On a brisk September morning, steam gently rises from a bowl of golden broth. Tender from hours of slow cooking, the rice noodles contrast perfectly with crisp bean sprouts and airy tofu. With every sip, the comforting heat of the pho spreads through my chest, as the aroma of slow-simmered spices fills the air. This is love in a bowl.
Pho Viet, Manhattan's first and only Vietnamese restaurant, is a must-visit spot in the Little Apple. Owned by husband and wife Jason and Mai Lê, the restaurant brings the authentic flavors of Vietnam to Kansas, offering popular dishes like pho, marinated grilled pork chop with rice (sườn nướng), and rice with grilled lemongrass chicken (gà nướng).
Fifteen years ago, when Jason moved to Manhattan with his wife, he noticed something missing: a place offering Vietnamese cuisine. “We were kind of disappointed when we drove down [to Poyntz] and there wasn’t Asian cuisine in this main area,” Jason shares. “For years I wanted to open an Asian restaurant.”
Jason’s vision for Pho Viet is to share a piece of Vietnamese culture with the community. “For me and my wife, it’s not about people knowing us—it’s about people knowing Vietnamese food. This food is for everybody,” he says.
The menu at Pho Viet features several classic Vietnamese dishes, but pho is the standout. The preparation of pho broth is a meticulous process that involves boiling bones to extract marrow and fat, which is then simmered with spices and herbs to create a flavorful base. Kansas-sourced beef, along with rice noodles and fresh vegetables, round out the dish. Jason advises guests to first savor the broth and then add bean sprouts and Thai basil—sourced from Hawaii—to fully appreciate the depth of the flavors and textures.
The walls of Pho Viet also tell a story. Intricate, hand-painted murals depict different regions of Vietnam: the architecture and bustling streets of old and new Saigon (now named Ho Chi Minh City), the beauty of Hạ Long Bay, and the lush landscapes of North Vietnam. Jason, born in Saigon to a Vietnamese mother and an American father, has a personal relationship to these images, which serve as a connection between his background and his life in Kansas.
With authentic flavors, a welcoming atmosphere, and a respect for tradition, Pho Viet is the perfect spot for Manhattan residents eager to experience Vietnamese cuisine—and enjoy a comforting bowl of warm pho.
In addition to authentic food, Pho Viet serves traditional Vietnamese coffee and boba.
Vietnamese coffee is brewed using French roast beans and a phin, a slow-drip metal filter. Served over ice, this tasty drink, known as cà phê sữa đá, offers a delightful contrast between the bold coffee and the creamy sweetness of the condensed milk.
Boba is a drink made with tapioca pearls and tea, and can be mixed with milk or fruit flavors. It can even be paired with Vietnamese coffee! Served with a wide straw, boba allows you to enjoy the pearls with each sip of tea. While you can drink it at any time of day, boba is especially satisfying as an afternoon treat!