An ultra-popular street food in Vietnam, pho is the noodle soup you might not know you’re missing. The rich bone broth, perfumed with spices like cinnamon and star anise, is far from a one-note noodle soup. Traditional garnishes — including hot chilis, fresh herbs like cilantro, bean sprouts, Thai basil, and zingy lime — add a tantalizing complexity that makes the soup utterly addicting. Traditional beef pho can mean you will receive slices of raw beef, which then cook within the steaming broth before your eyes. And thanks to the opening of new Vietnamese restaurants the past few years, pho is ready for its moment in Westchester’s spotlight. Here’s where to find it.
The Banh Mi Shop
148B Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.686.6888
Not only does this Vietnamese shop offer the eponymous sammie in a build-your-own style, but it also features plenty of other creative, fun choices on the menu. There are eight types of pho — including classic raw sliced beef, beef ball, brisket, three-beef combo, grilled pork chop, shredded chicken, seafood (calamari, shrimp, fish cake, fried fish ball), and vegetarian (black mushrooms, carrots, tofu, bok choy in mushroom broth). Pair with a fresh boba tea or Vietnamese iced coffee and call it a meal.
View this post on Instagram
Fatt Root
11 Wheeler Ave, Pleasantville; 914.579.2552
Fatt means “lucky” in Cantonese, and you’d likely agree after dining here. This Pleasantville noodle bar offers Asian-inspired cocktails, steamed buns, dumplings, and, of course, pho noodle soup. The Fatt Pho Vietnam dish consists of brisket, short ribs, rice noodles, and aromatic spices, all mixed up in a delicious slurp-worthy broth.
View this post on Instagram
Saigonese
158 S Central Ave, Hartsdale; 914.288.9088
Two types of beef pho go full authentic at Saigonese, with proteins including brisket, eye round, tripe, and tendons. You can order pho with all four, or just pick one. If you’re not up for that, no worries. The menu also includes a light chicken pho with scallions and cilantro and a veggie version with mushrooms, broccoli, snap peas, and fried tofu. Opened in 2013, Saigonese bills itself as the county’s first Vietnamese restaurant.
View this post on Instagram
Thai Dishes
1924 Pleasantville Rd, Briarcliff Manor; 914.373.4313
Flavorful Thai cuisine is on the menu here, but the pho beef noodle soup with herbs and veggies is a must. The beef here is flank steak. Consider an order of crispy chicken wings with spicy Thai sauce as a starter, slurp up that pho, and then finish up with the mango and sweet sticky rice dessert.
View this post on Instagram
Vietnam’s Central
694 Central Ave, Scarsdale; 914.723.7222
At one of our favorite county Vietnamese spots, owner Tuong Bui creates expertly executed version of the dishes he grew up with in Vietnam. That includes four versions of pho (chicken, beef, grilled shrimp, pork chop), which strike just the right balance of rich, aromatic broth, noodles, meat, and fresh garnishes. Tell your server if you want your beef cooked, as it’s served traditionally (raw) otherwise.
View this post on Instagram
32 Pho
32 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains; 914.946.1534
Don’t be confused: 32 Pho is located within Holy Crab Cajun Seafood — yes, that’s two restaurants in one space. Opened in 2023, this White Plains Vietnamese go-to serves delicious, hearty pho in at least eight versions, including an impressive (and uncommon) lobster and shrimp pho. Another unusual protein offered here: grilled Vietnamese ham. More common are the beef, combo, pork chop, chicken, and tofu pho options.
View this post on Instagram
Related: 6 Spicy Dishes to Warm Your Taste Buds in Westchester
