Phin and Bowl Debuts on Third Street with Vietnamese Soul and Modern Flair

A new Vietnamese concept settled into Downtown San Jose on April 18 when Phin and Bowl opened at 304 S. Third St. The spot replaced the longstanding sandwich shop that operated most recently as Banmie & Hoagie Steak Out. Right in the center of the action, the address sits a short walk from San Jose State University and faces the 19-story Grad co-living building built for college students.

Slow-dripped coffee and hearty bowls anchor the offering, mixing classic Vietnamese comfort with fresh presentations. The team posted openings for baristas and kitchen staff to support daily service. Temporary hours list 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. while the kitchen finds its rhythm.

Third Street keeps shifting with this addition. Samuthr Thai opened earlier this month, and Entre Comales added taqueria and pupuseria choices last October after Iguanas Burritozilla closed. Nearby spots that shut down included The Nest Asian Bistro and K&J Sweets and Bakery, yet fresh concepts continue to appear along the corridor popular with SJSU students.

Asian favorites such as Lee’s Sandwiches and Boba Bar already draw regulars nearby, while Jack in the Box, Pizza My Heart, and La Victoria Taqueria supply quick bites. Phin and Bowl layers another option onto this student-heavy stretch and points to steady momentum for Downtown San Jose as a dining hub.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose’s Bambu Brings Vibrant Vietnamese Dessert Drinks to Walmart Nationwide

Four sisters opened the very first Bambu here in San Jose back in 2008 and built the chain into a go-to favorite that now spans 63 locations across 24 states and the Philippines. The brand just landed inside five Walmart stores in Batavia Illinois Westminster Colorado two spots in Louisiana and one near Milwaukee Wisconsin which means even more people will get to experience these vibrant flavors during everyday errands.

The Batavia location already opened its doors while the remaining four will welcome customers by the end of summer. These new spaces stretch from 1,600 to 2,300 square feet so they shift away from pure grab-and-go toward a relaxed cafe feel with extra room for you to settle in and enjoy your drink. The menu stays focused on the classics you already love including signature chè boba milk teas Vietnamese coffees smoothies refreshers and small bites like dessert waffles or mochi ice cream.

Bambu spotted an opportunity to fill retail spaces left from past closures and the steady stream of Walmart shoppers provides the perfect audience for carrying a refreshing beverage through the aisles. The setup keeps overhead lower than typical strip malls and opens the door for steady growth beyond dense neighborhoods. Even without new Bay Area additions right now the strong Asian American community across Santa Clara County where nearly 40 percent of residents share those cultural ties continues to fuel the brand’s future plans.

You can take real pride in knowing this San Jose original keeps reaching farther while staying true to its roots. The next time you crave those signature tastes head to one of the many Bambu spots around town and celebrate how local ingenuity now travels with shopping carts across the country.

Source: SVBJ

Tang Bar Expands to San Jose: Sichuan Hot Pot Arrives in Vietnam Town

Tang Bar is coming to 909 Story Road in The Shops at Vietnam Town. This San Francisco-founded restaurant specializes in Sichuan-style Chinese cuisine, focusing on fast-casual hot pot and malatang. Set to welcome guests later in January, the new spot adds to our city's diverse food scene, drawing from a brand already established in San Francisco, San Mateo, Rancho Cucamonga, and Bellevue, Washington.

The 1,600-square-foot space, complete with a patio, represents an $800,000 investment and plans to employ 40 to 50 people with competitive compensation, including benefits like medical coverage, tuition reimbursement, and retirement contributions. Tang Bar stands out by sourcing produce from nearby Gilroy farms and supporting local vendors, enhancing the community's economic ties while delivering fresh ingredients.

Diners can look forward to a do-it-yourself hot pot experience, selecting meats, vegetables, seafood, and broths, or opting for malatang, a numbing spicy hot dish prepared in the kitchen and served in a large bowl. Positioned near Grand Century Mall and other Asian eateries, including Vietnamese favorites and fellow hot pot spot Long Men Bay, Tang Bar fits seamlessly into this vibrant area, promising flavorful meals that celebrate cultural fusion.

As competition grows in the fast-casual hot pot market, Tang Bar's arrival underscores San Jose's appeal as a hub for diverse eateries, catering to a large population with tastes for bold, authentic flavors.

Source: SVBJ

New Rooftop Views and Vietnamese Cuisine Coming to San Jose's SoFa District

A vacant building at 374 South First Street in Downtown San Jose's SoFa district prepares for a new chapter with plans for a Vietnamese restaurant and rooftop deck. Once home to popular spots like Eulipia Restaurant & Bar, Cafe Stritch jazz club, and Mama Kin, the two-story structure from 1927 has recently (and sadly) stood empty. Now, entrepreneur Viet Nguyen and architect Abraham Zavala aim to fill it with vibrant dining across both floors, complete with a bar and seating areas connected by stairs and an elevator.

The restaurant draws inspiration from Nguyen's successful ventures, such as Gao Kitchen & Bar in San Mateo and San Francisco, alongside Ben Tre Vietnamese Homestyle Cuisine locations in Millbrae, South San Francisco, and San Francisco. This addition will bring authentic Vietnamese flavors to SoFa, wish several Instagram-worthy dishes. The 8,000-square-foot building will undergo a full interior transformation to create welcoming environments on each level.

Crowning the project, a new rooftop deck of 850 to 1,000 square will offer panoramic views while being set back from the street for seamless integration with the neighborhood. This will be the first eatery with a rooftop view in SoFA and I'm pretty sure it will be the first 3-story restaurant in San Jose. This type of multi-level restaurant and bar setup is very appropriate for the neighborhood, which ideally should be brimming with activity until closing time.

Source: The Mercury News

San Jose Hosts the Largest Vietnamese Community Outside Vietnam

Recent estimates place San Jose's Vietnamese population at around 145,000 residents, making it the single city with the most Vietnamese people anywhere in the world beyond Vietnam's borders. This distinction comes from analyses of U.S. Census data by organizations like the Pew Research Center, highlighting how the city has become a thriving center for Vietnamese Americans. While regions like the Los Angeles metropolitan area boast larger overall numbers at about 350,000, no other individual city matches San Jose's count. Smaller California locales such as Garden Grove and Westminster show higher per capita concentrations, yet their totals fall short.

The story of this community traces back to the mid-1970s, following the Fall of Saigon, when waves of refugees sought new beginnings in the United States. Many settled in Texas and California, with San Jose drawing particular interest due to emerging job opportunities in the budding Silicon Valley tech scene. Over decades, these early arrivals built strong networks, turning neighborhoods into vibrant enclaves that preserve traditions while integrating into the local fabric. Today, areas like Little Saigon pulse with markets, restaurants, and temples that reflect a rich heritage.

San Jose's Vietnamese residents contribute immensely to the city's dynamism, from entrepreneurship in tech and business to culinary innovations that draw food enthusiasts from afar. Pho shops, banh mi stands, and family-run enterprises line streets, offering authentic flavors that make the South Bay a destination for global cuisine. Festivals and cultural events throughout the year celebrate this legacy, inviting everyone to participate and learn, which strengthens community ties across diverse backgrounds.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

Lunar New Year Celebrations at Valley Fair in San Jose

Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Valley Fair with a community day that is free and open to the public. They welcome all to come enjoy the family-friendly performances today from 12pm-4pm.

• Enjoy performances of Traditional Lion Dances, Ribbon Dancers, Folk Dance, and so much more. Traditional red envelopes containing chocolate coins and retailer promotions will be passed out during the Lunar New Year performances.
• The traditional lion dance will open the celebration at Grand Court, on Level 1 near Gucci.
• The dragon dance and main stage performances will be held from 1pm-4:15pm at Grand Court.
• Plus, shop the Luxury Collection on Saturday, February 1, 2025 then stop by the redemption lounge from 11am-6pm with your receipts to receive an American Express gift card up to $800. 

SCHEDULE OF MAIN STAGE EVENTS (Located near Gucci, Level 1) *schedule of events subject to change

• LION DANCE | 12:00PM - 12:20PM | by Rising Phoenix
• DJ/MC + ambient performers | 12:20PM – 12:30PM
• CHINESE FAN DANCE | 12:30PM – 12:40PM | by Fengye Dance Studio
• CHINESE OPERA | 12:45PM – 12:50PM | by Cathy Pan
• DRAGON DANCE | 1:00PM - 1:20PM | by Rising Phoenix
• DJ/MC + ambient performers | 1:20PM – 1:30PM
• VIETNAMESE DANCE GROUP | 1:30PM – 1:40PM | by Viet Steps
• DJ/MC + ambient performers | 1:45PM – 2:00PM
• BLESSED SNAKE WELCOMES SPRING | 2:00PM – 2:10PM | Full Ensemble
• DJ/MC + ambient performers | 2:15PM – 2:30PM
• GUZHENG SOLOIST | 2:30PM – 2:40PM | by Bei Bei
• TAEKWONDO | 2:45PM – 3:00PM | by Team M
• KOREAN DRUMMING ENSEMBLE | 3:00PM – 3:20PM | by Urisawe
• DJ/MC + ambient performers | 3:15PM – 3:30PM
• MONGOLIAN DANCE | 3:30PM – 3:35PM | by Fengye Dance Studio
• FASHION SHOWCASE | 3:45PM – 3:55PM 
• BLESSED SNAKE WELCOMES SPRING | 4:00PM – 4:10PM | Full Ensembl

DJ & MC: Tigermom Toy

TIGERMOM TOY, Allyson Toy, is a Bay Area born DJ and music tech professional who came of age between NYC and Shanghai. Toy is a classically trained pianist and has been DJing for 15 years, lending her skills to brands including W Hotels, Alexander McQueen, Nobu, and Samsung and performing globally in Tokyo, Paris, Bangkok, Shanghai, and many more. Toy is the co-founder of LIONS SHARE, a creative community and music podcast on a mission to empower emerging Asian artists, and by day works at Twitch leading music community initiatives and the company’s Asian employee resource group. Toy’s greatest passion is bringing people of different backgrounds together through music. 

Source: Westfield Valley Fair

New San Jose mural honors the Vietnamese community

Completed in time for Tet, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, there is a massive new mural in East San Jose honoring the Vietnamese community. The three panels of the mural represent the Vietnamese people fleeing their homeland, traditional dress, and the beauty of Vietnam.

San Jose has the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam, so it's fitting that this is the largest Vietnamese mural in the Bay Area. Also 2025 is the 50th anniversary of the great migration away from Vietnam after the Vietnam war.

The mural was painted by the 1Culture Gallery team and it is located at 1737 Alum Rock Avenue on the side of Wash America.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

CEO Noodles Grand Opening

Today is the Grand Opening of CEO (Chief Eating Officer) Noodles in Downtown San Jose. The restaurant specializes in Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine, especially noodles. Today there are some festivities from 4pm to 7pm.

The restaurant has been in soft launch mode for some time and is getting great review on Yelp (4.5 stars). It also has one of the best facades for a Downtown San Jose restaurant with a giant mural you can't miss. 

CEO Noodles is located at 130 E. Santa Clara Street and they are open from 10am to 9pm every day except for Sunday.

San Jose's Little Saigon now has a Night Market

San Jose has the largest Vietnamese population of any city in the United States, which helps explain why we have the best Vietnamese food in the country. Little Saigon in East San Jose consists primarily of both an indoor and outdoor mall with dozens of and restaurants, many of which specialize in very specific Vietnamese dishes. Now you can add a monthly night market to a list of attractions there.

Officially called the "Story Road Night Market" it will be a Vietnamese-focused event in the Grand Century Mall parking lot. It'll features multiple food and retail vendors along with cultural performances. Not all of the vendors will be Vietnamese, they'll also have Mexican birria tacos, Nashville hot chicken, and Portuguese/Asian fusion egg tarts.

If you've never been to Little Saigon, this is the perfect opportunity to explore the area. The night market takes place today from 4-10pm at 1111 Story Road. Parking and Admission are free. The next events will be on Sep 6, Sep 7, Oct 11, and Oct 12.

Source: KQED

Elyse: elevated French Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Downtown San Jose

Before we talk about about the new Elyse, I have to spend a moment to honor the original. Elyse was the first French Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown San Jose and took residence in the former House of Siam space that old school San Joseans will remember well. The first time I went, I was just happy that a Downtown space that sat vacant for years was finally filled up with a new restaurant. However, I was completely blown away by the cuisine, cocktails, and how romantic the space was. Despite my mission to eat at every restaurant in Downtown San Jose (I'm at 258 so far) I returned several more times and would easily place it in my Top 10 for all Downtown San Jose restaurants.

This was in 2018. Fast forward to the pandemic. During the early 2020s the owner endured multiple hardships including including the passing of her mom, break-ins, property damage, looting, a divorce, and then some. It was an incredibly challenging time, and Elyse closed their doors for an extended period. 

Now, not only is Elyse back... but they have a new location that is bigger and better than ever. This key corner space once belonged to Nemea at the corner of San Fernando and 1st Street. Like House of Siam, it has also been vacant for years. There is a lot of pressure on Elyse to bring something special to this high-traffic part of Downtown--and they delivered.

The space is open and inviting. There is a bar area, main dining room, a cellar-style wine room, a private dining space, and outdoor seating. There are large works of art themed around both France and Vietnam. The lit Eiffel Tower was my favorite.

I was fortunate to sample eight of their dishes. For the appetizers we had caviar blinis, mushroom tartlette (crowd favorite), head-on grilled shrimp, fried Brussel sprouts, mussels, and garlic noodles. I would recommend any of these. The caviar was a nice surprise since I don't remember that on the original menu and I'm not aware of any other restaurant in Downtown San Jose that has that available. As decadent as that was, my favorite app was the mushroom tartlette followed by the giant shrimp skewers with Vietnamese seasonings.

After the appetizers we had two of the mains--a glazed seabass with sauted bok choy and cofit as well as a braised short rib bourguignon with bone-in braised Angus beef short rib and Belgian style fries.

Both were phenomenal. I'm normally a carnivore and prefer steak, but the pan seared glazed seabass was truly outstanding and would likely be my choice. If you're out on a date, it's the perfect opportunity to get two different dishes and share. 

Unfortunately I had to leave the media preview night early to get to our baby at home and did not have a chance to try the desserts. They had a black sesame panna cotta and a Belgian chocolate lava cake, both of which I would have loved to try. I'm planning to head back there this weekend to get those desserts and try more of their dishes. I'm especially looking forward to trying some items that lean more towards the Vietnamese side and a cocktail or two.

In summary, Elyse gets two huge thumbs up. Please give them a try and let us know what you think! Could this be San Jose's next Michelin-recommended restaurant? Petiscos needs some company, and this may be it.

Elyse is located at 96 South 1st Street and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm to 9pm. Street parking is free after 6pm and pretty easy to get within a couple blocks of the restaurant. You can make reservations here as well as read more reviews (spoiler, they have a well-deserved 4.5/5 stars on Yelp). 

Lunar New Year Community Day at the San Jose Museum of Art

Tomorrow from 11am-4pm there is one more Lunar New Year event at the SJMA. Welcome the year of the dragon with cultural demonstrations, live performances, and interactive artmaking activities. These include making paper dragons, Chinese stamps, and figurines based on the Vietnamese Tet traditions.

At 11:30am there is a performance by the Korean Culture Center at the Circle of Palms in front of Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Later at 3pm there is a traditional Lion Dance performance (which is amazing).

Admission to this event is completely free and is kid-friendly.

La Ca Phe now open on 740 Story Road in San Jose near Vietnam Town

La Ca Phe is a Vietnamese Coffee shop specializing in a variety of specialties that are not easy to find in the Bay Area. Their Eggspresso Hanoi is a special egg-based coffee drink that I last tried in Vietnam and it blew my mind. They also have Ube Coffee and a wide variety of other Vietnamese and Southeast Asian-style drinks.

They have been working on this coffee shop for three years and opened to huge demand. La Ca Phe is at 740 Story Road. Instead of doing your typical Starbucks routine, come try out some unique and truly delicious coffee someplace new!

Source: Insta

Downtown San Jose restaurants playing musical chairs

Several Downtown restaurants are making moves to new locations and filling critical corner retail gaps on city blocks. 

Elyse--one of my favorite Downtown San Jose restaurants--has outgrown their previous spot (famous for House of Siam until 2014). They are moving to a much larger corner space previously occupied by Nemea Mediterranean. Elyse is the ultimate date-night spot, with an eclectic French Vietnamese menu and craft cocktails. Hopefully they will keep the romantic atmosphere from their old location.

Next door is Angkor Chef, a brand new Cambodian restaurant. A few doors down from that in the former Pizza Flora spot (RIP, another one of my favs) is Angelou's Mexican Grill. They are moving from North 2nd Street and upgrading to a full bar. If it's anything like the previous location they'll be open until 2 or 3am as well. 

Then we have Mas Pizza from Paseo de San Antonio which will be taking over the Mumbai Local restaurant and nightclub. Like most of the previously mentioned spots, they will be significantly increasing their footprint and the owner envisions turning the pizza spot into an upscale sports bar.

Last but not least, the space that used to be Tony DiMaggio's and Pizza Chicago will become El Cabron Kitchen & Cantina.

The Downtown San Jose food scene continues to evolve, so please support your local restaurants--especially the family-owned unique spots that make Downtown special.

Source: The Merc

San Jose has the largest share of Vietnamese restaurants in the country and exciting projects to come

I believe San Jose has the largest Vietnamese community of any city in the US. At the County-level, it is only second to Orange County down south. However, despite having a slightly smaller Vietnamese population than Orange County (180k vs. 120k in here), Silicon Valley has the highest concentration of Vietnamese restaurants in the US. 6% of all restaurants in Santa Clara County are Vietnamese, featuring some of my favorite foods like pho, banh mi, and other delicacies.

SJ Today has great guides for both the top Pho and Banh Mi shops in San Jose. There are also lots of other types of restaurants featuring spicy Bun Bo Hue and Nuoc Mia (sugarcane juice) that you can find throughout San Jose.

The strength of the Vietnamese community here is one of the reasons why there is a proposal on the table to build a 260,000 SQFT Vietnamese indoor market modeled after a Ho Chi Minh City landmark (image below) where Sears used to be in Eastridge. It would be called Hello Ben Thanh Indoor Market and would have a combination of retail stores, massive food courts with as many as 50 booths, an entertainment center, and banquet hall. The project would take over both floors of the old Sears building. Think of it as a Vietnamese version of Eataly that will be accessible from both inside and outside the mall.

There is no formal ETA, but the developer Intelli has already secured the space for $24.8 million.

Source: The Merc, NextShark

New Vietnamese Supermarket in Berryessa

Many Downtown locals were saddened when the Dai Thanh grocery store was closed in order to make way for new development. Fortunately, the popular Vietnamese grocer is coming back with a vengeance. Not only did they open a much larger store at 2040 Tully last June, but they have just taken over a former Lucky's space in Berryessa. While the Downtown store was only 10,000 SQFT, the new Berryessa location is 33,000 SQFT and employs 50 people. 

This is quite a significant expansion for what was once a modest immigrant family-owned business. The purchases were funded by a $17 million sale of the SoFA location, which is destined to become a high-rise residential project in the future.

The new Dai Thanh grocery store opened on January 17--just in time for Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. You can find it at 1641 North Capital Avenue in San Jose.

Source: The Merc

San Jose's Vietnam Town getting major upgrades

Vietnam Town is a 20-acre commercial and retail development near Happy Hollow and Kelly Park. The project has had ups and downs including multiple sales and bankruptcies, but it does feature several great shops, Vietnamese restaurants, and cafes.

The next phase for Vietnam Town is called District One, a 100,000+ SQFT project with dozens of retail condos (store owners will buy part of the building as opposed to leasing) and another parking garage. The new development is inspired by Santana Row and will feature entertainment/programming centered around Asian holidays and celebrations. Instead of just more shopping and restaurants, the focus will be on creating a lively atmosphere.

The Vietnam Town owner is working on final city approvals and hopes to open District One by 2019.

Source: SVBJ

Vietnam Town Expanding By 186,000 SQFT

Even though there are 51 unsold retail condos in the 120-unit first phase of Vietnam Town, the owners have decided to go through with a second phase. The project will include an additional 186,000 SQFT with 141 more retail condos. These would be distributed across a total of five buildings with the average retail condo size being around 1,000 SQFT.

Part of Vietnam Town phase two will be a single 40,000 SQFT pad that could easily accommodate a grocery store. 99 Ranch Market or Lion Market have already been identified as potential candidates. There are also plans to build a parking structure on the site.

This seems like an ideal place in the middle of Little Saigon for a mixed-use village, so I'm a bit disappointing that a housing component was not included in the project. This could have become a Vietnamese Santana Row. At least doubling down on the project will increase the chances for success and turning it into a regional draw.

Source: SVBJ

Vietnamese New Year Celebration at Pho 69!

My favorite Pho restaurant is having specials for Vietnamese New Year starting tonight and running all the way through Saturday! As icing on the cake, they're kicking off their first month of participation in South First Fridays with a dragon dance and opening reception at 8pm tomorrow. More info below:

Come join us bring in the New Year.

Starting at 5:00 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Beers $3, Wine $4, Starters $4, Pho $6

Come join the Vietnamese traditions of testing your luck with:
- Blackjack
- Tien Len
- Binh
- Bau, Cua, Tom, Ca
- Poker Tournament (Proceeds to Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Group)

Poker Tournament $35 buy in
Starts at 5:00 pm, 7:30 pm, and 10:00 pm
16 seats per session
Payout
1st: $250
2nd: $75
3rd: $50
4th: $35

Sign-up by calling 408-289-8521
Hours 11 am - 8 pm

**Friday Night - Dragon Dancing at 8:30pm, SoFA Art Walk Opening Reception at 8:00pm

-- 
Thank you,
Darren & Teresa
Pho 69 Noodle, LLC

321 South First Street

San Jose, CA 95113

408-289-8521

www.pho69noodle.com

Join us on Facebook | www.facebook.com/pho69noodle

Pho 69 - Best Pho in San Jose!

Downtown San Jose is really on a roll with restaurant openings lately. Since I was raised in San Jose, I'm intimately familiar with Pho (Over 100,000 people of Vietnamese descent live in San Jose... Pho is everywhere). Back in college, I had Pho for lunch almost every single day. Of the 50+ Pho restaurants I've been to over the years, Pho 69 is hands down the best one in every criteria I can think of!

Let's start with the food. Today I had the spring rolls, crispy rolls, a Pho 69 special, and my wife had Chicken Pho. Everything was amazing, but the house special Pho 69 really rocked my world. The 3 main proteins in their signature bowl are brisket, meatball, and thinly sliced fillet mignon. You read that correctly, fillet Mignon in Pho! My wife's Pho Ga also featured a rare Pho ingredient, free range chicken. The broth was rich and complex. Usually I douse hot sauce and plum sauce in my soup, but that was really unnecessary in this case. Perhaps the $20,000 vat that they use to steam cook the broth over a 24 hour period has something to do with the quality here.

Next, the ambiance. Easily the nicest Pho restaurant I have ever been to (I've had Pho at Parcel 104 before, but that doesn't really count). The dining area is spacious, lofty, and well appointed. There's a second floor for additional seating and private parties that overlooks the entire restaurant, and it's equipped for Karaoke. The kitchen is pretty open and is visible from the dining area. There's even a skylight, another feature I've never seen in a Pho restaurant.

Lastly, let's talk about character. Pho 69 is located in the artsy SoFA district downtown. I've been keeping my fingers crossed for weeks that the restaurant would have a program for artists, and it looks like it paid off. The walls are fully prepped to support rotating art and the 20+ foot ceiling provides ample space for even over-sized works. And yes, Pho 69 is planning to participate in South First Friday and already have relationships with Anno Domini and MACLA!

Personally, I couldn't have asked for anything more for a new SoFA restaurant. It's been a good year for Downtown San Jose!

Pho 69 Press Release

I've received additional information on Pho 69's opening ceremony this Saturday! The ribbon cutting takes place at 2:30pm in SoFA and features traditional lion dancers. Sounds like a nice stop to make before heading to Christmas in the Park.

For Immediate Release:                                    Contact:

December 13, 2010                                           Khanh Bui: (408) 394-0369 or pho69noodlea@gmail.com

Something Hot is Coming to your Mouth at Pho 69

San Jose, Calif. -  An enticing new restaurant has come to Downtown San Jose.  Restaurant goers throughout the city are invited to sample the unique sights, sounds and tastes of Pho 69, conveniently located in the eclectic SoFA District, next to Original Joes’ (321 S. 1^st St., San Jose, CA 95113).

Join us for the grand opening on Saturday December 18^th, ribbon cutting and lion dancers at 2:30pm.

From the moment you enter into the inviting surroundings of this contemporary restaurant, you quickly realize this is not your typical Pho restaurant.  The knowledgeable staff greets you with a warm smile and you are immediately captivated by Pho 69’s thoughtful, savvy service.

The aroma of the rich pho broth with hints of star anise and cinnamon is a welcoming invitation to the forthcoming hot bowl of luscious rice noodles that is sure to warm you during this winter season.  The pho comes in a variety of broth options including traditional beef, free range chicken, locally farmed vegetable and seafood, all expertly prepared and gingerly tended to maximize flavor.

Along with the enticing aroma of comforting hearty pho, the modern interior complements the experience. Earth-toned glass tile covered walls, large lantern style pendent lighting and the warm orange of the hand embroidered chrysanthemum banquettes are a gentle complement to the subdued modern nickel-shaded sconces, historic green stair case and uplifting white textured tiles surrounding this contemporary eatery. The walls have been outfitted with museum grade hangers and left intentionally naked as Pho 69 puts out a call to local artist to exhibit their craft.

The relaxed sophistication of the dining room of Pho 69, with its stylishly trendy comfortable furnishings, muted lighting, and blend of soft and vibrant colors is the perfect neighborhood place to meet up with friends or have a business lunch.

Noted for the aromatic and simple but elegant preparation of its local products, modern Vietnamese food has become the new darling of the culinary world. The open kitchen sends the aroma of fresh herbs and spices wafting to your table as you anticipate your meal.  With all of your senses engaged, you know you've come to the right place to sample the delicious fare of Vietnamese cuisine.

Aside from pho, savor Pho 69’s other dishes such as the fresh grilled BBQ pork Vermicelli bowl with julienned vegetables, fresh herbs, bean sprouts and caramelized brown sauce. Continue your dining journey with fresh spring rolls with grilled tiger shrimp, hot and crispy crab eggroll or the roasted Japanese eggplant with crunchy shallots.  If you need just a quick bite, then have a Vietnamese sandwich filled with pickled daikon and carrots, cilantro, jalapeño, your choice of grilled meats, and for the indulgent, request the pate spread.

With so much to offer, there is always something hot coming to your mouth at Pho 69.

Pho 69 is situated at the gateway of the SoFa district in Downtown San Jose. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., closed Sundays. There is ample parking in the many lots in the neighborhood, many of them free after 6pm.