Follow That Pho: A Numbered Guide to Vietnamese Noodle Soup Shops in Virginia, Washington, Maryland

Posted by Melissa Lyden / Wednesday, February 20th, 2013

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From Pho 1 to Pho 2000, what is the significance of the numbered Pho? We’ve talked to some Vietnamese noodle shops in the area and compiled a slurp-by-number map for your soup obsessions.

1) It’s Gotta Be Geography
Sometimes restaurant owners are trying to give consumers helpful information in their name, such as a presumable tie to the area. There’s Springfield’s Pho 495 paying homage to the proximity to the Beltway and Hyattsville’s Pho 301, a nod to the local area code.

Hau Le of Pho 14 in Columbia Heights explains, “14 is because of the name [of the] street we are near.” And the Pho 14 in Adams Morgan? “We have the same owners,” says Le.

2) Historical Significance
Sentiment plays a role in restaurant naming and numbering. “1975 was the year Vietnam fell to Communism,” explains Chi Ngo of Pho 75 in Arlington. “My father chose ‘75’ in memoriam to us losing our country.”

3) Just Lucky
Certain numbers have a particular stigma in Vietnemese culture, and others are seen positively. Says Yan Chang of Pho 88 in Falls Church: “Eight is a lucky number! Not like six, you know?” 

Find Pho Near You

Pho #1: 5764 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD.

Pho 14: 1436 Park Rd., NW, Washington, DC.

Pho 14: 1769 Columbia Rd. NW, Washington, DC.

Pho 50: 7263 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church; 703-206-0483.

Pho 75: 1721 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-525-7355.

Pho 75: 1510 University Blvd., East Hyattsville, MD; 301-434-7844.

Pho 75: 3103 Graham Rd., Falls Church; 703-204-1490.

Pho 75: 771 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD; 301-309-8873.

Pho Reston 75: 12020-A N. Shore Drive, Reston.

Pho 81: 19735 Frederick Rd., Germantown, MD; 240-686-2068.

Pho 88: 232 W. Broad St., Falls Church.  

Pho 88: 10478 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, MD; 301-931-8128.

Pho’ 89: 3507 Fort Meade Rd, Laurel, MD. 

Pho 95: 785 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD.

Pho 98: 4090 Airline Parkway, Chantilly.

Pho 99: 2441 Centreville Rd., Herndon; 703-793-9399.

Pho 234: 10376 Festival Lane, Manassas; 703-530-9999.

Pho 301: 1425 University Blvd., East Hyattsville, MD; 301-434-8020.

Pho 495: 7215 Commerce St., Springfield.

Pho 2000: 13045 Worldgate Drive, Herndon.

Did we miss a pho shop (with a number in its name) in the area? Leave it in the comments and we’ll update our map..

Tags: Follow That Pho, Gut Check, Melissa J. Lyden, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, pho