Anyang Vietnamese restaurant with whole shrimp balls: Pho Witch

As the mornings and evenings turn cool, I keep craving exotic, savory Southeast Asian food to wake up my appetite. Not the everyday fried rice I usually eat — I wanted a proper nasi goreng, one wok-fried at high heat until it's soaked in smoky char, loaded generously with fresh seafood.

So I made my way to a Vietnamese restaurant tucked into the food alley of Pyeongchon's hagwon district in Anyang, run by a close brother-and-sister duo who've built quite a reputation among students and locals. And true to its word-of-mouth fame, I fell completely for the combo of big, fresh seafood and crispy fried sides — this is Pho Witch, Anyang's go-to pho spot.

Where is Pho Witch, and what are its hours and parking?

Pho Witch sits neatly tucked into an alley off Gwiin-ro in Pyeongchon-dong, Dongan-gu, Anyang — easy to reach whether you're out running errands in the hagwon district or on a date. From Exit 3 of Beomgye Station on Line 4, it's a short bus or taxi ride away, and you can park along the street in front of the restaurant, making it convenient to reach by car too.

• Address: 1F, 61-27 Gwiin-ro 190beon-gil, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea — Pho Witch (pho witch)
• Hours: Wednesday–Monday 11:00–21:00
• Last order: 20:30
• Closed: every Tuesday
• Amenities: full Wi-Fi, Naver reservations available, takeout available, kids' chair provided, groups welcome

Pho Witch's storefront and dining room

Arriving at the storefront, a cute pink 3D 'pho witch' sign pops against the deep black exterior wall, with a green-striped awning catching the eye. Beside the entrance stands a playful standee reading 'We're not a couple... a sibling-run pho restaurant!' along with friendly life-size cutouts of the brother-and-sister owners — I couldn't help but smile before even stepping inside.

Step inside and the pink lower walls, lush palm plants, and exotic lighting come together for a bright mood that feels like a Southeast Asian resort. Under soft track lighting, two-top and four-top tables plus a spacious group table are arranged comfortably, making it a cozy spot for a family meal or a get-together with friends. Hoisin and chili sauce were neatly set out on the tables, and both the floor and table surfaces were spotless with no stickiness at all — a very pleasant first impression.

What's on the Pho Witch menu and how do you order?

Every table at Pho Witch has a smart tablet where you can browse menu photos and order with a simple tap. The wall menu board lists the restaurant's signature pho lineup — the Sibling's Sincere Pho, the spicy Eolkeun Pho, and Wang Galbi (king short rib) Pho — alongside pad thai, fried rice, bun cha, banh mi, and spring rolls, a solid roster of Vietnamese dishes.

We ordered a hearty, savory rice dish today: the Sibling Seafood Nasi Goreng, with freshly fried Whole Shrimp Balls (5pcs) as a side, and a cold Zero Coke. Once we ordered, thin sweet-and-sour pickled radish and crunchy pickled onion arrived neatly in ethnic-style ceramic dishes — plenty to whet the appetite before the main dish.

Sibling Seafood Nasi Goreng: how strong was the wok char?

After a short wait, the table was set with a wave-shaped plate piled high with Sibling Seafood Nasi Goreng and a red basket of Whole Shrimp Balls giving off a nutty aroma. The nasi goreng caught my eye first — plump mussels ringed the edge of the bowl, topped with a sunny-side-up egg, its yolk glowing softly, making my mouth water before I'd even taken a bite. The moment I scooped up a spoonful of rice, the sweet-salty scent of the nasi goreng sauce mixed with a deep, wok-charred smokiness that pleasantly hit my nose.

I piled a big shrimp on top of the rice for a hearty first bite. The plump, springy shrimp, chewy squid, and briny mussels seeped perfectly into every fluffy grain of rice, delivering deep umami. The crisp cabbage and finely chopped green onion cut through the richness, keeping each bite fresh so I never got tired of eating. Popping the runny egg yolk and mixing it into the smoky fried rice is the ultimate combo that maximizes the whole dish's flavor.

Whole Shrimp Balls (5 pcs): is there really whole shrimp inside?

Next up, Pho Witch's Whole Shrimp Balls — the crispness of the batter was honestly a work of art. Picking up one of the round, hefty shrimp balls with chopsticks and biting in, the outside shattered with a satisfying crunch, revealing not mashed shrimp paste but whole shrimp meat packed inside, bursting with chewy, springy juice. Dipped into the sweet-spicy chili sauce that came alongside, the shrimp's natural sweetness paired with the chili's brightness — a textbook example of what a side dish should be.

A big spoonful of the smoky, sweet-spicy nasi goreng, a bite of the crispy shrimp balls, then a cool sip of soda — this combo had that magical pull that made me clean the plate down to the last grain.

Verdict: who should eat at Pho Witch?

Today's takeaway: with the warm care and dazzling wok skills of the sibling owners, the harmony between the smoky seafood nasi goreng and the shrimp-packed shrimp balls was pitch-perfect — easily the best Vietnamese restaurant in the Pyeongchon hagwon district. Thanks to the exotic yet charming atmosphere and the neat, clean space, it works just as well as a date spot as it does a solid lunch destination.

• Anyone near Pyeongchon-dong's hagwon district in Anyang looking for a life-changing seafood nasi goreng with real wok char
• Anyone who wants handmade Whole Shrimp Balls that are crispy outside and packed with actual whole shrimp for a satisfying bite
• Anyone looking for a friendly, cheerful, comfortable restaurant run by a sibling team
• Anyone hunting for a bright, tidy spot in Pyeongchon for a family meal or a can't-go-wrong date