For its owners, Columbia Heights mainstay Pho Viet is a labor of love

Stepping into Pho Viet is like entering a botanical haven. The patio is draped in cascading ivy and lush ferns, shading a few tables during warmer months. Indoors, vibrant orchids adorn the counters, enlivening the restaurant with verdant touches.

During the holidays, this greenery takes on a new charm, blending with twinkling lights, dangling candy canes, and Christmas characters. For owners Phi-Nhung Nguyen and Minh Chau, affectionately known to regulars as Nina and Mike, these displays are about more than beauty — they’re a labor of love, a reflection of tradition, and a gift to the community. 

Since the couple opened Pho Viet in 2009 (at the intersection of 14th St NW and Parkwood Pl NW), it’s become a local favorite, earning a loyal following and garnering professional accolades. In 2017, a critic at the Washington Post named it the best bowl of pho in town, writing that “the pure, near-translucent broth is so packed with aromatics it nearly levitates.” The spicy lemongrass pho — a customer favorite, according to Nguyen — comes with 10 levels of heat, offering both warmth and comfort, especially in winter.

“After you eat the lemongrass spicy pho, when you walk out of here, you don’t feel the cold weather anymore,” Nguyen says. She likens her food to  “almost like cooking medicine,” highlighting ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, and garlic for their healing properties. 

But the key to the restaurant’s success goes beyond the broth —it’s rooted in the thoughtful, homey atmosphere the Nguyens have created, which keeps customers coming back. “Ever since the beginning, the customers have supported us. That’s how we’ve survived,” Nguyen says.

Part of that cozy charm comes from the restaurant’s unique location—it’s nestled directly below Nguyen’s family home. Stepping inside feels like visiting a friend’s house for a comforting meal. The brick walls are decorated with snapshots of loyal regulars, first-time visitors, and receipts from those bold enough to tackle the spiciest broth options.

Nguyen’s husband, Mike, is a daily fixture in the restaurant, often seen enjoying meals or tending to the fish tank on the patio, a year-round feature. As for her 10-year-old son, Ton, he’s also a fan of the food, eating it almost every day – but Nguyen doesn’t expect him to take over the family business. “He has dreams of his own,” she says with a smile.

And, of course, there’s the lush greenery – a clear source of pride for Nguyen.

An array of plants, from floral to herbaceous, graces every corner of the eatery — tall, flowing, and robust. "We just built it up, one day at a time," says Nguyen, the plants’ primary caretaker. 

The thriving display began with gifts from family members and seasonal purchases from big-box retailers like Home Depot, often in batches of 10 or more during spring and summer. Prone to the late shift, Nguyen tends to her plants after the restaurant has closed. “I usually water my plants around 1 to 2 a.m. The neighbors who come home late know me well,” she laughs. Aside from the occasional watering, she mainly takes a hands-off approach to avoid overwhelming her plants. “Honestly, I don’t do much to keep them alive. No chemicals, just water them in the summertime and move them inside for the winter. I don’t want to mess them up,” she explains. 

This philosophy extends to her indoor plants as well – which includes a hearty aloe vera plant, elegant white orchids, and thriving bamboo and bonsai trees. Beyond the occasional pruning and sharing cuttings for propagation, her approach is refreshingly simple. “I just drop a few ice cubes in the pot every couple of days and place them where they have room,” she says. 

In her personal garden, adjacent to the restaurant, she grows fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, winter squash, peppers, and even a sweet orange tree, an homage to her family's gardening tradition. “I got my green thumb from my father and grandma,” she says, adding that her father’s flourishing garden often draws compliments from passersby for its vibrancy and beauty. 

This spirit of care and connection is also reflected in the restaurant’s involvement in local events and initiatives like the DC Holiday Hunt, organized by the non-profit District Bridges. The event invites participants to complete online challenges and missions to win gift cards and prizes donated by local businesses. Pho Viet showcases its collection of accolades from the event, including Best in Show awards for its standout holiday lights display.

Looking ahead, Nguyen is already envisioning ways to enhance the experience for her loyal customers while expanding her reach.

In the upcoming year, she plans to temporarily close the restaurant to add upgrades like a greenhouse and a meditation room on the upper level. “Our customers support us, and we want to support them,” she says. “We just want to make them happy.” Nguyen is also setting her sights on growth, with plans to open a new location on Rhode Island Avenue in 2025.

And as long as she’s there to simmer her broth and tend to her garden, Nguyen says her flagship location will remain open for the rest of her life.

This article has been updated with additional details about the restaurant's location.