Pho Binh

Here for the 1 year update. This is probably my 4th or 5th time coming to Pho Binh and a year since the last time I was here. Admittedly, I've had to update my review with one less star. The menu this year has a lot more variety in all the wrong ways. Long gone is the simple menu that lists primarily the food stars of the show. Instead, half the menu is now varying types of drinks (most or all non-alcoholic) that borderline resembles a Bambu or Boba Tea Shop, not a local pho restaurant. Outside of this, it feels like the quality of ingredients has gone down since the last time I was here. My bowl this year was half fried onions and overcooked noodles. The broth no longer resembled that previously flavorful bone-like broth, but rather something that came out of a can (and I would know since I've had plenty of canned chicken broth before). My parents, who have frequented Pho Binh more than I have stated similar concerns. Overall, I really hope this isn't the trend of the restaurant and we were just here on a bad day... This really is one of my favorite spots for Pho Ga Kho, and I'd hate it if the food quality isn't as great as it used to be. Are they still currently one of the only places in Houston that offer this dish? Yes, and it's worth it to try. However, for those of you who are familiar with this dish and restaurant, don't be surprised if things don't taste up to par.

Houston's food scene is a diverse tableau of culinary traditions, and Pho Binh stands as a delightful testament to the city's rich Vietnamese heritage. A family-run establishment, Pho Binh offers a no-frills dining experience focused on the art of pho, serving some of the city's best renditions of this comforting noodle soup.At the heart of any visit to Pho Binh is the pho itself, a dish that this eatery has honed to perfection over the years. The broth is clear and aromatic, simmered for hours to coax out the flavors of star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and beef bones. The result is a deeply flavorful, yet remarkably delicate soup that serves as the foundation for this quintessential Vietnamese dish.The pho is customizable with your choice of meats. From tender slices of rare steak that cook gently in the piping hot broth to the savory meatballs, every option is a delight. The well-done brisket is particularly noteworthy for its flavor and tenderness. Pho Binh also offers chicken pho with an equally flavorful broth and succulent pieces of poultry.Each bowl of pho is served with a side of fresh bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime wedges, and jalapeño slices, allowing each diner to personalize their soup with added crunch, freshness, acidity, or heat. Don't miss out on their homemade sauces - the hoisin and the fiery chili sauce, which add an extra layer of flavor to your meal.Beyond pho, the menu includes other Vietnamese classics such as the Bánh Mì, a delightful sandwich made with a crispy baguette, your choice of meat, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs. The spring rolls, packed with fresh vegetables and shrimp and served with a tangy dipping sauce, are also a great starter.Service at Pho Binh is quick and efficient, as one might expect from a bustling noodle shop. The staff is friendly and ready to offer recommendations or explain the nuances of the menu to first-timers. Despite the often busy atmosphere, they ensure that you feel taken care of during your visit.The ambiance at Pho Binh is simple and casual. The decor is minimal, putting the focus on the food. You'll find traditional Vietnamese art on the walls, and the open kitchen gives diners a glimpse into the preparation of their meals, contributing to the restaurant's authentic feel. The atmosphere is usually buzzing with activity, with locals and visitors alike sharing in the communal joy of a comforting bowl of pho.Pho Binh offers a genuine Vietnamese dining experience right in the heart of Houston. The focus here is on the quality and authenticity of the food, supported by efficient service and a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. For those seeking a taste of Vietnam's iconic pho, Pho Binh serves up a heartwarming, delicious version that stands as a testament to their culinary heritage.

Pho Ga Kho from Pho Binh Bellaire would be one of my top recommend dishes to exhibit the diversity of Houston demographics. I don't go to Pho Binh for their Beef Pho, because this Dry Chicken Noodle is one of my favorite comfort food.I usually pour some of that potent chicken broth into the bowl to soften and moisten the noodles and add another layer of flavors, in addition to fragrant Oil and Soy Sauce that's already mixed in. I would also sprinkle some pepper to enhance the taste. I appreciate that they include all sorts of chicken parts, dark and white meat, gizzard, heart, and liver.A simple satisfying bowl of Pho Ga Kho reminds me how blessed we are to be living in this diverse culinary treasure city that is Houston.

Everyone loves a good bowl of hot meaty pho during the cold weather and it's exactly what I was in the mood for.. my fiancé and I dropped in for lunch today. We were immediately seated from a lady far away at the register waving her hands to give us the green light to take a seat anywhere of our choice. We sat down and looked through the menu and I saw the Dac Biet ( Special Combo) ! Which includes, rare steak, brisket, tendon and tripes. I did have to purchase a side of meatball. As the bowl arrived at our table in 5 minutes, I noticed the bowl didn't have as much meat as it was indicated on the menu. I didn't get the "rare steak" as well. Ummm... as I proceed to dig in, there is as barely 4 thin slices of meat and the rest is just noodles and broth. I thought Dac Biet was supposed to be loaded with variety of meats? Flavoring was decent, noodle was soft. Overall, not the best pho place in Chinatown.

The food doesn't feel fresh and seems stingy in providing the side dishes.

Pho Binh(been) loyal to its name since it opened. Unlike most pho restaurants, this restaurant only sells pho with exception to a few drinks. If you never been to pho before, most pho restaurants have variety. Different broth soups, rice, fried rice, hot pot, spring rolls, etc. but this is strictly PHO.For it being strictly pho, there's good and bad things about that. Good thing is that you won't have to overthink on what to get because there's really only one thing they serve. They diversify by having different pho ingredients inside your bowls. But I'm sure it's using the same broth. The bad part is if somebody in your party doesn't like pho, then you can pho get about it. But overall, I think this place is really clean, service is nice, and the portions are big. I'm a pho lover, so it's no problem to me that all they serve is pho.**Note they also close early for a pho restaurant. 4pm

Let's start with the good, by far the quickest service I've ever had. Walking in it was so welcoming; the place is really well kept and it makes me feel like I'm back at Nam. We were greeted right away and was seated promptly, I got the Pho combination and not even 20 seconds after I've place my order that the food came out right away. The broth lacked in a lot of flavor and I felt that the soup tasted a bit watery like it didn't haven't any sodium in it, even after adding my sriracha, hoisin, mint, and jalapeños to give it a little kick; still nothing. I was a bit disappointed with my Pho however the service really made it up so for that I'll give it a 3.5 and round it to a 4 star. Will I come back? Yes, but next time the broth needs to be better because of course that's suppose to be the star of your dish.

Dry pho ga is bomb! It comes with broth. I ended up dumping the broth in my noodles and ate it wet but it was good. Conveniently located on Bellaire

We've been looking for a good pho place in Houston, and I'm so glad our friends introduced us to Pho Binh! Their broth is honestly pretty solid. I would highly recommend ordering their fatty bone marrow broth as a side and dumping it into your pho. It adds a ton of richness and flavor to the already pretty decent broth. Noodles are well cooked, and the meat quality is also great. I don't recommend the eggrolls; I love the price, but they're not very flavorful and the filling is quite lacking. I wish I had tried their thai tea or coffee, but I'm currently on a caffeine diet so I'll have to come back again. We actually had to wait a pretty long time for our pho, but our friends insist that they're usually pretty fast. I have no complaints because our food came out hot and delicious, and I would definitely come again.

Love this place!!! Fast and accurate with the orders. Friendly staff and the Pho were delicious!!! Will definitely come back for sure.