Pho Van Noodle Souper

AS OF 4÷17÷10: Phở Van is no more. It will now be Red Claw Seafood and Wings. I’m sure the new place will be fine, but it’s not going to have the noodle soup and five spice duck that I was addicted to at Phở Van (and before that, the place was called Richard Lee Noodle House under the previous owner). I loved the variety of noodles you could get in your soup, ranging from egg to rice, fat to thin, with pure rice noodles (a favorite), lo mein or even wontons. The menu had greatly expanded over the years to include more Vietnamese dishes and seafood, which was a good thing for those who didn’t happen to like phở or other meat-​based soups. I always got the five spice duck, personally, but it was nice to have options. Now I’ll have to go somewhere else for my fat noodles. It’s a sad day.

I fell in love with Phở when I was living in SF and found it hard to believe that I would find a place that compares to Golden Star in SF. After going to 4 or 5 diffrerent Vietnamese restaurants, my fiancé and I stumbled upon Phở Van Noodle Souper which is now our default phở spot.
The folks working there are very nice and always welcome us warmly. They are always on top of filling up our waters, which is a small thing for most people, but HUGE for me. I drink a lot of water since I load my phở with Sriracha and cannot stand having to ask for more every 5 minutes. They also always remember our order, since I ALWAYS get the same thing. We typically go during the week and there are never more than 3 or 4 other table, so the food come quickly.
Personally, I am only really a fan of phở with grilled pork. I find the pork to be by far the best meat in phở. PVNS can accomidate this request unlike a lot of other places, so that immediately scores them some points in my book. Their broth is flavorful and hot and their veggies are always fresh. They also have what I believe to be home made hoison sauce which to me is way better than the standard Lee Kum Kee that most places have. We either get the regular, non-​fried spring rolls or the Vietnamese (fried) spring rolls. The regular ones are pretty good, but not amazing. However, their peanut sauce is awesome. The fried rolls are really good, but not the best I have ever had.
As for their other dishes, I have not had any so my opinion is entirely based on the phở and spring rolls.
Overall a very solid spot for good phở in Denver and highly recommended.

I’ve been to Noodle Souper many times and I’m finally able to say that it is my favorite place to get Vietnamese food in Denver. With so many fantastic items on the menu, I can now say confidently that this place does everything right. The staff is very friendly and knows how to satisfy their costumers. They suggest new things I might like to try, and let me know if I picked something that my taste might not be so fond of. Your glass never gets to be a half full, they are on their toes.
I always get the #2 (standard phở, with rare steak and brisket) and they will even make it to go. Compared to other Phở restaurants you will find that Noodle Souper has little to no grease and great broth! This place does it right EVERY time.
I also love that they keep their Christmas trees up all year. Who doesn’t love Christmas?

If you really like the color orange, this is the place for you. I have rarely encountered a bowl of phở I didn’t like, and Phở Van was no different for me. What was disappointing for me was that the broth was very sweet and was bit over-​powered by star anise flavor. The broth did not offend my taste buds, but it didn’t quite live up to my standard. The noodles were cooked unevenly, some were too mushy, while others clumped together and were too chewy. We also started our order with some spring rolls that were utterly forgettable and not worth a second taste.
On the other hand, the cuts of meat were really nice. I’m the kind of person that goes for the mega combo: rare steak, flank, brisket, tripe, tendon, and fat. Yes… I loves me a little fat.
I think the best part of the outing was the company. We had group of 11 Unilocalers gathered together — ranging from phở regulars to phở virgins. The atmosphere was unintimidating and welcoming. It is a bit slower than some of their competitors on S. Federal, so jockeying for a table isn’t an issue. Overall, I am looking forward to more of these events to see how the phở competition stacks up.

Warning: I do not know much about Phở, so please do not hosre whip me for being naïve.
This was my second phở experience and it was a little bit better than the last. I felt more comfortable because I was with a group, but I still need some work with my eating technique. Maria gave me the tip to collect the noodles in the spoon and it worked pretty well.
I had the Vietnamese egg rolls for an appetizer. They are always so good. One day I will have to ask the server how to wrap them up without making a mess. Maybe it involves rubber bands. The egg rolls are crispy and filled with… meat stuff? I don’t know what is in them, and it doesn’t bother me. I drizzle them with the sauce and wrap them in lettuce and enjoy.
I decided to try a more interesting drink this time so I asked the server for a recomendations. She said that the coconut juice was good. Sold! I love coconut. It was very flavorful for something that didn’t look like straight coconut milk. The best part was the big fat sliced of sweet coconut floating in the drink. (Thanks for not laughing too much at me for slurping them up).
Ok, down to business. The business of Phở.
I ordered the #3, which I think is flank and meatball. The meatballs were firm and flavorful. The meat was tender and elusive. It kept slipping down to the bottom of the bowl. I got it out though, don’t you worry. I liked this broth better because it wasn’t as sweet as Phở 95. Everyone has their own Phở recipe and mine goes something like this:
1 heaping handful of cilantro leaves– no stems allowed
2 – 5 lime quarters– as many as I can get my hands on
2 – 3 Jalapeño slices– not eaten, just for flavor
1 – 5 second squeeze of Sriracha in a clockwise motion around broth
1 – 6 second squeeze of Hoisin in a counter-​clockwise motion around broth
3 Basil leaves
Now, I stir, splash and mix in a generally messy fashion until everything is combined. Enjoy!

Phở my other obsession.
This phở was good although a bit sweet and needed much of the jalapeño and siracha. I was mesmerized by my orange spoon and chopsticks… Service was great and the menu plentiful however it wasn’t the best phở I have had to date. Can’t wait to eat more phở on Federal!

Atmosphere is cheesy but clean; Chinese lamps hanging from the ceiling, cool fish swimming art hanged on the walls, bright orange chopsticks and spoons, Christmas lights decorations complementing the décor, but overall very clean. Service was very nice and polite.
Phở verdict:
Broth had a different aroma to what I’ve been used to, I had never smelled a broth like that, it wasn’t an appealing smell to me, broth was dark and opaque, salty (made me thirsty while eating soup), noodles were slightly over cooked, too soft, almost breaking texture.
Their menu is big compared to other phở houses, and that scares me sometimes.
Overall experience was good, I will be back but not for phở…

Good stuff. The medium bowl made a great full meal. At first the noodles were sitting in a rather hard clump at the bottom of the bowl and I thought, «Oh no!» But when I stirred them up, they separated and quickly softened to just the right texture. The steak was tender and the meatball slices were chewy, just as they should be.
To make things even better, we were here for UYE phở. All 11 participants enjoyed the appetizers, drinks ranging from salty lemonade to boba tea to wine, and aromatic, tasty phở. Service was excellent, too. We’re eager to do it again!

When I wasn’t in the mood for phở duy and needed a little something extra, like a spring roll, I would hit up this joint. I used to like it a lot more, but with places like phở 95 and phở 555, my opinion has changed.
The service is polite and friendly. It’s not too busy of a place though, it seems every time I go there, there’s only a couple of other tables besides mine.
The phở is pretty good. Not the best I’ve had, but good. I do have to say however, that if you’re on federal, you’re in such close vicinity to so many other phở places, so you might as well go to one that is better (a-​hem, like phở 95).

I went back with the husband in tow… the next day actually. He was feeling sick, with a headache and sore throat and wasn’t in the mood to be close to people… thus, we came here instead of Phở Duy. Tried the egg rolls this time… and holy crap, they were amazing. Probably one of the best egg rolls I’ve ever had. A little pricey at around $ 6, but 6 rolls come in an order. You must get ‘em next time you’re here.

We finally got around to trying this phở shop despite it’s kind of pop-​art decorated store front after all the rave reviews from our fellow Unilocalers. I thought it was pretty good, the wai-​fee not so much. She thought the noodles were a bit too al dente and the broth a little over spiced and not hot enough. We both had the number 17 which includes the rare steak, well done brisket, tripe and tendon. I noticed the slight toughness to the noodles but didn’t mind and I thought the broth was a little too sweet and maybe slightly overspiced but not nearly as bad as the north location of Phở 79 which we also recently tried again. Having four different sizes of bowls is kind of strange and the medium and the large bowls we ordered looked to be close in size with not a whole lot of difference in the contents either. The flatware would be great for a Bronco fan, halloweener, or child but that’s mute and makes no diff really, just an observation. The topping portions were a little on the skimpy side but the plate of garden condiments was abundant and fresh. The five of us all only had phở and the one veteran of this shop thought it wasn’t as good as the last bowl he had here. I thought it was pretty good. For a fifth star from me they would have to at the minimum give more meat and toppings and make their large bowl as large as all of the other phở joints I’ve been in (with a proportionate amount of everything in it) or just drop their large size and go with their «super-​size». I guess I need to try some of their other dishes on my next trip here but, I’m not a believer in the notion that a phở shop has to sell other dishes to be a better phở shop. If they can stand on the merits of their phở alone then that’s saying all I need to know. I’m a little burnt out on the phở puns so I’ll spare you. So the four is for their bowl and the service.

5 stars alone for the groovy orange spoons and chopsticks.
Great service — polite — prompt — everyone seemed as if they really cared that we were happy. Wonderful and filling phở (lots of meat and tendon), nice fresh veggie plate, all the usual additions (fish sauce, Sriracha, etc) clean, and friendly.
I finished every noodle, every piece of delicious beef/​tendon, every sprout and each little drop of broth — yes, I am thumbing my nose at all sorts of virtues and embracing all types of vices, but I don’t really care and I am very phở-​filled *sorry*.
Try the Vietnamese coffee — OMG, I was shaking half way through lunch. I hear this is sort of an anomaly with me. I shake with the phở and not simply because of the coffee. Lunch with Heidi is like dinner and a show.
‘Nuff said. Go now and try it. Why you still reading? Go eat great phở in a great place with a funny name!

Best Phở’ place I have found in Denver and I have tried A LOT of them. One of the defining aspects of this place is not just the Phở’ is good, but darn near everything is. One rule of Phở’ if you are going to a Phở’ restaurant, don’t order anything else other than a spring roll. Because everything else on the menu can be politely put as an after thought. Phở Van is different. Order anything you like on the menu. I have not found a bad thing yet. How ever I do go for the phở most of the time and for good reason.
For my Phở’ I usually go for the Phở’ with everything but the tripe. Tripe… meh — tastes like chewy stringy rubber nothing. However do not be afraid of getting the soft tendon. Its really good for your joints. Lots of stuff in there that helps lubricate your own joints. Soft tendon really is just a thick jello that tastes like a steak. Makes the soup more complex. The other cuts of meat are great too. The broth is the best part of the whole dish. Its perfectly seasoned. The only thing I wish, was that there was not as much noodles. But that is only because the broth is so rockin.
Really Phở is the best first date food. It can be exotic or normal. Depends on what you add to it. You can both split the «Souper size» and have more than enough. It can be quit the bargain. Save your cash for the second date. LOL

I have lots of Phở in my days… well, I like to think so.
This is my fav place on Federal. I love the combo. 7 bucks get you a huge bowl of phở, 2 spring rolls, and a drink! You can’t beat it. The broth is the best.
Also, I love the people that work there. I love those spoons and asked where to go close to purchase some… the lady gave me a set! How phoking nice!
If phở is your thing. give it a whirl!

For those of you who come from southern CA and move to Denver for law school or undergrad and one day suddenly crave phở… remember this review and you won’t be disappointed.
All of the usual phở suspects and great prices.
Long live, Phở Van!

***WAY LONG ASS REVIEW***
If I’d gone to Phở Van Noodle Souper solely for Phở, I’d be giving it 5 stars. Unfortunately, a few things force me to ding them a couple.
The place was pretty busy with a diverse group of ages and colors, groups, couples and families. The décor was bright and cheerful, and the menu was extensive — noodles, rice bowls, curries, seafood etc, and a whole page of phở combinations. The server brings our water, and gestures if we are ready to order. I say we want the shredded pork dumplings, and he stares at me blankly. I repeat myself and point at the item on the menu. He immediately begins shaking his head, saying «No no no, you have this» and points at something else. Confused, I repeat myself again, but he continues shaking his head. «That isn’t for you,» he says. «This is for you.» I see that he’s pointing at a Vietnamese Spring Roll which I most definitely do not want. I’m kinda embarrassed now, and repeat that I want the pork dumplings. «NO,» he says. His pointing at the menu becomes stabbing his finger at the menu. «That’s too spicy for you. You have THIS. THIS is for you.» Politely but firmly, I repeat myself yet again. He glares at me, then walks away, without even taking our entrée orders. I’m kinda pissed (and a little offended) now, and hope that after all this fuss and nonsense, the pork dumplings blow my damn head off.
Frustratingly, the server returns with two Vietnamese Spring Roll-​looking things anyway (I just cannot be effing bothered to say anything about it), and we order entrees. I want a small Phở with steak, flank and brisket ($ 5). The boy chooses a large with steak, meatballs and extra noodles ($ 6). We decide to split a spicy chicken and noodle dish (I forget the name. $ 7ish). The server takes our orders in silence, and walks away.
The rolls are, quite frankly, revolting. Cold and mushy, encased in those rubbery rice wrappers that I am not a fan of, is a densely-​packed wad of unseasoned rice and tripe, topped with a solitary basil leaf. We choke down half each, and call it a day. Horrible. Thankfully, the Phở is delicious — not as good as Phở Duy imo, but rich, flavorful, piping hot, and the veggies are fresh and super crispy. The meat could be a little better quality but they certainly don’t skimp on it. Halfway through, the server brings the chicken dish. Disappointing. The noodles are greasy, the chicken dry and overcooked, and it really just tastes like lo mein that you might find on any Chinese buffet. I’m amused that when the server comes to clear the table, he grabs the half-​eaten dish and scuttles away without asking if we want a box. Either he knew it was crappy or he just didn’t want to engage in any further conversation with us. I’m guessing a bit of both.
So yeah, the Phở is the (5) star of the show, and I definitely recommend it. Everything else was sub-​par.

On our annual trip to Denver to visit the in-​laws, I had a hankerin’ for some good ol’ Phở. We found this gated restaurant and entered with caution, and to my pleasant surprise were welcome to a clean, well lit restaurant with a sprinkling of patrons eating a variety of Vietnamese dishes.
My in-​laws being Phở virgins were hesitant about the exotic dishes, and went with safe choices of Chicken Noodle Soup and Pork Fried Rice. My husband (who’s eyes are bigger than stomach) order the combo Phở (rare beef, tripe, tendons, meatballs, etc) in their super-​size portion. I went with my usual: Rare beef, brisket & tripe in a medium size. All 4 entrees + Spring roll app + 3 viet iced coffees + salty lemonade (not recommended) our meal came out to approx $ 50 (tax + tip included). Super bargain.
The in-​laws loved it and are already planning their next trip. We may consider making this a tradition on our visits back to Denver from the bay area.

Wow. Thanks to kym b. we decided on a whim to drop by Phở Vn Noodle Souper for a late dinner. My wife is in town for a week long training. (I’m tagging along and work remotely :) Where we are from — Maryland, there are very good phos and we know our phos. We can’t really allow a bad phở experience while on travel. I’m very happy to report that didn’t happen.
Phở Van Noodle Souper was fantastic — definitely one of the best we’ve had. Very flavorful soup. Perfect texture noodles. The portion was huge too. We usually order two medium bowls and wife would give me half of her noodles. I struggled mightily to finish my one and half medium bowl and wife had leave a quarter bowl behind! That never happened before. I also had the most generous amount of tripe and biggest piece of tendon in a phở in my life. Incredible quality and value.
The neighborhood the restaurant was in was kinda shady, unfortunately. Steel bars on the windows of all business establishments is not a good sign. In DC and NY, hanging around these places after dark is a no-​no. It may not be the same in Denver, but the surroundings did set off a safety alert in this east coaster.

Lay-​deeez and Gentlemen! Welcome to Friday Night Phoights! Are you ready to ruuuummmmmmmble???
For the uneducated masses who think Phở is pronounced like it’s spelled and should rhyme with «dough,» it’s not and it doesn’t. It’s like the first two letters of that famous Four Letter F-​Word… so actually, «Friday Night Phoights» is some pretty damn awesome wordplay if I do say so myself. And I do.
There seem to be two major contenders in these Phoights, Phở 79 and Phở Duy. I’m ready to throw a third (and in my opinion, the best) into the ring. Phở Van Noodle Souper.
Don’cha just love the name? It so crazy. Me love it long time.
Just talking Phở, I believe Noodle Souper to be the best. For some reason it doesn’t carry the same clout as its neighborly competitors Phở 79 and Phở Duy, but I guess that’s okay. We’ll just say it’s a well-​kept secret. HOW this place is still secret though is beyond me! It’s SO GOOD.
Perfect broth. Tasty and fresh meats. All the right condiments and veggies. And guess what else? OTHER STUFF. Yes, not only can you get Phở here, you can get spring rolls and noodle bowls (mad rhyming skillz, yo). Such a simple thing… but so cool. Sometimes you just need some variety with your Phở, you know?
Mad rhyming skillz, yo? No. But for kickass Phở this is the place to go, yo.
I mean, for kickass Phở, this is the place to ghu. Yuh.

The one noodle place is Denver that no one is talking about…
I found this place thanks to my friend emily, otherwise there is no way in hell I would have ever gone there. It is not pretty, outside or in, unless you have an affinity for Vietnamese karaōke or christmas lights. Then it maybe right up your alley. It is, however, clean, which is about all one should ask for in a noodle house.
Cold and ridiculous décor aside, I have to say, this is without a doubt the best vietnamese noodle house in Denver. It doesn’t just approximate the quality that I used to find in San Jose but it actually is of a superior quality to most of my favorite CA eateries. In addition to their food being delicious, so far they are the only place I have come across in all of denver that makes a real Chow Fun.
It is chowtastic.