Pho - Vietnamese Noodles

The Story of Pho – Vietnamese Noodles

Pho is an iconic dish in Vietnamese cuisine, celebrated for its unique flavor—a blend of aromatic broth, tender beef, chewy rice noodles, and fresh herbs. Originating in Northern Vietnam, particularly in Nam Dinh and Hanoi, in the late 19th to early 20th century, pho began as street food influenced by French cuisine, possibly taking its name from the French “pot-au-feu.”

The broth, simmered for hours with beef bones and spices like ginger and star anise, is the essence of pho. The rice noodles, or bánh phở, are soft yet chewy, paired with various cuts of beef, offering distinct taste experiences. Diners customize their pho with fresh herbs, lime, and sauces.

Over time, pho has evolved, with Northern versions spreading nationwide after reunification, while Southern pho features a sweeter broth and more herbs. Now a global dish, pho is served in restaurants worldwide, thanks to overseas Vietnamese, showcasing the richness of Vietnamese culinary traditions.

How to Enjoy

Customize to Your Taste
Before eating, add fresh herbs, lime, chili, black sauce, and garlic vinegar to adjust the flavor. Be careful not to add too much seasoning to preserve pho’s unique taste.

Taste the Broth First
Sample the original broth before adding any seasonings. This allows you to appreciate its initial flavor and decide if additional seasoning is needed.

Combine Noodles and Meat
Use chopsticks to pick up noodles and meat, and a spoon to sip the broth. This enhances the experience of the tender noodles, flavorful meat, and rich broth.

Eat Hot
Pho is best enjoyed hot, so savor it right after it’s served to maintain its flavor.

Pair with Fried Dough
In Northern Vietnam, pho is often served with fried dough. Dip the fried dough in the broth to soak up the flavor before eating.

Savor Slowly
Enjoy pho at a leisurely pace to appreciate its complex flavors. Sip the broth slowly to enhance the taste experience.

Vietnamese Noodles

How to make Pho?

Pho is made from simple ingredients, but its preparation requires care and attention. The broth is the most important part and is usually simmered from beef or chicken bones for several hours to achieve a naturally sweet flavor. Spices like star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and roasted onions are added to create the distinctive aroma. The rice noodles are soft and chewy, quickly dipped in boiling water before being placed in the bowl. Thinly sliced beef or chicken is arranged on top of the noodles. Pho is typically served with fresh herbs like green onions, cilantro, and bean sprouts; while chicken pho may include thinly sliced lime leaves.

When enjoying pho, diners can add a squeeze of lime, chili, garlic vinegar, or chili sauce to enhance the flavors. Pho is a perfect balance of sweet, savory broth, tender noodles, and flavorful meat, making it a beloved dish that captures the hearts of all who try it.

Vietnamese Noodles

Local restaurant list:

Name: Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ (near by Hoan Kiem Lake)
Opening hours: 6:30 – 20:30
Address: 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi – Open in Google Map
Price range: 70,000 – 100,000 VND

Name: Phở Lý Quốc Sư
Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:30
Address: 10 Ly Quoc Su – Open in Google Map
Price range: 50,000 – 130,000 VND

Name: Phở Gà Huyền Hương
Opening hours:
Address: 20 Bao Khanh- Open in Google map
Price range: 60,000 – 100,000 VND

Name: Phở Gà Nguyệt – Nguyet Noodles
Opening hours: 6:30 – 13:00 & 17:00 – 1:00 (the next day)
Address: 5b Phu Doan- Open in Google map
Price range: 35,000 – 60,000 VND

Name: Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
Opening hours: 6:00 – 10:00 & 18:00 – 20:30
Address: 49 Bat Dan – Open in Google map
Price range: 35,000 – 60,000 VND

Name: Phở Khôi Hói
Opening hours: 6:00 – 21:00
Address: 50 Hang Vai – Open in Google map
Price range: 40,000 – 90,000 VND