Lincoln has a notable Vietnamese community — the legacy of refugee resettlement programs in the 1970s and 1980s that brought several thousand Vietnamese families to Nebraska — and the city's Vietnamese restaurants reflect genuine community cooking rather than Americanized approximations. Pho Vietnam is among the most reliable: a no-frills room on O Street where the pho broth is made properly, starting from bones simmered overnight, and the portions are generous.
Order the beef pho with tendon and tripe if you want the full experience; the plain round steak version is milder and a solid introduction if you are new to the dish. The spring rolls are worth ordering alongside. The restaurant is inexpensive, service is quick, and it is open for lunch and dinner most days.