Pho Tam brings Saipan success to California

For a restaurant that first opened on Saipan during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pho Tam has accomplished what few CNMI businesses have—expanding into the U.S. mainland and becoming among the rare homegrown Commonwealth restaurant brands to establish a location in the continental United States.

Owner and chef Richard Ta said the idea behind Pho Tam Cali in Lake Forest, California, grew naturally after the success of the Saipan restaurant and his family's ties to Southern California. Ta was interviewed while vacationing on Saipan during the lull between super typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi.

"We opened up here in 2021," Ta said. "After the pandemic, this opened up about a year after."

The California branch opened in early 2023 in Lake Forest, Orange County, where Ta and his immediate family now reside.

"That's where I currently live," he said, explaining why the expansion made sense. "That's where I fly back and forth, just to help out here in the business."

Ta said Pho Tam Cali has since been recognized by a local newspaper as the top-rated Vietnamese restaurant in its area.

"We're rated No. 1... just for that area," he said. "I think there's about 10 other Vietnamese restaurants out there."

Although separated by thousands of miles, Ta said the California restaurant closely follows the Saipan concept while offering a few signature dishes not yet available in the CNMI.

"It's similar, very similar. But I did put my other signature special dishes out there that hasn't reached out here yet," he said. "I want to reduce our menu right now and just focus on improving all the dishes that we have currently. And then when that's done, then I'll introduce the new dishes from the States."

Asked what has driven the California restaurant's success, Ta credited consistency and passion rather than any secret recipe.

"There's really no secret to it. It's just trying to be consistent," he said. "I just love what I do and it shows. People are seeing it and the results are obvious."

Ta's culinary career began after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena. He entered the restaurant industry in 2008, first working in fusion Mexican cuisine before eventually returning to Vietnamese cooking.

The family's roots in the business go back even further.

Ta said his father previously operated a small snack bar called Pho 8 at the former Micro Beach Hotel, where pho was among the dishes served. That early venture eventually inspired what would become the Pho Tam brand.

Ta said he is proud to see a restaurant with Saipan roots gain recognition beyond the CNMI.

"I'm extremely happy about it," he said. "Just to put our names out there."

He added that the long-term vision extends beyond California.

"We're hoping to reach out to Guam, Philippines, maybe," Ta said. "That's the plan... but I think we're not ready yet."

Pho Tam Cali is located at 24531 Trabuco Rd., Suite I, Lake Forest, CA 92630. For inquiries, customers may call (949) 215-9552 or email photam88@gmail.com

Back on Saipan, Pho Tam is also preparing to expand locally with another location in Garapan catering primarily to the evening crowd. Construction has been delayed by typhoon-related damage, but Ta said he hopes to open the restaurant within the next four months.

The original Pho Tam Saipan is located on Rosa Street in Garapan, right beside the Kristo Rai Church. It’s open from 10:30am to 8:30pm daily. For more information, call (670) 233-7878 or (670) 286-8787.