Founders and sisters, Jenny Le and Oanh Le created Pho Bowl out of a deep appreciation for community, kindness, and a shared passion for comfort food.

Born in Vietnam, Jenny, Oanh, and her parents left the country in a small wooden boat. Their family was then picked up by the Chinese Navy in 1989 while afloat somewhere in the China Sea. They were then transferred to a refugee camp in China where they stayed for two years before settling in Boston. They moved homes several times, but what stayed constant was the family’s shared love of food and their love for one another, which was expressed through the meals they cooked.

Jenny remembers her mother cooking breakfast and dinner every morning and night, and her dedication and love for her children. She recalls, “There were always multiple dishes being served and there were moments when it was tough and awkward but all was forgotten after food was shared together.”

In 2018 Jenny moved to Phoenix to look for a better and brighter future. Oanh was already in Phoenix for 15 years at that time. Both sisters took time to look for the right location to expose customers to “food that loves you back.”