Why Pho Is the Soul of Hanoi
Wake up early in the Old Quarter. Before the motorbikes roar, you will hear it: the clink of ladles, the hiss of steam and a street vendor calling out. You will smell star anise, cinnamon, ginger and slow-simmered beef bones.
Pho is more than breakfast in Hanoi. It is a daily ritual. Every family and every street corner has its own recipe, but a true Hanoi bowl always has a clear, sweet broth, soft rice noodles, fresh herbs and tender beef.
Here are 16 places worth the trip. Times and prices can change, so check before you go.
16 Pho Restaurants to Try in Hanoi
The Old Quarter Legends
1. Phở Bát Đàn – 49 Bát Đàn, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 6:00–10:00 and 18:00–20:30. One of Hanoi’s oldest pho shops, with a family recipe passed down for generations. The broth is simmered from bone marrow and tastes clean and sweet. Tip: come with a friend. One person holds a table while the other waits in line.
2. Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ – 61 Đinh Tiên Hoàng, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 6:30–20:30. A local legend near Hoan Kiem Lake, with a one-dish menu that has drawn crowds for about 70 years. Order the stir-fried rare beef pho (phở tái lăn) with an egg and fresh fried dough sticks.
3. Phở Lý Quốc Sư – 10 Lý Quốc Sư, Hoàn Kiếm
Now a chain, but the original shop is still the best. Beautifully sliced beef and a rich broth. Choose from rare, well-done, brisket or fatty flank.
4. Phở Gánh Hàng Chiếu – Hàng Chiếu / Hàng Đường intersection
Open 3:00–7:00 a.m. A simple street-side pho stand for night owls and early birds. Choose from rare, well-done or red wine beef stew pho (phở sốt vang). No fancy chairs, just a very good bowl.
5. Phở Sướng – 24 Ngõ Trung Yên / 36B Mai Hắc Đế
Light, clear and not greasy. The fried dough sticks are served hot and crisp.
6. Phở Vui – 25 Hàng Giầy, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 7:00–22:00. Many cuts to choose from: rare, brisket, beef tendon and beef stew. All come with chewy noodles, lime and chili.
7. Phở Cường – 23 Hàng Muối, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 6:30–22:00. Locals love the fresh rare beef here. The broth is rich but clear, and prices are friendly.
8. Phở Bò Phú Xuân – 36 Hàng Da, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 5:30–12:30. A clean, busy morning spot near Hàng Da market. The broth has no MSG, and the eggs are poached with the whites cooked through.
9. Phở Bò Lâm – 48 Hàng Vải, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 7:00–22:00. A long-running shop known for premium cuts of beef. The broth is clear and deep.
Michelin-Recognized and Local Favorites
10. Phở Khôi Hói – 50C Hàng Vải, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 6:00–21:00. Recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The broth is simmered with cardamom, clove, cinnamon, ginger and star anise. Try the crunchy beef flank.
11. Phở Gà Nguyệt (Chicken Pho) – 5B Phủ Doãn, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 6:30–13:00 and 16:00–00:30. Also a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick. Choose your chicken cut: thigh, wing, breast or even feet and young eggs.
12. Phở Bò Gốc Gạo – 158 Ngọc Hà, Ba Đình
Open 6:00–10:00. One of the few places serving phở sốt vang in the morning. Choose the rich stew broth or the classic clear broth.
Late-Night and Something Different
13. Phở Bò Lý Béo – 4 Hàng Nón, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 18:00–23:30. A tiny sidewalk stand with generous portions. Try the sốt vang.
14. Phở Bưng – 1 Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 15:00–20:00. Famous for its sweet, clear broth and thinly sliced beef. Diners often eat standing up, bowl in hand, which is a very Hanoi moment.
15. Phở Thật – 48 Trần Nhật Duật, Hoàn Kiếm
Open 18:00–05:00, closed Sundays. A true night-owl favorite. Rare beef, well-done beef or beef stew in a clear, sweet broth.
16. Phở Xào Bắp Bò (Bà Thanh Béo) – 31B Láng Hạ, Ba Đình
Tired of soup? Try stir-fried pho: noodles pan-seared, topped with beef and greens, served with sweet-and-sour papaya dipping sauce.
How to Eat Pho Like a Local
- Taste the broth first. A great bowl needs very little.
- Add herbs, lime and chili slowly. Don’t hide the flavor.
- Order fried dough sticks (quẩy) and dip them in the broth.
- Go early. The best shops can sell out by mid-morning.
- Be ready to queue. A line is usually a good sign.
Keep Your Pho Memories Forever: A Tattoo from Mr Tattoo Hanoi Studio
A trip to Hanoi stays with you: the steam rising from a bowl, plastic stools on a busy sidewalk, a stranger’s smile over breakfast. Photos fade into your camera roll. A small tattoo does not.
At Mr Tattoo Hanoi Studio, right in the heart of the Old Quarter, we help travelers turn their journey into a one-of-a-kind keepsake. After your pho tour, why not wear a little piece of it?
Ideas inspired by this guide:
- A steaming pho bowl in delicate fine-line
- Chopsticks and a spoon in a minimalist design
- Star anise and cinnamon, the spices behind the broth
- A conical hat (nón lá) or a Hanoi skyline, with a tiny date as a travel mark
What we offer:
- Custom, original designs, never copied from a catalog
- Traditional Vietnamese motifs and Asian-inspired art
- Fine-line and blackwork styles
- Travel memory tattoos: small, meaningful and quick to do
Small tattoos start from just $10. Many fit between lunch and your next adventure.
Book Your Tattoo
- Website: mrtattoo.vn (see our contact page)
- Hotline / WhatsApp: +84 377 616 886
Send us a message with your idea, and we will help you design something you will love.
Eat well. Explore deeply. Take Hanoi home with you.