If you work in downtown Saskatoon, chances are you have asked the same question a hundred times: where do I grab a real bowl of pho on my lunch break? Our answer, of course, is biased — but it is also backed by years of regulars, returning office workers, and visitors who walked in cold on 3rd Avenue North and walked out fans. Welcome to Thien Vietnam 1.
What makes our pho stand out
Pho is one of those dishes that looks simple on the menu and is anything but in the kitchen. A great bowl of pho lives or dies by its broth, and our broth is simmered for hours with charred onion, ginger and a blend of warming spices — star anise, cassia, cloves, coriander seed — so the aroma hits you before the bowl does. We skim and clarify it through the day so it stays clean rather than greasy, the way pho is meant to taste.
From there it is your choice: pho tai (rare beef sliced thin), pho bo vien (beef meatballs), pho ga (poached chicken) or a loaded combination bowl. Every serving comes with a fresh side plate of bean sprouts, Thai basil, lime, sliced jalapeño and hoisin so you can build the bowl the way you like it. New to pho? Squeeze in the lime first, tear in the basil, and add chili paste a little at a time.
Beyond pho — the rest of the menu downtown lunches love
Pho is the headliner, but it is far from the only reason regulars keep walking through our door. A few of the dishes that move fastest at lunch on 3rd Avenue:
- Bun noodle bowls — cold vermicelli, grilled lemongrass pork or chicken, pickled vegetables, crushed peanuts, herbs and a side of nuoc cham. Light enough that you will not need a nap at your desk.
- Vietnamese spring rolls (goi cuon) and crispy fried imperial rolls (cha gio) — perfect to share at the table while you wait for mains.
- Com tam — broken-rice plates with grilled meats, a fried egg and pickles. Comfort food in twelve minutes flat.
- Stir-fries from the Thai and Chinese side — pad thai, ginger beef, cashew chicken, Singapore noodles. Great for groups where not everyone wants soup.
Finding us — 123 3rd Ave N
Thien Vietnam 1 sits on 3rd Avenue North between 25th and Queen, an easy walk from most of the downtown core, the federal building, City Hall and the Midtown. There is metered street parking out front and a city parkade a block away on 24th. If you are short on time, call ahead — most of our menu travels well in takeout containers and we can have it bagged and ready when you arrive.
Visit Thien Vietnam 1
Address: 123 3rd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK
Phone: (306) 653-2288
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Order online or by phone
Skip the queue at lunch and order ahead. Online orders come straight to our kitchen and are typically ready in 15–25 minutes.
Tips for first-time visitors
If this is your first time eating Vietnamese food downtown, a few small things will make the meal better. Order pho when you are ready to eat — it is best the moment it is poured, before the noodles soften. If you are spice-shy, ask for chili paste on the side. And do not skip the herbs — that little plate of basil and bean sprouts is the difference between good pho and great pho.
Coming from out of town? Saskatoon is a small city with a surprisingly deep restaurant scene, and downtown is the easiest place to sample it. After lunch you are five minutes from the river walk and Persephone Theatre, and ten minutes from the Remai Modern. Make an afternoon of it.
Visiting another part of the city?
We have two other Saskatoon locations serving the same menu:
- Thien Vietnam 2 on the East Side — 1301 8 St E #2
- Thien Vietnam 3 in the North End — 805 Circle Dr E
Heading to the Greater Toronto Area? Our sister restaurant in Thornhill, Ontario serves the same family recipes.