"Nam Son is one of those restaurants I've been to hundreds of times and could've sworn I've left a review just to find out that I in fact, did not. Their pho never disappoints. Since I was a little girl, Nam Son has always been in my personal Top 3 for best pho in nyc. The soup is always at optimal temperature and consistent flavor. These days, many restaurants go all out with gimmicks, fusion, and gentrification of Asian cuisine. I just prefer it the way it is a regular good ol' bowl of pho, no bells or whistles. The soup is the basis and you just have to let that beef bone broth shine. Whenever I go by myself or order takeout, I usually go for the classic phở đặc biệt and maybe with a chè if it's summertime. With friends, I always order different apps and entrees for the table so they get to try a variety of dishes that some other restaurants don't even offer. The food served at Nam Son is authentic and I've confirmed that they are Viet owned. In the pictures I've decided to use with this review, I was blown away by the gigantic portion of bánh xèo (the giant yellow quesadilla looking appetizer). For those who are unfamiliar, bánh xèo (despite its yellow color) is actually not made of egg. It's basically a similar concept to a quesadilla or cachapa, where it's a pancake folded over and filled with whatever you like (in Nam Son, it's shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts). If you're reading my review as a tourist or someone who hasn't yet tried Vietnamese food, this would be a great introduction. You can't go wrong with ordering the classic pho and fried spring rolls."
