Madame Pho closes Dundonald restaurant
Popular Vietnamese street food chain Madame Pho has officially closed its Dundonald branch, with doors shutting for the final time on Saturday, May 10.
The announcement was made on the restaurant’s social media channels last Friday, where the owners shared an emotional farewell: “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to announce the closure of our store here in Dundonald. Thank you for the memories but don’t fret because we are not fully going away! Our staff will be staying on with the new owners Waka Asian Fusion!”
Madame Pho urged loyal customers to enjoy one last visit before closing, writing: “Our last day operating as Madame Pho will be Saturday 10 May (closing at 9pm) – come down and get your pho fix before then!”
The Dundonald branch, located at Eastpoint Entertainment Village, only opened in August 2024. At the time, it marked the company’s fourth launch in just six weeks, following rapid expansion since its founding in 2020.
Despite the closure, Madame Pho continues to operate multiple outlets across Northern Ireland, including in Belfast at Botanic Avenue, St Anne’s Square, Lisburn Road, and Ormeau Road, as well as in Lisburn and Glengormley. The company also expanded to the Republic of Ireland with a Dublin location opening in October 2024.
Originally founded by William Chan, Madame Pho quickly became known for its authentic Vietnamese cuisine, especially the noodle soup pho from which it takes its name. Other popular menu items include Banh Mi baguettes and Ca Ri curry.
Chan sold the business in 2023 but remains in the local food scene with his Vietnamese coffee shop, Phin, which opened on the Ormeau Road in April last year. Chan has previously spoken of his deep roots in hospitality, having grown up in the industry through his family’s long-standing Chinese restaurant, Furama, in Antrim.
The Dundonald site will now be taken over by Waka Asian Fusion, who will retain the existing staff, offering some continuity for returning customers under the new banner.
