NICHINAN PHO / 日南フォー 天神店 — Restaurant in Fukuoka

The place was not easy to find as a first-time visitor to Fukuoka, which meanst I didn't expect restaurants in upstairs. It has a small size poster on street level standing on the border line of two buildings so I was not sure which building it is referring in Japanese.

Anyway we managed to get in and ordered a few of its popular items.

The beef pho is one of the best I ever had. The meat is not wagyu but still tasted good. The rice noodle has the authentic thickness unlike those ultra-thick in Hobg Kong (which supposedly made thick for stirred frying, not for soup).

The deep-fried spring rolls and steamed rice rolls were definitely the best I ever had. Thin skins, crispy and chewy as they should.

A please...

If you’re looking for a cozy Vietnamese restaurant in Fukuoka, this little spot on the second floor is worth a visit. The pho stands out with its clean, flavorful broth, no overwhelming sweetness or MSG, just a solid, comforting bowl. Their fried rice is decent, and the crispy fried spring rolls are a highlight. The vermicelli dish, while generous in portion, could be improved with better-quality noodles. One thing’s for sure: you won’t leave hungry, as every dish comes in a satisfying portion. A great option for a hearty Vietnamese meal...

I ordered the A set which has the Pho noodles and four pieces of harumaki. Taste isn't that bad but I think the Pho noodles didn't have enough coriander and the vinegar for the harumaki seemed to be a bit watered down. I enjoyed the harumaki a lot, though I wish they had fresh spring rolls on the menu. The lunch sets come with a glass of houjicha. It might be easy to miss so look out for the milk tea place on the first floor and go and take the elevator up to the 2nd floor. The building is rundown and dirty but the...