Our Story
“Pho 99” was founded in 1999 by Mr. Huynh and his wife, Mrs. Bui. Over the years, it has become a staple of Vietnamese cuisine, expanding across the Lower Mainland and into the United States. While little is known about the early days of the chain, one thing is certain—Mr. Huynh had a deep passion for pho, defining it as “the national soul and beauty of Vietnamese cuisine.”
In 2011, R. Tran, an engineering student at SFU, joined Pho 99 as a part-time employee. Five years later, his brother, D. Tran, followed in his footsteps. Inspired by Mr. Huynh’s dedication and expertise, the brothers developed their own love for pho and a dream of one day owning a Pho 99 restaurant. Under Mr. Huynh’s mentorship, they worked tirelessly to master the skills and knowledge needed to run their own establishment, knowing they had big shoes to fill.
That dream became reality in December 2019, when Pho 99 opened a new location at Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus—a place that held special meaning for the brothers as former students. Then, in March 2022, Mr. Huynh entrusted them with the restaurant’s future, confident they would carry on the legacy of “Pho 99 (SFU)”.
Today, our team proudly upholds this tradition, combining time-honoured cooking techniques, passion, and dedication with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.
Our house beef broth is a labor of love. Briskets are simmered for 3–5 hours before four types of beef bones—knuckle, ribs, oxtail, and bone marrow—are slow-cooked for up to 20 hours. The broth is then enhanced with charred onion, ginger, and a blend of seven natural spices (star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and peppercorn), creating a deeply aromatic and satisfying experience.
At Pho 99 SFU, we take pride in offering a beef broth that is entirely MSG-free, ensuring every sip is both flavorful and wholesome. By staying true to our Vietnamese roots while embracing our international setting, we create dishes that are both authentic and uniquely memorable.
We are incredibly grateful for the love and support from students and local residents, and we remain committed to giving back to the community. Through charity events and donations, we aim to make a positive impact, supporting organizations that serve those in need.
At Pho 99 SFU, our mission is simple—to share the warmth and richness of Vietnamese cuisine while fostering a sense of community. We look forward to serving you for years to come.