UP Pho & Teriyaki

I ordered the chicken pho and while I enjoyed the vegetables I found the chicken to be inedible because it was SO over cooked. The broth had good flavor and the atmosphere was nice. The portions seem to be very large as I saw 8 people leave with boxes during the 1 hour I was dining. Unsure if I would return to try other menu items.

Ordered to go. Pretty disappointed I didn’t get salad with my chicken teriyaki and was loaded up with rice. Photo online shows the meal comes with salad. To go menu is vague and doesn’t say what it comes with. Teriyaki was alright. Nothing special. The bahn mi was soggy. I won’t be back based on this experience as I can’t be sure what I order online is what I’ll receive.

Shrimp fried rice has always been one of the dishes I regularly order here because it is usually very good. It has that slightly smoky flavor from being stir fried over high heat, the seasoning is well balanced, and the portion is generous. However, when I ordered it for takeout last Sunday afternoon (Jan 4, 2026), I was extremely disappointed. The fried rice had almost no flavor at all, and what was worse was that there was an excessive amount of black pepper mixed throughout. Normally, the pepper is just lightly sprinkled on top, so I can remove it and give the rice underneath to my child so it is not too spicy. This time, my child said it was far too spicy to eat and could not finish it. On top of that, I actually bit into a whole clump of seasoning that had not dissolved, a mixture of salt and pepper, which made the rice unbearably salty. Overall, I am not sure if there was a different chef that day, but I strongly recommend reviewing the cooking quality and the person in charge of preparing this dish.

Portion is huge, either for 2 or take out leftover. When you first enter, the design layout makes it seem like a small place but actually there’s a lot of seatings. Tables are decored with Korean newspaper. Very fusion style - Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese menu on the item. Pho broth is average. Staff is very friendly and attentive.

I had an incredible experience at UP Pho & Teriyaki in University Place! The friendly wait staff made me feel right at home, and the atmosphere was enhanced by the great music playing in the background. What truly set this place apart was the adorable dog videos playing on the TV, which added a unique and heartwarming touch to my dining experience. I can't recommend this place enough – it's a 5-star gem!