Pho GANH by TRAN MINH — Restaurant in Melbourne

I met an ex-colleague here for lunch. We tend to catch up often and try different places, it’s helpful when you have a foodie mate.

This time he picked the place and we ended up having tasty fresh Vietnamese food for lunch.

Starters. Spring rolls (vegetarian) Serving 6 Really tasty and crispy. Subtle flavour to allow you to dip into chilly sauce or oyster. We had ours with a squeeze of lemon. Really good starter.

Pho Bowls Meat Balls Pho Vietnamese Fresh broth, very clear with spring onions and generous amount of pork meat balls. Reminds me of my others meat ball pho. Served with shared garnishes: mint, fresh cut chillies (red), slices of lemons, coriander, bean shoots and basil. Lots to share with the person you are dining with.

Condiments, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper, fish sauce, sriracha and chilli paste.

Rib Pho Suon Bo Fresh broth, very clear with spring onions and generous amount of meat. Served with shared garnishes: mint, fresh cut chillies (red), slices of lemons, coriander, bean shoots and basil. Lots to share with the person you are dining with.

Condiments, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, salt, pepper, fish sauce, sriracha and chilli paste.

We were both surprised at the size of regular size bowls. Think your cereal bowl at home and then double it. Very generous amount of birth, meat and noodles.

We didn’t get through it all, could have done without the spring rolls, but they were so tasty.

I totally recommend for your next fast, affordable lunch if you’re looking for tasty Vietnamese food for lunch.

Interior is typical pho shop, flexible table seating. Can dine in as a group of pull tables apart to sit two for added privacy.

Simple tiled flooring and painted walls with decor.

I really like the service as it was straight forward. From the friendly welcome and being shown our table (we didn’t book, just walk in), we sat down was served a bottle of water with two cups. And then advised to order via the QR code. Very simple and fast.

We were served next to immediately. Gave us more time to eat and chin wag. Will be dining again in the future for a quick tasty lunch...

Came here multiple times, love the food. Something happened to the system today, the website disappeared when I was ordering so I re-scanned the code to order again which ended up with double of what I needed. Went to tell the staff right away when I realised something was wrong. I didnt receive any receipt so had check the order with a gentleman staff who was really kind and friendly 10/10. However, he has no right to do a return so he asked a lady staff who came out and told me that the order had been cooked and I had to takeaway but actually seem like it haven't been done which made me really upset. Wondering why she did not stop the chef immediately when she heard something is wrong but kept silence until the gentleman asked to help with my return. She insisted on saying that the order had been cooked and blamed that I told her too late. How could I act faster when there is no receipt?? The time I took to check my order with the guy and explaining is enough for you to stop the order and now you are blaming me?? I believed you heard the conversation between me and the gentleman staff too because you were standing really close. I'm ok to takeaway the order because it's my fault that I didn't double check the order before paying but I'm really unhappy with the way you resolve the problem (by forcing and blaming the customer). The gentlemen staff provided 10/10 customer service, he did what he could and get scolded by the lady because "he's too easy on accepting return for customers" which I find really ridiculous.

While I was eating, the table in front of me had the same problem too. The same lady ended up forcing the customers to take-away. Anyway, please double check the order before cooking to see if it match with the amount of people seating because sometime customers make mistake too. When the customers ordered by themselves it doesn't mean that it's out of your responsibility to check the order. If you keep on insisting to solve the problem like this with the same attitude. I believed some customers wouldn't come back...

Pho Ganh Tonkin 1913 hits the spot the way a proper bowl should. The room is compact and always humming, which is a good sign, and the staff move with that friendly efficiency you want when you are hungry. My pho arrived steaming with a clear, aromatic broth that tasted layered rather than salty, the kind where star anise and charred onion show up without shouting. The noodles were silky and not clumped, the rare beef was tender and blushed perfectly, and the brisket had that soft, comforting chew. A squeeze of lime, a touch of chili, and it all came together. I appreciated that the garnishes were fresh and sensible, not a mountain of herbs that drown the bowl.

Portions are generous without being silly. If you like texture, add tendon or tripe and the broth holds it all. The sides are worth a look too. Fresh rice paper rolls were neatly wrapped and full of herbs, and the fried spring rolls stayed crisp to the last bite. Vietnamese iced coffee lands strong and sweet, exactly what you want with hot soup, and the hot tea is a nice reset if you are taking it slow. Everything came out quickly and piping hot, which is half the comfort.

A few tips. The lunch rush is real, so swing a little early or late for a relaxed seat. Ask for chili on the side if you are testing your heat tolerance, and do not skip the house chili oil if you like fragrance with your spice. Tables turn fast, prices are fair for the quality, and the room stays tidy even when it is busy. It is the kind of place you return to when the weather turns or you just want something honest...