1726, August 22, 2025
News Summary
Orlando’s dining scene drew attention as Twenty Pho Hour earned a listing in the Michelin Guide for its minimalist 2-D noodle bar concept and standout Short Rib Pho, while Saigon Noodle and Bistro received a Critic’s Choice award for Best Vietnamese. Twenty Pho Hour operates as a fast-casual Asian fusion concept offering franchise opportunities with hands-on training and ongoing operational support. Saigon Noodle and Bistro’s local recognition highlights its leadership in Vietnamese cuisine on Goldenrod Road. The combined honors may boost visibility among diners and prospective franchise investors and influence local branding and menu innovation.
Orlando
Saigon Noodle and Bistro won Critic’s Choice for Best Vietnamese in the 2025 Foodie Awards, and Twenty Pho Hour was added to the Michelin Guide list of restaurants, marking significant recognition for Orlando’s restaurant scene.
Key developments
The 2025 awards highlighted local Vietnamese cuisine with Saigon Noodle and Bistro on Goldenrod Road receiving the top critic recognition for Best Vietnamese. Separately, Twenty Pho Hour — described as the nation’s first 2-D noodle bar — earned a listing in the Michelin Guide, drawing attention for its décor, menu approach and a signature dish noted by the guide.
Details on Twenty Pho Hour’s recognition
Twenty Pho Hour was included in the Michelin Guide in part due to its distinctive visual style featuring minimalistic, two-dimensional décor and a menu that blends Asian fusion elements with a fast-casual service model. The Michelin Guide specifically highlighted the restaurant’s Short Rib Pho as a notable menu item. The location recognized by the guide has been open a little over a year, while the brand itself was launched in Orlando in 2022.
Business model and expansion plans
Twenty Pho Hour operates as a fast-casual concept that emphasizes quick service and accessible Asian fusion dishes. The company offers franchise opportunities aimed at entrepreneurs interested in expanding the brand to other cities. Franchise partners are provided with hands-on training at the corporate location, followed by additional training at their own sites. Ongoing franchise support includes assistance with daily operations, marketing strategies and other operational areas intended to help new locations reach stable performance levels.
Founder response and customer patterns
The company’s CEO and founder expressed surprise and satisfaction at the Michelin Guide inclusion and indicated a goal of demonstrating the brand’s value and impact within the Orlando food landscape. Customers have shown repeat visitation to Twenty Pho Hour, with the restaurant cited as drawing returning guests for its food and atmosphere.
Saigon Noodle and Bistro: local recognition
Saigon Noodle and Bistro’s Critic’s Choice award positions the Goldenrod Road eatery as a recognized local leader in Vietnamese cuisine for 2025. The award reflects critic-based selection and highlights the restaurant among peer establishments in the city.
Franchise information and public resources
Twenty Pho Hour lists resources for prospective franchisees, including details about training and operational support. Public-facing informational resources referenced by the company include the franchise information site (www.twentyphohourfranchise.com) and the brand site (www.twenty-pho-hour.com). These addresses are provided for informational purposes and are not linked in this report.
Context and implications
The combined recognition — a local critic award for Saigon Noodle and Bistro and a Michelin Guide listing for Twenty Pho Hour — underscores a broader pattern of attention on Orlando’s dining offerings. Critic awards tend to highlight culinary quality within local markets, while a Michelin Guide listing often elevates a concept’s profile beyond the immediate region. For operators, such recognition can increase visibility among diners and potential franchise investors; for diners, it signals restaurants that have drawn notice from both critics and international guides.
What to watch next
Observers and industry participants may follow whether Twenty Pho Hour’s Michelin listing results in new franchise agreements or expanded locations, and whether Saigon Noodle and Bistro leverages its Critic’s Choice recognition to broaden its customer base. Both developments will likely influence how Orlando restaurants approach branding, décor innovation and menu differentiation.
FAQ
Which Orlando restaurants were recognized?
Saigon Noodle and Bistro won Critic’s Choice for Best Vietnamese in the 2025 Foodie Awards, and Twenty Pho Hour was added to the Michelin Guide list of restaurants.
What is notable about Twenty Pho Hour?
Twenty Pho Hour is described as the nation’s first 2-D noodle bar, featuring minimalistic 2-D décor, an Asian fusion menu served in a fast-casual model, and a Michelin-noted Short Rib Pho.
When did Twenty Pho Hour start and how long has the recognized location been open?
The brand launched in Orlando in 2022. The specific Twenty Pho Hour location cited in the recognition has been open a little over a year.
Does Twenty Pho Hour offer franchises?
Yes. The company offers franchise opportunities, with hands-on corporate training, on-site training at new locations and ongoing support for operations and marketing.
Where can I find more information about Twenty Pho Hour or its franchises?
Informational resources provided by the company include www.twentyphohourfranchise.com for franchise details and www.twenty-pho-hour.com for general information. These are listed here as plain text.
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Weekly: Best Bowl of Pho
- Orlando Sentinel: 2025 Foodie Awards
- Michelin Guide: William Shen Florida
- Orlando Weekly: Closed Restaurants
- Restaurant News: Twenty Pho Hour Michelin Guide
- Wikipedia: Vietnamese Cuisine
- Google Search: Orlando restaurants 2025
- Google Scholar: Vietnamese cuisine awards 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vietnamese Cuisine
- Google News: Orlando food awards
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
