The Best Pho In Toronto

Best Of Toronto Pho
Soup. Soothing, warm, and hearty soup. You'd be hard up to find a culture that doesn't have its own unique and tasty version of this seamingly simple bowl of goodness. Japan has Miso and Udon. Russia, Poland and Ukraine have Borscht. New England and Manhattan have their own takes on Clam Chowder. And of course, Vietnam has Pho. Here's a fun fact for ya: there is a long standing belief that Pho actually originated from the French beef soup dish known as pot-au-feu during the French occupation of Vietnam. As a result of this, many believe the word is derived from the French word feu (meaning fire). In fact, the word "Pho" is pronounced much the same way (more like "fuh", not "fo").

Though the jury might still be out on the history of the dish, one thing that I think is quite clear among most Torontonians (myself included) is that this city is chalk full of Pho. Not only that, but we have a ton of truly authentic and high-quality Pho sources, and our list of your voted favorites definitely highlights some great ones.

I've always found it quite amazing how many different restaurants we have in this city that do, not only Pho, but Vietnamese food in general, so damn well. After coming home to Toronto from a trip to Vietnam just over two years ago, I found it actually quite easy to continue to my love affair with the inexplicably beautiful country through Toronto's large Vietnamese population and all the fantastic restaurants that have spawned as a result.

Though my personal favorite will forever remain the humble Saigon Palace (#9 on the list), I think it's pretty safe to say that all the selections in this "Best Of" list bring something interesting and tasty to the Pho debate. So here's the short list, as voted by you:

Golden Turtle

Golden Turtle

Standing out from the ample amount of Vietnamese competition along Ossington, the Golden Turtle is a well deserved Pho favorite in the neighbourhood. More...

Pho Hung

Pho Hung

Known for their iconic branding and consistently tasty Pho and spring rolls, Pho Hung is among the larger and flashier Toronto Pho favorites. More...

Pho 88

Pho 88

A true Chinatown Pho destination along Spadina just south of Dundas. These guys do rice noodles and beef broth really damn well. More...

Pho Phuong

Pho Phuong

Tucked away just west of Dufferin along Dundas, this slightly more upscale take on Vietnamese still serves up all your favorites, including Pho. More...

Pho Linh

Pho Linh

One of the more humble Pho establishments in the city, sitting just west of Dufferin on College, serving up unpretentious and affordable Pho. More...

Pho Asia 21

Pho Asia 21

Pho Asia 21 is a casual and low key Vietnamese eatery popular with the Liberty Village lunch crowd. More...

Pho 6

Pho 6

Formerly known as Pho 66, the newly renamed Pho 6 is worth the commute for the tender and tasty beef in their more standard Pho choices. More...

Pho Rang Dong

Pho Rang Dong

Just west of Dufferin on St. Clair, Pho Rang Dong offers all the standard Pho types at decent prices. They've also been known to show Asian soap operas apparently. More...

Saigon Palace

Saigon Palace

Communal style tables and a large window view into the bustling kitchen make Saigon Palace a casual and fun spot to grab a hot bowl of Pho and some crispy spring rolls. More...

Que Ling

Que Ling

The furthest east on our Pho list, Que Ling is casual and cozy and offers a broth seemingly more complex than most. More...

Reader Reviews and Comments

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maybe the word is from chinese... 'cause we say "ho fun" in Chinese(mandarin and cantonese)

Posted by: jack at March 22, 2008 10:25 AM

No, no. It's Vietnamese.

Posted by: Dave at March 22, 2008 1:05 PM

I don't think many of the Vietnamese restaurants in Toronto do a good job of creating what they make back in Viet Nam. I think the main reason is because the ingredients (and all food in general) in Viet Nam is local and fresh.

Having been to Viet Nam a few times, I long to find a restaurant that can make authentic spring rolls. If anyone knows of a place in Toronto that makes them like they do in Ha Noi, let me know!

Posted by: shaun at March 22, 2008 4:31 PM

Spring Roll's Pho Ga may not be authentic, but it's my favourite.

Then again the only other pho I've had is at Xe Lua at 3:00 am and although good it doesn't compare to Spring Roll.

Posted by: John at March 22, 2008 5:49 PM

Don't forget Pho Train at Spadina just north of Dundas on Spadina, it's on the second floor, look for the train picture. Their Pho is great, they use really good soup base, and they have a lot of interesting ingredient combinations. They also have plated meals like pork chops. Their drink menu is great - Avocado milkshake! Yummy!!!!!! It goes great with the spicy curry chicken pho.

Posted by: Ninja Lee at March 22, 2008 7:44 PM

Sorry, Pho Train is just south of Dundas, I think it also goes by Xe Lua

Posted by: Ninja Lee at March 22, 2008 7:46 PM

there's tons of pho places in toronto and i think you're forgettin many of the pho places up north like jane and wilson or jane and finch, forget bout markham and scarborough tho :S... + i would not go to spring rolls for pho =S

i think one of the main difference between pho here and VN
is one or two of the ingredients

there are these brown stars that the tend to add in it, my mom does it all the time so there is a difference between pho at the pho stores and "authentic" pho but i think its preference, none the less

regardin towards pho ga? do they serve it with an egg?

Posted by: TL at March 23, 2008 2:16 AM

I'm addicted to this stuff, lunch at Saigon Palace at least 2 times a week. #2 small please!

Posted by: igor at March 23, 2008 2:29 AM

The "brown stars" that TL is referring to is a spice known as star anise and, as far as I'm concerned, any pho broth made without it just isn't real pho. It's what adds the subtle licorice-like flavor and tons of depth to a really good pho broth.

My favorite pho place used to be Hello Saigon (nee Miss Saigon) on Spadina, just north of Baldwin Street. It had the best pho: a nice taste of star anise, little bits of fried garlic and shallot in the bottom of the bowl and the beef they used was never gristley. About a year or so ago it was sold to someone else and it took a nosedive after that. After several visits with horrible service and bad food I've never gone back. The chef and owner opened a new place called Hua Sang (the upstairs one on Baldwin) a couple months ago but a few weeks ago they mysteriously stopped opening and I have no idea where they've gone. Anyone know what's become of them?

I've had a hankering for good pho and Pho Hung's is bland and watery in comparison.

Posted by: Marcus at March 24, 2008 2:02 AM

I ate at Hello Saigon for the first time this past weekend and it was wonderful; possibly the best pho I've ever had. Maybe Marcus visited on an off day?

Posted by: Adam at March 24, 2008 5:42 PM

I've been to all those you mentioned and then some (downtown, up north and beyond)... and by far the best pho in town is a new place called: Pho My Dguyen on Bloor just west of Dufferin (northside). Hands down best broth, best brisket. clean spot.

Posted by: Helen at March 26, 2008 1:25 PM

I think the other Adam just visited on an on day, Hello Saigon has been disappointing to say the least the last couple of times I've been there (and the last was the last).

Posted by: Adam at April 1, 2008 11:05 AM

Hello Saigon has hit rock bottom in my book. The last meal I had there was so pukeable I felt like gargling with gin afterward. Nevermore.

Posted by: Joe at April 1, 2008 12:15 PM

Pho Hung is My fav.
In the North (finch and weston) and west (dundas and 10) is Pho Dau Bo.

Hello saigon is rteally bad..I have never been to a pho spot where i said "gah!!! never again'!!!!

Posted by: apetimberlake at April 2, 2008 3:49 PM

How is it a Pho list gets compiled without 'Pho Pasteur'? Savages. Dundas at Spadina. The Rare Beef Satay cannot be touched - it is the perfect Pho.

Posted by: phil at April 3, 2008 5:00 PM

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