80-year-old traditional Pho restaurant in the heart of Hanoi

Spanning three generations of business on Hai Bà Trưng Street, Tư Lùn eatery specializes in beef pho with options for rare or well-done meat.

80-year-old traditional Pho restaurant in the heart of Hanoi

Phở Tư Lùn is situated on Hai Bà Trưng Street, near the junction with Hàng Bài, Hanoi. Despite the emergence of modern establishments nearby, the humble family-owned pho shop of Mrs. Hằng has been here for eight decades. “The name Tư Lùn originates from my grandfather's era. I am now 62 years old, the third generation selling family pho here,” the owner revealed.

After inheriting the shop from their parents, Mrs. Hằng's sisters opened pho stalls at various locations. Apart from the original location on Hai Bà Trưng Street, their family also operates stalls on Ấu Triệu and Hàng Mã streets, Hanoi.

Not only renowned for its longevity, but Tư Lùn pho also impresses diners with its distinctively delicious flavor. Walking from a distance on the sidewalk, the aroma of simmering bone broth permeates the air. Setting it apart from some pho shops in Hanoi, the broth here is cloudy and boasts a sweet aroma from the beef bones.

Preserving the recipes of her grandparents and parents, Mrs. Hằng places great emphasis on selecting the meat. The well-done meat is made from the sirloin and rump, which are sliced and tenderized to retain their sweetness. Meanwhile, the rare meat is boiled and thinly sliced into finger-length pieces. The beef is tender yet maintains its firmness, each slice uniform and intact.

Having been in operation for many years, the shop is a familiar destination for many customers. Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Bòng, 73 years old, said she has been eating here since she was young, even before she was born. “Today, I brought my two grandchildren to visit the old quarter and came back here to eat Tư Lùn pho. The taste of the pho is still as it used to be and even better,” she added.

The steps of making pho, adding meat, and pouring broth are carried out in a systematic manner.

The pho shop is open from morning until 11 pm. The busiest times are early in the morning and late afternoon. They sell three main types of pho: well-done, rare, and a combination of both, priced from 50,000 to 60,000 VND, depending on the customer's request. Crispy fried dough sticks are also served with pho, making the dish even more appealing.

According to Lan Hương/ Vnexpress

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour