Pho 38th — Restaurant in Tacoma

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After many years of spending a lot of time in Southeast Asia and developing what I'd call a discerning palate for authentic pho, I can confidently say that 38 Pho serves the best vegetarian broth in Tacoma. This unassuming spot has become my sanctuary - the place I retreat to when I need to step away from the beautiful chaos of a hectic life and nourish my soul with a perfect bowl of soup.

My go-to order is their vegetarian pho with zucchini noodles and tofu, and the consistency is remarkable. Every single visit delivers the same exceptional quality that keeps me coming back. The broth is where they truly shine - it's complex, deeply flavorful, and achieves that perfect balance that's so hard to master. With my high standards for pho, 38 Pho consistently meets them.

The staff brings genuine warmth to the experience with their joyful demeanor and excellent service. The prices are more than fair, making it accessible for regular visits. There's something almost magical about their broth - it's comfort in a bowl, the kind of meal that restores you from the inside out.

For anyone seeking authentic Vietnamese flavors or simply a quiet place to enjoy exceptional soup, 38 Pho is an absolute must. It's been my reliable refuge for years, and I can't recommend it...

Update! My girlfriend ordered two vegetarian broth veggie pho to go today. My first bite in 3 years from this place, and I'm surprised they are actually serving lower quality noodles, they are thinner and flavorless. The vegetables tasted like ok plastic, but the broth remained good. Easily 2/5 stars on taste as of 10/13/2022. This place has really gone down hill since covid....below is my old review from 3 years ago now ...

Would definitely give this place a 1 star for service because of a single experience, and a 4 for actual quality/taste of the food. The pho here is pretty good but today I paid with a card to an older asian lady and after she realized I hadn't tipped (which i typically do), she then proceeded to insist I tip 2.00, and without explanation. I've been here multiple times (almost regularly after work on the weekends) and never before at any restaurant has the cashier insisted I tip anything. Tips are earned, and this was clearly an experience not worth the tip. Enjoy the last 2 dollars youll get...

Usually this place is the best ever however that was not the case this time. Our original waitress was marvelous, took our orders no problem and repeated them back perfectly. Specifically we asked for iced Vietnamese coffee and not the pre-mixed we did not want the premix, so what did we get? We got premix, we asked that it be taken back and fixed we let it finish steeping and we stirred it up together there was hardly any sweetened condensed milk at the bottom when we went to pour it into the iced glass it didn't even fill it up halfway as it should fill all the way to the top it was weak coffee and not sweet. We had them take it off the bill. I ordered vegetarian pho with fried tofu it came back must have been tossed in the pan maybe two seconds because it was not fried tofu it was warm oily tofu. Maybe it's just the night crew as we have never had this much trouble with lunch. The guy who was in charge spent more time yelling at the girls then was necessary. If they are to slow for you then get in there...