Returning to Ho Chi Minh City, famous Korean YouTuber Heebab indulged in her favorite Vietnamese dish - pho thố đá (pho served in hot stone bowls).

The star known for her incredible eating capacity polished off four servings, along with additional side dishes, totaling nearly 540,000 VND ($22.50).

Heebab's love for pho thố đá

Heebab, a 28-year-old Korean mukbang YouTuber with over 1.67 million subscribers, recently uploaded a video documenting her return to Vietnam after her first visit in December 2024.

“I’m back in Ho Chi Minh City because of pho thố đá, a dish I fell in love with during my last trip. I want to introduce this amazing dish to everyone,” Heebab shared in the video.

The YouTuber visited a renowned pho restaurant on Bui Bang Doan Street in District 7. Known for her impressive appetite, Heebab ordered three hot stone pho bowls at once:

Pho with brisket

Pho with brisket, flank, and beef balls

Pho with brisket, flank, oxtail, and beef ribs

Each bowl was priced at 100,000 VND ($4.20).

A unique take on Vietnam’s iconic dish

When the dishes were served, Heebab remarked on the similarities in the broth of the three bowls, with variations coming from the types and amounts of beef included.

“What’s special is that the fresh pho noodles and raw beef are served separately. Diners dip them into the hot stone bowl to cook them themselves,” she explained.

Upon tasting the broth, Heebab expressed delight, exclaiming that the rich, flavorful soup was just as delicious as she remembered. She enhanced the flavor further by adding pepper, chili, and vinegar.

Impressive portions and glowing reviews

The YouTuber described the pho noodles as slightly thick but incredibly soft, while the beef was surprisingly tender.

“I thought the beef would be chewy, but it’s so soft! This is definitely a flavor that Koreans will love,” she said.

After finishing her initial three bowls, Heebab ordered an additional oxtail pho (80,000 VND), a bowl of special beef cuts (70,000 VND), a poached egg (10,000 VND), and a side of fried dough sticks (15,000 VND for five pieces). She also enjoyed a mango smoothie (35,000 VND) and a can of beer (30,000 VND).

“The oxtail pho is amazing. The only downside is that it doesn’t come with rice. This broth would taste incredible with rice mixed in,” she joked.

A restaurant with traditional flair

Speaking with local reporters, Le Duc Truong, the 50-year-old owner of the pho restaurant, shared that pho thố đá has become a favorite among both local and international diners.

The broth is served in hot stone or Bát Tràng ceramic bowls, which retain heat throughout the meal.

“Our pho leans toward northern flavors but incorporates ingredients from all three regions of Vietnam: northern chili paste, southern black bean sauce and garlic, and central-style pickled onions and vinegar,” Truong said.

The restaurant’s pho noodles are handmade on-site, using 100% pure soaked rice. “The process is entirely traditional,” Truong explained.

“We grind the rice with stone mills, steam the noodles, and air-dry them for five minutes to ensure the perfect texture. The noodles are then cut to order and blanched in boiling water before serving.”

Thao Trinh