Pho restaurant in Dalseo, Daegu: bean sprout pho & banh xeo, Laichen

Every time you crave pho, do you struggle to decide where to go? Today I visited Laichen Wolseong Branch (라이첸 월성점), a spot in Sangin that's gained a reputation by word of mouth as a great pho place. You get a deeply simmered broth plus a range of other Vietnamese dishes, so I was happy with it for lunch and dinner alike, and it even gave off a real Vietnam vibe. Let me give you my honest take!

Where is Laichen Wolseong Branch? Hours and parking

Laichen Wolseong Branch is at 5 Joamnam-ro, Dalseo-gu, Daegu (1st floor), and it's open 11:00–21:30 (last order 21:00). You can park for free at the Daeyang Building parking lot, and by public transport it's about a 10-minute walk (626 m) from Exit 1 of Sangin Station.

• Group seating, takeout, delivery and reservations available
• High chairs available
• Separate men's and women's restrooms

What is the atmosphere like at Laichen Wolseong Branch?

The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can see the whole vibe from outside. A wood-toned exterior with green plants and soft lighting gave it an authentic Vietnamese feel, and it looked clean and stylish, so I was already looking forward to it before going in.

Once inside, the first thing I noticed was the exotic atmosphere, as if I'd landed in Vietnam.

Rattan lights, green plants and a wood-toned interior blend together nicely and make the place feel comfortable and moody.

The tables are spaced fairly generously, so I could relax through the whole meal, and the sunlight coming through the big windows made it feel even more pleasant.

It suits solo meals, dates and family outings alike.

What we ordered at Laichen Wolseong Branch

At Laichen Wolseong Branch we ordered bean sprout pho and banh xeo. The table was piled with food, which looked satisfying from the start, and the two dishes go together so well that it made for a hearty meal. Let me walk you through them one by one!

Bean sprout pho: a rich yet clean broth

The bean sprout pho at Laichen Wolseong Branch is generously loaded with bean sprouts and beef, so it looked great right away.

The broth was rich but clean, the kind you can keep sipping without feeling heavy, and the bean sprouts were crunchy with a really nice texture.

Chewy rice noodles together with tender beef was a great combination, and I finished the bowl in no time.

Banh xeo: crispy outside, soft inside, packed with shrimp, meat and bean sprouts

The banh xeo at Laichen Wolseong Branch was bigger than I expected, and it was really packed with shrimp, meat and bean sprouts!

Each table has instructions on how to eat it, which is nice because even first-timers can enjoy it without any trouble.

The banh xeo is super crispy outside and moist inside, with a texture I loved.

How to eat banh xeo in rice paper wraps

Banh xeo tastes best as a rice paper wrap. I put banh xeo and bean sprouts on a lettuce leaf, drizzled on a little chili sauce, rolled it up in rice paper and dunked it well in nuoc cham (Vietnamese fish sauce dip). The crunch plus the nutty richness was honestly so good. Dipping it in the nuoc cham added a savory depth, and I enjoyed it right down to the last bite.

• Put banh xeo and bean sprouts on a lettuce leaf
• Drizzle on a little chili sauce
• Roll it up in rice paper
• Dunk it well in nuoc cham

Is Laichen Wolseong Branch worth a return visit?

If you're looking for a good pho place in Sangin, Laichen Wolseong Branch is worth a visit. From the rich-broth pho to the crispy banh xeo, no dish let me down, and eating in such a Vietnam-flavored space made it even better. It's a satisfying place for a hearty meal, and also for a date or family meal. Next time I crave pho, I'd love to come back!