Premium tripe pho and seafood cha gio at Pho Witch, Pyeongchon

A while back, I met up with a friend in Pyeongchon and we were trying to figure out where to go for a good dinner, when we ended up at a Vietnamese restaurant said to have won over people with both its vibe and its food — run together by a brother and sister seven years apart in age. In a mood that felt worlds away from the usual chain restaurants, we got to try genuinely high-level pho here, at the widely talked-about Anyang pho restaurant, Pho Witch.

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

• Address: 61-27 Guin-ro 190beon-gil, Dongan-gu, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
• Hours: Daily 11:00 - 21:00
• Last order: 20:30
• Parking: Free parking for 4-5 cars right in front of the restaurant; if full, use the nearby Guinno-sang public parking lot or Pyeongchon Parking Building (3-minute walk)
• Amenities: Takeout, group seating, reservations, high chairs, waiting area, Wi-Fi

A Vietnamese mood inside Pho Witch

There happened to be an open parking spot right in front, so we parked easily and stepped inside. The moment I opened the door, I was met with a charming, exotic mood that genuinely felt like I'd traveled to Vietnam — I couldn't help but gasp a little. Every corner of the restaurant was decorated beautifully enough to double as a photo zone, and our pictures turned out great.

We visited a bit early on a weekday, around 5:30pm, but as it got closer to 6, seats filled up fast and customers kept streaming in one after another. There were families with young kids, couples on cozy dates, and — since the place is near the Pyeongchon private academy district — plenty of middle and high schoolers too, all ages packed in together. It really did live up to its reputation as a waiting-list spot, full of lively energy.

What comes in the sibling set at Pho Witch?

Looking over the menu, the lineup was really substantial. What stood out especially was that there are solo set menus, so even customers dining alone can enjoy a variety of dishes without much burden.

We ordered the sibling set, which is good for two people to share. The sibling set comes with pho, either fried rice or pad thai, a fried item, and a drink, and you can customize the details to your taste. We chose the premium beef tripe pho, pad thai, seafood cha gio (Vietnamese fried spring rolls), and zero-sugar cola.

Premium beef tripe pho

The premium beef tripe pho I was most curious about was a signature dish loaded with chewy beef tripe (kkanyang) and deeply aged brisket. 'Kkanyang' generally refers to the fourth stomach of a cow — the omasum — known for its distinctively chewy yet tender texture. It was simmered thoroughly with no off odor at all, and paired perfectly with a broth that was both refreshing and savory.

Pad thai

The pad thai we ordered alongside it was generously loaded with fresh ingredients — shrimp, bacon, pineapple, and crisp bean sprouts. The special sauce, savory but never harsh, soaked deeply into the noodles and ingredients, and I couldn't put my chopsticks down. Usually at Southeast Asian restaurants I find myself disappointed by small portions, but here every dish came in a generous amount, and the base quality of the flavors was easily top-tier.

Seafood cha gio (fried spring rolls)

The seafood cha gio, fried up crisp, was also great — shatteringly crunchy on the outside, generously filled inside, and seasoned just right. This is exactly the kind of quality that makes this Anyang pho restaurant so well-regarded — a perfect meal down to the last bite.

On our way out, the owner suggested we try the lucky draw. I won 5th place. A little bit of fun and kindness like this made the meal even more enjoyable.

Is Pho Witch worth a visit in Pyeongchon?

Pho Witch was the best pho restaurant in Anyang for enjoying generous, delicious Vietnamese food in a pretty space full of exotic charm.

• Parking convenience: Parking available right in front of the restaurant
• Impressively well-composed menu: A substantial sibling set, plus solo set menus recommended for those dining alone
• Generous portions and great taste: Every dish was delicious with no shortage in quantity

It's been a while since I found such a satisfying Vietnamese restaurant. If you're planning a date or a group gathering in Pyeongchon, I highly recommend giving this place a visit!