When the wind starts biting in New Jersey, a big bowl of pho starts sounding like the best plan of the night. Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup made with slow-simmered broth, rice noodles, and your choice of meat or veggies, with fresh herbs on the side.
It is filling, warming, and usually easy on the wallet. The good news is that the Garden State has plenty of solid spots serving it, from Bergen County down to Cherry Hill.
This list covers six Vietnamese restaurants spread across the state, so there is a good chance one is closer than you think. Each one brings something a little different to the table, whether that is a halal menu, a build-your-own bowl, or an early breakfast crowd.
Save this one for the next cold snap, and maybe send it to the friend who always asks where to eat.
1. Binh Duong Restaurant, Bloomfield, NJ
Some of the best pho in Essex County comes out of a dining room that keeps things refreshingly simple. Binh Duong sits at 61 Belleville Ave in Bloomfield, and it has become a go-to bowl for folks across the Bloomfield and Montclair area.
The menu covers soups, noodles, and rice dishes, but pho is the headliner. The Rare Eye of Round and Brisket Pho and the House Combination Pho both come loaded with beef, cut into easy bite-sized pieces.
Start with the Cha Gio, the crispy spring rolls, then branch out next time with Grilled Lemongrass Boneless Lean Pork on Rice or the Shrimp and Green Papaya Salad. A full vegetarian menu means meat-free diners are covered too.
Plan around Tuesday, since that is the one day it is closed. Every other day runs 11 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday evenings tend to get busy.
A Thai tea or iced coffee rounds out the meal nicely.
2. Saigon Bistro, Fair Lawn, NJ
Charred onions, roasted ginger, star anise, and cinnamon all go into the slow-cooked beef broth behind the Pho House Specialty Noodle Soup at Saigon Bistro. That ingredient list alone tells you this kitchen takes its pho seriously.
Portions here run big. Expect plenty of beef and a hefty nest of noodles, which makes takeout bowls a smart move on nights when you would rather stay home in sweatpants.
The menu also stretches into lemongrass soups, Spicy Hue Chicken, Sugarcane Shrimp, and a Grilled Vermicelli Platter Combo. Summer rolls and Vietnamese spring rolls make easy starters, and there is a full vegetarian menu.
Prices land around $10 to $20 per person, and parking is usually easy on Fair Lawn Ave. Keep in mind the restaurant takes a break between 4 and 5 PM, so time your visit accordingly.
3. Thanh Huong, Jersey City, NJ
A light, clean broth that still packs plenty of seasoning is the calling card at this small spot on West Side Avenue. Thanh Huong proves pho does not need to be heavy to warm you up.
The noodles keep a nice chew, and the meat comes out tender. Service moves quickly, which helps when you are cold and hungry.
Do not skip the crispy egg rolls. Dip them in the red hot chili sauce for a little extra heat.
Beyond pho, the kitchen serves banh mi, vermicelli bowls, grilled pork, and Vietnamese coffee. Doors open at 10 AM most days and close at 8 PM, with Wednesday as the day off.
Sundays get the biggest crowds, so a weekday lunch is the calmer play.
4. The Pho House, Edison, NJ
Halal pho is not something you find on every corner, which is exactly why The Pho House in Edison earns its spot. The broth is MSG-free and customizable, and you can pick your toppings to build the bowl you want.
The space leans modern and stylish, with cute decorations that set it apart from the plain strip-mall look. It sits at 561 US-1, an easy stop for Middlesex County drivers.
Expect rich broth, tender beef, and fresh toppings. The wider menu gets creative with Spicy Lamb Skewers, House Crab Fried Rice, Chicken Curry, and a Vietnamese Sandwich.
Families will appreciate the high chairs and changing tables, plus full vegan and vegetarian menus. It is open daily from 11 AM to 9:30 PM and accepts reservations, which is handy for group dinners.
5. PHỞ 99 Vietnamese Restaurant @ EATONTOWN, Eatontown, NJ
Oxtail fans, this one is for you. The Pho Special with oxtail at PHO 99 has earned a reputation as one of the strongest bowls in Monmouth County.
Picky eaters get their own option too. The B Y O Pho lets you build a bowl your way, so nobody at the table has to compromise.
The menu numbers its dishes, like the 903 Green Papaya Salad Shrimp and the 027 Bao Bun Grilled Shrimp. Drinks get plenty of attention, with black milk tea, Thai tea, iced coffee, and fruit options like lychee and dragon fruit.
The setting is quiet and a step nicer than many pho shops. There is a kids’ menu, full vegan and vegetarian menus, and free parking on Route 36.
It closes Tuesdays and wraps up around 8 PM most nights, so do not wait too late.
6. Banh Mi Ngon, Cherry Hill Township, NJ
Pho for breakfast is a real thing, and South Jersey can do it at Banh Mi Ngon. Doors open at 8 AM on weekends and 8:30 AM on weekdays, so a cold morning commute just got a lot better.
The name points to the sandwiches, and the Banh Mi Ngon Combination is a favorite. Still, the Beef Pho Dac Biet arrives hot with a rich broth and fresh herbs.
Soup lovers can also explore Bun Bo Hue, Bun Rieu, and Banh Mi Chao. Snack shelves add crispy rice, Vietnamese yogurt, and spicy beef jerky to the mix.
Vietnamese coffee is a highlight here. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor seating, parking is usually plentiful, and evening hours end at 7 PM most days.
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