Pho Almaden - San Jose

Better than I expected! The soup was clear and flavorful, with a slight sweetness that suggests the use of natural ingredients rather than MSG, as it wasn't too salty. The food came out quickly, and the prices are reasonable for the area and size of the pho dish. The small size was just right for me, and more than enough for my friend. They ordered the seafood noodle soup, which I really enjoyed too. They serve banh xeo (Vietnamese egg omelet), and it was very well prepared, featuring mung beans inside. The tea was excellent, served in a cup without a teapot – I believe it was Oolong tea. We requested extra basil, and they didn't charge us for it. However, there were a few instances where there was lipstick on the cups and the tables weren't cleaned thoroughly, so they could improve their cleaning routine. Parking in front of the restaurant is limited, so we parked behind the Safeway next door. The interior and atmosphere are lovely!

The service was incredibly fast and the food was excellent. It was my first time trying pho, and I enjoyed it even without the broth.