dies by its broth, and this one just doesn't have that deep, rich, simmered-for-hours quality. If you're new to pho, you might not notice, but for those who know what it should taste like, it's a bit underwhelming. If you're in the area and need a quick fix, it'll do the job. But if you're after the best pho experience, you're better off exploring some smaller, family-run spots that put broth first. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Hubby and I are visiting SoCal for the weekend. The weather here in SoCal is colder than expected, so we decided to have some soup near the hotel. We were greeted upon entering the restaurant and seated at a booth by the door. There are regular tables and booths for seating. I like that the restaurant is not overcrowded. The decor felt intimate with pictures of Vietnam and its culture. The lanterns hanging in the ceiling are very nice. Menus with chopsticks and straws were brought out to us, then water after we ordered. We ordered 2 Pho Dac Biet (combination Pho) in a large and small bowl with a side of the hanh dam (vinaigrette onions). The pho came fast and looked very meaty. The brother is a deep dark color. It could be due to it being the end of the day, so the broth is from the bottom of the pot. The broth is not sweet, nor is it salty, just right though you could not smell the fragrance of the pho spices. The various meats were tender and thinly sliced, but the tendons we too soft that there's no crunch to it. Service is ok as we were not being checked in at all after our food was brought out. The restaurant was not busy, and our water could've been refilled. read more

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Came in here for dinner one night and got their beef vermicelli bowl, tofu curry, tofu spring rolls, soda chanh, and wintermelon tea. The restaurant itself is a small size, but they do a really good job at maximizing the space. The decor in here is also super cute! Like most Viet spots, service is very straightforward. We ordered, and our food came out within about 10 minutes. The spring rolls were good. The tofu in it is fried and it's paired with a peanut dipping sauce. The vermicelli bowl is a staple for me at a Viet spot, and this one was pretty good! Probably not worth the $18 but taste-wise, it was good. I'm glad I made an effort to try this spot and hope to come back and explore other items on their menu. read more

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We actually ended up here since BCD was packed so pho is always a great back up! its just nice to eat late at night There isn't too many restaurants even in LA that open late Pho was ok wasn't amazing, was definitely heavy on the meat if you're the carnivore type. Broth was mid The beef spring rolls were actually the highlight and their brown sauce tasted a bit different. Definitely a family style ran place which is great love that plaza in general, surprised we found parking. It gets pretty busy even when the restaurants are closing! read more

This used to be my regular spot when I lived in Irvine, so when I was in the area for work recently, I have to treat myself to a bowl. Glad to say that it hasn't changed and the broth is still tasty as ever. Can't wait for the next time I get to chow down here! read more

The pho broth was flavorful and satisfying. We ordered the rib pho, oxtail pho, and combination pho, and it definitely hit the spot, especially with the rainy weather. read more

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Decided to try something different and got whatever my friend recommended, the Shaking beef. It was so juicy and tender and it was a lot for a second meal the next day. I also had to get the pork spring rolls, i can never go here without getting it because I'm obsessed with the dipping sauce. Everything I've had here has been amazing and yummy and I can't wait to go back to order my usuals read more

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Really bad...just bad. Upsetting. I genuinely left the restaurant upset because the pho was so disappointing. I ordered a small and received barely any noodles. I have never finished my pho noodles in my life, but I ate them all (because there was maybe a handful). I had to order more, expected to pay for them of course, but they were FOUR DOLLARS. Will never be back, there are so many better pho places for the same price. Go to sup noodle bar. read more

Excellent pho without msg, good/fast service and no wait to be seated. Kind staff with good recommendations.

been coming to this place for years. very pleased with their food and service as always. the manager is very friendly and me and my family felt very welcomed to dine here. read more

Everything was excellent. The prices were great. The value is exceptional. Great service too!

We started off with spring rolls and egg rolls, which came with two really delicious sauces. The egg rolls sauce is my favorite. The spring rolls came with what tasted like a peanut sauce. The pho broth was so delicious. Very flavorful. It comes with a plate of veggies that you can add them into your broth with lots of limes. I got a fresh coconut water and Vietnamese coffee and both were actually really good. The coconut was actually soft and you can eat it. Viet coffee was very strong and sweet but I loved the bold flavor. If you're coming here, make sure to try the egg rolls! read more

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Pretty nice place right in the heart of Little Saigon in Santa Ana. Saigon Pearl Egg Rolls Pork, shrimp, glass noodles and cabbage rolled in rice paper, deep fried and served with lettuce, mint cilantro and fish sauce. I liked the bumpy fried texture on the outside - it's thick with a lot of crunch. Combination Pho Soup Rare steak, well done flank, fatty flank, crunchy flank, soft tendon, tripe and beef meat balls. I recommend getting the large size because it's only $1 more. Hits the spot - although not quite top shelf. Vermicelli with grilled pork Served with fresh vermicelli, noodles, accompanied with a bed of fresh lettuce, cucumbers, bean, sprouts, seasonal herbs, crushed peanuts, and fish sauce. That's all read more

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My friends and I were looking for a spot to share a meal, and we're so glad we gave this a try. We tried the Com Tom Thit Nuong Cha Gio, and it was delicious - perfectly seasoned and full of flavor. We visited on a Monday, so we were seated right away, and the service was fast and friendly. I'm looking forward to coming back and trying more dishes from the menu! read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Out of all the places in the Spectrum to eat, I chose Pho Saigon Pearl because i love the LA location so much, I figured the food will be consistent there. The Irvine Spectrum location is the not-so friendly cousin of the the LA version. Ambiance is different: this location is more modern, sophisticated, casual but not as playful. That carries on with the customer service. Professional but not playful. They are efficient and will get your food out in a timely manner and make sure you got everything you need. The food that we ordered to-go is delicious. I ordered pork bahn mi to go and it came in a long, flaky baguette. The meat was well seasoned and it had duck pate spread that went well with the sweet and vinegar tastes. It did look different than the picture. the picture was shorter but a wider baguette. Still, it was good. My nephew ordered grilled pork pho to-go and he said he liked it. Overall, I'd try this place out again if i was in town but would eat in-house. I really like the covered outdoor eating area. It blocks just enough of the outside but tons of sunlight and air. read more

Restaurant is clean. Great chairs and tables. Pho broth is not good. I wasn't afraid of getting sick or anything but I definitely wanted to leave at the first slurp. Soup Was cloudy and needed more salt and seems likely it was water down. Chili oil helped tremendously. Lots of meat and noodles, great veggies. Was supposed to have meatballs and didn't, no sweat. Plenty of meat. Maybe they were out. Looks like a few regulars came for lunch. If you want broken rice dish, come here. If you want pho do yourself a favor and probably try another spot. read more

I went on their website to order and it said if I signed up for Allset I could get $5 off. I did that but the restaurant never accepted my order. read more

The pho was a nice aroma with a good amount of flavor to boost the soul. I hope to have tried the banh mi but with a full tummy I was already full. The service was fast and the place easy to move around. The place looks clean and organized. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - 10. Combination Soup - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Came across Pho Saigon Pearl while working close by and chose it based on their many Yelp reviews. Sadly the Vermicelli was probably the worst I have ever had. It was just awful. The fish sauce tasted just horrible and it ruined the entire dish. The egg rolls were nothing to write home about either and I ended up leaving hungry. While the ambiance and service was great I won't return. 2.5 Stars for reasonably priced food and friendly service. read more

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tl,dr: decent place for the pho, if it weren't for the parking. Likes: + Tasty pho dac biet. + I like that you can order in Vietnamese here and the staff will understand. + I like that they have saté to complement the hoisin and sriracha sauces. + The soda chanh xi muoi was nice. + Efficient service from polite, helpful staff. Non-likes: - the parking lot is virtually always heckin' crowded. - only one restroom. and no paper towels. Note: I noticed one negative review here says their bun came out disappointing. Don't order bun at a pho restaurant. It's like ordering just a salad at a place that specializes in meaty burgers. read more

Delicious. Worth the price. I ordered the short rib pho and the portion was very generous. I got 3 ribs and the ribs had a ton of meat on it. I wasn't even able to eat the 3rd rib. Definitely recommend and will come here again. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Short rib pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Viet food in OC are next level and this spot's another one. Everything's on point. Work around here now and this is my go to read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Im glad I got to try out this place. The first time I was here during my lunch break I had to cancel my order cuz I got a call. Glad I came back another day. The combo pho was great. Lots of noodles and a good amount of protein and good flavor broth. My order came out quickly, definitely less than 10 mins. Staff was attentive and nice. Also the vibes were very chill and peaceful read more

The worst pho ever!! Broth had no flavor and the noodles were super soggy. Took 2 bites and told the waiter to take it back. Never coming back read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - 29. House Special Combo - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

Service - Excellent Inside restaurant - Clean Food - Below Average - Chicken Curry - Disappointing. The broth lacked smoothness, coming off thick and pasty, with a powdery texture that overwhelmed the dish. Does not look anything like the picture in the menu. read more

The waitress here had the biggest attitude and was so annoyed to bring our food. There was also plastic in our pho. I'd rather drive a bit further to find a better place to eat. Let me translate this for the owners: Cô phục vụ ở đây có thái độ lớn nhất và rất khó chịu khi mang đồ ăn cho chúng tôi. Ngoài ra còn có nhựa trong món phở của chúng tôi. read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Plastic in our pho - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Amazing Vietnamese restaurant found in Irvine Spectrum. So many good items from the menu! Highlights of the menu: 1. Vietnamese Spring rolls - gỏi cuốn 2. Soft yellow egg noodles stir-fried with seafood - Mì xào mềm hải sản 3. Rice with special marinated golden chicken - Cơm gà Rôti 4. Pan fried chicken wings - Cánh gà chiên nước mắm 5. Trio color dessert - chè 3 màu 6. Jelly in iced milk dessert I cannot pick so I ordered a full table! Quick service, casual ambiance with Vietnamese lantern decorations. read more

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I've been to this place 2 times. Well tonight I went back after craving pho while I was in the area, this was not a great experience. So I ordered shrimp pho and the wings. I didn't like how the wings were cooked and I realized I much rather try another item instead. I asked the waiter to please let me try another item instead. I thought the egg rolls would suffice. The waiter said he would go get the manager, the manager came over angry and told me he will take it off my bill. I then waited to see if the eggrolls I ordered were ready & they never came. The waiter's never checked on me after that. I felt like since I didn't like an item I then got treated differently. I would have paid for the item but to know that customer service stops once you don't like an item is unacceptable and very unprofessional read more

Pho Saigon Pearl - Receipt of 11.10.24 - Vietnamese Near Me - Irvine, California