With decades of history and distinctive cultural beauty, Pho has become an indispensable culinary icon of Vietnam, especially in Hanoi – the heart of the country. From ancient Pho stalls with rich traditional flavors to modern restaurants that carry a unique personal touch, we have compiled a list of the best famous locations, offering a diverse experience for food and culture enthusiasts in Hanoi. Let’s explore together and immerse ourselves in the rich world of Pho in Hanoi!
Pho Bo Hanoi – Hanoi Beef Pho
Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan
- Address: 49 Bát Đàn, Cửa Đông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
- Hours: 06:00 – 10:00 and 18:00 – 20:30
- Price: 40.000 VNĐ – 50.000 VNĐ
For a memorable dining experience, try Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan, renowned for serving the best Pho in Vietnam. Pho Bat Dan is among the long-standing, reputable phở establishments in Hanoi. What truly sets Pho Bat Dan apart is its traditional flavor present in every bowl. Pho broth is simmered from beef and bones so it has a sweet and savory taste.
Enjoyed with chewy pho noodles, the rich beef pieces provide a complete culinary experience. Pho stands as a distinctive symbol of Hanoi, often enjoyed by locals with crispy and hot fried dough sticks alongside. If you’re exploring the Old Quarter, make sure to stop by Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan for the best Pho in Hanoi Old Quarter, especially their Beef Pho.
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Pho Thin Hanoi
- Address: No.13 Lo Duc Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Hours: 06:00 – 20:30
- Price: Starting from VND 65,000/USD 2.8
Have you ever tasted the savory Beef Pho at Pho Thin? It’s considered one of the best Pho in Hanoi. Pho Thin is different from Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan, which has only one location on Bat Dan Street and has never expanded. Pho Thin has branches not only in Vietnam but also in places like Tokyo (Japan) and Melbourne (Australia).
At Pho Thin, their Beef Pho isn’t made traditionally. Unlike the traditional Pho, which usually has a clear broth with little fat and perfectly cooked beef, Pho Thin’s version stands out with its generous topping of green spring onions, stir-fried beef, and fatty broth.
While some people who prefer the traditional Pho might find Pho Thin’s style unusual, many diners keep coming back for the abundance of spring onions and the rich broth. Despite the higher price, diners believe it’s worth it for the quality and generous portions of beef.
Pho Thin Bo Ho
- Address: No.61 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Hours: 05:00 – 13:00 and 06:00 – 20:30
- Price: Starting from VND 50,000
Pho Thin Bo Ho, also known simply as Pho Thin, is located on Dinh Tien Hoang Street. Unlike the other Pho Thin, this one sticks to traditional Pho recipes. With over 70 years of experience, it’s a favorite among locals.
Before the summit, many people couldn’t tell Pho Thin Bo Ho and Pho Thin Lo Duc apart. But thanks to the summit, Pho Thin Bo Ho is once again recognized as a traditional Pho spot with nearly a century of experience.
If you’re ever in Hanoi, start your day early with breakfast at Pho Thin Bo Ho. Try their rare beef Pho with some crispy Quay (Yau Ja Kwai), a poached egg, and a glass of iced tea. Enjoy the morning breeze by Hoan Kiem Lake, right across from Pho Thin Bo Ho.
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Pho Ly Quoc Su
- Address 1: 27B Phung Hung Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi (this is the original Pho Ly Quoc Su location).
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Address 2: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
- Opening hours: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
In Hanoi, there are many Pho Ly Quoc Su restaurants. In the Old Quarter, you can find two places where they sell delicious Pho bo.
When you order Pho at Ly Quoc Su, you get tender beef with soft noodles, lots of green onions, and cilantro. They don’t put minced ginger like Pho Gia Truyen does, but instead, they add sliced yellow onions. These onions are added just before the broth, so they have a nice mix of sharpness and sweetness.
They make the Pho right in front of you, so you can take photos before eating. If you like cilantro, you should try Pho Ly Quoc Su. Don’t forget to add a spoonful of rice vinegar, a lime wedge, and a bit of chili sauce from the table to make it even tastier.
Pho Man Hanoi
Looking for the best Pho in Hanoi? Check out Pho Man for its salty yet unforgettable flavor. Addressed at No.1 Gam Cau Street in Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Pho Man is praised by many locals as serving the finest Pho in town. The name “Man” means “salty,” perfectly describing the taste of their Pho—it’s salty! Despite the saltiness, patrons keep coming back for more, particularly for the tender beef, known as the beef heel muscle or “loi rua” in Vietnamese.
Although some might find Pho Man’s prices relatively high (around VND 100,000/$4 for a bowl), many believe it’s worth it for the exceptional quality and distinct flavor.
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Pho Bo Lam Hanoi
Pho Lam is a beloved local spot known for its traditional Hanoi-style Pho. The noodles here are thick and small, and the broth is light with no fat. Most of the customers are Hanoi locals who love the authentic flavor of Pho Lam.
To enjoy the best Pho at Lam restaurant, it’s recommended to arrive before 9 a.m. This ensures you get the best selection of beef cuts and the original broth, which is cooked overnight. As the restaurant gets busy quickly and may run out of certain ingredients, arriving early guarantees you a satisfying bowl of Pho.
- Address: 48 Hang Vai, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 7:00 – 22:00
Pho Suong
- Address: 24 Trung Yen Alley, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 5:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Pho Suong on Ta Hien Street is widely praised as one of the best Pho in Hanoi with its aromatic broth. The restaurant is small, and you can see the owner cooking the beef stock right on the street. Known as one of the oldest pho spots in the city, Pho Suong’s broth has a naturally sweet taste.
Their signature beef stock is served with crispy, thinly sliced beef chunks. The beef is tender and delicious. Pho Suong keeps it simple, focusing on the key ingredients: broth, beef, noodles, and onions, yet the taste is unforgettable.
Pho Tu Lun
- Address: 23C Hai Bà Trưng, Hàng Bài, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
- Price: 50,000 VND
This place is neat and the service is friendly. It’s an old-fashioned pho restaurant that used to be run by an old man named Tu Lun, who was known for his delicious soup. Though he’s gone now, his sons continue the family tradition.
When I went there, one of the son’s wives served me. She spoke English and told me that Phở Tư Lùn has been around for 95 years! The broth here is a bit fishy, which some people like for its salty taste.
They add both green onions and fresh cilantro. Their homemade orange chili sauce is really good, one of the best I’ve ever tried in Hanoi.
Pho Bo Hang Dong
- Address: 48 Hàng Đồng, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam (Old Quarter)
- Price: 45,000 VND
Here’s a cozy and welcoming shop that’s perfect if you’re in the Old Quarter. On the table, you’ll only find three things: garlic vinegar, which smelled extra nice here, fish sauce, and fresh hot sauce. Their soup had a nice, balanced flavor that wasn’t too salty.
The noodles are soft and the beef is sliced thin, which is great when you’re super hungry because you don’t have to chew much, it just melts in your mouth.
Pho Khoi Hoi
- Address: No.50 Hang Vai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 06:00 – 21:30
- Price: From VND 60,000/ USD $2.5
Located at No. 50 Hang Vai Street, Pho Khoi Hoi is a popular spot in Hanoi that attracts both locals and tourists. Operating from early morning until late at night, it offers a variety of beef Pho options, including eye round steak, brisket, flank, shank, beef heel muscle, bone marrow, and tendon.
To enjoy the best Pho experience, it’s recommended to visit Pho Khoi Hoi before 10:00 A.M when the soup flavor is considered perfect. However, if you can’t make it in the morning, you can still visit in the afternoon or evening.
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Pho Ga Hanoi – Hanoi Chicken Pho
Pho Ga Nguyet
You should try the Pho at Pho Ga Nguyet if you’re searching for the best Pho in Hanoi. This restaurant is a favorite spot for Chicken Pho lovers. It opens twice a day, from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and from 5:00 PM to 6:00 AM, offering bowls starting at VND 65,000/USD 2.8.
Known for its delicious Chicken Pho, it’s a go-to place, especially when Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su is crowded. However, note that it only opens in the late afternoon until the next morning, closing during the daytime.
If you crave a hearty bowl of chicken, noodles, and broth, Pho Ga Nguyet won’t disappoint. Their Dry Chicken Pho (Pho Ga Tron) is a must-try signature dish, setting it apart from traditional Pho.
Pho Hanh Hanoi
- Address: 65A Lan Ong Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi
- Hours: 18:00 – 23:00
- Price: About VND 65,000
You can’t miss out on trying Pho Hanh if you’re looking for the best Pho in Hanoi, especially its chicken options. At this place, instead of the usual beef pho, they serve a trendy version made with chicken. It’s popular with young people in Hanoi, even though you have to sit on small plastic stools on the sidewalk. You can choose between the classic soup pho or the dry version, which is just as tasty.
Pho Ga Cham
- Address: No.64 – 68 Yen Ninh Street, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
- Hours: 07:00 – 17:30
- Price: Starting from VND 70,000/USD 3.0
Pho Ga Cham is much like Pho Man. The broth here isn’t as salty as Pho Man’s, but it comes with a hefty price tag, which some say is too much!
Inside, Pho Ga Cham looks like many other Pho spots in Hanoi: simple, with small tables and chairs. There are only a few staff, and the owner doubles as the chef, cooking right by the entrance.
Pho Ga Cham is famous not just for its taste, but also for its high prices. A bowl of Pho Ga at Cham can cost up to VND 150,000/USD 6.5 or more.
What sets Pho Ga Cham apart is the quality of its chicken and the generous portions. While it may seem pricey at first, the unique experience makes it worth it.
Pho Lam Nam Ngu
- Address: 7 Nam Ngư, Cửa Nam, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
- Price: 85k VND for two with tea.
This restaurant is a Hanoi classic and probably the oldest spot serving this dish. Their soup is just right, with crispy breadsticks, a special spicy vinegar sauce, and tender chicken. No bones to worry about!
It’s been around since shortly after the Vietnam War, over forty years ago. It’s run by a friendly older lady locals call “Hanoi’s Soup Queen”.
Pho Cuon Hanoi – Hanoi Rolled Pho
Pho Cuon Huong Mai
- Address: No.50 Hang Vai Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi
- Opening hours: 06:00 – 21:30
- Price: From VND 60,000/ USD $2.5
When visiting Hanoi, don’t miss out on trying Pho Cuon Huong Mai, known for its unique rolled Pho, one of the best in the city. Pho Cuon Huong Mai is a place where you can try something different – rolled Pho. Located in Ba Dinh, this restaurant is famous for its tasty and fresh food.
Their signature dish is Pho Cuon, made with beef or chicken wrapped in rice paper with fresh herbs, and served with a dipping sauce. It’s delicious and doesn’t take long to prepare, perfect for a quick snack, lunch, or dinner.
In conclusion, when it comes to finding the best Pho in HaNoi, there are numerous options to choose from. Whether you prefer the traditional Beef Pho or the unique Chicken Pho, the city offers a wide array of delicious choices to satisfy your taste buds. So, explore with VTJ and discover your favorite spot for enjoying the best Pho in HaNoi!