NYC Pho Guide: From Fire to Flop 🍜❄️

Everyone says you can’t find great pho in New York — but let’s be real, once you leave the city, you kinda start craving it. As someone who can’t stand an overly sweet broth (instant dealbreaker!), I went on a mission to find the real deals and the real duds. Here’s my hot-and-cold pho roundup: 🔥 RED ZONE – Worth a Slurp Di An Di (Greenpoint) A hipster Northern-style pho with grilled beef, no bean sprouts, and a clean chicken broth. Not sweet, not heavy on spices — I finished the whole bowl. A bit pricey, but satisfying. Cha Pa’s Noodle (Midtown, 50th & 8th) Broth isn’t sweet, but it’s intense with spices — might leave you thirsty later. Still, solid for the price and location. ⚪ MIDDLE GROUND – Not Bad, Not Amazing Nam Son – Greasy but rich broth, cheap and filling. Hello Saigon – Forgettable but fine. Easy on the wallet. Hanoi House – A bit pricier, didn’t leave a strong impression. Cyclo (LIC) – Bold spice-forward broth, not sweet. Pho Vital (LIC Food Hall) – Light on meat, but the broth is clean and sip-worthy. ⚫ HARD PASS – Save Your Cravings La Dong – Weird-tasting broth, odd noodle texture (though the meat was decent). High Lua – Sweet broth, slightly gamey brisket. Mama Pho (Williamsburg) – Broth = sugar water. Chef Papa (LIC) – Seriously, way too sweet. Still more spots in Chinatown to try — stay tuned for updates! 👇 Have a pho favorite I missed? Let me know! #NYCPhoGuide #VietnameseFoodNYC #NoodleLife #FromFireToFlop #EatYourNoodles