Top 8+ Best Places To Taste Authentic Pho Hanoi: Approved by Locals

Pho Hanoi is a quintessential dish that embodies the rich culinary heritage of Vietnam's capital. Known for its clear, aromatic broth and delicate balance of flavors, this iconic noodle soup has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike. If you're looking to experience the authentic taste of Pho Hanoi, these top 8+ places offer a chance to savor Pho Hanoi at its finest. 

1. What Makes Pho Hanoi Unique?

Pho is one of Vietnam’s most iconic dishes, but Pho Hanoi stands out for several reasons that make it distinct from other regional versions of pho. Here’s what makes Pho Hanoi unique:

• Clear and light broth: The broth of Pho Hanoi is known for being clear, light, and aromatic. Hanoi’s pho broth is made by simmering beef bones for hours with spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, but without overwhelming the flavor with too much oil or fat. The result is a clean, refreshing broth that highlights the natural taste of the beef and herbs.

• Simplicity of ingredients: Pho Hanoi is typically served with just a few ingredients - rice noodles, thinly sliced beef, and a light, clear broth. Fresh herbs like cilantro and green onions are added sparingly. This minimalism allows the flavor of the broth and beef to shine.

• Simple accompaniments: Unlike the southern versions of pho that may include a wide array of additional condiments and toppings like hoisin sauce or sriracha, Pho Hanoi is usually served without these additions. The focus is on the delicate balance of flavors in the broth and the meat, with any extra condiments being added at the discretion of the diner.

• Cultural significance: The way pho is prepared, served, and consumed in Hanoi reflects the city's deep connection to its history and culinary heritage. Many pho restaurants in Hanoi are family-run, and recipes have been passed down through generations, making each bowl of pho a part of the city's living tradition.

Pho is the famous dish of Hanoi in the world (Source: Internet)

Pho is one of the most iconic dishes in Vietnam, but the versions from Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) differ in several key ways, from the broth and ingredients to the overall flavor profile and dining experience. Here's a detailed comparison between Pho Hanoi and Pho Saigon:

2. Top 8+ Irresistible Pho Hanoi Spots: Must-Tries For Food Lovers

2.1. Pho Ly Quoc Su

Pho Ly Quoc Su is a renowned pho establishment in Hanoi, celebrated for its authentic and flavorful beef noodle soup. The soup is meticulously prepared by simmering beef bones for hours, resulting in a naturally sweet and savory flavor without the use of artificial additives. From tender beef slices to fresh rice noodles, each component is carefully selected to ensure a harmonious and satisfying bowl of pho. Pho Ly Quoc Su specializes in a variety of pho options, including tai (Rare beef slices), chin (Well-done brisket), nam (Flank beef), bap tran (Beef fillet)​.

Over the years, this brand has expanded to multiple locations across the city (Source: Internet)

Reviews about Pho Ly Quoc Su (Source: Internet)

2.2. Pho Thin Lo Duc

Unlike other places where beef is lightly blanched in the broth to maintain the delicate taste of pho, at Pho Thin, the beef is stir-fried with onions, garlic, and fresh ginger before being added to the bowl. As a result, the beef is not only aromatic and savory, but the broth is also rich, with a flavorful layer of fat on top.
If you visit, be sure to try “pho tai lan” (stir-fried rare beef pho), best enjoyed with a soft-boiled egg. A bowl of pho tai lan with an egg and crispy fried dough sticks (quay) is all you need.

This place is considered to offer some of the richest and most flavorful bowls of pho in Hanoi (Source: Internet)

Reviews about Pho Thin Lo Duc (Source: Internet)

2.3. Pho Bat Dan

Renowned for preserving the traditional flavor of Hanoi-style pho, Pho Bat Dan offers a simple yet authentic experience. The broth is simmered for hours from beef bones, resulting in a naturally sweet, rich taste. What sets this place apart is its self-service style in which customers line up, place their orders, pay, and carry their bowls themselves - a practice affectionately known as "pho xep hang" (queueing pho).

Pho Bat Dan is one of the oldest pho restaurants in Hanoi, with a history spanning over 50 years (Source: Internet)

Some reviews about Pho Bat Dan (Source: Internet)

2.4. Pho Suong

Pho Suong offers a light and delicate flavor, with natural sweetness from the beef and spices. The broth is clear and refreshing, never greasy when paired with the rice noodles.

There are many types of beef pho for you to choose from, such as rare beef, well-done beef, or rare beef with brisket and flank - depending on your preference. Especially noteworthy is the hot fried dough sticks, which are delicious and freshly served.

Pho Suong is tasty, the broth is fragrant, and the beef is rich in flavor—truly capturing the essence of Hanoi-style pho (Source: Internet)

Reviews about Pho Suong (Source: Internet)

2.5. Pho Nguyet

The restaurant offers a variety of chicken cuts for its pho, with the tender thigh being a popular choice. Diners can customize their bowls by selecting preferred parts such as thigh, wings, or breast, and choosing between soup-based or dry noodle dishes. The broth is clear, fragrant, and naturally sweet, complementing the smooth, chewy rice noodles.

In 2023, Pho Nguyet was honored with a Bib Gourmand distinction by the MICHELIN Guide, highlighting its high-quality, value-for-money offerings (Source: Internet)

Reviews about Pho Nguyet (Source: Internet)

2.6. Pho Vui

The soup is known for its slightly richer and more flavorful profile compared to the traditional lighter Hanoi pho, offering a unique taste experience. The menu includes a range of beef phở choices, such as rare beef, well-done beef, brisket, flank, and even beef stew, catering to diverse preferences. 

The restaurant has become a beloved spot for both locals and visitors seeking authentic pho Hanoi (Source: Internet)

Reviews about Pho Vui (Source: Internet)

2.7. Pho Ganh Hang Chieu

Each steaming hot bowl of pho is filled with the fragrant aroma of bone-simmered broth, tender slices of beef, and chewy rice noodles that blend together to create a distinctive flavor you won’t forget. The pho stall here is extremely humble, offering only a few options: well-done beef pho, rare beef pho, and beef stew pho.

Pho Ganh Hang Chieu attracts a crowd thanks to its delicious quality and affordable prices (Source: Internet)

Reviews about Pho Ganh Hang Chieu (Source: Internet)

2.8. Pho Bung Hang Trong

The most distinctive feature of Pho Bung Hang Trong is its broth, which is as clear as spring water, with a light, delicate flavor and absolutely no strong smell of beef or bones.

The eatery serves only one type of pho - well-done beef pho. The beef is perfectly boiled, with a balanced mix of lean meat and fat, sliced thinly for a tender bite. The pho here has a light and mild flavor - not overly rich, but just right for the palate.

Although it's just a small eatery, it still attracts a lot of diners (Source: Internet)

Reviews about Pho Bung Hang Trong (Source: Internet)

Pho Hanoi stands out due to its clear broth, minimalism in ingredients, and focus on the natural flavors of beef and fresh herbs. It's a dish that's deeply rooted in Hanoi’s history and culture, offering a simpler yet equally delicious experience compared to other regional pho variations. Whether enjoyed in the morning on a busy street corner or in a cozy restaurant, Pho Hanoi remains one of the most cherished and distinctive dishes in Vietnamese cuisine.

To enjoy the taste of pho Hanoi, bun cha Hanoi, banh mi Hanoi, etc. book your Flight to Hanoi with Vietnam Airlines today! For more details on flights, baggage policies, and travel itineraries, contact Vietnam Airlines via their hotline at 1900 1100, or through Fanpage or Zalo for expert advice.