Discover 6 unique and enticing pho spots in Hanoi

Pho tossed, sour pho, or fried pho are innovative twists on the famous Hanoi dish, capturing the hearts of many. 

Pho takes the lead in any list of Hanoi's culinary delights. If you set foot in the capital without savoring the renowned pho, consider your journey half incomplete. Now, beyond the traditional beef or chicken pho, Hanoi chefs have added several mouthwatering variations to the list, featuring unique preparation methods that leave diners not just satisfied but craving for more.

1. Chicken Mixed Pho at Lan Ong Street

Ranked among the best chicken pho joints in the old quarter, the sidewalk chicken pho stall on Lan Ong Street is consistently packed with patrons every evening. The mixed chicken pho is a simple rendition using the classic ingredients of traditional chicken broth pho but with a slight twist in presentation. The pho noodles are delicately handled, the chicken meat finely shredded, complemented with a touch of fried shallots, roasted peanuts, fresh herbs, all mixed with sesame oil, chicken fat, and a selection of special spices, creating a pho that is flavorful without being overwhelming, bringing out the succulent essence of the chicken.

The chicken meat is sweet and tender, while the chicken skin, simmered to perfection, boasts a visually appealing golden yellow hue. The white, soft, and chewy pho strands blend seamlessly, providing a delightful mouthfeel without the pungency and saltiness of sesame oil. When ordering the mixed pho, customers are served an additional bowl of broth for easier consumption, made from boiled chicken water infused with a few carefully chosen seasonings.

Apart from the mixed chicken pho, the eatery also serves a unique chicken and cabbage salad made from organic cabbage, mixed with chicken, fresh coriander, and fried shallots. From 7 p.m. onwards, almost every table is occupied. The price for each bowl is around 50,000 VND, a bit steep but worth every penny.

Address: Pho Hanh - 54 Lan Ong, Hanoi.

2. Sour Pho at Nguyen Huu Huan Street

Located on the sidewalk of Nguyen Huu Huan Street, amidst numerous dining establishments, this modest eatery with a humble sign still manages to allure those gastronomes enchanted by the flavors of Lang cuisine in Hanoi. Sour pho is considered a pride of the Lang Son region.

Sour pho boasts vibrant colors - the golden hue of fried sweet potatoes, the red of pork sausage, and the fresh green of raw vegetables. The refreshing sour pho is consumed in abundance without overwhelming sourness, thanks to the specially crafted mixing broth.

To craft this bowl of pho, the chef has utilized a variety of ingredients: lean pork, pork stomach, dried cuttlefish, pork sausage, Chinese sausages, kohlrabi, dried shallots, crushed peanuts, fresh herbs, and, of course, the indispensable specialty of julienned fried sweet potatoes. The fragrant and soft pho, combined with well-seasoned lean pork, the crunchiness of peanuts, the glossy yellow color, and the delightful aroma of fried sweet potatoes, makes this dish irresistibly appealing.

The restaurant has been open for quite a while, initially gaining fame for its peculiar sweet and sour Korean noodles that once intrigued the youth of Hanoi. Using the same set of ingredients, the owner has crafted a dish of mixed noodles with thick, chewy strands, irresistibly appealing.

The price for a bowl of pho is around 35,000 VND. Address: 87 Nguyen Huu Huan.

3. Dipping Pho at Le Ngoc Han Street

Sliced chicken pho dipped in soy sauce is another innovation from the Hanoi restaurant owners. The pho noodles are cut to about 5 cm, arranged on a plate, topped with shredded chicken and distinctive lime leaves. A small bowl of soy sauce is delicately cut with a few slices of fresh chili and a bit of sugar to balance the flavors. Thus, a simple yet harmonious bowl of pho is complete.

Diners can choose either chicken thigh or wing based on their preference. The pho noodles are soft but not mushy, the chicken is crispy and fragrant, with a delightful sweetness. The combination seems unrelated but captures the hearts of many customers. Having it once is impossible not to return.

In addition to the dipping pho, the restaurant also offers mixed chicken pho. The price for a bowl of dipping pho is 40,000 VND.

Address: 38 Le Ngoc Han, Hanoi.

4. Five Hamlet Rolled Pho

Although a variation, rolled pho has become familiar not only to Hanoians but also to travelers everywhere as a traditional dish. The first rolled pho shop opened about a decade ago on a street in the Five Hamlet village near West Lake (Hanoi). Initially just one house, it later expanded into a row, and now, in this area, there are dozens of contiguous shops, almost always crowded with customers, regardless of the season.

Making rolled pho is simple, and many people can make it at home. The beef is seasoned to perfection and stir-fried until cooked. Instead of traditional rolled pho noodles, they are cut into square shapes of about 10 cm. Spread the noodles on a plate, roll with a lettuce leaf, some fresh herbs, and a few slices of hot beef. Dip the rolled pho in a sweet and sour fish sauce similar to the dipping sauce for spring rolls in Hanoi. It's surprisingly delicious with such simplicity.

Address: Five Hamlet street, near Truc Bach Lake, Hanoi. In addition, rolled pho is widely sold in Hanoi, especially in snack streets such as Thanh Cong market, Dong Xuan market, Chua Lang street...

5. Puffed Pho Stir-fry

Not as widespread as rolled pho, but puffed pho has emerged almost simultaneously with rolled pho on Five Hamlet Street. This dish, cooked in fat, may not be for heavy eaters but is highly appreciated for its enticing and inviting aroma.

The preparation of puffed pho is also quite simple. The chef stacks 3 pieces of pho, each about 4-5 cm in size, into one, then fries it in hot oil. The pho will puff up, looking very distinctive. Beef and vegetables are stir-fried until cooked, and a starch mixture is added to thicken the sauce before pouring it evenly over both the pho and beef. The puffed pho is crispy, fragrant, chewy, blending with the sweet and savory taste of the beef, incredibly satisfying.

In addition to square pho, the shop at 48 Tran Nhan Tong also sells another type of puffed pho in the form of strands. After being deep-fried in fat, the pho strands puff up, turning golden brown and deliciously rich. When eaten, the pho is crispy, airy, and highly appealing. Finally, the chef tops it with stir-fried beef and aromatic greens. The outer shell is crispy, but the inside is soft, slightly chewy, and carries the aroma of rice flour, irresistibly delicious. A plate of shredded fried pho costs around 40,000 VND.

6. Deep-fried Pho Stir-fry at Nguyen Sieu

Instead of wet stir-fried pho, the pho shop on Nguyen Sieu Street uses crispy fried pho and instead of the familiar stir-fried beef, the owner designs it for customers to share a stir-fry mix. It may sound unrelated, but the dish still draws a crowd, especially on cool evenings.

A complete serving of deep-fried pho stir-fry here includes a plate of tomato stir-fry with garlic (you can choose your preferred ingredients like heart, liver, kidney, omasum, etc.), a plate of thinly fried crispy pho, accompanied by pickled cucumbers and dipped in garlic chili sesame oil.

When eating, take a bit of crispy fried pho, add some stir-fried beef heart and slices of cucumber, then drizzle with sesame oil or stir-fry sauce on top. The flavors blend together, creating a delightful and enticing experience.

Address: 10 Nguyen Sieu, Hanoi.

Source: Ngôi Sao

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Reference: Mytour