Probably the most recognizable dish on Benley’s menu is pho, an aromatic Vietnamese noodle soup. The restaurant serves its pho in four varieties: steak, brisket, meatball and chicken. The steak is arguably the best—slices of beef so thin they’re almost translucent—but all of the varieties come similarly dressed: cilantro, scallions and onions hang near the top of the steaming broth, while fistfuls of beansprouts and basil, a wedge of lime, a slice of jalapeño and dollops of hoisin and hot sauces come on the side. The other half of Benley’s menu adds unique twists to a number of dishes: short ribs with an avocado purée, pan-seared salmon with a cilantro aioli, shrimp and lotus salad with a citrus and shallot vinaigrette. And hidden away as it is, once you discover the restaurant, there’s no going back—it’s like being let in on your friend’s best-kept secret.

BENLEY 8191 E WARDLOW RD | LONG BEACH 90808 | 562.596.8130 | OPEN MON 5-9PM, TUES 11AM-9PM, WED-SAT 11AM-10PM | DINNER FOR TWO, $20-30

Tags: dinner, Long Beach, lunch, vietnamese