Pho Luc Lac

Tucked away in the Branham Center in San Jose’s Cambrian neighborhood, Pho Luc Lac catches your eye with its blue neon sign and a logo of a woman in a nón lá (a traditional Vietnamese conical hat) holding a steaming bowl of pho. The name is a nod to the classic "Bò Lúc Lắc" (shaking beef), and their signature Phở Lúc Lắc is a must-try—a hearty mix of filet mignon, brisket, tendon, and beef meatballs served in a unique soy-based broth. The menu is super easy to navigate with English and Vietnamese side-by-side, split into eight sections covering everything from appetizers and pho to rice plates, Bánh Mì (Vietnamese sandwiches), and stir-fries. Most noodle dishes come in both small and large sizes. Just a heads-up: they are closed on Tuesdays, and there’s an 18% service charge for groups of six or more. The Combination Beef Pho features a broth that is beautifully clear and naturally sweet, topped with thin slices of rare beef, brisket, tendon, and sliced meatballs, all served with fine rice noodles, bean sprouts, scallions, and cilantro. If you’re craving something different, the Wonton Noodle Soup is a lighter option, loaded with whole shrimp, pork-and-shrimp wontons, bok choy, and fragrant fried shallots. For the meat lovers, the Ribeye Fried Rice offers thin strips of seared ribeye over a generous plate of egg fried rice with a side of green sauce. Another winner is the Grilled Pork Chop Rice—the pork is charred to perfection at the edges, drizzled with scallion oil, and served with jasmine rice, pickled radish and carrots, cucumber, tomato, and a side of fish sauce. You can even grab a simple egg drop soup for just $3.50 as an add-on. The rest of the menu is packed with variety, from Bún Bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup) and Hủ Tiếu (tapioca noodles) to plenty of vegetarian options for both pho and fried rice. Perfect for family dinners, eating with kids, and solo lunch or dinner.