Redondo Beach, California may be known for its iconic pier and sun-drenched coastline. But this seaside city of 70,000 also boasts an astonishing concentration of Vietnamese dining gems. From pho simmered for hours to banh mi crafted with French-bread precision, here are the 16 spots where the flavors of Vietnam shine brightest along the Pacific.
Blue Lotus Vietnamese Cuisine
$ | (310) 518-9538 | WEBSITE
Blue Lotus does darn good Vietnamese food. In other words, you’ll find lots of steaming pho and several friendly staff members serving said pho from behind the counter. Order the shrimp pho with spring rolls to see how all that simmering paid off. The pho broth is rich and savory, and their shrimp fried rice starts simple before blooming with flavor like a magic trick.
We also love their BBQ rice with bits of pork, and the vegetable chow fun is a nice change of pace from the main meaty, bold, and original Vietnamese options. The Redondo Beach location is right by ample parking (maybe a bit convenient), so come for a post-beach lunch in a cozy, calm atmosphere. There are only a handful of tables inside, so if it looks busy, get there early.
Pho & Chinese Food
$ | (424) 268-1471 | WEBSITE
This Vietnamese-Chinese hybrid feels a lot cozier than its strip-mall location might suggest. But you’ll probably stop noticing the simple tables and quiet atmosphere as soon as your brisket pho and pork egg rolls arrive. Plan to share everything, from the shrimp rice wraps to the special fried rice with generous portions. There’s also a delicious Vietnamese iced coffee, though you can always enjoy the ample parking and clean interior that makes this spot great for families.
Steve the owner prepares authentic food that is absolutely fabulous, with flavorful broth and excellent service that keeps locals coming back.
PHO MdR | Noodle Culture
$ | (424) 289-0389 | WEBSITE
If you want to eat good pho, go straight to PHO MdR | Noodle Culture. We’re talking brisket pho with a rich, flavorful broth and tender meat, or refreshing shrimp spring rolls to share as an appetizer. This restaurant offers a cozy and cute atmosphere with impeccable service, a veritable comfort zone of fresh ingredients, traditional accompaniments, and helpful staff.
There’s plenty of flavor in the menu, too, including dishes like sweet and sour chicken, red curry, basil fried rice, and cucumber salad, all equally delicious (picture home-cooked warmth meets restaurant-quality execution). The other dishes are decent—get the basil fried rice and, if you’re exploring, the red curry—but the pho is really the highlight of the experience.
Pho So 1
$ | (310) 329-7365 | WEBSITE
Normally, you don’t go to a Vietnamese restaurant expecting a museum-like experience. But Pho So 1’s authentic cuisine is just as satisfying as its reputation suggests. Unless, of course, you’re not interested in enjoying pho with rare steak in the spacious dining area, with prompt service catering to both locals and visitors. Plan on stopping by for lunch, when they have generous portions and solid BBQ pork with its juicy marinade.
They also serve fresh spring rolls and refreshing Soda Chanh X Muoi, but you’ll want to skip the fried version if you’re avoiding greasy options.
Toast Cafe
$$ | (310) 648-8208 | WEBSITE
This toast-themed cafe makes breakfasts we want to wake up early for. The avocado toast and ultimate breakfast are the sort of morning meals you’d order again before noon. Except it’s served in a super cute, cozy restaurant that also makes spectacular espresso drinks. Bring a friend you have a brunch date with, but know the dishes go heavy on comfort, from the flaky smoked salmon croissant to the tasty breakfast burrito.
The vegetarian-friendly caprese toast is fresh and savory with a drizzle of balsamic on top. If you think you can’t stomach another basic cafe, Toast Cafe will at least make you reconsider.
123 Pho Playa Vista
$ | (424) 309-9011 | WEBSITE
There are plenty of Vietnamese restaurants in Redondo Beach, but it’s worth a visit to 123 Pho Playa Vista for pho and jasmine tea. When you walk in, you’ll see the fast-food-style setup and clean dining area, which is a good preview of what you’re about to experience. If it’s your first time, get the flavorful rice noodle soup that comes with generous portions, including brisket and po pen chicken, crispy egg rolls, and light broth.
It’s more than enough to share between two people, but if you want more, know that we’re often dreaming about their beef and chicken broth with quality beef.
Saigon Eatery
$ | (424) 558-3154 | WEBSITE
At first, we were skeptical of the self-serve water and ordering at the front, with people lining up to pay before getting their food. But the pho here is genuinely good, especially the deep-flavored oxtail pho that somehow has the richness of a slow-simmered stew. It’s unsurprisingly better when you visit between 3-5 pm for the 15% discount. The restaurant doubles as a quick, no-fuss spot, where you can grab a huge portion and even take some home.
Remember Saigon Eatery when you come hungry for authentic pho at great prices (they also have a variety of meats), or pick up one of their bowls to go.
Pho Kobe
$ | (310) 787-9100 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving something comforting after a long day, head to Pho Kobe for Los Angeles’ most generous pho in a family-run setting. This clean, spacious restaurant serves up steaming bowls with a beef pho combo that’s loaded with tender slices, rice noodles, and fresh herbs. Get that, along with the vegan broth option—it’s light yet flavorful, perfect for those with dietary needs. For anyone looking for something heartier, we like the chicken pho with its rich, aromatic broth.
Pho Kobe also offers fast, friendly service that makes you feel right at home, but if you’re seeking a more intense flavor, you might find the broth milder than other spots. Still, this cozy gem treats everyone like family, making it a relaxing retreat in the city.
Nguyen’s Kitchen
$ | (310) 817-5769 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving Vietnamese flavors or need reliable takeout, head to this casual spot in Redondo Beach. It’s pretty straightforward—all food comes in containers even if you dine in—so don’t expect a fancy evening out. But the grilled pork sandwich loaded with meat, pickled carrots and daikon, cilantro, and cucumber is fantastic, and the garlic noodles with shrimp offer fresh, light flavors that stand out from typical American fare.
Of their proteins, we recommend the popcorn chicken—it’s nice and juicy. No matter what you order, plan on getting garlic fries topped with bulgogi beef for extra flavor. There are no alcoholic drinks, but the delicious ice creams with natural fruits do a nice job of finishing the meal on a sweet note.
Little Sister
$$ | (424) 398-0237 | WEBSITE
We know what you’re thinking—Vietnamese in Redondo Beach? When the black rice and curry are this consistently delicious, you bet. This beautiful restaurant makes great fried eggrolls and familiar Vietnamese dishes with unique twists—unsurprising, since the bold flavors and combinations create a true culinary adventure. Sit inside, order the black rice and curry to share, and some fried eggrolls (if they’re available, request extra dipping sauce).
Enjoying those big, shareable plates surrounded by wall art and nice furniture is objectively the place to be. But the attentive and informative service has a special feel of its own, complete with beautiful interior details throughout—just be aware of potential credit card fees when settling your bill.
Pho Hoan Pasteur Gardena
$ | (310) 756-6203 | WEBSITE
The aroma of simmering beef broth does all the heavy-lift advertising for this spacious Vietnamese spot in Gardena, as do displays of fresh egg rolls and vibrant pho bowls. It’s pretty much the pho destination of Redondo Beach, complete with hot or iced Vietnamese coffee and a variety of tasty stuff made with that properly seasoned broth.
Order at the counter and the friendly staff will bring your meal to your table, or just swing by to pick up a meal for someone in your life who will appreciate a fascinating veggie pho made with fresh ingredients.
Pho Ever – Gardena
$ | (310) 217-9262 | WEBSITE
You can’t miss Pho Ever—it’s tucked into that quirky former Korean barbecue spot with the vintage-cool layout—and we like it best for a solid lunch. The pho with its clean-tasting broth and plenty of beef is huge (and the leftovers will warm up perfectly the next day), and there’s a friendly staff that makes fresh Vietnamese coffee that some call the best in the country.
In case you need a quick bite before they stop seating at 2:15 or close for that afternoon break, Pho Ever also does plenty of takeout. Just don’t think too hard about the fact that the cook might stroll in around 11:15, but once they’re here, the ingredients are so fresh everything just clicks.
Pho Hana Restaurant & Tofu
$ | (310) 541-1227 | WEBSITE
If you want a kitschy, antique-filled spot to warm up with a steaming bowl of pho while surrounded by eclectic treasures like records and hot wheels, head straight to Pho Hana Restaurant & Tofu. We wouldn’t come here for a fancy night out, but it’s perfect for satisfying pho cravings and sharing generous portions of Vietnamese-Korean fusion, like their clear, flavorful broth pho with great quality meat and fresh ingredients, plus other menu selections like dumplings and curry hot pot.
All of which basically function as your ticket to enjoy Pho Hana’s uniquely chill and relaxing atmosphere.
Pho 1945 & Poke Bowl
$ | (424) 263-5989 | WEBSITE
This cozy spot tucked away in Redondo Beach has big windows showing off the bustling street and memorable pho. If you see the brisket and shrimp pho on the menu, spring for it. But our favorite thing is the Bahn Mi combo with california roll—a satisfying ‘tell me my essence in a sandwich and sushi’ experience in which you’ll get to customize your meal.
We once told them we like flavorful food and were craving pork, and we ended up with a fragrant BBQ pork banh mi sandwich paired with fresh sushi rolls. Hold off on ordering elaborate drinks here—if you’re going to spend the $12, you might as well save it for another bowl of their Vietnamese beef noodle soup.
Pho Dreams
$ | (310) 648-8278 | WEBSITE
For anyone hoping for a cozy meal in a family-run spot, Pho Dreams has heard your wishes—grandma and all. This place has the kind of rare steak pho that would satisfy hungry regulars, as well as good Vietnamese food and truly tasty egg rolls (hello, crispy bites and slightly sweet broth). After your meal, head to the clean dining area, especially if it’s a busy day, which is when you’ll see three generations working together.
Pho Consomme
$ | (310) 217-1130 | WEBSITE
Pho Consomme is tucked away in Redondo Beach, but it’s worth seeking out for authentic, comforting Vietnamese food. What you’ll find is a cozy, unassuming spot where people sit at simple tables and watch the kitchen staff prepare steaming bowls of pho. They have the classic options like chicken breast in pork broth, but we recommend the banh xeo with chicken, shrimp, and bean sprouts, as well as the spring rolls with that addictive peanut sauce.
It’s a perfect spot for a quick, satisfying meal, especially before heading to the beach just a short drive away.