Pho Hoa Noodle Soup (Orlando) — Restaurant in Orlando

We visited Pho Hua for the first time this evening after driving past many times over the years. The parking lot was absolutely packed (though that was most likely from A La Cart right next door) and we needed to park across Primrose in the parking lot behind Total Wine and More!! Wow!!

The restaurant wasn’t too packed inside though and we were immediately seated. After eating here, I can say this place is a bit of a hit-or-miss. Service is great, all employees are happy and smiling, but some of the dishes we ordered weren’t very good. Perhaps it was because we didn’t order the right things, but in my opinion, if it is a “good choice”, why have it on the menu in the first place? I definitely would be willing to go back, but be mindful of what you order.

We got a fresh Vietnamese lime soda (which was very good), Grilled Mint Beef appetizer (super unique but surprisingly tasty), Vietnamese Pancake appetizer (which was not that great), Summer Roll Sampler (which was excellent!), Iron Pot Braised Short Ribs (a bit disappointing unfortunately), and Stir-Fried Curry Chicken (which was very nice). So yeah, half of the things were good, and half of the things not so good. We didn’t like the Vietnamese pancake because it didn’t have much flavor - it was just steamed pork and shrimp with bean sprouts inside a rice pancake. The crispy part of the rice pancake was good, but other than that, there wasn’t much flavor. The iron pot short ribs were just “okay” - I don’t think that’s worth ordering. It was a bit fishy-tasting from the fish sauce they used, and I’ve had the caramelized pork in an iron/clay pot before, but haven’t had this issue.

The grilled mint beef appetizer was really good because it had a great flavor combo, the summer rolls were excellent (especially the sour meatball and beef summer rolls - I highly recommend), and the chicken curry was nice too! It’s similar to a Thai curry, but there are some differences. So yeah, I feel like this is a place that has been around for a long time and is one of the older restaurants in this Asian-restaurant area of Orlando, and at one time it may have been at the top of the list. However, as more and more inventive restaurants have come into the area, Pho Hua may have lost their edge. There’s no reason they can’t change the menu up a bit and bring in some more unique and special Vietnamese dishes though! All in all, look at reviews and see what other people are ordering. I think you can have a great experience here if you order the right things on...

By far the best Pho restaurant in Orlando and I would say one of the best in Florida! Read on if you want to hear about the food, service, and fun details!

Pho Hoa is delicious. It is located right by the Mills area of Orlando and right off East Colonia. When you pull into the parking lot (Which is ironically shared with another Pho place), you will go to the left, and Pho Hoa will be there waiting for you.

Pho Hoa is a chain, there are other locations, but they make their broth in-house daily, the food is fresh, and it is very affordable. When you look through the menu, you will first see the appetizers. I have tried the spring/egg rolls (served with sweet fish sauce) and different types of summer rolls. You can choose between pork, shrimp, or combo pork and shrimp summer rolls. I always choose the combo! They are served with a delicious peanut sauce. The spring rolls are fresh, the meat is tender, they are full of flavor, and they are amazing.

Next up the Pho! You can get a bowl of pho as a small, regular, or giant. I will say I have gotten the giant twice now, and it was way too much food! I could not finish it. I am a 6'8 male and the giant was a ton of broth and noodles. The regular was more my speed. They have different meat options ranging from chicken, seafood, beef, tripe, meatballs, and many other combinations and meats. I usually get the meatball and ribeye pho.

The broth is so flavorful you can taste the aromatics in it! I do usually add a little heat (siracha) but if you add the peppers they serve it with, you don't need the spice.

This place is affordable. You won't spend more than $15-20 on a bowl of Pho. They also have other options, not just pho. My friend got a dry noodle bowl, and another friend got a meat platter. All of it looked good!

I highly recommend you try this place out! It is fantastic and a great dinner...

Don't let the name fool you - they serve much more than noodle soups! They truly deserve 5 stars for food quality & service. Only reason I can't is their outdated menu prices - even they admitted official FB site has pre-COVID prices. I had sticker shock using that menu - paid $54 for my order instead of expected $39. But let me tell you the good stuff. And yes, they had my order ready to pick up as promised.

Item 5A summer roll sampler. All 3 were fresh and delicious. Highly recommend to see what you might prefer. Fish and peanut sauces were great to enhance flavor. Their peanut sauce is less creamy, sugary than that found at Thai places. Their rolls also hold up better than Thai summer rolls, which tend to fall apart, break open, or stick too much together they tear on separation (don't get me wrong, I love Thai food, but gotta be honest).

Item 12 mint beef rolls. Pictured - they give 5 but I forgot to take pic until 3 were left. Very tasty and savory. Mint leaf flavor was modest due to cooking but still enhanced flavor. Goes well with bean sprouts, peanut garnish.

Item 7 pancake. Tasty, pancake not too heavy. You get a big pancake - no skimping there!

Item 48 seafood soup, pictured. Very fresh, delicious, and generous portion. The fresh bean sprouts and basil leaves enhanced the flavors well. You can taste the shrimp, squid, scallops, fish cake, carrots, and broccoli listed in menu. Mushrooms & baby corn not mentioned in menu but they definitely blended well with rest of the soup. Only complaint might be - more delicious broth please!

I thought the prices were amazing - now I know why.... but the food is high quality and done well. Definitely one of the best in the city and with amazing menu selections. Cannot...