Some flavours leave such a mark that they travel with us across continents, through time, and into new beginnings. For Carolyn Kim, pho was one of those flavours. That is why she opened Pho Noodle Bar in Asunción. After living in the United States for several years, the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup became one of her go-to comfort meals.
Upon returning to Paraguay, she realised Vietnamese restaurants were impossible to find. “There was no Vietnamese restaurant at all,” she recalls. “I missed pho so much, and I told myself, one day, I am going to open one.”
That dream became reality. A conversation with a visiting friend from South Korea quickly turned into a detailed plan. “He was exploring investment opportunities in Paraguay. I told him that it was urgent to open a pho restaurant, because I missed it so much. That is how we began planning.”
Today, Pho Noodle Bar is a collaborative venture with its corporate headquarters in Seoul, and its South American branch based in Asunción.
A global journey rooted in Paraguay
Carolyn’s story began long before Pho Noodle Bar. The daughter of South Korean immigrants arrived in Paraguay in 1985 at just five years of age. She grew up in Asunción, later completing her university studies in South Korea, and gaining professional experience all around the world. But despite her international background, Paraguay remained her home. And Pho Noodle Bar became her way of sharing a beloved piece of the world with her local community.
The first restaurant opened its doors in the Villa Morra neighbourhood of Asunción in September 2023. Less than a year after, a second branch was launched in June 2024 at the Shopping Paris food court in the city of Ciudad del Este, on Paraguay’s border with Brazil.
Pho Noodle Bar offers a calming atmosphere. “All of our indoor plants are real,” Carolyn notes. “We wanted the space to feel fresh and natural.”
What started as a craving has become a pioneer in the country’s culinary scene, introducing Paraguay to the warmth, comfort, and vibrancy of Vietnamese street food.
A menu that celebrates freshness and balance
At the heart of the menu is the Pho Bo, beef rice noodles in a rich, aromatic broth flavoured with carefully selected spices and topped with bean sprouts, spring onions, white onions, coriander, Thai basil, jalapeños, chilli, and a dash of fresh lime. “For those who love pho, coriander is essential,” Carolyn explains. “We know not everyone is a fan, but in pho, these herbs are indispensable.”
The ingredient is so important, that the restaurant’s logo features a coriander leaf.
Other popular dishes include the summer rolls, light and refreshing cold appetisers filled with fresh vegetables and your choice of prawn, chicken, or pork; and the Chagio, a fried Vietnamese spring roll filled with pork, vegetables, and mushrooms, delicately wrapped in rice paper.
The authenticity is maintained with imported ingredients. “The noodles come from Thailand and Vietnam, sauces from California and Taiwan, and spices from Asia and the United States. Even the bowls and chopsticks are imported, from Korea,” Carolyn says. Meat is sourced fresh each day from local Paraguayan suppliers.
Special events and limited-time menus are a regular feature. Currently, guests can enjoy the Ma La + Pho collaboration, a bold twist that uses Sichuan peppercorns imported from the United States to create a distinctive spicy sauce. “We love reading the comments clients leave us on Google Review. It motivates us a great deal,” she adds.
Pho Noodle Bar: One-of-a-kind in Paraguay
Respect, empowerment, honesty, and responsibility guide the team behind Pho Noodle Bar. Carolyn describes her favourite part of running the business as “the aroma of pho”, and “the wonderful team who work with excellence.”
While Vietnamese food may be common in many countries, in Paraguay, Pho Noodle Bar is the first and only of its kind. “In other places, there might be a pho restaurant in every neighbourhood. But here, there are none,” Carolyn states.
Plans for the future include new seasonal menus and an expanded beverage offering featuring Vietnamese iced coffee, smoothies, gin and tonic, and Aperol Spritz.
Whether you are already a pho enthusiast, or trying it for the first time, Pho Noodle Bar offers more than just a meal. It offers a place where flavour, culture, and simplicity meet. A bowl that comforts, and invites you to return.
Exclusive Discounts For VIP Members
As a special offer for VIP Members of The Asunción Times, Pho Noodle Bar is offering a 15% discount on all purchases made at the Asunción location, whenever you show your VIP Member Card – one of many VIP Member Benefits. To redeem this exclusive discount, VIP members must show their VIP membership card when making a payment.
Pho Noodle opening hours and locations
- Asunción:
Monday: 11:30 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 22:00
Tuesday: 11:30 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 22:00
Wednesday: 11:30 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 22:00
Thursday: 11:30 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 22:00
Friday: 11:30 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 22:00
Saturday: 11:30 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 22:00
Sunday: Closed
- Ciudad del Este:
Monday: 10:00 to 19:00
Tuesday: 10:00 to 19:00
Wednesday: 10:00 to 19:00
Thursday: 10:00 to 19:00
Friday: 10:00 to 22:00
Saturday: 10:00 to 22:00
Sunday: 10:00 to 22:00
For more information, check Pho Noodle Bar on Instagram.
