A new pho restaurant in downtown Des Moines will have vegan pho and late-night options

A new pho restaurant in downtown is aiming to bring a unique twist to the Vietnamese cuisine scene in Des Moines by offering a vegan option and late-night dining to the entertainment district.

Pho Real Kitchen and Bar is holding a grand opening with a limited menu on Wednesday at 200 Fourth St. with lunch starting at 11 a.m.

"When we thought of the concept, we just wanted some simple Asian food we would serve at home for our families," said Heng Fongkhamdeng, a co-owner of the restaurant. 

The restaurant, started by three co-owners from Des Moines, aims to offer a variety of Vietnamese favorites like pho, banh mi and vermicelli. But the menu also branches out with options like jalapeno crab rangoons, Korean bibimbap and chicken laap.

Starting out, Pho Real is offering three different pho options: meat combination, vegan and keto friendly. The meat pho will include rare steak, meatballs and brisket, while the vegan option is served in a vegetable broth with mushrooms, carrots, cabbage and tofu, but will still utilize pho essentials for the soup like coriander and cinnamon.

Price for pho starts around $10.

The restaurant will also offer fried chicken wings, fried rice and egg rolls.

"Vietnamese is popular here in Des Moines, especially downtown," said co-owner Nhut Ly. "In bigger cities, you see modern Vietnamese restaurants, but in Des Moines I haven't seen that yet."

The business will operate as a fast-casual restaurant between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., where people can order and immediately sit down without waiting for a server. It will reopen at 4 p.m. each day for a happy hour between 4-6 p.m. and then dinner until 9 p.m. with a more formal setting.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, the restaurant will offer late-night pho until 2 a.m. and to-go options until 3 a.m. The restaurant also has a bar with beer, wine and cocktails.

As for the punny-name, "Pho Real?"

"We grew up in the '80s and '90s and it’s a play on words. It’s fun," Fongkhamdeng said. "We didn’t want to be the typical pho restaurant."

Pho Real Kitchen & Bar

Location: 200 4th Street, Des Moines

Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m. for dine in and 3 a.m. for carry out.