Pho Ottawa — Authentic Vietnamese Pho at Pho By Night

Pho (pronounced "fuh") is a traditional Vietnamese noodle soup that has become one of the most beloved comfort foods in Ottawa and across Canada. At its core, pho is a bowl of flat rice noodles served in a hot, aromatic broth, topped with your choice of protein and accompanied by a plate of fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili. The broth is the soul of the dish — in a properly made bowl of pho, it is slow-simmered for hours with beef bones, charred onion, roasted ginger, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves until every drop is rich with flavour.

Pho originated in northern Vietnam in the early 20th century and quickly spread throughout the country, with each region developing its own variations. Southern-style pho, which is what most Ottawa restaurants serve, tends to have a sweeter broth with a wider variety of garnishes. At Pho By Night, we draw on family recipes that balance northern clarity with southern depth — creating a broth that is clean, fragrant, and deeply satisfying without being overly sweet or heavy.

For Ottawa residents, pho is more than just a meal — it is a warming ritual during our long winters, a comforting bowl when you are feeling under the weather, and a late-night staple after a night out in ByWard Market. Whether you have been eating pho for decades or you are about to try your first bowl, this page is your complete guide to finding, ordering, and enjoying authentic pho in Ottawa.

Ottawa is one of Canada's most diverse cities, and our menu reflects that. At Pho By Night, we are proud to offer halal-friendly pho made with halal-certified beef and chicken sourced from trusted Canadian suppliers. Our beef pho, chicken pho, and many of our vermicelli and rice plate dishes use halal-certified meat, making Pho By Night one of the most popular halal dining options in Ottawa's ByWard Market.

For plant-based diners, our vegan pho is a standout. The broth is built from a foundation of roasted vegetables, mushrooms, and Vietnamese aromatics — star anise, cinnamon, and ginger — creating a bowl that is every bit as warming and complex as our beef broth. Served with golden tofu puffs, fresh vegetables, and rice noodles, it is one of the most satisfying vegan meals you will find in Ottawa.

Whether you eat halal, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, you will find something to love on our menu. Our rice noodles are naturally gluten-free, and our kitchen team is always happy to walk you through your options.

If this is your first time ordering pho in Ottawa, you are in for a treat. Pho is a very personal dish — every person eats it a little differently — but here are the basics to get you started.

When your bowl arrives, start by tasting the broth on its own with a spoon. This lets you appreciate the 12 hours of slow simmering before you add anything else. Then, tear some Thai basil leaves and drop them into the bowl. Add bean sprouts for crunch, squeeze in fresh lime for brightness, and add sliced chili or sriracha if you like heat.

Use chopsticks in one hand and a soup spoon in the other. Lift a tangle of noodles with the chopsticks, dip them into the broth, and slurp — slurping is not only accepted, it is encouraged. Use the spoon to scoop up broth and toppings together. For hoisin and chili sauce, most Vietnamese diners use them as a dipping condiment for the meat on the side rather than pouring them directly into the soup.

Want to learn more? Our Pho 101 guide covers everything from broth types and noodle etiquette to the difference between pho dac biet and regular pho, and our toppings and garnishes guide breaks down every herb and condiment on the table.