Pho 24 — Restaurant in Los Angeles

After a night out at Wi Spa, my group of friends and I decided to get late night Pho. It was a mistake.

Since it was late at night there weren’t many food options available. Somehow we saw Pho 24 on the map. They’re open 24/7 which is something I’ve never heard of for a Pho restaurant.

As I stepped out of the car to the cool crisp summer night air my stomach growled. The thought of a warm bowl of Pho made me eager to demolish an entire bowl.

When we entered the restaurant I noticed there wasn’t the familiar scent of Pho coming from the kitchen. I thought my hunger had reached a point where I no longer could smell properly. I was desperate for any food.

After I ordered my Pho I looked around and noticed a sign in the back. “No MSG”. I should have known then that this was a warning sign of a bad meal ahead, but I was too hungry to care. I brushed it off. I just needed food.

When the Pho came out I started to eat it quickly. I kept consuming more and more noodles but felt no satisfaction. Where was that smile that comes after slurping up a big bowl of Pho? There was nothing. I was completely void of emotion. Then one emotion came to me. Disappointment. I felt no joy because there was no flavor. Essentially a bowl of water with noodles. As my body was nourished my senses came back to me. What am I eating? Where is the flavor? Something must be wrong. I lift my head from the bowl and looked around at my group of friends. The same disappointed look on their faces. I tried some of their Pho and same thing. Flavorless.

I wanted to leave desperately but the service was slow to check up on us. I wanted to pay and leave. I wanted release from this disappointment.

I left the shop somehow more unsatisfied than when I entered. Pho is my favorite food and being Vietnamese I only had great experiences to associate with it. This was the first time Pho had been associated with bad for me.

This all happened May 2019, over 5 years ago and I still remember it. I select my Pho shops more carefully now. The decent ratings on this shop deceived me into thinking I would get the bowl of Pho I desired. I’m careful to never make that...

Pho 24 – A Must-Try Gem in Koreatown

If you're searching for a bowl of pho that's both wholesome and packed with flavor, Pho 24 in Koreatown is where your journey ends. Conveniently located across from Chapman Plaza, this unassuming spot stands out in a neighborhood already famous for its incredible food.

What truly sets Pho 24 apart is its crystal-clear bone broth—a slow-simmered labor of love made without a drop of MSG. From the first spoonful to the last, the broth is refreshingly light yet deeply satisfying, hitting that rare sweet spot between clean eating and total comfort food. Owner Connie pours her passion into every bowl, proudly serving what many consider the healthiest and most authentic pho in town—and it shows.

But pho isn’t the only reason to come. The wok-seared dishes—like the smoky Chow Fun, perfectly balanced Fried Rice, and boldly seasoned Spicy Oyster Noodles—deliver that elusive wok hei flavor that’s tough to find outside top-tier Asian kitchens. Each dish is bursting with personality, crafted with care and solid technique.

Another bonus? Valet parking just got cheaper—only $3 during lunch and $5 for dinner, making it even easier to swing by without the hassle of hunting for a spot in busy Koreatown.

In a neighborhood full of culinary heavyweights, Pho 24 holds its own by staying true to its roots: quality, health, and bold flavor. Whether you're a pho purist or in the mood for hearty, wok-fired noodles, Pho 24 is...

Pho 24 boasts a decent location and lovely decor - the kind of wooden handled door that suggests a nice hole-in-the-wall. But don't judge a store by its cover - Pho 24 is one of the more forgettable Pho in the area, and together with the abhorrent parking, is generally not worth your time.

The essence of a Pho is its broth - and Pho 24's has the feeling of hot water. The lack of flavorful soup doesn't always kill a dish on its own, but Pho is such a simple dish that one major component not working really turns it into a mediocre piece. Decent egg rolls can hardly make up for this.

Maybe you don't mind a bland broth. Maybe you're quantity over quality, not that theirs is that amazing, or you like their hours or affordable price. But in my book, there's just other, better pho places in town (see Pho Saigon, a few blocks west down the same street) - and ultimately, I cannot fathom why the rating for this place is above a 4. A mediocre time,...