Pho n' Rice

If you’re looking for a bowl of pure, slurpable comfort at a no-frills spot, this Somerville joint is your place. Situated in the Spring Hill neighborhood, this relatively unassuming restaurant dishes out some of the finest Vietnamese food around—especially when it comes to the country’s famously alluring aromatic soups. The menu boasts a number of brothy, noodled beauties to behold, ranging from the straightforward yet so flavorful Pho Ga (chicken) and Bo Vien (meatballs) to the more complex Bun Bo Hue (a spicy, lemongrass-laced soup served with flank steak and tendon)—all of which feel like the food equivalent of a warm hug. Non-soup specialties include an array of authentic bun bowls brimming with vermicelli noodles and bright, fresh ingredients, in addition to plates from other Southeast Asian nations, like Laotian Larb and Pad Thai. No matter which dish you decide, be sure to start your order with the house short ribs, which are sliced into tender, Korean-style strips, marinated in homemade barbecue sauce and charcoal-grilled for a sweet, savory and smokey result.