Boston's Best Pho Restaurants
Pho (pronounced fuh) is a hearty Vietnamese rice noodle soup that's both warm and comforting. This Vietnamese soup stands out among comfort foods because each bowl can be personalized by you. Simply add some heat with chili peppers or hot sauce, or choose to boost the flavor and texture with basil, mint, lime or bean sprouts. Whether you're a pho newcomer or need new dinner ideas, check out these five spots for Boston's best pho.
Xinh Xinh
7 Beach St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 422-0501
Price: $6.50 to $7.95
Hours: Mon to Sun - 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Located in Chinatown, Xinh Xinh is a casual location for pho with friendly and quick service. The traditional beef and noodle Pho comes piping hot; the paper thin pieces of rare steak dropped in before served to your table are cooked to perfection in the broth. Scallions are also prominent and contribute just the right amount of flavor to the broth, which is good with or without the addition of herbs and sauces. Right on the table you'll find everything you need - Sriracha, red hot chili peppers and Hoisin sauce, plus bean sprouts, fresh Thai basil and a lime wedge.
Pho Pasteur
682 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 482-7467
www.phopasteurboston.net
Price: $6.95 to $7.75
Hours: Mon to Sat - 9 a.m. to 10:45 p.m., Sun - 8 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Pho Pasteur is also a Chinatown pho staple, established in 1990. It's a family owned restaurant featuring award-winning pho. There is a long list of pho options, with either yellow or rice noodles included. The noodles arrive in beef broth with cilantro, scallions and onions, with the traditional sides of bean sprouts, basil and lime. There are many different proteins to choose from to create your own pho masterpiece. Thai tea, coconut milk and many different shakes are available to sip while slurping your soup.
New Dong Khanh
81 Harrison Ave.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 426-9410
Price: $5.75 to $6.95
Hours: Mon to Sun - 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
New Dong Khanh, another Chinatown favorite, is an unpretentious spot for noodle and rice dishes, as well as boba (bubble) tea, smoothies and avocado shakes. The owners have recently made renovations so diners can enjoy a clean and updated atmosphere to savor the many soups that fill the menu. The crab soup, Bánh Canh Cua is a popular choice. The pho is a steal here, with some soups around $5. Each bowl includes rice noodles and a side of bean sprouts and mint instead of basil. Diners can choose between beef balls, tendon, tripe and brisket to feast on.
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Pho Basil
177A Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 262-5377
www.phobasil.com
Price: Up to $9
Hours: Sun to Thurs - 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri and Sat - 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Pho Basil in Boston's Back Bay features an extensive menu with Vietnamese, Thai and Chinese offerings. The pho, available in a few sizes, features white or yellow noodles, sliced onions, scallions and cilantro. It's also classically served with fresh bean sprouts, basil leaves and lime wedges. Pho Basil has unique selections to choose from including pho with duck, but also features favorites like chicken noodle or Tom Cua seafood noodle soup.
Sunrise Restaurant
1157 Dorchester Ave
Dorchester, MA 02125
(617) 288-7314
www.sunriseviet.com/
Price: $8 to $9
Hours: Daily - 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunrise Restaurant in Dorchester is a relaxed place for a quick taste of Vietnamese cuisine. Locals are fond of the Canh Chua Ca, Vietnamese Sour Fish Soup, as well as the multiple offerings of pho. Its broth, noodles, scallions and hints of cilantro - and traditional basil, bean sprouts and lime toppings - allow this succulent soup to always hit the spot. Chicken noodle and the beef combo are just two of the many choices.
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Michelle Levine is a creative energetic, young professional that is passionate about everything Boston has to offer. She loves to attend local events, dine out, and cook and wants to share her findings with you. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
