Popular Oakland Pho Shop Is Moving to a Bigger Space

Pho King, the busy Vietnamese eatery in East Oakland, is relocating. The restaurant, currently at 638 International Boulevard, will move to a bigger space at 207 E. 18th Street in the plaza housing Lucky supermarket, the East Bay Express reports. The original will remain open until the new location is up and running.

The new home of Pho King was the old home of the long-running Merritt Bakery, which closed following a fire five years ago — the bakery, open since 1952, is now at 500 Lake Park Avenue.

The space has stayed empty since Merritt left, so Pho King is the first business to move in after it was fixed up post-fire.

As for the opening date, the restaurant posted this note on Yelp:

Previously, we announced that our new restaurant will be open starting August 1st. Unfortunately, because of some unforseen circumstances, we will have to push back that day. We are looking at mid or late August of this year.

Co-owner Lieu Nguyen told the East Bay Express he was looking for a bigger venue, adding that it will be a better experience when diners don’t have to rush. The new location can seat 90, which is twice as many as the current Pho King can hold. The Yelp message also noted that the restaurant serves more than noodle soup:

If you want to have a quick meal and want some Pho, our restaurant is the best choice in town. But don’t let our name mislead you, we also offer a lot more options like Bun Bo Hue, Bun Rieu, Bun Mang Vit, Hi Tieu Nam Vang, Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio, Com Thit Nuong Cha Gio, etc...

Harvey K. / Yelp

• Pho King to Set Up Shop in Merritt Bakery’s Former Digs [East Bay Express]