Pho: The Bay’s Greatest Comfort

There is only one way to combat a snot-nosed, all-encompassing sickness. And that is pho. 

Pho arrived in the Bay Area shortly after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Vietnamese refugees were resettled in places like San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco. Families quickly began opening small, often modest restaurants serving familiar foods to build community. These shops often catered to Vietnamese customers, and word of an affordable, comforting, and intensely flavorful soup made them all the more popular. 

By the 1990s, the Bay Area had one of the largest Vietnamese populations outside of the Vietnam. Pho restaurants had multiplied, becoming a go-to spot for casual dining for people of all backgrounds. As Bay Area food culture grew more diverse and adventurous, pho moved on from being an immigrant comfort food to a mainstream staple. 

Now, to help you parse through the many different options in order to highlight what will become a staple in your comforting cravings and sickness remedies, here are two different places that will always hit the spot: 

My Father’s Kitchen: 

My Father’s Kitchen has been a family staple for as long as I can remember. Although the restaurant is only open Monday through Friday, what it lacks in hours it makes up for in depth of flavor. Their broth is rich, savory, and intensely aromatic, the kind that tastes like it's been simmering for years. The restaurant itself feels rooted in routine and familiarity, a neighborhood spot built on consistency and loyalty to customers rather than trendiness. Over time, it has quietly earned a reputation for delivering comforting and traditional Vietnamese flavors that keep people coming back for more. 

Perilla: 

Perilla has been a newer addition to my line-up of take-out staples, offering a slightly more modern and playful take on Vietnamese cuisine. The flavors feel bright and balanced, layered with fresh herbs, balanced seasoning, and a light, clean broth that still holds plenty of depth. While it does not have the same longstanding neighborhood history, it reflects the next generation of Vietnamese restaurants in the Bay. Perilla’s style feels approachable, blending traditional flavors with subtle innovation, making it easy to crave.