Turtle is the bomb. I usually go to their other location on Geary/21st, a little cleaner neighborhood and easier parking. They serve Northern Pho, the broth is clear and with subtle flavor (chicken or beef). They will not give bean sprouts even if asked. Only a couple slices of lime and jalapenos, that's it. They say sprouts will dilute Pho broth. They come as close as you can get to the Pho in Hanoi. The owner is from Hanoi, they have never lived in the South so there's no Southern influences unlike some of the "Pho Hanoi" places you find in the US.

For those who's wondering why a Vietnamese Restaurant is called "Turtle Tower" - Here's a brief history of the Turtle Tower - (Sheesh, I feel like I'm giving the "Turtle Tower" free advertising). The Turtle Pagoda is a picture perfect little shrine in Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake. According to legend, in the 1500's a golden sword was taken from Emperor Le Thai To by a turtle in the lake. In some tellings of the tale, the turtle was heroically returning the sword to the lake where it belonged. In others, the turtle supplied the gold sword to the Emperor so he could smite his enemies. Still others say the turtle stole the sword and the Emperor had the lake drained looking for it. And in another variation, the turtle indicated to the Emperor which way his troops should go to win the war. In any case, this shrine was erected to commemorate the a turtle and a sword.

Some pictures of Turtle Tower in Hanoi - http://www.panoramio.com/photo/7813553