Asian District | PHO LIEN HOA – Not Exactly Mind-Blowing 🍜

I visited PHO LIEN HOA in OKC’s Asian District after following online recommendations, but honestly? It didn’t live up to the hype at all 😐. There are two other branches of this spot locally, but none of them seem to match the rave reviews I read—and I think part of the letdown is because the pho place I recommended earlier (go flip through my previous posts! 📱) is so good, it’s set a super high bar. So far, I haven’t found any pho joint that can top that one. Let’s break it down—some pros, some cons, and overall just a “meh” experience: First, the vibe and practical stuff: The restaurant is in the Asian District, but the surrounding area feels a bit odd (not the lively, welcoming vibe you might hope for—kinda quiet and disjointed 🤷‍♀️). On the plus side, the space itself is pretty big (no cramped tables here!), and the servers can speak Chinese—super helpful if you prefer ordering in your native language, no awkward translation struggles! But here’s a big downside: No one offers you tap water. Like, not even a glance with a water pitcher—you have to ask for it specifically, which feels a little cheap and inconvenient. For a pho spot where you’re gonna slurp hot broth, water is a must! Definitely a letdown 😒. Then, the food details: Shrimp: A win here! 🎉 The shrimp aren’t frozen—they’re fresh, and the meat has that lovely pure white color I love (no weird grayish bits!). Tender and sweet, they’re easily the best part of the meal 🦐. Noodles: They offer two options—transparent glass noodles and traditional rice noodles. That’s a fun, unique touch I don’t see at every pho place (most just stick to rice noodles!), so props for variety 👍. Toppings: Another surprise—they add quail eggs and lard crumbs to the pho! 🥚 It’s (novel) and gives the broth a slightly richer, nuttier flavor from the lard, but it’s not a “wow” game-changer. Just a fun twist rather than something that makes the pho stand out. One more practical note: They only accept cash. 💸 If you forget (like I almost did—panicked for a sec!), don’t worry—there’s an ATM at the front desk, but it’s still a hassle you shouldn’t have to deal with at a casual restaurant. On the bright side, the total price includes sales tax, and you don’t need to leave a tip—small wins, but not enough to save the experience. Overall, the pho fills you up (no skimping on portions—you’ll leave full! 😋), but it’s nothing to write home about. I probably won’t go back for a second visit. This time, following the crowd didn’t work out—and that’s okay! Sometimes you have to try spots to realize what you actually love (shoutout again to my previous pho rec—still dreaming about it! ✨). #TravelBits #Pho #RecordEatsAndDrinks #OklahomaState #AsianDistrict #VietnameseNoodles #TravelDiary #FreshShrimpSpringRolls