Pho Hanoi is not only a dish but also a symbol of the culinary culture of Hanoi. Despite many ups and downs, Pho Hanoi still retains its own unique characteristics, attracting tourists from all over. Below, we will introduce to you the best Pho in Hanoi, where you can enjoy the authentic taste of Hanoi Pho.
Introducing Hanoi Pho
Pho Hanoi
Pho Hanoi is an indispensable culinary symbol of Hanoi, a dish that has been associated with the daily life of the people here for generations. Initially, Pho Hanoi appeared on street vendors, known by the familiar name "pho ganh." The image of steaming pho vendors, weaving through small streets in the early morning, has become a beautiful memory in the souls of many Hanoians.
What makes Hanoi pho special is its unique flavor, which cannot be confused with any other pho dish. The clear, sweet broth is carefully simmered from beef and pork bones, combined with traditional spices such as star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom, creating a rich, delicious bowl of pho. The soft pho noodles, fresh beef, and a little green onion and herbs all create a harmonious whole.
Pho is not only a dish, but also a culinary culture, a source of pride for the Vietnamese people. In March 2018, Hanoi pho was honored to be included in the list of the 50 best dishes in the world voted by CNN, affirming the position of this dish on the international culinary map. Over time, Hanoi pho has retained its traditional flavor, becoming an indispensable part of the life and culinary culture of Hanoians in particular and Vietnamese people in general.
12+ Best pho Hanoi: 10 best pho in Hanoi
When it comes to Hanoi cuisine, pho is one of the dishes that cannot be missed. To enjoy the authentic taste of traditional pho, below is a list of the best pho restaurants in Hanoi that you should visit.
Pho Bat Dan
Pho Bat Dan
Pho Bat Dan is one of the oldest pho restaurants in Hanoi, with a history of over 100 years. Located at 49 Bat Dan, Cua Dong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, the restaurant is famous not only for its distinctive flavors but also for its unique self-service style. Customers have to queue up and serve themselves, creating an interesting and unique experience. Although there are no waiters, the restaurant is always crowded with customers during two time frames: from 6:00 to 10:00 and from 18:00 to 20:30.
Pho Ly Quoc Su
Pho Ly Quoc Su is a famous pho chain, indispensable in the journey to discover pho in Hanoi. With a spacious, airy and luxurious space, Pho Ly Quoc Su attracts many diners to enjoy. Pho here is highly appreciated for its clear broth, the sweet taste of bones and soft, rich slices of beef. The restaurant is open from 6:00 - 14:00 and 17:00 - 22:00.
Pho Thin Bo Ho
Pho Thin Bo Ho, located at 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem District, is a must-visit place for those who love Hanoi pho. The restaurant is so famous that the Hanoi People's Committee once ordered 4,000 bowls of pho to serve the US-North Korea Summit. With rich broth and tender rare beef, Pho Thin Bo Ho has left a mark on diners. The restaurant is open from 6:00–13:00 and 17:30–22:00.
Pho Thin Lo Duc
Pho Thin Lo Duc
Pho Thin Lo Duc, located at 13 Lo Duc, Ngo Thi Nham Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, is a must-visit. Pho Thin Lo Duc is one of the most famous pho restaurants in Hanoi, where you can enjoy a bowl of pho with rich broth and especially fragrant stir-fried beef. Although the restaurant space is quite small, it does not stop the footsteps of Hanoi pho lovers from coming here early in the morning.
Pho ganh Hang Chieu
Pho ganh Hang Chieu is located at the intersection of Hang Chieu - Hang Duong, Hoan Kiem district, is a special pho restaurant for those who love a simple and cozy space. The restaurant opens from 3:00 to 7:00 am, serving early for diners who want to enjoy a hot bowl of pho in the middle of the night or at the beginning of a new day. The pho here has a sweet, rich broth, enjoyed in a rustic space, with simple plastic tables and chairs gathered together, creating a feeling of closeness.
Pho Suong Hanoi Old Quarter
Pho Suong is one of the oldest and most famous pho restaurants in Hanoi, with two locations at 24 Trung Yen Alley and 36B Mai Hac De. Pho Suong is famous for its rich, delicious broth, along with soft slices of beef and chewy pho noodles, typical of Hanoi. The restaurant is always crowded with customers because of its unique pho flavor, which is loved and highly appreciated by many locals and tourists.
Pho Vui Hang Giay Street
Pho Vui Hang Giay Street
Located at 25 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem District, Pho Vui is a familiar address for many pho lovers in Hanoi. The restaurant opens from 7:00 – 22:00, providing diners with a cool and comfortable space to enjoy the famous pho dish. The clear, sweet broth combined with tender beef and a light aroma has made Pho Vui's brand.
Goc Gao Beef Pho
Goc Gao beef pho is an ideal place for those who love beef noodle soup - a special variation of pho Hanoi. The restaurant is located at 158 Ngoc Ha, Ba Dinh district, and is only open from 6:00 to 10:00 am. With rich broth and fragrant beef noodle soup, Goc Gao beef pho always attracts a large number of diners to enjoy in the morning. The perfect combination of broth and tender beef has created a unique feature for this pho restaurant.
Hung Vuong Stone Bowl Pho
Hung Vuong Stone Bowl Pho
Located at 37A Hung Vuong, Ba Dinh District, Hung Vuong Stone Bowl Pho is the first pho restaurant in Hanoi to serve pho in a hot stone bowl. The unique feature of the restaurant is that the pho bowl is kept warm continuously, allowing diners to enjoy a hot bowl of pho from the beginning to the end of the meal. The sweet, clear broth combined with soft beef and chewy pho noodles has created a new culinary experience while still maintaining the traditional pho of Hanoi.
Stir-fried beef pho by Ba Thanh Beo
The restaurant is located at 11 Hang Buom, Hoan Kiem District. Pho stir-fried with beef shank Ba Thanh Beo is a famous traditional pho restaurant, imbued with the old Hanoi pho style. Besides the traditional pho soup, the restaurant is also famous for its pho stir-fried with beef shank. The pho noodles are stir-fried just right, not too dry, the beef is soft and sweet, the sauce permeates each noodle, creating a rich, attractive flavor. This pho restaurant has become a familiar destination for many diners who want to enjoy pho in a unique style.
Pho Train Street Hanoi
Pho Duong Tau Ha Noi is located at 3 Tran Phu, Hoan Kiem District, is a night pho restaurant opened in 1970, bearing the mark of time. With a cozy and intimate space, this pho restaurant is an ideal destination for those who want to enjoy a bowl of pho at night in the heart of Hanoi. The restaurant's broth is sweet, simmered from beef bones and traditional spices, combined with soft pho noodles and delicious beef, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.
Pho bung Hang Trong Street
Pho bung restaurant at 8 Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem district, is famous for its simple service style and attractive flavors. Instead of sitting at high wooden tables and chairs, diners enjoy pho at plastic tables and chairs with a hot bowl of pho. The clear, sweet broth, soft beef and chewy pho noodles, all create a pho dish with the authentic taste of old Hanoi. The restaurant space is imbued with nostalgia, bringing diners back to the atmosphere of ancient Hanoi, simple but full of charm.
Read more: Hanoi Street Food: Top extremely attractive dishes
Frequently Asked Questions about Pho Hanoi
Here are some questions that tourists often ask about Hanoi pho. Sinh cafe will give detailed answers.
What makes pho special?
Hanoi pho is known not only for its harmonious combination of ingredients but also for its sophistication in preparation. The most special feature of pho is the broth. The broth in pho is considered the soul of the dish, largely determining the quality of the bowl of pho. A delicious bowl of pho must have a clear, rich and sweet broth, stewed carefully from beef or chicken bones with traditional spices. It is the care in cooking the broth that creates the difference and unique features of Hanoi pho compared to other types of pho elsewhere.
What is pho broth made from?
Pho broth
Hanoi pho broth is made from bone broth combined with typical Vietnamese spices. To get a clear, sweet and rich broth, beef bones (or chicken bones for chicken pho) are simmered for many hours, combined with spices such as onions, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. These spices not only help enhance the flavor of the pho broth but also bring a unique, unforgettable aroma. The perfect combination of bone broth and spices has made the pho broth the main factor creating the special flavor of Hanoi pho.
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Should I eat beef pho or chicken pho?
Choosing between beef pho and chicken pho depends on each person's personal preference. Beef pho is often more popular and common than chicken pho. Many famous pho restaurants in Hanoi mainly sell beef pho and have their own recipes to create a unique flavor for the dish. Beef pho has a rich flavor, with broth simmered from beef bones, soft beef combined with herbs. Meanwhile, chicken pho has a lighter flavor, with clear broth, sweet from chicken bones and delicious chicken. Depending on your preference, you can choose beef pho or chicken pho to enjoy, each has its own appeal.
Pho Hanoi is a favorite dish of international tourists on Hanoi tours. This dish is guaranteed to conquer diners from the first time they enjoy it!