Phở Kim — Restaurant in Springfield

Terrible Experience at Pho Kim in Branson

My family and I were on vacation in Branson last weekend of Aug 1, 2025. After a long day exploring Springfield and stopping by Buc-ee’s, my group of 16 and I were really looking forward to a comforting bowl of pho. We hadn’t eaten all day and decided to try Pho Kim. Unfortunately, the experience was incredibly disappointing from start to finish.

when we arrived around 5–6 PM, it was understandable that the staff was overwhelmed. The owner came out and announced that they were only serving pho and bun bo hue—no appetizers or other menu items available, which we thought was fine since we came for pho anyway.

However, the pho did not come out all at once. Some of us had already finished eating by the time the others were being served. Service was chaotic—when I asked for chili oil and fish sauce, one waitress said, “one moment,” and never came back. I asked another waitress who then told me they didn’t have any. Minutes later, they brought out something that my family member has seen they had mixed in the back, which appeared to be a combination of chili paste and literal fish oil. Someone seriously would’ve had an allergic reaction to fish if he didn’t see it. We all knew it was not chili oil but decided to use it anyways.

When our pho finally arrived, the noodles were hard and clearly undercooked, like they hadn’t even been blanched. The broth tasted oddly like beef patty juice—not rich or flavorful like a proper pho broth should be. The condiments they gave me were a small plate of bean sprouts and two small nuggets of jalapeño slices that weren’t big enough to be one whole slice. I politely asked if the bowl could be fixed, and the waitress was kind and understanding.

But then, things took a turn.

A family of five walked in and was turned away by the owner, who said they were out of food and cannot serve them. She then returned to our table and publicly confronted me, saying: “Are you the one who complained about my noodles?” She proceeded to lecture me, claiming her broth cooks at 360 degrees and that no one else had complained, pointing at my friends. She said we ( my table) wouldn’t have to pay for the pho, but we’d still be charged for the smoothie—which we hadn’t even received yet.

The prices were absurd—nearly $16 for a small bowl with barely any toppings: a small handful of bean sprouts and two tiny jalapeño ends.

At that point, I was done. I walked out. One of the waitresses apologized and even admitted that the owner can be rude.

Save yourself the trouble—this place is chaotic, overpriced, and lacks both consistency and professionalism. Definitely not worth the hype or the headache. From one Asian person to another, this is not what you want...

Pho Kim - Where the Broth Runs Deep

Pho Kim, tucked away in a nondescript corner of Springfield, is the kind of place that doesn't bother with fancy decor or gimmicks. It's a no-bullshit Vietnamese joint where the focus is squarely on the food, and thank God for that.

The star of the show, as it should be, is the Pho. The broth, a labor of love, simmers for hours, coaxing every ounce of flavor from beef bones and aromatic spices. It's the kind of broth that warms you from the inside out, a restorative elixir for the soul. The noodles, soft and slippery, are perfect for slurping, and the accompanying herbs and bean sprouts add a welcome freshness and crunch.

I opted for the Pho Ga, the chicken Pho, and it didn't disappoint. The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the broth was light yet rich, with a hint of ginger and star anise. It's the kind of dish that makes you want to lick the bowl clean, and I almost did, much to the amusement of the old Vietnamese lady at the next table.

The service is efficient and friendly, the kind you'd expect from a family-run establishment. The owner, Kim Mai, is a force of nature, flitting between tables, making sure everyone is well-fed and happy. She's got a sharp wit and a warm smile, and her passion for food is infectious.

Pho Kim is the kind of place I'd happily return to, a reminder that sometimes, the best food is found in the most unassuming places. It's a testament to the power of simple, honest cooking, done with...

I've recently discovered pho and I'm a huge fan. The flavors are so complex and ingredients that I thought were strange and didn't seem to go together, actually taste pretty great. Pho Tai is my favorite, and I've tried a few Vietnemese places in town that serve it. This was my first time at Pho Kim and I can't decide if here or Bambu is my favorite. I love the different styles that each place has, but there was something about this place that made the food seem like it was fresh out of a grandmother's kitchen. Very homey and comforting, the dish had all the makings of what is in my opinion, a perfect pho. The flavors were softer, so if you're unsure about pho, I'd start here.

They don't give you basil like they do at most places and the service was not the best. Our drinks came with so much ice, it was almost falling out of the top and they offered no refills. They hardly came to our table, and we were served by two different people which I always find a little odd, but that's just my opinion. The place is small and wasn't very busy, and the servers did not appear to be overwhelmed with a heavy workload. They also don't have customer bathrooms which is somewhat inconvenient, but like I said, it's a small place.

The atmosphere is quiet, the restaurant is clean and the food is top notch. Overall, would reccomend that you try this place. I'm looking forward to going back and trying something different...