Day 58 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland took me to Canton, and honestly, I left this one full and SO happy, lol. I got to eat with the one and only Mama Trang at Pho Bac in Baltimore, and if you know, you know. She opened one of Baltimore’s first Vietnamese restaurants over thirty years ago, so she’s OG in the truest sense, and she still makes everything from scratch. You can taste that in every single bite.
The Bun Cha Hanoi ended up being the surprise star, and it might be the best lemongrass pork I’ve had in a minute. So here’s the short version before I get into it: Pho Bac’s a family-run Vietnamese gem in Canton where the food’s fantastic and the hospitality’s even better. Come hungry, come with people you love, and don’t rush it.
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What Makes Pho Bac a Standout Vietnamese Restaurant in Canton
What sets Pho Bac apart isn’t a trendy fit-out or a viral dish, it’s Mama Trang herself. She’s been cooking Vietnamese food in Baltimore for decades, and everything comes out of her kitchen made from scratch, which you just don’t always get anymore. That from-scratch cooking’s the whole point here. You can taste that scratch cooking in every bite, and the little details (like the homemade noodle upgrade on the pho) are exactly what a bigger, faster spot would skip.
It’s tucked into Canton on S Potomac Street, and it’s the kind of place where the owner’s daughter, Anna, might be the one welcoming you in. If you want Vietnamese food with actual history and heart behind it, this is it. Pho Bac also earned a place on my list of the best Asian restaurants in Baltimore, and eating here reminded me exactly why.
What to Order at Pho Bac
Everything we got was delish, but a few things really stood out. Here’s what I’d steer you toward.
Bun Cha Hanoi ($19)
This was the surprise star of the whole meal. Bun Cha Hanoi’s a Hanoi-style dish of grilled lemongrass pork served with rice noodles, herbs, and a dipping broth, and Mama Trang’s version was seriously outstanding. The pork was super tender and packed with flavor, easily the best lemongrass pork I’ve had in a while. You dip the noodles and herbs into the broth as you go, so every bite tastes a little different. If you only order one thing here, make it this!
Pork Lemongrass Rolls ($9)
Such good summer rolls, y’all. The meat was fantastic, and the textures were SO on point, you get the crunch of the fresh veggies against the chewy rice paper and perfectly cooked noodles. They’re light and refreshing but still satisfying, and at nine bucks they’re a total must-try! Get an order to share, or don’t, I won’t judge.
The Pho (Brisket)
You can’t come to a place called Pho Bac and skip the pho, obviously. We got the brisket and it was super tasty, exactly what you want from a good bowl of pho. Here’s my one big tip: DEF upgrade to the homemade noodles! It’s a small upcharge but so worth it, they’ve got a completely different texture than the standard ones. Any of their pho’ll treat you right, but that noodle swap takes it up a level.
Fried Chicken Wings ($14)
Don’t sleep on these. They’re done salt and pepper style and tossed with onions and jalapenos, so you get that savory, slightly spicy kick. A great way to kick things off before your noodles and rice dishes show up. If you’re building a bigger spread, their menu also runs deep with dishes like Bo Kho (Vietnamese beef stew), the Golden Crepe, and a proper Vietnamese coffee to finish.
What Is Bun Cha Hanoi?
If you haven’t had it, bun cha’s one of the most beloved street foods in Hanoi, Vietnam. It’s grilled pork (usually both little patties and slices of fattier pork) served over a bed of cool rice vermicelli with a big pile of fresh herbs, and a light, sweet-savory dipping broth on the side. The magic’s in the assembly: you dunk the noodles, pork, and herbs into that broth bite by bite, so it never gets soggy and every mouthful stays bright. It’s lighter than pho but just as comforting, and it’s a great entry point if you’re newer to Vietnamese food. Mama Trang’s version’s the real deal, so start there.
Eating Like Family at Pho Bac
Okay, the food’s great, but the reason Pho Bac really stuck with me is the hospitality. Mama Trang and her daughter Anna genuinely welcome you like family, and it’s not a bit, it comes through in the food and the way they treat you. A huge thanks to both of them for hosting us. There’s something really special about eating food made by someone who’s been perfecting it for thirty-plus years and clearly still loves doing it. It’s the kind of warmth you can’t fake and can’t franchise, and it’s exactly why spots like this matter to me.
Vegetarian Options at Pho Bac
Good news if you don’t eat meat. Alongside all the meaty stuff, they do a vegetarian pho loaded with broccoli, snow peas, carrots, bok choy, and fried tofu in a veggie broth, plus other vegan-friendly options on the menu. So if you’re rolling with a mixed group where not everyone eats meat, nobody’s stuck with a sad side salad. Just double-check with the team on the day, since broths can vary.
The Vibe and Experience
Pho Bac’s a cozy, unpretentious neighborhood spot in Canton with dining upstairs and down, plus some sidewalk seating when the weather’s nice. It’s not fancy, and that’s the charm, it feels lived-in and loved. Service is warm and attentive, and the whole place has that family-run energy where you’re a guest, not a table number. It’s great for a casual dinner with friends or family, and honestly perfect for lingering over a big bowl of pho on a cold day.
Good to Know
- 📍 700 S Potomac St, Baltimore, MD 21224, in the Canton neighborhood
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 1 to 3PM and 4 to 8:30PM, Friday 11 to 3PM and 4 to 9:30PM, Saturday 12 to 3PM and 4 to 9:30PM, Sunday 12 to 3PM and 4 to 8:30PM. They run split lunch and dinner service, so plan around the afternoon break.
- Price range’s budget-friendly to moderate, with most dishes landing in the teens
- Parking’s street only, so give yourself a few extra minutes to find a spot in Canton
- Dine-in, takeout, and delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) are all available, and reservations are accepted
- Vegetarian and vegan options are on the menu, including a veggie pho
- Order online or browse the full menu on their website
Should You Check Out Pho Bac?
Absolutely…and you should bring people with you! Pho Bac’s earned a real place in my Baltimore rotation now, equal parts great food and genuine heart. It’s the move for anyone who wants scratch-made Vietnamese cooking with real history behind it, especially that Bun Cha Hanoi. If you’re chasing Vietnamese across the state, An Loi in Columbia is another one I love, but for Baltimore proper, Mama Trang’s got my heart.
Have you guys been to Pho Bac yet?! If you’ve got a Vietnamese spot you swear by, drop it in the comments, Nomsters, I’m always hunting for the next great bowl. Save this one and bring a hungry crew.