Reviewing Pho So 1: Authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Van Nuys.

Vietnamese food is one of my all-time favorite cuisines, so when Pho So 1 in Van Nuys came to me, heavily recommended by many friends, I knew I had to check this spot out. Pho So 1 is an iconic restaurant located in the Los Angeles valley in a small strip mall next to an Asian grocery store. I came on a Sunday around dinner time, and it was packed! Pho So 1 has a clipboard for customers to write their names to join the waiting list, and it was definitely a full list when I arrived. However, I did not have to wait long as the service was very efficient and speedy. 

Once seated, we were given menus and iced water immediately. I scanned the menu and saw they had many popular Vietnamese dishes, such as various noodle soups, stir-fried rice and noodle dishes, appetizers, and drinks. I decided to try some of the classics that can be found at any Vietnamese restaurant: beef pho, bún thịt nướng (cold vermicelli noodles with pork), and chả giò (fried egg rolls). 

Like many other Vietnamese restaurants, the pho came out first and fairly quickly after we placed our order. It was served with a plate of vegetables to add to your soup, including bean sprouts, mint, jalapeños, and lime. The beef pho came with rare slices of steak, flank, tendon, and tripe. My favorite way to eat pho is to add bean sprouts and jalapeños, squeeze a lot of lime juice into the broth, and add some chili paste to give it some heat. This was one of the best pho I have ever tasted! The broth was so flavorful, the noodles were super chewy and fresh, and the fresh vegetables added a nice flavor and texture.  

Then we received our order of chả giò, which are fried pork egg rolls. This was my favorite item we ordered! The egg rolls were served with some fresh lettuce and pickled carrots, and daikon, so we could make lettuce wraps with the egg rolls inside. The egg rolls were deep fried to perfection, so the exterior was crunchy while the interior was still juicy with pork flavor. It came with a dipping sauce of nước mam, or fish sauce.

Lastly, we got the bún thịt nướng. This is a popular Vietnamese dish of cold rice-vermicelli noodles with grilled pork, fresh herbs, and chả giò. The dish comes with nước mam (fish sauce), which is poured over. Also, the dish is usually topped with roasted peanuts, pickled carrots, or grilled prawns. This meal was super refreshing and perfect to order on a hot summer day due to its cold temperature and fresh flavors. 

I had an amazing experience at Pho So 1, trying all the authentic Vietnamese dishes that were served very timely and bursting with delicious flavors. Whether you’re craving a hot bowl of comforting pho or want to be adventurous and try some new Vietnamese foods, Pho So 1 is the place to be!