Overview

If you're searching for authentic Vietnamese flavors tucked away in West Covina, M3J Bánh Mì & Pho stands out as a true gem. Situated on North Azusa Avenue, this cozy spot delivers not just delicious pho and bánh mì but also a remarkable sense of community that elevates the entire dining experience.

At the heart of M3J is an impressive menu centered around their signature pho noodle soups and freshly baked bánh mì sandwiches. The broth here is comforting and thoughtfully crafted, with options ranging from brisket to seafood and chicken. What strikes me most is how the owner, Steven, who is not only the chef but also the soul behind the place, hand-selects every ingredient, maintaining freshness and authenticity in each bowl and sandwich. The bánh mì bread is particularly noteworthy—freshly baked daily with a perfect balance of crunch and softness, complementing the savory grilled pork and crisp vegetables.

The atmosphere is intimate and unpretentious—a small, spotless space that feels like stepping into a neighborhood favorite rather than a commercial eatery. It’s exactly the type of place where locals gather, sharing stories over hearty bowls and vibrant teas such as lychee, jasmine milk, and Thai tea, all served with a gentle touch of hospitality. The friendliness of the staff, especially Steven’s personal attention, creates a welcoming environment where customers feel more like family than guests.

What truly sets M3J apart is its mission beyond just serving food. Steven’s dedication to community shines through his efforts to keep prices accessible and his quiet practice of feeding those in need daily. This spirit of kindness and generosity infuses the restaurant with warmth, making your meal feel meaningful on many levels.

Ideal for families, pho aficionados, and anyone craving genuine Vietnamese cuisine on a budget, M3J Bánh Mì & Pho is special not only for its dishes but also the care embedded in every detail—from the broth simmering on the stove to the extra noodles offered without hesitation.

For newcomers or longtime lovers of Vietnamese food, this spot promises both quality and heart. Whether it’s your first visit or one of many, M3J feels like the kind of place you’ll want to come back to time and again.


Amenities & Services

Offerings
Coffee

What Customers Say

Aims L
Dec 11,2025
5/5
⭐ Shoutout to Steve at KingSell Phone Repair for fixing my phone and recommending this spot—best tip ever! KingSell is right next door to M3J Bánh Mì & Pho, and since Steve eats here every day, he told me we had to check it out. So glad we did! I came in with my little one today since her favorite food is pho, and after getting my phone fixed we were both hungry. At M3J Bánh Mì & Pho, I met the owner, Steven (different Steven!), who told me he used to be an engineer working on airplanes before opening this restaurant about two months ago with his wife. What makes him truly special is his heart: he keeps prices intentionally low to help feed the community and provides free meals to the homeless every single day. When we walked in, I noticed a homeless man in a wheelchair outside, and Steven explained that whenever the man wheels back and forth in front, that’s his way of signaling he’s hungry—and Steven makes sure he gets a meal. That kind of quiet, consistent kindness really touched me. Steven seems like the type of person who would give the shirt off his back, and meeting him inspired me to want to do more for others too. The food was absolutely incredible. I ordered the brisket pho with double brisket, and it was perfect—rich broth, tender meat, and so comforting. What’s unique here is the $5 soup base (you can choose chicken, pork, or beef!) and then just $4 for your protein. Doubling the brisket for $8 was such a great value and totally worth it. Steven was so thoughtful and even gave us extra noodles for our pho at no charge. That meant a lot, since my daughter and I usually share one large pho and she doesn’t eat much—I normally have to pay for extra noodles elsewhere, but here it was just given with kindness. I also had the $5.75 grilled beef bánh mì, and wow—the bread was so fresh and crispy, even late at night near closing time. Steven bakes it fresh, and it really shows. Honestly, you just can’t find bánh mì at this price anywhere else—and with this level of quality, it feels almost too good to be true. Easily one of the best bánh mì I’ve had. We also tried the $10 fresh rolls (you get four big ones, super fresh) and the $10 fried rice combo with pork, chicken, and shrimp. Everything was flavorful, fresh, and made with care. The restaurant is spotless, the bánh mì prices feel like pre-pandemic pricing, and the overall value is unbeatable. Our whole bill—including a 15% tip—came out to about $54. Plus, I scored a free milk tea for signing up with their rewards program, and Steven even gave us a jasmine milk tea with boba on the house. And the menu still has so much more I can’t wait to try: the other bánh mì flavors, the egg rolls, the wonton soup, the porridge, the rice and salad combos, and the smoothies (all of their drinks are only $3 for a small and $3.50 for a large!). With prices like that and food this fresh, I’m definitely going to be a regular. Steven is not only the owner but also the chef, and you can feel the love he puts into everything. I told him how fresh and wonderful the food was, but honestly, it’s more than just the food—it’s the feeling. He makes you feel like family, and that means so much. We’ve officially found our new pho spot in West Covina, and I can’t wait to bring my husband here on our next detour. Thrilled to support Steven’s small business—this place is a gem, and I highly recommend it!
Benjamin Gonzalez
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Very good food very affordable of its kind! 2 sandwiches with good amount of meat, 1 big pho soup with 2 types of meat and lots of it 3 egg rolls and 1 Thai tea Boba all for $26+tax for my wife and I. budget friendly!
Christine Ramos
Dec 11,2025
5/5
This place has become my new favorite in the area. My boyfriends family and I come almost every weekend for reasonably priced Pho that not only tastes amazing but satisfies me every time. I just tried their Bahn Mi and wow. The vegetables are fresh and the grilled pork is cooked perfectly. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone. Friendly staff. Clean eating area. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.
J V
Dec 11,2025
4/5
Good food good price. Fresh ingredients and fast service. Will be going back. Had the sandwiches and Pho. The rice plates are good also. The service was friendly and prompt.
Lydia Alvarez
Dec 11,2025
4/5
The prices here are GREAT! I got a combination pho with a drink for $10.98 including tax! Unfortunately, you don't find prices like that very often around here. Food: 4 stars - pho broth was decent. I would not say it was great. I felt I needed to add some hoisin sauce for more flavor, but I prefer to have a broth stand on its own. However, it was good enough to quench my pho craving..and at that price I will definitely be frequenting this place. If the broth had a deeper flavor I would have rated this place a 5-star, but since I have already decided to return, I will try it again - many more times, I am sure - and hopefully I can update my score to a 5-star. Service: 5 stars - on top of the great prices, the customer service was excellent. The man at the counter explained the menu options to me in detail, suggested a popular selection, kept checking on me throughout the meal, and offered me a free sesame ball when he saw me eyeing it (which was fresh & delicious). You can tell he is very concerned with customer satisfaction and that goes a long way in my book. Atmosphere: I gave 3 stars because I would consider this place a "hole in the wall" - small, clean, quiet, and quaint. I prefer these kinds of establishments sometimes so I was perfectly fine with the atmosphere. Please give them a try and support small businesses like this!
La Vie Organique Spa
Dec 11,2025
5/5
I brought my meal home and I was very impressed with how beautiful the broth color was and that the chicken was extremely flavorful and hot unlike other places that serve cold dry chicken breast. They even give you a spoon for the to go orders. I have never tried an egg pastry that they had so I was given a sample which was extremely gracious. I will certainly return because of the amazing food and kind customer service.
Ezra K
Dec 11,2025
5/5
Asian approved broth is good, service is excellent, egg tarte soo delicious not too sweet, Thai tea is perfect and prices are affordable! This is going to be our new local go to spot for sure. Thank you! We’ll be back. 5 stars
Anna Takahashi
Dec 11,2025
5/5
It's great to see decent prices for banh mi. I bought four for $25 including tip. Their bread is light flakey on the outside but fluffy in the inside, perfect for this type of sandwich. Definitely coming back to try their other dishes!

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Location

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Tuesday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Wednesday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Thursday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Friday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Saturday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Sunday 08:00 AM - 09:00 PM
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