Monster Phở — Restaurant in Oakland

This is a legit place for pho. It seems pricey but turns out that the quality of the Ingredients match the price. When you first walk in the place is a medium sized and looks very deceiving. Most places that try and be modern and appeal to millennial’s are often fail when it comes to authentic pho.

Not this place.

I ordered the monster pho, Which has chicken, beef, beef balls, tripe - Basically a combination. The first thing you notice is the giant bowl it self. The soup comes in one size and that one size fits the namesake very well. The noodles were cooked well and you had ample amount of soup to noodle ratio which is very important. But what really got me was the soup base.

A good soup consist of clear but flavorful broth and a distinguishable pho smell - the cinnamon, anise, and clove with a hearty beef taste. It was aromatic and very balanced. I found myself inhaling the smell and sipping in unison, as if I were drinking a fine wine. I stopped myself for the dessert, as I was getting so full. But what was left was the size of a medium bowl at any other pho type restaurant.

Bravo. You’ve already gotten me.

The dude got the combination bun (boon) , which came with grilled chicken, beef and shrimp. Most places I know would only give you a small amount of shrimp and they would the small little cocktail shrimp. But this place had nice sized shrimp, tender and large portions of chicken and beef on a bed of the vermicelli with shredded lettuce, bean sprout, carrot and a side of the fish sauce you pour in.

Husband devoured it and promptly told me to bookmark this place.

The appetizer was the fried eggrolls. I normally get the nice thin crunch with the filling - mostly noodle with a side of fish sauce with sugar and carrots.

This place is heavy with the wrapping - was not my favorite part. But the taste was spot on. And they are not at all skimpy with the portion. I would’ve like the traditional lettuce with it and the fish sauce instead of the sweet chili sauce.

We also ordered drinks.

The drinks are a must have. Dude got the passion fruit mint lemonade - it came artisanally prepared. It was such a refreshing and yummy flavor.

I had the Thai tea. This was not powdered and they actually make the tea and add the cream. Not drowning in cream either.

Last but not least the dessert.

GET THE WAFFLE WITH ICE CREAM.

I can’t stress this enough. It was amazing. It’s a soft fresh made waffle - i don’t know how they make it but it was not overwhelming with flavors - it was a perfect balance of the coconut pandan and combine that with vanilla ice cream. I almost ordered another one.

The service was quick, friendly and they refilled water as well as give you a bottle of water for the table should you have more than one in your party.

One caveat - and not one for me - but one for people who are used to dirt cheap pho - the bill for all of this was $60.

Again, the food sells itself. It’s simple, beautifully done Vietnamese food. Fresh ingredients, flavorful enough for me to go back and...

A. Food: overall good food. I've come here at least four times. They seem to cater mainly to the Western taste. My latest chicken rice plate was OK. Although I would do away with less pickled vegetables - a bit overwhelming. Beef Pho and Vermicelli were good but I would come here only as a last resort considering that there are many other authentic Vietnamese restaurants in Oakland. B. Service: good overall. The culture of not saying "thank you" in Vietnamese restaurants is rampant. Although it's better here. One worker even walked pass me as I was leaving and ignored me. The attitude of "I did you a favor by serving you a meal" comes across. C. Price: a bit overpriced. Expect to pay at least $3 higher than most other Vietnamese restaurants. Don't expect hot tea to be free. D. Cleanliness: decent overall. However an employee dropped a rag on the floor then picked it up to wipe tables and continued to do so without rinsing it. A more sanitary concept is to wipe tables with disposable paper towels. E. Other observations: Very noisy especially Sundays. Crowds are already talking their lungs out. Then there's loud music blasting on top of that. Not for people who want a peaceful meal. The owners have their own kids hanging around the premises playing and doing homework. It's not necessarily the best image for your business. Please fix the floor. It doesn't look good. It needs tiles. It makes the experience less appetizing. I'm sure you can deduct it as a business expense. Look at the picture and see how an employee left the flatware on the napkin. Clearly...

If you’re looking for an incredible bowl of phở in the East Bay, Monster Phở in Oakland (360 40th St) should be at the very top of your list. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth and kindness that you don’t often find these days. The owners a husband and wife team are some of the sweetest people you’ll meet. Their hospitality alone makes you want to keep coming back.

But let’s talk about the food because wow. Every dish is packed with flavor and made with care. The broth is rich and aromatic, perfectly balanced, and clearly simmered for hours the traditional way. The meats are tender, and the herbs are fresh and vibrant. You can taste the love in every bite. Whether you’re ordering the classic phở tái, the beef brisket, or even one of their rice or vermicelli dishes, you can’t go wrong.

The portions are generous, the service is fast, and the space is clean and welcoming. It’s the kind of place that instantly makes you feel at home—no frills, just great food and even greater people.

Places like Monster Phở deserve all the love and support. It’s more than just a restaurant; it’s a reflection of community, tradition, and hard work. I’ll definitely be back, and I hope others discover this local gem too....