How Does Phở Differ From Ramen?
While there are some similarities, phở is different from ramen, from the type of noodles used to the toppings. phở has a lighter, herbacious broth and translucent rice noodles (compared to richer, umami broth and wheat-based noodles used in ramen). The meat in phở is thinly sliced (compared to thicker cuts used in ramen) and toppings on phở include herbs, such as Asian basil and cilantro, jalapenos, bean sprouts and more, all usually served on the side (vs. seaweed, bamboo shoots, corn and green onions used in ramen).
Top Phở Spots in Tualatin Valley
Life’s too short, “phở-ge”t your worries and savor every bowl!
Beaverton
Phở Van is the OG of Tualatin Valley phở spots; it’s been a staple of Beaverton (Map It) for more than two decades. The menu offers several “Phở Bò” (beef noodle soup) dishes served with a side of bean sprouts, jalapenos, lime and Asian basil. A chicken soup, as well as vegetarian phở and a variety of other noodle soups. (Open daily for lunch and dinner)
Tan Tan Cafe & Delicatessen is one of Beaverton’s (Map It) most beloved restaurants. Tan Tan offers a variety of phở, including its signature “The Phở Special,” which comes with seven cuts of beef. All phở comes with beef or chicken broth. (Open Tuesday-Sunday for lunch and dinner)
PhoLandia Vietnamese Bistro & Bar (Map It) features 12 different phở bowls, including a kid’s size bowl without meat. Meets include oxtail, tripe and tendon, as well as flank steak and meatballs. The chicken phở is made with a chicken broth and tender chicken. (Open daily for lunch and dinner)
Forest Grove
Pho Pot in Forest Grove (Map It) serves many Vietnamese comforting classics, including a variety of beef phở as well as chicken and vegetarian. They adhere to traditional methods of Vietnamese cuisine. (Open daily for lunch and dinner)
Hillsboro
Vivi’s Noodle House in Hillsboro (Map It) uses a variety of recipes that have been handed down for generations. The Vietnamese soups have a beer or chicken broth and ingredients are sourced locally, including fresh vegetables and herbs grown in Vivi’s own garden. (Open daily for lunch and dinner)
Pho Tango serves up its phở in Hillsboro (Map It), made with the choicest cuts of meats in a beef broth that has been cooked for nine hours. Up for a challenge? The restaurant is also known for its “Phở Challenge,” where guests are challenged to eat two pounds of rice noodles and one pound of meat with one hour to finish. Succeed and the challenge participant gets the meal for free and is added to the Wall of Fame. Want to surrender? You may end up on the Wall of Shame. (Open daily for lunch and dinner)
Pho Ha Noi is a new spot that uses locally sourced ingredients for its traditional beef-based, northern-style soups. Chicken and pork phở also are available at this casual spot in Orenco Station (Map It). (Open daily for lunch and dinner)
More Phở Spots in Tualatin Valley
Bethany
Happy Bamboo | Map It
Beaverton
Pho Hoai | Map It
Phở King Good | Map It
Pho Nam | Map It
Hillsboro
Pho Saigon Bistro | Map It
Tigard
Pacific Breeze | Map It
In every steamy bowl of phở lies a story of tradition, comfort and connection phở-ever in our hearts, and always in our bowls.
For more recommendations for Asian food spots in Tualatin Valley, check out @chicknnick on Instagram.
