Few meals are as restorative as a steaming-hot bowl of pho — the Vietnamese noodle soup that many claim is their go-to remedy for nursing a hangover, fending off a cold or simply warming up on a chilly day. Its aromatic broth, meticulously simmered for hours to extract deep, complex flavors, is pure comfort in a bowl, complemented by tender meat, fresh herbs and rice noodles. As Vietnam’s national dish, it’s a cornerstone of Southeast Asian cuisine, and thanks to Southern California’s thriving Vietnamese community, it’s a staple across Los Angeles too.

Connection is at the heart of why Thao Pham launched

888 Supper Club, an offshoot of her popular Vietnamese pop-up, Tóp Tép. “An intimate dinner party format allows me to meet every guest, talk about what’s on their plate, and share its significance,” Pham says.

This pop-up specializing in Northern Vietnamese fare makes the best bowl of phở I’ve slurped down all year.

KTLA 5 News shares the stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders of Southern California who have made an impact in their communities.