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Restaurant

Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam

241 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Recommended by 53 people

Updated

Find Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam

241 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9663 3288
HoursMonday: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:45 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:45 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam

Swanston Street’s undisputed heavy hitter dishes out steaming bowls of pho at relentless CBD speed. Step inside and the 90s nostalgia hits immediately—walls plastered with vintage celebrity snapshots, fast-talking tables, and zero pretension. Regulars crowd the tight dining floor on cold Melbourne afternoons for the deeply simmered nước dùng, fragrant with star anise and beef bones. Take a seat, grab chopsticks from the hidden drawer under the table, and scan the QR code to order. The beef special lands in minutes, loaded with silky flat noodles, tender rare steak, tripe, and tendon alongside a pot of complimentary hot tea. Grab a side of crisp fried spring rolls and slurp while it’s hot.

  • Signature Noodle Soups: Slow-simmered, fragrant broth loaded with silky rice noodles, rare beef, tripe, and tender tendon.
  • Brisk CBD Turnover: Tables turn fast with digital QR code ordering and convenient self-serve cutlery drawers built underneath.
  • Complimentary Hot Tea: Diners are greeted with pots of complimentary hot tea, ideal for warming up on chilly afternoons.
  • Decades of History: Framed photos line the walls, commemorating famous guests like Bill Clinton alongside decades of loyal patrons.
RestaurantVietnameseRestaurant

What's On at Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Pho Bo Ga Mekong Vietnam

Why diners rely on this Melbourne CBD staple for fast, comforting, and authentic Vietnamese noodle soups.

  • Brisk Table Turnover and Streamlined QR Ordering

    Diners can order and pay via table QR codes, with steaming bowls of pho brought out rapidly and utensils housed in space-efficient drawers underneath each table.

    ordered with QR code and received our pho within 5 minutes

    Isabella

  • Extensive Traditional Cuts and Organ Meat Varieties

    The kitchen offers rare beef, tendon, and tripe alongside tender meatballs and classic cuts for a comprehensive traditional noodle house offering.

    Nice rare beef, tripe, tendon and meatball

    J Seth

  • Complimentary Hot Tea for Cold Melbourne Days

    Every table is served free warm tea upon arrival, providing immediate warmth and comfort before the soup arrives.

    I love that they give free hot tea. This is superb especially if the weather outside is cold.

    Layar Jaring

  • Warming Broth Perfect for Rainy Weather

    Steaming noodle bowls and aromatic, boiling broths offer an immediate remedy when escaping Melbourne's wet and chilly climate.

    It was just what we needed on a cold rainy day!

    Ashley Pek

  • Classic Retro 90s Street-Eatery Character

    Guests enjoy a nostalgic setting preserved from the 1990s, offering a genuine taste of longstanding inner-city dining history.

    I like how the place ia frozen in time, they kept all the original 90s design

    J Seth

  • Lively and Immersive Street-Style Dining Vibe

    The communal hum, rapid slurping, and packed dining room recreate the vibrant atmosphere of classic Southeast Asian street-side noodle joints.

    Atmosphere, service and vibe is aight but takes me back to when I'm in Asia.

    Cindy Xia

Signature noodle soups served fast with rich, aromatic broths

  • Beef Special Pho

    Beef Special 진짜 맛있습니다. 추위를 이겨내게 하는 맛이에요.

    Jeourney Lee

  • Chicken Pho

    if you feel like you want something soup, light and comforting, you might prefer the chicken pho.

    Asti Tiana

  • Rare Beef Pho

    the broth is inviting and has a depth of that feeling of goodness from a home made beef broth. Divine.

    Out And About

  • Barbecue Chicken Pho

    We got the barbecue chicken pho which was absolutely amazing! Hundred percent recommend!

    Nicholas Brown

Other favorites

Sides, starters, and complimentary hospitality to accompany your meal

  • Spring Rolls

    fresh hot spring roles

    Isabella

  • Rice Paper Rolls

    fresh, packed with herbs and prawns, and paired well with the hoisin-peanut dipping sauce

    Richard C

  • Complimentary Hot Tea

    I love that they give free hot tea. This is superb especially if the weather outside is cold. Warms the stomach and keeps you comfortable

    Layar Jaring

  • Fried Tofu

    Fried tofu is also good.

    IL Melbourne Foodies

Frequently Asked Questions

How do ordering and utensils work at the table?

You order and pay directly via a QR code at your table, and chopsticks and napkins are kept in drawers underneath the tables. Food arrives quickly once ordered.

How long are the wait times during peak hours?

During peak lunch and dinner times, expect a line outside. However, table turnover is fast and lines typically move in about 10 to 15 minutes. Note that reservations are not accepted.

Is complimentary tea provided?

Diners receive complimentary hot tea with their meal, which is particularly welcome on cold or rainy Melbourne days.

Are there vegetarian or plant-based options available?

Yes, vegetarian pho made with vegetable stock and bean sprouts is available, alongside vegan spring rolls and noodle salads. Takeout is also offered.

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