Chosun News suggests 4 delicious pho restaurants in Hanoi
Morning in Vietnam often begins with a bowl of pho. Many locals enjoy pho for breakfast, and numerous eateries open early to serve customers... Hoan Kiem District, a place that preserves the ancient charm of Hanoi, is also home to many pho restaurants. By 7 a.m., pho stalls line both sides of the streets, each packed with diners. Signs advertising pho hang along the roads like traffic signals," journalist Park wrote.
Park highlighted the differences between Northern and Southern-style pho. Northern pho is served with scallions, while in the South, like in Ho Chi Minh City, it is accompanied by bean sprouts. The fresh herbs enhance the aroma and flavor of the pho. The journalist from Chosun recommended four pho restaurants in Hanoi: Cụ Chiêu Pho, Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, Pho Thin at 13 Lo Duc, and Pho Bat Dan.
Leading the list is Cụ Chiêu Pho on Hang Bo Street, Hoan Kiem. This establishment, over a century old, has been run by four generations. The meat counter is placed right at the entrance. "Instead of adding spices like star anise or cinnamon, the restaurant only simmers bones and beef, preserving the broth's original flavor. Unlike most other pho eateries, they don't provide lime at the table. The broth is clear," Park described. The owner of Cụ Chiêu Pho has shared multiple times that lime, being sour, can disrupt the aromatic beef flavor in the pho. Instead, they use handcrafted garlic vinegar, with no lime available. Most patrons are regulars, so this practice is well known.
At Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su, the Korean journalist praised the clean and spacious setting with a diverse menu, including rare beef pho, well-done beef pho, and a combination of both.
Pho Thin was introduced by Chosun as a famous spot in Hanoi, established in 1979. A bowl costs 70,000 VND, relatively higher than other restaurants. The broth here is richer and oilier, with finely chopped scallions covering the top. "The broth is savory and creamy, perfectly suited to Korean tastes," Park wrote.
The fourth pho restaurant mentioned was Pho Bat Dan, where long lines of diners queue early in the morning. *"The noodles are thin, the beef is tender. Like Cụ Chiêu Pho, Pho Bat Dan also doesn't provide lime at the table. They take pride in their broth, which is sweet, clear, and always served hot. Try the well-done beef or rare beef brisket—these are the most popular options. You can also pair it with crispy crullers,"* Park recommended.
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su and Pho Bat Dan are among the pho eateries in Hanoi featured in the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand category (noted for great taste at reasonable prices). The journalist from Chosun also suggested two pho restaurants in Nam Dinh, known as the birthplace of beef pho: Pho Dan and Pho Tao. A common feature of Nam Dinh pho is its rich flavor, clear broth, and thinner, smaller noodles.
Recently, numerous Korean celebrities have visited Vietnam and shared their pho experiences, garnering much attention. In April, actor Jung Il Woo traveled to Hanoi and immediately indulged in the "national dish." The star of High Kick! sat comfortably on a plastic stool, enjoying pho at Pho Phu My, located at 45B Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi.
