No trip to Hanoi is complete without indulging in a bowl of pho. Considered a delicacy of Hanoi cuisine and renowned as one of the best foods in the world, pho is an irresistible attraction for travelers looking to explore the local eating culture. Whether it’s for breakfast or any other time of the day, Hanoians flock to pho restaurants scattered throughout the city, particularly in the central districts. In this guide, we will take you through the ten best pho restaurants in Hanoi, where you can savor authentic pho like a local.

The Best Pho in Hanoi  the Top 10 Restaurants

Best Pho in Hanoi Old Quarter

The Best Pho in Hanoi  the Top 10 Restaurants
  1. Pho Bat Dan

    Any Hanoi local knows about Pho Bat Dan due to its perpetual long queues throughout the day. While the queue may seem discouraging at first, the wait is definitely worth it for a taste of the best pho in Hanoi. Pho Bat Dan offers fresh, perfectly cooked, and well-sliced beef in its bowls. The broth, which is sweet and flavorful, is achieved by carefully stewing beef bones for hours. Established almost 70 years ago, Pho Bat Dan is not only famous for its excellent pho but also for its unique queueing culture, which has become part of popular culture since the ’80s. Make sure to visit with a friend to divide the tasks of waiting in line and reserving seats.

    • Address: 40 Bat Dan Street, Hoan Kiem District
    • Price: 30,000 – 50,000 VND per bowl
    • Opening hours: 6 am to 10 am, 6 pm – 8:30 pm (crowded on weekends)
  1. Pho Thin

    Pho Thin is equally renowned as one of the best pho restaurants in Hanoi, although it was established later and is located further from the city center. The most popular dish here is stir-fried medium-rare steak noodles. The steak is quickly stirred with ginger, onion, and garlic before being added to the bowl with the noodles. Pho Thin’s broth is slightly fattier compared to other establishments, but it doesn’t feel heavy. Add spices such as pepper, chili sauce, vinegar, or fish sauce to enhance the flavors. Don’t forget to enjoy your pho with a few sticks of Chinese cruller for an authentic Hanoian experience.

    • Address: 13 Lo Duc Street, Hai Ba Trung District
    • Price: 40,000 – 60,000 VND per person
    • Opening hours: 6 am to 8:30 pm
  1. Pho Ly Quoc Su

    With three branches in Hanoi, the original restaurant located at 10 Ly Quoc Su Street offers the best pho according to local eaters. Pho Ly Quoc Su serves delicious bowls with various choices, ranging from well-done to rare steak or heel muscle. The restaurant takes pride in its flavorful broth, carefully selected fresh and tender beef, and crunchy sticks of cruller that complement the taste of the hot noodles. Although relatively small, the restaurant provides air conditioning and comfortable seating, ensuring a pleasant dining experience, especially during hot summer days.

    • Branch 1: 10 Ly Quoc Su Street
    • Branch 2: 42 Hang Voi Street
    • Branch 3: N2A Hoang Minh Giam Street
    • Price: 60,000 – 85,000 VND per person
    • Opening hours: 6 am to 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm to 10 pm
  1. Pho Vui

    Located on Hang Giay Street, within walking distance of the Old Quarter, Pho Vui is a must-visit restaurant if you’re in the area. Missing out on this interesting eatery would be a regrettable choice. Pho Vui offers beef noodles in various variations, including half-done steak, well-done steak, brisket with flank and fillet beef, and more. The broth is flavorful and slightly fatty, the noodles are soft, and the bowl is generously filled with onions. Despite its small size, Pho Vui is loved by Old Quarter residents for its excellent pho.

    • Address: 25 Hang Giay, Hoan Kiem District
    • Price: 60,000 – 85,000 VND per person
    • Opening hours: 7 am to 10 pm
  1. Pho Suong

    Previously known as Pho Thang Loi (Victory Pho), Pho Suong was resurrected around 30 years ago under a new name. The restaurant’s name means ‘satisfy’ in Vietnamese, reflecting their desire for customers to feel content after enjoying their pho. Pho Suong has two branches, one at Trung Yen Alley (Dinh Liet Street) and another at Nguyen Hong Street. Both locations attract a large number of visitors daily. Pho Suong stands out for its clear broth, clean taste, and tender beef. The light and sweet broth, made from stewing beef bones and meat for hours, perfectly complements the thin-sliced, meaty beef.

    • Branch 1: 24B Trung Yen Alley, Dinh Liet Street, Hoan Kiem District
    • Branch 2: 1/26 Nguyen Hong Street
    • Branch 3: 36B Mai Hac De Street, Hai Ba Trung District
    • Price: 40,000 – 50,000 VND per bowl
    • Opening hours: 5:30 am to 11 am, 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm (opens and closes a little earlier than others)

Best Restaurants for Chicken Noodle

The Best Pho in Hanoi  the Top 10 Restaurants
  1. Pho ga Cham (Cham Chicken Noodle)

    Cham chicken noodle is favored by many as it can be enjoyed throughout the year. Pho ga Cham, located on Yen Ninh Street, stands out as the dominant pho brand in Hanoi for chicken lovers. While the prices here might initially shock first-time visitors due to being double or triple compared to other restaurants, the generous portion size and high-quality ingredients make up for it. The tender and elastic noodle strings are accompanied by 4-5 big pieces of chicken, meatballs, onions, and the option to add eggs, immature eggs, organs, or Chinese crullers according to your preference.

    • Address: 63 Yen Ninh Street
    • Price: 60,000 – 100,000 VND per serving
    • Opening hours: 7 am to 10 am (or until sold out)
  1. Pho ga Ban (Ban Chicken Noodle)

    Pho ga Ban got its name from the owner and has gained popularity over the years for its distinctive chopped chicken noodle. When you order, the chef will chop the chosen part of the chicken into smaller pieces and add the broth directly to the bowl. The chicken is boiled at an appropriate temperature, ensuring it remains juicy and flavorful. Located on one of Hanoi’s busiest streets, Pho ga Ban offers a spacious restaurant that can accommodate a high number of daily customers. You’ll notice numerous chickens hanging on glass shelves, ready to be served.

    • Address: 72 Ton Duc Thang Street, Dong Da District
    • Price: 40,000 VND per bowl (price varies with additional ingredients)
    • Opening hours: 7 am to 11:30 pm

Bonus: Best Pho in Hanoi for Rolled Noodle

The Best Pho in Hanoi  the Top 10 Restaurants
  1. Pho Cuon Hung Ben (Hung Ben Rolled Noodle)
    Located in Ngu Xa village near Truc Bach Lake, Pho Cuon Hung Ben is known for its hand-made rolled noodles. These noodles are even and precise in length and width, offering a unique texture. The menu at Hung Ben includes three best-selling dishes: rolled noodles, deep-fried noodles, and mixed stir-fried noodles. The stir-fried beef is flavorful, with a perfect blend of sweetness and the aroma of ginger. The sauce, made from fish and accompanied by sliced papaya and carrots, adds an extra layer of flavor. Hung Ben's extensive menu caters to various preferences. 
    
    • Address: 33 Ngũ Xá Street, Ba Dinh District