PHỞ YẾN — Restaurant in Albert-Eden

⭐️⭐️⭐️ We’ve been noticing the long queue outside PHỞ YẾN ever since it opened, and curiosity finally got the better of us. With so many people lining up daily, we wondered what made this tiny Vietnamese spot so popular. After waiting patiently, we were seated—unfortunately at the very end of the restaurant, right next to the toilet. That alone set the tone for how cramped the space really is.

The restaurant is extremely small—so much so that the tables are packed tightly together, leaving barely any room to move. If you need to get up or squeeze past someone, you have to be incredibly careful not to knock over someone’s drink or plate. There’s no traditional counter space; instead, the manager walks around with an iPad and EFTPOS machine to take orders and payments directly at your table. It’s a practical solution given the layout, but it adds to the sense that the place is bursting at the seams.

The menu is very limited. You’re essentially choosing between beef pho or rare beef pho, and since the broth is the same, the taste is nearly identical. There’s a small production line visible near the counter: one person assembles the order and tissues, while another heats the noodles, adds beef, sprinkles spring onions, and pours the broth. It’s efficient, but it feels more like a factory line than a kitchen.

We also tried the Vietnamese coffee, which turned out to be made locally in Tāmaki Makaurau—a surprising detail. The manager assumes most customers will want the fried bread, so you’re asked how many you’d like without much explanation. The pho itself was okay, but quite salty overall. We’ve had better Vietnamese food elsewhere in Auckland, and without the hassle of queuing outside.

In summary, PHỞ YẾN offers a fast-paced, tightly packed dining experience with decent food but little variety. The hype and long lines might be driven more by novelty than substance. We might return if it’s quiet, but it’s definitely not worth standing in line for....

As a child living far from home, the flavors of Hanoi cuisine have always been my little remedy for homesickness. I’ve tried countless bowls of Vietnamese pho around Auckland, and finally found my true love Pho Yen.

It’s not just the broth - though that alone is a masterpiece, rich and authentic taste of Hanoi pho. It’s also the thoughtful touches: fresh chili, lime wedges, chili sauce, and other condiments neatly arranged on the table, making the dining experience in Auckland much more like home🥰 With every sip, the fragrant steam dances up, carrying notes of star anise and cinnamon that seem to wrap around you like a warm embrace.

Beyond the food, the hospitality here deserves just as much praise. I came on a cold winter evening, and although the place was bustling and we had to wait outside, they even had outdoor heaters set up to keep guests warm🤗 When we finally sat down, it was already quite late, but the staff still greeted us with the brightest smiles and treated us with genuine warmth. We asked for some extra pepper and they generously brought us even more fresh lime as well. The restaurant itself is cozy, spotless, and efficiently run - our food arrived in no time😊

On a cold winter evening in Auckland, a steaming bowl of authentic Hanoi pho is already heartwarming, but the restaurant warms my heart even more with the childhood song "Mùa đông không lạnh” (Winter is not cold) :)))

For me, at Pho Yen, it’s not just about the food or the service - it’s the entire dining experience that makes it worth...

The hype from Chow luck club has made this place popular, always has queues whether lunch or dinner.

Staff friendly and given how busy shop is, ordering and food service is fast. Menu is simple and this is why food is prepared and served quick.

You can argue till the cows come home whether the Pho is authentic or not, as always it depends each individual. Regardless of which bowl of Pho you choose, the soup comes laden with onions and spring onions, you have small jars of limes, chilli or pickled garlic on table to add. Lots of meat too. There is no bean sprouts, very little coriander and no mint in the soup, so while taste is good and broth is clear, its has been modified to suit European taste. No credit card service fee, but $23 for a bowl is little pricey, compared to Saigon Social in Elliot stables. Worth trying, but price is top end for a...