Gimpo Vietnamese restaurant for giant rib pho: Kkua

There are so many pho lovers out there, right? Clear broth is lovely too, but sometimes you crave an especially deep, meaty broth that warms you to the bone. We found an all-time great pho spot that won over both my meat-loving husband and me at once—and the visuals alone are absolutely overwhelming! Here’s our story from Kkua Gimpo Janggi Branch (꾸아 김포장기점), where we completely finished everything from giant rib pho, with a massive bone you can pick up and gnaw on, to nem with that ultimate crisp-outside, tender-inside texture ✨

What is the clean, polished interior at Kkua Gimpo Janggi Branch like?

✔ Is this Vietnam or a café? A clean interior

When you think of a Vietnamese restaurant, there’s usually that distinctive rustic, local feel, right? But Kkua Gimpo Janggi Branch looked so stylish and pretty from the outside, with a bright mint accent that made it feel like a trendy brunch café.

Inside, it is spacious, very pleasantly maintained, and centered on tables for four, making it a wonderful setting for a family meal out or a date.

How tender is the meat in the giant rib pho?

✔ The ultimate eye-catching dish! Giant rib pho

The first main dish my husband and I ordered was the giant rib pho!

As soon as it arrived at the table, our jaws dropped at the enormous rib bone sticking out beyond the bowl.

Because it was so big, I worried that the meat might be tough, but...

the meat slipped right off, soft and tender, with just the slightest touch of the chopsticks.

The broth, said to be simmered for over 10 hours, had a deep, rich meaty aroma on an entirely different level from ordinary pho.

It was clean rather than greasy—so addictive that I kept spooning it up until I could see the bottom of the bowl.

There were also two sauces, perfect for dipping the meat.

Have the shrimp fried rice and nem too

✔ Umami-packed shrimp fried rice & crackly-crisp nem

You simply can’t skip the shrimp fried rice, a perfect match for pho.

It is stir-fried with Kkua’s special sweet sauce, and the savory flavor that clings to your palate is no joke. There were plenty of plump shrimp too, while the rice stayed separate and fluffy, carrying a smoky wok aroma that made it impossible to put down my spoon.

Then the three-piece side of nem was truly a genius move!

Nem is a Vietnamese-style fried roll made by filling rice paper with chopped shrimp, meat, and vegetables.

Take one bite and, along with that crackly crunch, the shrimp and meat juices burst right out.

It was just the right portion and price to order lightly as a side for two.

What to know before visiting Kkua Gimpo Janggi Branch

• If you fall for the pho and wish there were more noodles, confidently request the one free noodle refill through the table-order system!
• Cilantro lovers can receive one complimentary serving, so add plenty to suit your taste and enjoy an even richer local aroma. Additional refills cost ₩1,000.
• The restaurant is regularly closed every Tuesday, and it will also be closed for the upcoming Chuseok holiday from September 21 to 22, so be sure to check the schedule before you go.

For a day when you’re craving rich meat broth

For anyone who wants to truly experience Hanoi’s deep, rich flavors in a clean, sophisticated interior, I sincerely and wholeheartedly recommend Kkua, a fantastic pho spot in Janggi-dong, Gimpo 💙