When the rain settles in over Washington for days at a time, a big bowl of pho starts to sound less like lunch and more like a plan. The list below rounds up eight Vietnamese noodle shops from Bellingham to Vancouver and over to Spokane, each one known for a broth that keeps people coming back.
Some are small family-run rooms with short hours, while others stay open later and fill up fast on weekends. You will find clear beef broths, spicy bun bo hue, vegan bowls, and portions big enough to test anyone’s appetite, so grab your raincoat and pick a direction.
1. Pho Viet Anh, Seattle, WA
Paper lanterns and colorful fabrics hang over the dining room at Pho Viet Anh, a small cafe on 5th Avenue just a short walk from the Space Needle.
The beef pho is the reason to come. The broth, noodles, and toppings land in good proportion, the rare beef is sliced thin, and the fatty flank is tender.
Tendon fans can add big chunks for about $2 extra.
The kitchen also runs a full vegan and vegetarian menu, including a tofu and vegetables pho and vegan spring rolls. Chicken pho, rice vermicelli noodle soup, and a sesame beef salad round out the choices, along with Vietnamese iced coffee and young coconut juice.
I like it as a rainy-day reward after a morning around Seattle Center. Hours run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, and Tuesdays tend to be the calmest.
Reservations are not taken, so expect a short wait on Wednesday and Thursday evenings or Saturday afternoons. Plan on paid street parking or a paid lot, which is the norm in the neighborhood.
2. Pho Saigon House, Tacoma, WA
Clear broth is harder to make than it looks, and Pho Saigon House in Tacoma has built its reputation on getting it right.
The kitchen simmers a beef bone broth that stays clean and clear while still carrying plenty of depth. Order the Saigon Special Pho for the classic route, or go bigger with the Wagyu beef pho or the short rib pho.
Spice fans have another option. The Hue spicy noodle soup, better known as bun bo hue, comes in a bold, chili-forward broth that makes a strong case on a cold day.
The rest of the menu reaches past soup, with Thai standards, crispy garlic chicken, butter garlic chicken wings, and a Saigon appetizer sampler. Vegan and vegetarian diners get a full menu of their own.
The restaurant sits on South 38th Street, one of Tacoma’s busiest commercial strips, and parking is usually easy to find.
Hours stretch from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. most days and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are accepted, which helps on Sunday afternoons and weekend evenings when the room fills up.
3. Pho Van, Spokane, WA
Crossing the Cascades for soup might sound extreme, but Spokane’s Pho Van makes a solid argument for it.
Exposed brick walls and warm furnishings give the North Division Street dining room a relaxed, easygoing look. The broth is crystal clear, and the portions run huge.
Pho Tai Nam Bo Vien, with rare steak, flank, and beef meatballs, is a strong pick for first-timers. Bun bo hue, bun thit nuong with grilled pork over vermicelli, chicken pot stickers, and egg rolls fill out the Vietnamese side of the menu.
Less common for a pho shop is the section of chow mein, fried rice, and family dinners. The sweet and sour chicken has earned a following of its own around town.
Prices mostly fall in the $10 to $20 range per person, which is easy on the wallet for a meal this size. Free parking is usually plentiful.
Doors open at 10 a.m. daily, closing at 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:45 p.m. on Sunday.
Weekend evenings get busy, and reservations are accepted if you are bringing a group.
4. Phở Tôn, Vancouver, WA
Nothing about the no-frills room on East Fourth Plain Boulevard hints at how seriously Phở Tôn takes its soup. The small, family-run Vancouver restaurant turns out traditional pho with a clean, fresh broth and generous servings of good-quality meat.
The flavors lean classic, balanced by cooks who clearly have years behind the stove. Service moves fast, so it works well for a lunch break.
Beyond pho, the menu brings some regional variety. Look for mi quang, spicy bun bo hue, and a chicken curry soup with vermicelli noodles.
Non-soup options include a grilled pork rice plate, a grilled pork and shrimp egg roll noodle salad, and a shrimp and squid salad called goi tom muc. For something different to sip, try the egg soda drink.
Timing matters here. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and the shop is closed on Sunday.
Reservations are not taken, but free parking makes it a simple stop, even for folks crossing the river from Portland.
5. Pho Lynn Vietnamese Restaurant, Olympia, WA
A fireplace in a pho shop is a rare find, and Pho Lynn in Olympia has one.
The restaurant sits on Cooper Point Road on the west side of town, with views of wooded hills from the dining area. It belongs to a casual chain, but the room keeps a friendly, neighborhood pace.
The broth is rich without being greasy, and bowls tend to arrive quickly. The brisket pho and the combination pho are popular orders, and the spring rolls make a good starter.
Plant-based eaters get a vegan pho and a full vegetarian menu. Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs, and bubble tea gives younger diners something fun to order.
Before you head out, check the calendar. Pho Lynn is closed on Tuesdays, opens at 10 a.m. the rest of the week, and closes at 7:30 p.m. most nights and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Prices generally land between $10 and $20 per person, and parking is usually plentiful. Outdoor seating is available for the rare dry afternoon.
6. Pho 99, Bellingham, WA
Come hungry to Pho 99, because the extra large bowls are exactly what they sound like.
The Byron Avenue restaurant in Bellingham draws a mix of college students and families, which makes sense given the generous portions and prices in the $10 to $20 range. The broth is rich and flavorful, and each bowl comes loaded with meat and noodles.
Phở Tái Chín Gân, with rare beef, well-done beef, and tendon, is a reliable classic order. Vermicelli bowls and rice plates give non-soup fans plenty to choose from.
The drink list deserves attention too. Vietnamese iced coffee is a standout, and the taro and fresh strawberry smoothies add a sweet option.
A side of broth is even on the menu, handy for anyone who wants extra for sipping. Fried pork egg rolls round out the appetizers.
Pho 99 is open 11 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed Sunday.
Evenings are the busiest time, so a late lunch is the quieter play.
Parking is usually easy, and a kids’ menu covers smaller appetites.
7. Square Lotus, Bellevue, WA
Vegetarians often get stuck with one lonely tofu option at pho shops, but Square Lotus in Bellevue flips that script.
Much of the menu comes in either a traditional version or a veggie version. That includes the Pho Tai, which can be made vegan, plus a vegetarian bamboo noodle soup, yellow curry, and Vietnamese crepes.
Meat eaters are well covered too. The pho features a flavorful broth and high-quality beef that comes out piping hot, which is exactly the goal on a wet Eastside afternoon.
Bowls go up to a super size, with the pho tai chin super size running about $19 and the spicy bun bo hue about $18. Lemongrass chicken, seafood crunchy noodle, and house special fried rice stretch the menu further.
The simple space sits on Factoria Boulevard, a quick hop off I-90, and parking is usually easy.
Square Lotus is closed on Mondays and open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Reservations are accepted, which helps on Friday evenings and Saturdays.
8. Basil Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine, Everett, WA
Anyone rolling back toward Seattle after a hike up north will find Basil Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine just off I-5 on SE Everett Mall Way. The clean, modern bistro serves pho with a well-balanced broth, plenty of sprouts, and a generous helping of Thai basil.
Portions are big. Even a hungry pair can struggle to finish a large bowl, so sharing is a reasonable strategy.
Vegetarian pho is a strong point, and the full vegan menu makes it an easy choice for mixed groups. Tofu spring rolls and a fried egg banh mi, called banh mi trung, keep things meat-free.
For everyone else, the pork kebab, chicken wings, and crab rangoon are solid add-ons. Save room for che ba mau, the colorful three-color dessert, or grab a Thai tea.
Hours run 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Reservations are accepted, and weekend afternoons into evenings are the busiest stretch.
With a kids’ menu and plenty of parking, it is an easy call for families heading home on a drizzly Sunday.
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