The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) has just issued Decision No 2328, naming Hanoi Pho as a national intangible cultural heritage.

As of 2023, there were nearly 700 pho restaurants in Hanoi. Of these, the pho cooked with recipes handed down from generations among family members are mostly found in Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh and Hai Ba Trung.

Hanoi has many long-lasting pho shops, receiving both Vietnamese and foreign diners. As restaurant owners prepare pho with their specific recipes, every restaurant has its own loyal clients. However, the most famous pho shops in Hanoi are Bat Dan, Ho Loi, Gam Cau salty pho and Tam Pho.

Bat Dan Pho (Hoan Kiem) with long queues of diners

Bat Dan Pho Bat Dan Pho at No 49 Bat Dan Street in Hoan Kiem district is the name one must not forget when listing the best pho in Hanoi. The image of people standing in long queues in front of the shop and waiting for their turn has many times appeared on international media channels.

The shop is open at 6-10 am and 6-10.30 pm. However, if diners come at 8.30-9.30 am, they may have to line up for their turn to be served.

Bat Dan sells three pho dishes – noodle with sliced medium-rare beef; Sliced well-done flanks noodle soup; and medium-rare beef and well-done flanks, while prices are between VND50,000 and VND60,000 per bowl. Diners come to place orders, make payment and bring bowls of pho themselves to their seats.

Bat Dan Pho is one of the pho recommended by Michelin Guide in Big Gourmand category in 2023 and 2024.

Ho Loi Pho (Tay Ho) overcrowded all the time 

Ho Loi Pho is not located in the central area in Hanoi, but has been famous on social networks with the scene of customers lining up and filling the restaurant.

The owner of Ho Loi Pho is Ho Thi Mai Hoa, 44. Ten years ago, she persuaded her father Ho Loi to transfer his recipe and continued running the restaurant inherited from him. 

There are about 10 tables at the restaurant with 40 seats total. A small row of tables is at the entrance door, enough to serve 15-20 clients. However, in peak hours, especially on weekends, diners still have to line up and wait. 

The restaurant serves different types of pho with prices of VND40,000-70,000.

Au Trieu Pho (Hoan Kiem): a Bib Gourmand

In 2023, Au Trieu Pho was given Michelin’s Bib Gourmand award (good dishes with affordable prices). The owner of the shop is Phi Nga, the granddaughter of Tu, who is the owner of Tu Lun Pho which has been famous in the capital city over the last 80 years.

The restaurant is quite large with four big tables (four diners to each table), and four small tables (two to each table). However, at 8-9 am every day, people have to wait tens of minutes to get served.

The special thing of Au Trieu pho is the rich and fatty broth created by simmering cow bones for many hours, from the morning of the previous day to 6 am the next day.

A bowl of noodle soup with sliced well-done flanks noodle soup there is priced at VND55,000, while a bowl of sliced medium-rare beef VND65,000.

Oanh Pho: quiet but crowded restaurant

Oanh Pho is near to Au Trieu Pho. The restaurant is located in a small old house, with no signboard, but is always overcrowded.

The pho shop is so crowded that the shop owner has to put tables and chairs not only inside the house, but also in the yard in front of the house. Sometimes, diners have to sit in front of the neighbors’ house as there are no more seats at the restaurant.

Oanh said she prepares two big pots of broth, each of which is created by simmering 20 kilograms of cow bones.

While other pho shops have raised selling prices recently, Oanh is still selling pho at just VND30,000.

Gam Cau Salty Pho: high prices, large custom

Gam Cau Pho is famous in Hanoi for its salty pho and high pho prices, VND50,000-80,000 per bowl.

After a period of shutdown, the pho shop has opened again since early 2024. For some diners, the pho there is too salty, while others like the strong flavor of the noodle soup.

Linh Trang