Vietnamese Pho: Origin and Types of Pho

What is Pho?

Pho, the national dish of Vietnam, is a culinary experience not to be missed when visiting the S-shaped country. With its rich, delicious flavor, Pho is not only a meal but also a unique cultural feature of the Vietnamese people.

Each bowl of Pho is a work of culinary art, a harmonious combination of soft and chewy Pho noodles, fresh beef or chicken, and clear, sweet broth simmered from marrow bones. However, the most interesting thing about Pho in Vietnam is the diversity and richness of its variations.

From traditional beef Pho to chicken Pho, rare Pho, cooked Pho, mixed Pho, and stir-fried Pho, each region of Vietnam has its way of preparing Pho, creating a unique symphony of flavors.

Let's explore the rich culinary world of Vietnam through each bowl of Pho with Asia Links Travel!

Pho - pride of Vietnam cuisine

History of Vietnamese Pho 

Pho in Vietnam has a rich and mysterious history. The exact origin of Pho in Vietnam is still a hotly debated topic among culinary researchers. However, it can be affirmed that Pho was born around the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Northern Vietnam.

Initially, Pho was only a dish for poor workers, but thanks to its delicious flavor, Pho quickly became popular and was loved by people from all walks of life.

There are many theories about the origin of Pho in Vietnam. Some people believe that Pho originated from the Cantonese dish "Nguu Nhuc Phan" (Cow meat noodles), while others associate Pho with the traditional Vietnamese dish "Xao Trau" (Buffalo stew).

Regardless of its origin, Pho was quickly transformed and perfected by the Vietnamese, creating a unique flavor that cannot be confused with any other dish.

Over time, Pho has become a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine. The rich flavor of the broth, the softness of the noodles, and the fresh meat have conquered millions of diners around the world. Today, Pho is not only a traditional dish but also a unique cultural feature of the Vietnamese people.

International visitors to Vietnam cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy a hot, delicious bowl of Pho to fully experience the unique culinary flavors of this country, a must-try for any Vietnam tour.

Types of Pho to Try in Vietnam

1. Traditional Pho

Beef Pho (Pho Bo)

Beef Pho is an iconic Vietnam food tour dish, loved all over the world. A traditional bowl of Beef Pho includes soft white rice noodles, clear, sweet broth stewed from bones, thinly sliced beef, rare or well-done, along with green onions, herbs, and spices.

Each piece of beef is carefully processed to retain its natural sweetness. The characteristic flavor of Beef Pho comes from the harmonious combination of the sweetness of the bones, the aroma of the beef, and the mild spiciness of the chili.

When enjoying, you can add a little lemon, chili sauce, or pepper to enhance the flavor.

Beef Pho Noodle Soup

Chicken Pho (Pho Ga)

If you are looking for a lighter and more refreshing dish, Chicken Pho is the perfect choice. Chicken Pho is usually made with chicken, sweet chicken broth, and soft rice noodles. The chicken is carefully selected to ensure freshness and not being tough.

In addition, Chicken Pho can also be served with herbs such as green onions, bean sprouts, and coriander, creating a refreshing and pleasant flavor. This is a must-try dish for any Vietnam food tour.

2. Variations of Pho

Pho Rolls (Pho Cuon)

Pho Rolls is an interesting variation of traditional Pho in Vietnam. Instead of eating Pho Soup, Pho Rolls are wrapped in soft rice paper, inside are fresh ingredients such as thinly sliced beef, boiled shrimp, raw vegetables, and fresh vermicelli.

Pho Rolls is often dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce, creating a sour, spicy, sweet flavor that stimulates the taste buds. This dish is delicious and beautiful, suitable for enjoying as an appetizer or snack.

Stir-fried Pho (Pho Xao)

Stir-fried Pho in Vietnam is a great choice for those who love strong flavors. Pho noodles are stir-fried with beef, shrimp, other seafood, and vegetables such as onions and carrots.

Stir-fried Pho is often seasoned with spices such as fish sauce, oyster sauce, and pepper. This dish has the fragrant aroma of fried onions and spices, combined with the crunchiness of vegetables, creating a very special flavor.

Mixed Pho (Pho Tron)

Mixed Pho, a new variation of traditional Pho, is very popular with young people. Pho noodles are mixed with minced meat, shredded chicken, or seafood, along with raw vegetables and sweet and sour fish sauce.

Vietnam tour enthusiasts often seek out this dish for its unique flavor profile. Mixed Pho has a sweet and sour, spicy taste, very stimulating to the taste buds. This dish is often eaten with raw vegetables, and roasted peanuts, creating a very unique flavor.

Puffed Pho (Pho chien phong)

An interesting variation of the traditional Pho dish puffed Pho brings a completely new culinary experience. The Pho noodles are fried until crispy and golden brown, then stacked on top of each other and drizzled with rich, creamy sauce.

Beef or chicken is often served with it, along with herbs such as green onions, coriander, and bean sprouts. Puffed Pho is the perfect combination of the crispy taste of the Pho noodles, the fatty taste of the sauce, and the fragrant taste of the meat, creating an extremely attractive dish.  

Any Vietnam tour package would be incomplete without trying this innovative take on a classic.

Puffed Pho (Pho chien phong)

Sour Pho (Pho Chua)

Originating from Lang Son, Sour Pho has a characteristic refreshing sour taste, coming from the broth simmered from marrow bones, tomatoes, tamarind, and secret spices.

The Pho noodles are poured with hot broth and served with rare beef, shredded chicken, and fresh vegetables such as lettuce, herbs, and bean sprouts. The sour taste of the broth combined with the sweetness of the meat and the freshness of the vegetables create an unforgettable flavor.

Red Wine Beef Stew Pho (Pho bo sot vang)

Red Wine Beef Stew Pho is a perfect choice for those who love rich, warm flavors. Beef is stewed in a smooth, rich red wine sauce, along with vegetables such as carrots and potatoes.

The noodles are poured with hot sauce and served with tender beef, herbs, and bean sprouts. The sweetness of the beef, the sourness of the tomatoes, and the strong aroma of the spices create an extremely attractive flavor.

Roasted Duck Pho (Pho Vit Quay)

For those who love the rich taste of roasted duck, Roasted Duck Pho will be a great choice. The duck is roasted until golden brown, the skin is shiny, and the meat is soft and sweet.

The noodles are poured with clear, sweet broth, and served with roasted duck, and herbs such as green onions, coriander, and bean sprouts. The rich taste of duck meat combined with the sweetness of the broth creates a dish with harmonious flavors.

Herbs and side dishes with Pho

Besides the typical flavor of broth and meat, a bowl of Pho also becomes more complete thanks to the presence of herbs and diverse side dishes.

1. Fried dough sticks

Fried dough stick is one of the most popular side dishes with Pho. The crispy, golden fried dough sticks have a distinctive rich flavor. When eating Pho, Vietnamese people often dip the dough sticks into a bowl of hot broth to soften them and absorb the flavor of the broth.

The combination of the crispy dough sticks and the rich sweetness of the broth creates an extremely interesting culinary experience.

Pho and fried dough sticks - a strange yet exciting match

2. Chili garlic vinegar

Chili garlic vinegar is an indispensable condiment when eating Pho. This dipping sauce is made from fresh chili, minced garlic, sugar, and vinegar. The spicy taste of chili, the aromatic taste of garlic, the sour taste of vinegar, and the sweetness of sugar combine to create a very special flavor.

When eating Pho, Vietnamese people often add a little chili garlic vinegar to the bowl to enhance the spicy flavor, stimulating the taste buds.

3. Vegetables

Raw vegetables are indispensable to a perfect bowl of Pho in Vietnam. Raw vegetables often served with Pho include bean sprouts, green onions, herbs (basil, perilla, Vietnamese coriander), mustard greens, etc.

Raw vegetables not only make the dish more refreshing but also add more vitamins and minerals to the body.

4. Chili sauce and ketchup

Chili sauce and tomato sauce are also popular condiments served with Pho. Chili sauce brings a spicy taste, while tomato sauce has a sweet and sour taste. Depending on each person's taste, you can add a little chili sauce or tomato sauce to the Pho bowl to enhance the flavor.

5. Lemon juice

Lemon juice is a condiment that helps balance the flavor of Pho in Vietnam. When a little lemon juice is added to a bowl of Pho, the richness of the meat is lessened and the dish becomes more refreshing due to the sour taste of the lemon.

When traveling to places to visit in Vietnam, don't miss the chance to savor a bowl of Pho. Asia Links Travel recommends customizing your Pho by combining spices and raw vegetables to suit your taste.

For instance, if you prefer a sour flavor, a squeeze of lemon juice can elevate your dish. And don't forget to add plenty of fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.

Famous Pho Brands in Vietnam

1. Pho Thin

Pho Thin, a name that has become legendary in Hanoi's pho village, is a place to visit in Hanoi for food lovers. This Pho restaurant is famous for its traditional, rich flavors and secrets passed down from many generations.

Pho Thin broth is simmered from tibia and leg bones, creating a naturally sweet taste, harmoniously combined with typical spices. The pho noodles here are thin, chewy, and very fragrant, along with fresh beef, sliced thinly to taste, creating a perfect bowl of pho.

The special thing about Pho Thin is that the restaurant still retains its traditional flavor, unchanged over time, making diners always feel warm every time they come back.

Pho Thin - a renowned dish you must try

2. Pho Ly Quoc Su

Located on the busy Ly Quoc Su Street, Pho Ly Quoc Su is one of the oldest and most famous Pho restaurants in Hanoi. The restaurant is known for its plump bowls of Pho, tender beef, and clear and sweet broth.

In particular, the Pho noodles here are handmade, delicious, and chewy noodles, served with thinly sliced onions and herbs. Pho Ly Quoc Su is not only attractive because of its flavor but also because of its ancient space, imbued with Hanoi culture.

Pho in Vietnam is often represented by the quality offered at Pho Ly Quoc Su.

3. Pho Bat Dan

Pho Bat Dan is a small Pho restaurant located on Bat Dan Street, Hanoi. Although the restaurant space is quite simple, the taste of pho here makes many diners fall in love. Pho Bat Dan broth has a sweet, rich taste, simmered from the bones for many hours.

The Pho here is chewy, soft, and very fragrant. The beef is thinly sliced, fresh, and has many choices. In particular, this Pho restaurant is also famous for its rare pho, soft rare beef, served with fresh raw vegetables.

With affordable prices, Pho Bat Dan is a familiar address for locals and tourists, making it a must-visit for any Vietnam tour package.

4. Pho 2000

Pho 2000 is one of the most famous culinary addresses in Hanoi, once visited and enjoyed by President Bill Clinton. This pho restaurant has a strong traditional flavor of Hanoi with clear, sweet broth from stewed bones, soft and chewy pho noodles, and fresh beef.

What is special about Pho 2000 is the harmonious combination of classic flavors and modern space, creating an unforgettable culinary experience for visitors.

With a convenient location right in the city center, Pho 2000 is always an attractive destination for visitors when they want to enjoy authentic Hanoi Pho, making it a highlight of any Vietnam cultural tour.

5. Pho Dau

Pho Dau is one of the oldest pho brands in Hanoi, established in the 1960s. This pho restaurant is famous for its unique flavor, created from a secret recipe passed down through many generations.

Pho Dau's broth has a natural sweet taste, not too strong, the pho noodles are soft and chewy and the beef is fresh. In particular, this pho restaurant also serves many different types of pho such as rare pho, well-done pho, rare-cooked pho, and tendon pho, etc for diners to choose from according to their preferences.

Pho Dau is a familiar address for Hanoians and tourists when looking for traditional pho flavors. Pho in Vietnam has a rich history, and Pho Dau is a prime example of this heritage.

Pho Dau is one of the oldest pho brands in Hanoi

6. Pho Le

Pho Le is one of the famous pho brands in Ho Chi Minh City, with a strong Northern pho flavor. This pho restaurant is loved by many people for its clear, sweet broth, soft and chewy pho noodles, and fresh beef.

In particular, Pho Le is also famous for its beautiful presentation, creating an attractive bowl of pho at first sight. With a spacious, airy space and professional service style, Pho Le is a place to visit in Ho Chi Minh City not to be missed for those who want to enjoy Northern Pho in Ho Chi Minh City.

Notes to enjoy Pho better

• To enjoy a delicious bowl of Pho, you should choose a famous Pho restaurant that is highly rated by many people.
• Pho is best when eaten hot, so enjoy it as soon as the bowl is served.
• Enjoy each spoonful of Pho broth to feel the harmony of the spices.
• Combine with side dishes such as raw vegetables, bean sprouts, and fresh onions to enhance the flavor.
• Use chopsticks and spoons properly to have a traditional Pho dining experience.
• Maintain a polite and elegant dining culture when enjoying Pho.

So what are you waiting for? Come to Vietnam, sip a hot bowl of Pho, and feel the unique flavors of this S-shaped country. Surely you will never forget this wonderful culinary experience. Don't forget to share your photos and feelings after enjoying Pho with Asia Links Travel to help us spread the love for this traditional dish!