Looking for authentic Vietnamese food in Tokyo? Pho Dragon is your place.
Before visiting Vietnam last year, I knew nothing about Vietnamese food. There just wasn't any where I grew up, and I'd only had it once here in Tokyo. The general attitude seemed to be that there isn't much good Vietnamese food in Tokyo, and I'm not aware of any Vietnamese communities the way Tokyo has Chinese and Korean neighborhoods.
But Raku found out about a little place, very close to Roppongi, run by a Vietnamese woman. She can be a little brusque at first, but she's actually really sweet. By the end of our meal we had heard all sorts of things about her family and her life. As more people came in, we realized they were mostly regulars as she asked about their recent trips and caught up with each person. She speaks Vietnamese, English, and Japanese and is eager to explain all the condiments and how to eat your food.
Which brings me to the delicious food. At lunch time the menu is mostly pho sets which come with a spring roll and salad. The spring rolls were so fresh and bursting with herbs. Raku thought they were some of the best she's had in her life, and she's had a lot so I trust her. We both got the beef pho (an aromatic soup with rice noodles and meat), which we enjoyed immensely, though next time I might try the spicy beef. She serves them with a house made pepper paste, hoisin sauce, and another sour sauce, as well as sriracha which she makes sure to mention is from America and not as good as her homemade sauces. The dinner menu is much bigger, and it's posted on the walls, so you can drool over it while you eat lunch. We were so caught up in eating that neither of us thought to take a single photo of our food, but if you get the chance you should check it out. And if you're not in Tokyo, I hope you can find some pho wherever you are!
Pho Dragon
Hours: 11:30-2:00, 6:00-10:00, closed Sundays
Phone: 03-3479-0658
Address: 1-11-13 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
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