Savory sauna treatments in caldron-sized bowls aren’t seasonally limited to tried-and-true Arizonans. True Phở-nicians sip those steaming dishes of rice noodles and broth, whether it’s July and sweltering, or January and patio weather, evidenced by the abundance of Vietnamese spots in our city.
Luckily, Vietnamese joints also offer cooling options like the cold-cut and herb-filled Bánh Mì, or the rice-paper-wrapped-and-chilled Spring Roll for the hottest summer days. Whatever the hankering, all these dishes share that signature herbaceous fragrance and flavor. Come 115-degrees and melting tires, or 75-degrees and breezy, these Phoenix Vietnamese spots will have you forgetting the weather and anything else except your next bite.
Phở Thành Restaurant
Authentic and unpretentious, Phở Thành is Vietnamese at its purest. A staple since 2009 and a diamond in the rough, the menu overflows with options beyond the expected.
One must-order includes the Bánh Hỏi Chạo Tôm, an appetizer guests construct at the table using sheets of rice paper to encase succulent ground shrimp that’s been skewered on sugar cane and grilled to a golden brown. If you can’t get enough sweet shrimp, order the entrée version sans rice paper, the Bún Chạo Tôm Thịt Nướng, which comes on a bed of vermicelli and plenty of fresh herbs.
The Bún bò Huế can’t be overlooked either: a spicy beef soup with thick noodles and a variety of tender cuts of meat in a red broth colored by chilis and annatto. The complexity of the sour-sweet-salty flavors will have you going in for spoonful after spoonful. Be sure to check the restaurant’s hours before driving to its Alhambra neighborhood location, as it is closed on Tuesdays and Fridays. 1702 W. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, pho-thanh.com
Viet Bites
Huế-native and owner Da Pham knows what she’s doing, and the outpouring of glowing reviews demonstrates how well she’s nailed the menu. For a taste of everything, order the Phở Combination, the signature savory broth overflowing with slices of steak, brisket, meatballs, tripe, and tendon, along with rice noodles, fragrant basil, cilantro, and a heap of fresh sprouts.
Another standout is the Vermicelli Combination, a bowl of greens, cold vermicelli rice noodles, grilled chicken, flavorful beef, shrimp, and two crispy egg rolls. Front-house manager Kim Gavin said they realize the customers have unlimited Vietnamese options in the Valley, so the “mission is to stand out by being the best in the business.”
She shared they use feedback to continually improve, a constant labor of love in the kitchen. After tasting the overnight-simmered Phở, it’s doubtful guests will find anything to critique. 20235 N. Cave Creek Rd., Ste. 108, Phoenix, vietbitesaz.com
Bánh Mì Bistro Vietnamese Eatery
Tired of hot soup and looking for a more refreshing option? Bánh Mì Bistro Vietnamese Eatery skips the broth and focuses all its culinary efforts into making the best Vietnamese sandwiches the Valley has to offer. Most popular is the classic #1, a traditional bánh mì called the Classic, with that wonderfully crusty French bread, salty Vietnamese ham, bologna, pickled veg, and homemade, ultra-spreadable pâté.
Another must-try is the Grilled Chicken Bánh Mì option. The restaurant has proven itself a favorite with over ten years of loyal customers. Additionally, the current owner prides themselves on being an affordable option in an ever-steeper economy. Tasty and budget-friendly? Say no more. 2340 W. Bell Rd. #110, Phoenix, no website
Rice Paddy
Meat lovers appreciate Rice Paddy for serving high-quality black Angus beef in the Phở House Bowl Angus, which is full of round-eye steak, rare Angus, and meatballs. The Phở Brisket & Eye Round Steak is another protein-rich win, also full of thinly-sliced rare Angus round eye steak and brisket. Chef and owner Phong Nguyen said he selects the proteins himself, ensuring excellence.
Nguyen opened in 2021, quickly becoming a bustling Uptown spot with plenty of both to-go and dine-in orders keeping the cozy restaurant busy. If you prefer a hot-weather option, the Pork & Egg Roll Noodle Salad is topped with cooling mint over chilled vermicelli, lettuce, and veggies, and includes marinated skillet pork and an egg roll. It’ll fill the belly without making you break a sweat. 6219 N. 7th St., Phoenix, no website
Rice Paper Vietnamese Restaurant
Not to be confused with Rice Paddy, Rice Paper is a few miles south in the Midtown neighborhood, and has kept locals happy for over 10 years. While the menu covers all the usual Vietnamese dishes, including phở, it also has an especially diverse selection of the perfectly packed spring roll. If Mary Poppins’ bag were an appetizer, this would be it, extra stuffed, extra large, and harkening to roots in southern Vietnam. Land, sea, surf ‘n’ turf, and vegetarian options of the rolls are all available.
A seafood lover’s go-tos are the Tuna Roll with sushi-grade tuna, jicama for texture, mango for tang, and generous slices of avocado. Another indulgent pick is the Pacific Trio, containing chunks of lobster, ahi tuna, and crunchy tempura shrimp. Both rolls are served with a side of ginger miso sauce, a dip so good, it’s drinkable.
For those seeking land protein options, the seared Shaking Beef (Bo Luc Lac) platter of filet mignon alongside rice fits the bill. Vegetarians can enjoy the Crispy Rice in a Hot Skillet (Com Tay Cam) topped with tofu, asparagus, and shiitake mushrooms, with a side of vegetarian broth. You can even add proteins à la carte, if desired. 2241 N. 7th St., Phoenix, rice-paper.squarespace.com
Da Vàng Restaurant
Just down the street from GCU sits Phoenix’s IYKYK restaurant, Da Vàng. Servers are happy to guide you through the 50-plus menu items, showcasing what guests enjoy most. For example, the starter Bánh Xèo, Vietnam’s version of a savory crepe with shrimp, pork, vegetables, and the usual side of herbs, citrus, and bean sprouts.
There are so many wins here, it’s hard to choose, but you can’t go wrong with the Hoành Thánh, a pork wonton soup with juicy shrimp and Chinese red BBQ pork. Or, try the Bò Nướng Lá Nhỏ, a dish of beef, rice noodles, and grape leaves in rice paper, with a side of fish sauce. The countless choices make this a fun spot to indulge in multiple orders and share with a group. 4538 N. 19th Ave., Phoenix, davangrestaurant.com
Khải Hoàn Restaurant
Tempe’s Khải Hoàn Restaurant offers all the traditional Vietnamese favorites and then some, making sure every guest has an option they’ll love. A crowd pleaser is #54, the Bún Riêu, a soup that departs from the traditional Phở with its minced crab, shrimp, and rice noodle components. It’s tomato-y, tangy, and full of seafood flavor.
Another solid option is #46 Phở Mì Xào Đặc Biệt, a stir-fry of rice noodles and protein that is also not phở, despite its name. Also, #45 is another winner: the Phở Áp Chảo, a bird’s nest of crispy noodles topped with saucy veggies and three proteins of shrimp, crab, and beef. All options are rich, savory, and satisfying. 1537 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, khaihoantempe.com
Viet Shack
Viet Shack, another Tempe favorite, is impossible not to love. The husband-and-wife owners, Thuong Huynh and Ngan Vo, began selling homemade Vietnamese dishes via Facebook Marketplace. When customers couldn’t get enough, the couple opened their storefront in 2018. Vo is the ultimate chef-owner, with a warm welcome for new guests, and her food is no less inviting.
A popular dish is the Shack Fried Noodles, the egg noodle option of beef and broccoli. The same dish is available over rice as item 9F. Vietnam-native Vo also makes Crispy Fried Chicken, 9A, a large portion of crunchy, juicy meat over your choice of regular or fried rice. This fast-casual diner is a true mom-and-pop shop whose food keeps guests coming back for more. 7510 S. Priest Dr. #104, Tempe, vietshack.com
Pho 43 Express
A westside hit, Pho 43 Express, has been serving guests since 2017 with phở, rice dishes, vermicelli bowls, soups, and stir-fries. The menu offers papa bear, mama bear, and baby bear-sized options for its popular Phở Dac Biet Xe Lua. This soup in its super-sized version features a whopping five proteins with steak, brisket, tendon, flank, and tripe. The medium-sized Phở Dac Biet is smaller and uses the same ingredients, while the small Phở Tai Dac Biet version omits the tripe. All three cause cautionary levels of satisfaction.
Be sure to plan your visit for daytime hours, as the restaurant closes by 5 P.M. daily and is closed on Tuesdays. 2844 N. 43rd Ave., Phoenix, phophx.com
Little Saigon Restaurant
An Old Town Glendale hot spot, the family-owned Little Saigon Restaurant has been serving guests for over 25 years with traditional options like the Mì Quảng, a protein-packed egg noodle dish colored brightly with turmeric. They also offer the usual Vietnamese fare of phở with a variety of proteins, including limited-time options like Phở Đuôi Bò (beef oxtail), depending on ingredient availability.
Known to locals as a comfort-food mecca, the restaurant also has a dog-friendly patio and cool drink options, including a variety of Asian beers and teas. For authenticity sticklers, Little Saigon hits the spot. 7016 N. 57th Ave., Glendale, no website
