Pho Ngoon

The main thing to know about Pho Ngoon is its focus on Northern Vietnamese cuisine, a style much harder to find in Los Angeles than the more common southern variety. This means the pho broth is lighter and clearer, served with fewer garnishes in the traditional Hanoi style. The menu is a concise list of regional specialties that go beyond noodle soup. You’ll find Bun Cha, a bowl of charbroiled pork patties and pork belly served in a delicate fish sauce broth with vermicelli, and Pho Cuon, which are fresh, wide rice noodle sheets wrapped around grilled beef and herbs. Another northern staple is the Nem Cua Be – a distinct, square-shaped egg roll filled with crab and shrimp. For the pho itself, the portions are famously generous. The Pho Tai Lan is a standout, with beef that’s stir-fried with garlic before it hits the soup, and the Pho Super Bowl is a massive combination of beef short rib, meatballs, tendon, and various cuts of steak that lives up to its name. Beyond the soups, the menu also includes classic rice dishes like Cơm Sườn pork chops and Cơm Bò Lúc Lắc, or shaking beef. An appetizer sampler offers a straightforward introduction with items like fresh spring rolls and crispy egg rolls. The restaurant sits in a busy San Gabriel shopping plaza, sharing a parking lot with an arcade and other businesses, so finding a spot can be a challenge. Inside, the space is modern and simple, with a limited number of tables that fill up quickly. It stays open late, making it a reliable option after hours, and has a single, all-gender restroom. It’s a straightforward spot, but the sheer amount of meat packed into each bowl is what people remember.