Pho, a Vietnamese traditional soup, is making a splash on the Washington, D.C., food scene, and we’ve got the list with the best places to try.

So what exactly is pho, you ask? It is a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, a few herbs, and meat, primarily made with either beef or chicken. While there are plenty of Vietnamese places to choose from, here are the four restaurants serving some of the best pho in the city!

Pho 14

Adams Morgan: 1769 Columbia Road NW, Washington, D.C., 20009 Columbia Heights: 1436 Park Road NW, Washington, D.C., 20010 Van Ness: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20008 Pho 14 currently has three convenient locations in Washington, D.C., and prides itself on being the “taste of Vietnam” in the District. It’s a family-owned establishment, featuring home-cooked recipes directly from the owner’s mother, and highlighting the flavors and culinary heritage of Vietnam. You can read the full origin story here. There are many dining options at Pho 14. You can dine in, pick up takeout, or order for delivery. You can order from the signature pho options on the menu or customize your own. Pick between beef, chicken, or vegetarian broth, and add from the topping options. This way you can make sure to have everything you like included, as well as control the spiciness level. Besides pho, the restaurant also serves appetizers, rice dishes, and sandwiches. On Fridays, the Columbia Heights location features a $5 pho happy hour. You can view the full menu here. [caption id="attachment_9125" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Courtesy of tripadvisor.com[/caption]

Miss Saigon Restaurant

3057 M Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20007 Miss Saigon is one of the more formal, sit down pho options on this list. The restaurant is located in the charming, historic neighborhood of Georgetown, and is actually situated in a converted row house. You’ll find the décor here to be warm, with dark woods and red accents, and dimly lit to create an intimate setting. The menu features classic Vietnamese cuisine, and there are plenty of delicious options, but you must try their signature Ha-Noi Beef Pho. The base is rice noodles in beef broth with very thinly sliced beef cutlets, topped with scallions and fried onions. From there you can add spicy paste if you prefer something hot, as well as a variety of vegetables. While the restaurant is set up for dinner and does serve alcohol, they will also allow you to pick up or order delivery. [caption id="attachment_9126" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Courtesy of tripadvisor.com[/caption]

Pho Viet

3513 14^th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20010 Pho Viet is your pho destination if you want casual, neighborhood vibes. It’s one of the newest Vietnamese joints in D.C., and it's already giving the others a run for their money. The restaurant specializes in pho, so you can rest assured the food will be authentic and delicious. All pho is served with fresh bean sprouts, jalapenos, limes, and Asian basil, which you may add to your soup as you like. In terms of meat options, you can choose from various cuts and styles of beef, as well as a chicken and vegetarian option. There is also a spicy lemongrass pho on the menu if you prefer the added flavor. You can take a look at the pho menu here, as well as other food, here. [caption id="attachment_9127" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Courtesy of yelp.com[/caption]

Pho Anh Dao

1915 18^th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009 Pho Anh Dao is a small family-owned restaurant in Northwest D.C. that focuses on providing healthy Vietnamese options to their customers. You can read about how they started the meaning behind their name in their touching story, here. The menu has several amazing pho choices, as well as appetizers, salads, and more. If you’re a meat lover, try the Pho Special, which will include slices of eye-of-round steak, well-done brisket, well-done flank, fat brisket, soft tendon, and bible tripe. Not so much into that much meat? Taste the seafood option instead, which has shrimp, squid, fish balls, and crab sticks. Or, go for a simpler vegetarian pho. This restaurant also has an extensive menu of beverages like bubble tea, regular tea, and milk-based lattes. After your pho, treat yourself to a boba smoothie or a Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk. [caption id="attachment_9128" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Courtesy of phoanhdaodc.com[/caption] And if you're looking for more interesting food options to try, check out the best poke bowls in Washington, D.C.! Have you tried any of these spots for pho? Let us know your favorite in the comments below!

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