01 45 83 61 15
If you are looking for good pho, and are not in a rush to sit down (but may be rushed to leave), then Phô 14 will be no disappointment to you!
Situated just a few steps away from the métro Tolbiac on line 7 in the 13th arrondissement, Pho 14 is one of the most popular phô places of Chinatown. It is rare to be able to walk into this restaurant without waiting. At lunchtime, the line will wind around the outside terrace. Even during the weekday diners, I hear it is packed. In any case, it's popular for a good reason. It's affordable and it's good.
A "Special Phô" (beef, tripe, boulettes de viande) is only 8.50€. The service is fast and efficient, but may be a bit "too fast" for those who are new to the phô concept. It was no later than 1 minute after having viewed the menu that a server appeared, hustled, to take my order. I had a feeling that this was the kind of restaurant where you don't pass up an awaiting waiter, so I ordered the first thing I saw (a traditional phô). I took a jasmine tea as well (1.80€) and they brought the tea and water out right away.
There is not too much to say for the ambiance. Apart from a few paintings on the wall with asian characters (sorry, I can't dicpher them and in an effort to not be racist, I probably am being racist), and a mirror that runs along the wall, the walls are quite blank. The restaurant is not too big, mind you. There is a terrace and it is covered during the winter with heat lamps. What I did appreciate about this restaurant was that there was space. The tables were not all crushed together like most places in the 13th, with owners trying to fit as many people as possible in the little space they have. The tables were spaced comfortably. It is a loud place so don't expect to come here for a quiet romantic dinner. It's a hyper place, as most popular restos are in the 13th.
The soup and its accompaniments (onions, beansprouts, mint, basil, lemon) arrived between 4-5 minutes after I ordered. Again, very efficient. I suppose they have to be quick with all those people waiting outside. The broth was delicious, very flavorful and there were lots of noodles (I like when they're not skimpy). The beef was very tender and of good quality, not dry as often found at many wannabe real Vietnamese pho restaurants. You can definitely tell the difference between the meat served in this restaurant and the meat served at other hokey vietnamien/chinois/thalandais mixed restaurants. It hadn't been sitting around all day, one would imagine.
I was in and out the door in about 25 minutes. I even took some time to drink my tea. They didn't rush me either, after having finished my soup, but they are very fast and reactive at service. They do not take carte bancaire, so be sure to have cash on you. Apparently, they're open everyday from 9h - 23h.
Definitely a good discovery! I would highly recommend it to friends and would definitely return. The soups ranged from 8€ - 11€. There are other Vietnamese specialties on the menu, but their pho is the most famous. I'm not sure if I would ever get around to tasting their other plates.
