Pho Thin 13 Lo Duc

We all landed around 6–7/10 on Pho Thin 13. The noodles were excellent — easily 10/10 — and the meat was tender, but unfortunately the bowl itself was pretty bland. The broth was also lukewarm, which is a big miss for pho. I ended up adding lime, herbs and Sriracha trying to give it more flavor. Also missing when we walked in was what I call the “pho waft” 😂 — that unmistakable smell of simmering broth and spices that usually hits you at a good pho spot. Sadly, the lack of aroma was a pretty good preview of the broth. We ordered summer rolls and dough stick. Summer rolls were ok. Nothing to write home about. Peanut sauce was good. The restaurant is very spacious, clean and comfortable. Modern decor, although nothing particularly unique. Great noodles, decent meat, disappointing broth. With so many excellent pho restaurants in Northern Virginia, this one just didn’t stand out enough for us to return.

Phở Thìn 13 Lò Đúc, located at Graham Park Plaza in Falls Church, offers Northern-style Hanoi pho and a variety of noodle soups and rolls. The highlight is Pho Dac Viet (house special pho), with wok-seared garlic beef and wide, chewy noodles. We visited on a Sunday for lunch, and the restaurant was very busy with a long wait, demonstrating its popularity. All the dishes we tried were excellent. Both noodle soups feature wide, flat, and chewy Northern-style noodles instead of thin rice vermicelli, and we highly recommend: - Pho Thìn Special: Wok-Seared Ribeye with Garlic, Fatty Brisket, Flank, Tendon, and Meatballs. The broth is rich and savory, with a distinct garlic and roasted flavor, complemented by green onions. Very tasty, similar to Korean Galbitang. - Short Rib Pho: Braised Short Rib, Rare Ribeye, and Meatballs in a flavorful, hearty broth. An excellent, satisfying, and filling noodle soup. - Summer Rolls: Shrimp, Vermicelli, Lettuce with Peanut Sauce, two large pieces. The peanut sauce is excellent, and the portion size offers good value. - Crispy Spring Rolls: Pork, Shrimp, Carrot, Taro, Mushroom, Shallot, Noodles, deep-fried for a crunchy outside and served with a dipping sauce that enhances the flavor. - Iced Vietnamese Phin Coffee with Condensed Milk: Robust and sweet, a signature of Vietnamese coffee.

Making the drive out to Falls Church from D.C. with a friend from Vietnam, Pho Tin 13 Lo Duc was a fun experience. Since it's in Fall Church, of course it's in a strip mall with ample parking. The inside is spacious filled with many small tables. The menu is small, but hearty. I ordered the #2 with rib eye and garlic. The broth was very clean and the noodle thicker than other pho spots. The garlic on the table was a nice touch. It was tasty!

During the soft opening, it's just appetizers and pho on the lunch menu. Three of us shared two orders of Summer Rolls ($7.95). Two of us are garlic lovers and got the Thin Signature Wok Seared Ribeye with Garlic ($20.95). The steak was …

I visited during the soft opening, and overall it was a very good experience. The restaurant space is huge, but due to limited staffing, only about half is currently used for dining while the other half serves as a waiting area. We arrived around 10:30 AM on a Saturday and waited about 20 minutes for a table—not bad considering it’s still new and getting a lot of attention. Once seated, service was quick. Our food came out in about 5 minutes, which was impressive. The pho itself is very good. The noodles are freshly made, though slightly thicker than the original version in Hanoi. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the meat is excellent. They also offer garlic in vinegar, which adds a nice authentic touch. The only small downside was the breadstick—it wasn’t as hot and crispy as expected. Overall, a great experience that really made me miss my hometown. Definitely worth trying, especially once they are fully staffed.