Pho Tien Thanh — Restaurant in Toronto

The Wyck Recommendation: Pho Thien Thanh (Ossington) Rating: 3.6/5 Twelve Years, One Shrimp Slice Too Far

Intro Scene The first shrimp split in my fingers like wet paper. Cold. Translucent. Sliced in half and then—just for good measure—sliced in half again. That was the moment it hit me: I’ve been coming to Pho Thien Thanh for twelve years, and this was the first time I felt like I shouldn’t have.

What Was Ordered

Crispy Beef Egg Noodle – Still iconic. That golden noodle nest, soaked just enough, beef melting into sauce. They could bottle this dish and sell it as nostalgia.

Fresh Rolls with Shrimp – Shrimp? Technically, yes. Emotionally? No. They were sliced into near-invisibility and tasted like they’d just been rescued from a freezer meltdown.

Mango Salad with Shrimp – The mango was fine. The shrimp ruined it. Cold, rubbery, and flavorless—like someone found the word “shrimp” in a book and improvised.

Service Commentary Inside service was robotic—efficient but checked out, like no one really wanted to be there. But the patio staff saved it. Friendly, attentive, and actually seemed to enjoy being alive. They delivered food fast, made eye contact, even cracked a smile. You could feel the difference in air and attitude just by stepping outside.

Vibe Check It’s not a vibe, it’s a commitment. Inside feels like a cafeteria trapped in 2007—fluorescent lighting, red booths, plastic decor, zero soundtrack. But outside? Different story. Sunlight, a good breeze, and a crispy noodle bowl in front of you suddenly makes everything feel almost charming.

The Space Itself No renovations, no frills, no distractions. It’s the kind of space where you eat fast and don’t Instagram it. Clean enough, never cozy. But for years, that simplicity worked because the food pulled all the weight. When the food stumbles, though, the blank walls start to echo louder.

About the Neighborhood This is prime Ossington, and that means pressure. You’re flanked by wine bars, galleries, and places where the servers explain the provenance of your salt. Bang Bang Ice Cream is two doors down, and people are literally lined up around the block for a scoop in a bubble waffle. In this zone, you don’t get to slack—not even on a Tuesday. It’s not personal, it’s location.

Hits & Misses

✓ Crispy beef egg noodles – still the undisputed king ✓ Patio staff – alert, kind, and on top of it ✓ Fast service – food hit the table quick ✗ Shrimp sliced into existential crisis – frozen, flavorless, then sliced again ✗ Fresh rolls – dry wrap, sad lettuce, no bounce ✗ Mango salad – tasted like a half-remembered recipe from a tired prep cook

Final Verdict This isn’t a takedown—it’s a love letter written in red pen. I’ve spent over a decade ordering the same dish here and raving about it to anyone who’d listen. But this visit felt like a betrayal by a friend who forgot your birthday. Maybe the cook was new. Maybe it was just a weird Tuesday. But on Ossington, consistency is currency. I’ll be back—for the crispy noodle, for the patio staff—but if they want to keep their crown, the rest of the menu needs to rise to its level. This place has greatness in its bones. Don’t let it slide into autopilot.

Rating: 3.6/5

Perfect for:

Noodle loyalists with a high tolerance for shrimp-related heartbreak

Patio dining when you want a classic without...

“One of Toronto’s Best Bowls of Pho — A Must-Visit on Ossington!”

Pho Tien Thanh is hands-down one of my favorite spots in Toronto for Vietnamese food, and honestly, it never disappoints. From the moment you walk in, you know you’re in for something comforting and authentic. It’s not fancy, and it doesn’t try to be — but the flavors, the speed, and the warmth of the place make it a go-to every time I’m craving a good bowl of pho.

The pho broth here is what truly sets them apart. It’s rich, aromatic, and full of depth — you can tell it’s been simmering for hours with care. Unlike places where the broth is bland or overly salty, this one strikes a perfect balance. The beef is always tender, whether you go for rare slices, brisket, or beef balls, and the noodles are cooked just right — not too soft, not too firm.

My usual order is the rare beef pho with extra lime and fresh herbs, and it always hits the spot. The accompanying plate of Thai basil, bean sprouts, lime, and chili is generous and fresh, which is something I really appreciate. And if you’re into spice, their house chili oil is amazing — just the right kind of heat to elevate the dish without overpowering the broth.

Aside from pho, the spring rolls are also worth trying — crispy, flavorful, and not greasy. Everything just tastes homemade in the best way possible. Portions are generous, too. You’ll leave full, happy, and probably thinking about your next visit.

Service is fast and efficient. Don’t expect over-the-top friendliness, but the staff are polite, quick, and get the job done. The food comes out fast (like, impressively fast), which is great whether you’re grabbing lunch on a tight schedule or dining in casually. The atmosphere is cozy and bustling — it’s often busy, but that’s part of its charm. It’s loud, energetic, and full of people slurping noodles and chatting over hot bowls. There’s something really comforting about it.

Prices are super reasonable considering the quality and portion size. In a city where prices are climbing everywhere, Pho Tien Thanh still feels like a good deal. You walk out feeling like you just had something nourishing and satisfying without breaking the bank.

I’ve been to a lot of pho places across Toronto, and this one stays at the top of my list. Whether you’re new to pho or a long-time fan, Pho Tien Thanh is the real deal. It’s unpretentious, fast, flavorful, and everything you want in a good bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup.

Highly recommend it — five stars...

Pho Tien Thanh was a bucketlist pho place to try, deemed one of the best pho places in Toronto. In the heart of Ossington, it is generally busy and impossible to miss. The first thing I noticed was the entrance and interior, while a bit gloomy and rundown, was a classic sign of a family-owned business that focused on the most important thing - the FOOD! Also, bonus points for the working AC on a hot summer day. As a side note, sometimes these asian "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants have some cleaning product smell lingering in the air, but thankfully they did not 👍

Service was as expected, which I honestly like about these places - minimal talk, they know what you want and you know what to do. So the process of ordering, receiving, asking etc. is simplified and efficient, rather than filled with "thank you!! thank you!! oh yeah thank you!!". Whatever floats your boat for quality service though, I like what they're doing.

I had the large House Special Pho (#19, $16.50), comes with bean sprouts, thai basil, a sawtooth leaf and a lime on the side. I'll rate each component: broth was good without lime, AMAZING with. If you like slightly sweeter broths versus MSG salty, you will love it like me noodles were great, portions fair brisket wasn't a fan, the rare beef was much better but the portions were great which was redeeming! sides were great, but they didn't include a chili pepper... which is really uncommon in my opinion. no meat balls, which I personally feel is criminal for the house special

I was stuffed. And I paid around $21 including tax + tip in cash (weekends is CASH ONLY). 21 dollars for pho might be the new norm for trendy...