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Best of Houston

Pho and salad spots

A fresh salad is the only way to balance out a heavy bowl of pho.

Based on 604 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Le Emperor image 1
Le Emperor image 2
Vietnamese restaurant

Elegant Vietnamese restaurant with modern design and intimate ambiance featuring live orchids and cultural murals. Smooth acoustic rock music plays softly, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Staff offer thoughtful touches like complimentary dessert spoons and expert beverage pairings.

Broth comes clear and flavorful, making hoisin or sriracha unnecessary. Beef brisket pho pairs well with fresh spring rolls, creating a balanced meal.

Fresh and sweet flavors stand out in the mango salad. The Pineapple Salad with grilled prawns offers a tangy mix of pineapple, pickled veggies, and tamarind dressing. Papaya salad comes across as tasty and vibrant.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and presented with pride."

"The pho broth here is fantastic and rich."

"The papaya salad was amazing and so fresh."

Good to know

1

Expect to pay around $22 for eggrolls, which may differ from the menu price.

2

Le Emperor is family-owned, ensuring a personal touch in service.

3

Reservations are recommended during peak hours to avoid long wait times.

02
Tuệ Tâm (Vietnamese Vegan Restaurant) image 1

Small space filled with luxurious plants and calm zen waterfall music creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The vibe is tranquil and homey, enhanced by a Buddhist altar and the aroma of fresh herbs. WiFi is available, supporting a relaxed dining experience.

Rich and aromatic broth defines the pho here, balancing flavor without heaviness. The vegetable pho stands out as especially delicious, paired well with fried egg rolls and Vietnamese coffee.

Freshness stands out with the papaya salad, which tastes incredibly refreshing and delicious. Vegan salads here maintain that same fresh and tasty quality.

People are saying

"The vegetarian tofu here is fresh, crispy, and extremely tasty."

"The papaya salad is ridiculously delicious and refreshing."

"I found the pho here to be the best I ever tasted."

Good to know

1

Most of the menu items are vegan, except for the egg noodles.

2

Parking at the restaurant is free for customers.

3

Prices at the restaurant are reasonable compared to other vegan spots.

03
Viva Food Vietnamese Restaurant image 1
Vietnamese restaurant

Small space fills quickly, creating a noisy atmosphere with smooth jazz in the background. Spotless and professionally maintained, it draws a local favorite crowd seeking authentic Vietnamese dishes not found elsewhere nearby.

Broth stands out with deep flavor and generous meat portions. Bowls come in good portions and pair well with BBQ rolls and shaking beef.

Beef salad stands out with fresh, tangy flavors and appears as a favorite dish. The Lotus Salad offers a unique twist, while the beef carpaccio salad adds a delicate, raw element to the salad options.

People are saying

"The food, especially the shaking beef, was very tender and flavorful."

"I loved the beef salad, it's my go-to dish."

"I traveled for this place's pho; it's the best I've ever had."

Good to know

1

Viva Food Vietnamese Restaurant is currently closed due to a fire and will reopen in months.

2

The restaurant has relocated to a new location in the Kroger plaza.

3

Reservations are recommended on weekends to avoid long wait times.

04
Huong Sen image 1
Vegetarian restaurant

Small space with temple-inspired decor and real flowers creates a cozy, zen atmosphere. Vegetarian Vietnamese dishes offer flavorful, well-crafted options like noodle soups and salads. Quiet and peaceful setting suits relaxed dining.

Broth stands out as very flavorful and tasty, especially in the vegan pho. Pho offers a fragrant aroma with well-prepared fish.

Salads here feature mango and mushroom as standout ingredients. The fried tofu and mango salad offers a refreshing and flavorful option.

People are saying

"The vegetarian food here is amazing and flavorful."

"I loved the mango salad; it was so flavorful and refreshing."

"The pho broth is super flavorful and fragrant."

Good to know

1

Expect a wait of 30-45 minutes during busy times.

2

Parking can be challenging due to a steep hill; low cars may struggle.

3

Prices are reasonable for vegetarian options, with meals around $10-$15.

05
Kim’s Pho & Grill image 1
Vietnamese restaurant

Vietnamese restaurant offers a calm and relaxing atmosphere with a clean and friendly setting. It draws a busy lunch crowd and closes early in the evening. Known for excellent pho and fresh ingredients, it stands out for honoring Vietnamese heritage.

Broth stands out with amazing flavor and the beef tastes quite tasty. Fresh vegetables add to the full flavor of the pho, making it a solid choice for a pho lunch.

Salads come as a great side with dishes like grilled chicken and Shaken Beef Mignon. They add a fresh, crisp element to the meals.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and fresh."

"I thought the pho here was delicious and full of flavor."

"I had the grilled chicken with rice and salad, and it was very good."

Good to know

1

The best time to arrive for dining in is before 7:10 p.m.

2

Kim’s Pho & Grill is closed on weekends.

3

Prices at Kim’s Pho & Grill are fair for the quality.

06
J.A.M Viet Kitchen & Bar image 1
Vietnamese restaurant

Spacious interior with modern aesthetic decor and high-end details creates a calming atmosphere. Music plays loudly, making conversation challenging. A bar area offers unique cocktails like lychee martinis and salted plum drinks.

Pho combo offers a balanced mix of ingredients with a flavorful broth. The soup stands out for its rich taste and pairs well with horchata bubble tea.

Salads here shine with vibrant flavors and crisp textures. The Pomelo Salad balances sweetness, tang, and a subtle savory kick, while the shredded chicken in the Vietnamese chicken salad adds a refreshing twist.

People are saying

"The Vietnamese food here, especially the pho, has such a rich and comforting broth."

"The pho broth here is so rich and flavorful."

"The pomelo salad was a favorite among us."

Good to know

1

Happy hour special on Thursdays offers 2 cocktails for $16.

2

Most menu items were unavailable during my visit on Sunday.

3

The restaurant maintains a clean environment throughout.

07
Resilience Viet Kitchen & Bar image 1
Vietnamese restaurant

Visually stunning space combines fine dining atmosphere with comfortable leather seating and a full bar featuring expert mixology. Music and multiple TV screens create a lively yet welcoming vibe. Unique dishes like spicy bone marrow complement classic Vietnamese flavors in a clean, impressive setting.

Broth stands out with perfect flavor and profound beef taste. Beef pho delivers a wonderful balance that satisfies cravings.

Soft shell crab salad features crispy crab with dressing drizzled on top. Thit Nuong pork salad offers a terrific flavor. Salads sometimes come as small sides, like with the lamb plate.

People are saying

"The food here is always amazing and full of flavor."

"The pho here is boldly flavorful and delicious."

"The soft shell crab salad here is pretty good."

Good to know

1

Happy hour runs daily with food and drink specials.

2

Monday features an all-day happy hour with great deals.

3

Lunch specials are available alongside happy hour offerings.

08
Sao Lao Thai Café image 1
Thai restaurant

Small, cute Thai eatery offers cozy, home-like atmosphere with patio seating and laid-back music. Lively energy fills the space as friends and family share meals around comfortable tables. Unique, authentic dishes set it apart from typical Thai spots.

Laotian-style pho features a rich broth with 24-hour slow-cooked beef that adds deep flavor. The soup offers a comforting, delicious taste that stands out among Thai-Lao dishes.

Small but authentic papaya salad appears on the menu. It pairs well with dishes like green Lao sausage and sticky rice. Both locals and visitors enjoy its flavor despite the modest portion size.

People are saying

"The food here is hot, fresh, and incredibly flavorful."

"The papaya salad here has a good burn."

"The Pho here is so good and packed with flavor."

Good to know

1

Parking is available nearby, making it easy to access the restaurant.

2

Expect small portion sizes relative to the price, which may feel overpriced.

3

Customization of spice levels is allowed to suit personal preferences.

09
Crawfish & Noodles image 1
Cajun restaurant

Spacious Cajun restaurant with elegant decor and a lively, upbeat vibe fueled by 80s music and positive energy. Atmosphere blends modern and upscale styles creating a warm, welcoming environment for groups or solo diners. Focus centers on flavorful seafood boils, especially Viet Cajun style crawfish.

Garlic butter sauce adds a heavenly richness when drizzled over the pho. The pho features aromatic broth and pairs well with brisket, making it a very good dish alongside other Cajun-inspired items.

Seafood salads stand out with shrimp and lotus root offering fresh, unique flavors. Salt toasted shrimp and beef salads add variety with excellent taste.

People are saying

"I thought the crawfish here were perfectly seasoned and full of flavor."

"The garlic butter sauce for the pho was absolute perfection."

"The seafood and shrimp lotus root salads burst with fresh flavors."

Good to know

1

Expect a wait time of 30-60 minutes during busy weekends.

2

Parking is available but can be limited; arrive early.

3

Credit cards are accepted, but cash is preferred for smaller orders.

10
Cơm Gà Houston image 1
Vietnamese restaurant

Vietnamese restaurant offers a homey atmosphere with a no-frills, authentic dining room that feels cozy and inviting. The space is simple and tidy with a spacious layout that supports a comfortable experience. Loud activity from staff adds to a lively, bustling vibe.

Chicken pho stands out with tender chicken and a flavorful broth. The com ga and pho ga dishes also feature well-cooked chicken and are popular choices.

Salads feature banana flower, cabbage, or mixed greens with a fresh, balanced taste. The Duck with Banana Flower Salad stands out as a flavorful option.

People are saying

"I thought their Banh Xeo was huge and cooked to perfection."

"The chicken rice salad was so tasty and filling."

"I thought the chicken pho here was super good."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited at the front, but additional parking is available at the back.

2

Customers must order in person and wait for their food.

3

Expect higher prices in person than those listed online.

11
Viva Restaurant 3 image 1

Spacious dining area combines bright, clean design with a fun diner setting. Atmosphere feels pleasant and lively without being overwhelming, suitable for family gatherings and social events. Menu offers a wide variety of authentic Vietnamese dishes with generous portions.

Rich broth and tender meat stand out in the Pho here. The menu offers a large selection including Chicken Pho and combination options with various meats.

Lotus salad stands out with its unique flavor and large portion. Mixed salad includes a lot of large shallots that add a pungent, spicy kick.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and well-balanced."

"The Vietnamese dishes here taste authentic, like eating in Vietnam."

"The Pho's broth is rich and delicious."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers a large selection of Vietnamese style dishes, from Pho with Chicken to dishes with various meats.

2

There is plenty of free parking available.

3

The portions served were large for lunch plates.

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