| Overall (based on 14 ratings) |  |
| Broth (flavor, fragrance, clarity) | |
| Noodles (texture, clumpiness) | |
| Meat (tenderness, quality) | |
| Vegetables (variety, freshness) |  |
anonymous
I don't usually rate a place with all 5's but their pho is unbelievable!
Pho fan
You've got to try this place. Not only is the Pho fantastic, everything else we ordered was excellent too.
Rogers
If this went beyond 5 stars, I would go as high as I could. Outstanding cuisine off the beaten path. Just hope it is not too far off. The menu is the perfect size and most of all, it is authentic. VERY reasonably priced. The service is incredible and the owners go out of their way to make you feel like family and not just a restaurant client. Glad to see this area is expanding the food service beyond TGI Friday, Ruby Tuesday and whatever else day of the week. Do yourself a favor and go, Go, GO!
Adam
We're new to the Odenton/Crofton area, having lived in Alexandria for the last 3 years and Columbia for 3 years before that, so we're still feeling out the local cuisine. This was our first local Vietnamese restaurant to try, and we were a little apprehensive. We're used to An Loi in Columbia and Pho 75 in Arlington, both superb restaurants. I will tell you straight, this little place belongs right up at the top. No joke.
VN Noodle is tucked back in a quiet strip-mall building, and looks unassuming from the outside, save for a little neon sign in the window. The interior is cheery, and very clean with 4-5 good sized booths and some smaller tables. They have a bar, but unfortunately not a license, so no alcohol yet. Hopefully they can get a residence waiver, because this area is right on the border of two different counties, honestly, the liquor board should be a little realistic here. The hostess/waitress was extremely attentive and helpfully suggested a seafood/rice claybowl. Good move, and I'll get to that in a minute.
First up, fresh lemonade. Perfect. (although I would really love it if they stocked club soda for a nice soda-lemonade). My wife had the iced coffee, and it was generous and tasty. We ordered some basics-(good indicator of things to come)- spring rolls and summer rolls. The spring rolls were respectable, nuclear hot out of the fryer, and surprisingly meaty for their size. I prefer An Loi's version for their construction and filling, but these were still worth it. The summer rolls were top notch. VN Noodles FTW. Oversized, yet expertly wrapped and tender- stuffed with succulent rice noodles and finely chopped lettuce, savory steamed shrimp and pristine full leaves of Thai basil. The accompanying peanut sauce added flawlessly balanced elements of salty, sweet and savory. Simply perfect (although I would gladly pay a dollar or two more an order for 2-3 more shrimp inside, but I'm just a meat lover like that. Seriously, no complaints).
My wife ordered a small pho with eye-round and flank steak. (We usually keep it low-key with pho, so those with better knowledge of tripe and tendon, your mileage may vary). The first thing we noticed- either their menu pictures are actually their dishes, or they go to a lot of trouble to make their pho look beautiful. Bountiful amounts of scallions and thin-sliced onions topped one of the largest "small" bowls of pho I've ever seen. No skimping on the meat either. Their bowls of pho are roughly a dollar or more expensive than what we're used to, but their portions reflect this. The meat is savory and tender, the noodles are plentiful, and the broth- oh man the broth. Seriously.
This place has THE BEST BROTH IN THE DC/BALTIMORE AREA.
If anyone can honestly try this broth and tell me to my face that I'm wrong, we're gonna fight. I have never seen my wife polish off an entire bowl before tonight. VN Noodle House, FTW.
Finally, I arrive at my dish- clay pot rice and seafood. I considered trying the clay pot rice and shrimp, but am glad I gave this a try, as the variety of seafood contained therein ensured that nearly every bite was unique in its own right. The clay pot is actually cast-iron (I think), filled with cooked rice, vegetables, and meat, seasoned, covered and cooked until the entire thing steams and the bottom layer of rice caramelizes. Snap peas, carrots, napa cabbage, mushrooms, crisp baby corn, and eggplant, perfectly cooked, crisp and obviously fresh. Shrimp (plump and tender), scallops (good, likely of frozen origin), fish cake (mild and sweet!), and squid (with a nice tender snap). I could. not. stop. eating. The lowest layer of rice browns up, creating a fantastic crunchy texture, and the blend of ?fish sauce?, black pepper and unknown seasonings just make you feel loved.
This place is like that. The owners are young and enthusiastic, and you can tell they take pride in what they do. When I make the things my mom and grandmother taught me how to make at home, I always hope my love for them and their love for me shines through in what I serve to my family. I think these people do too. VN Noodle House deserves your business, and have earned my respect.
anonymous
First time trying out the place....wonderful !!!!
The broth was fantastic! Very impressed and the person who took my order clearly understood my wants and needs
You must visit the place ! So sad that I do not live nearby... otherwise I would be camped there 24/7
anonymous
Simply put, VN Noodle House has the best Pho I've ever tasted, hands down. I've recently moved from the area and I'm going through serious withdrawal because I can't find anything close in quality. I'll just have to make a special trip. Seriously, support this awesome restaurant. If you're anywhere within striking distance, GO! Nothing better on a cold raw January day.
Jerry
I'm from Portland and I know great pho. I was seriously afraid leaving Portland because of my pho addiction. No worries! VN Noodle House is better than the best. The broth is clear and rich and delicious.. The presentation is gorgeous! The meats and extras outstanding. The owners are great! A very comfortable clean and friendly place. Definitely give them a try! It's as good as it gets.
anonymous
I'm so disappointed. This has been a favorite pho place of mine but my most recent visit was just bad. The broth was tepid so the rare beef left a bloody mess in the bowl, and the broth was flat and one dimensional. The veggies were ok but missing saw tooth herb. The service was with scowls. Ugh. Will I try again? Not sure. What happened?
Jerry J
I was SO disappointed with the pho during my last visit. I've really appreciated and enjoyed the quality of their pho in the past but his time it was TERRIBLE! They served it luke-warm and my rare beef would not cook and the bowl turned bloody. The broth tasted flat and of course the noodles ended up mushy. It was just terrible.
Mike
Worst ever. Cold soup with raw meat made a bloody bowl with clumpy noodles. Inedible.
JadeEmperess
I'll be the first to admit that ive always been a lover of american versions of chinese food and never really wandered out to try new things until recently. VN Noodle is a spectacular hole in the wall place that your would never expect to be so fantastic. Ive been going once a week for a few months now and I try something new every second week and I've got to say that nothing has ever been put in front of me that I didnt polish off with vigor. The owners are a blast, they know me and my friends on a first name basis and are always joking with us. Im well aware of my past food biases but seriously this place blows most foods I've ever eaten right out of the water. I highly recomend it to everyone looking for a delicious filling meal.
Hijab63
Pho here is just the best for me. I've eaten from two other Pho houses so I have a base to compare. I didn't rate the meat because I don't eat meat out unless the meat is fish. Go and enjoy!
anonymous
Tried VN with my nervous wife who's never tried Pho yesterday and our experience was terrible. Grumpy old guy seated us, had to ask for water, never gave us any utensils, the appetizers were greasy and the Pho was barely edible. My wife is not speaking to me for the rest of the week.
anonymous
Awesome!!!!
