Our Story
Pho 99 began in 1999, founded by Mr. Huynh and his wife, Mrs. Bui, with a passion for sharing one of Vietnam’s most beloved dishes with their community.
For Mr. Huynh, pho was more than a bowl of noodles. He often described it as “the national soul and beauty of Vietnamese cuisine”—a dish that carries with it generations of tradition, craftsmanship, and connection.
That philosophy would eventually inspire the next chapter of Pho 99.
In 2011, while studying engineering at Simon Fraser University, R. Tran joined Pho 99 as a part-time employee. Five years later, his brother, D. Tran, joined him.
What began simply as a student job gradually became something much more meaningful.
Working alongside Mr. Huynh, the brothers learned not only how to prepare Pho, but also the patience, discipline, and attention to detail behind every bowl. Under his mentorship, they spent years developing their knowledge of Vietnamese cooking and learning what it takes to operate a restaurant with care.
Along the way, they began dreaming of one day having a Pho 99 restaurant of their own.
Coming Home to SFU
That dream became reality in December 2019, when Pho 99 opened at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus.
For the brothers, opening at SFU was especially meaningful. They were returning to the university community where part of their own journey had begun—this time not simply as students, but as restaurateurs hoping to create a place where students, faculty, staff, and neighbours could gather over comforting Vietnamese food.
In March 2022, Mr. Huynh entrusted the future of Pho 99 (SFU) to the brothers, giving them the responsibility of carrying forward the traditions and values he had shared with them over the years.
Today, we are proud to continue that legacy while building a Pho 99 that reflects our own generation, our community, and our belief that great food begins with care.
A Bowl Made With Patience
At the heart of Pho 99 (SFU) is our broth.
Our house beef broth is prepared through a slow and deliberate process. Beef brisket is gently simmered for several hours, followed by a combination of beef knuckle bones, ribs, and marrow bones that are slow-cooked for up to 20 hours. Charred onion and ginger are then combined with seven aromatic spices—the result is a broth that is rich, aromatic, balanced, and deeply comforting.
Our beef broth is also prepared without added MSG. Rather than relying on shortcuts, we focus on extracting natural depth and flavour through quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and time.
It takes patience—but we believe you can taste the difference in every bowl.
Rooted in Vietnam, Made for Our Community
Vietnamese food has always been more about family, hospitality, sharing, and gathering around the table.
Those values guide everything we do at Pho 99 (SFU).
We are proud of our Vietnamese roots, while also embracing the wonderfully diverse community that surrounds us at Simon Fraser University and throughout Burnaby.
Our goal is not simply to serve authentic Vietnamese food. We want to create a welcoming place where someone experiencing pho for the first time can enjoy it just as much as someone who grew up eating it.
Pho 99 (SFU) has never been only about pho.
It is about sharing Vietnamese culture.
It is about community.
It is about creating a place that feels welcoming and familiar.
And it is about honouring the people who taught us while continuing to build something for the next generation.
A place where a bowl of pho can feel like comfort, discovery, or even a little reminder of home.
More Than a Restaurant
Since opening at SFU, we have been incredibly grateful for the support we have received from students, faculty, staff, neighbours, and the wider community.
That support means a great deal to us, and we believe a local business should contribute to the community that helps it grow.
Through charitable initiatives, donations, and community events, we hope to continue supporting organizations and causes that make a positive difference for others.
Pho 99 (SFU) is still writing its story.
But our purpose remains simple:
To honour the traditions that were passed down to us, to share the warmth and richness of Vietnamese cuisine, and to bring people together—one bowl at a time.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
From our kitchen to your table, welcome to Pho 99 (SFU).