Turtle Tower, known for its pho ga, a chicken broth-based Vietnamese soup with silky house-made rice noodles, was once a thriving business with four locations across San Francisco. Originally opened in 1999, it was even a favorite of local celebrity Ali Wong, who named it one of her favorite restaurants, and was twice listed on 7×7’s 100 Things to Try Before You Die. But, in 2023, founder Steven Pham closed the last storefront due to “safety” and “sanitary” concerns, Pham’s daughter and co-owner Kathy revealed to KTVU-TV.
Soon after, San Francisco entrepreneurs Arash Ghanadan and Hilwin Wong stepped in as managing partners to help bring it back. Ghanadan and Wong are part of the hospitality group that owns cocktail lounges Madarae, Novela and Barbarossa.
“Turtle Tower wasn’t just a restaurant; it was an iconic part of San Francisco’s food culture. When it closed, it represented a significant loss not only for me as a regular customer but for the entire city,” Ghanadan told SFGATE via email.
He said that every time an establishment has been forced to close post-pandemic, it feels like another piece of San Francisco is lost. “I wanted to do my part to help preserve this piece of the city and ensure that future generations can experience what made Turtle Tower so special,” he added.
Ghanadan said he has been a fan of Turtle Tower since 2009. He used to frequent the Tenderloin location, which was at 645 Larkin St., weekly. While the restaurant was most known for the No. 9 pho ga, Ghanadan’s go-to order was the No. 5 pho tai lan, a simmering soup with celery, carrots, onions and leeks. He said Turtle Tower “truly felt like home” to him.
Now, the new version of Turtle Tower, which will be in the former space that housed Barbacco, at 220 California St. in the Financial District, will offer a more “elevated” experience, Ghanadan said.
“I believe elevating Turtle Tower is a natural step for its evolution. We’re staying true to the original menu that everyone loved, but we’re also expanding it to introduce a wider variety of Hanoi street food,” Ghanadan said.
So far, the Turtle Tower website has been revamped, though not much else can be gleaned from the new look, including prices. Before it closed, Turtle Tower was known for its affordability, with most dishes costing $16 or less. It is unclear if prices will remain the same at the new location.
“The idea is not just to revive the old Turtle Tower, but to build on its legacy and offer something new and exciting that still feels familiar,” Ghanadan said.
