Self guided Phở tour of Saigon
This post is meant for those who are seeking out some of the tastiest, beefiest Phở that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer, all while exploring Saigon on their own.
This guide is meant to introduce to you to a variety of Pho vendors that we have discovered that have been serving high quality Pho for years if not decades. The Pho always arrives fresh, delicious and soulful. As a general guide, only order Pho from a place that specializes in it. Restaurants that make too many dishes will generally make a mediocre Pho. The majority of these Pho specialty vendors on this list are located primarily in district 1, making it easy for those who are already central to reach. I haven’t included places like Pho Vietnam, Pho Hoa, Pho Le or Pho 2000 as they are ubiquitously famous and are going to be easy to locate or hear about. Plus they receive a ridiculous amount of tourists anyway. Lets get into it.
Pho Restaurants
Pho Phu Vuong
Early morning Pho
Pho Ngoc and Pho Lai
Pho Thin
Late night Pho
Pho Hung
Pho Hai
Pho Quynh
The Pho in Vietnam aims to bring out the pure beefiness of the broth drawn from the richness of the bone marrow. Locally sourced spices lend a distinct aroma that elevates the broth, including Saigon cinnamon (cassia) which imparts a fragrant, spicy, yet sweet subtle flavor, different from other varieties of cinnamon grown elsewhere in the world. Beefy broth is the name of the game, which leads us to my first recommendation.
Pho Phu Vuong
This place is special, it stands out as some of the beefiest broth that Saigon has to offer. Every spoonful is just fragrant beef bone broth, and it is worth every penny. So what sets one Pho bowl apart from the next?
The things to look out for in a bowl of Pho:
Listen, you can rate the Pho however you’d like and it would be valid, however there are a few key things you can pay attention to that will help you discern between the levels of the chef.
- How beefy is the broth? – The first thing you do when you receive your bowl of pho is take a sip of the broth. Do not add any condiments until you taste the broth. How beefy and rich is it? If you’re wondering what I mean by this, then you haven’t tasted super beefy broth yet.
- How tasty are the cuts of beef and how well cooked is it? – There is an assortment of cuts you can choose from, which will result in lean, fatty, tender, or chewy textures.
Most common options at a Pho restaurant are:
Cuts of Beef:
Bò chín (sliced, well-done steak)
Bò tái (sliced rare steak)
Nạm (flank)
Gầu (fatty brisket)
Gân (tendon)
Bò viên (beef meatballs)
sách (tripe)
đặc biệt (special) – this usually includes a mix of all the above
I like my Pho brisket relatively tender but still have a chew to it. The filet (tai) should be lean yet tender, etc…. This is subjective which is why everyone has a different favorite.
Finally, the last thing to pay attention to is:
3. How are the noodles – 99% of the pho noodles in the city are made fresh, however different grains of rice with different origins and altitudes can be used to make the noodles. Some are slightly dried to impart a chewier texture to the pho, some are overly delicate. I personally prefer fresh tender pho noodles, however this is a preference thing.
Pho Phu Vuong is a popular establishment, so here are two more local places tucked away and still offer very good Pho.
Pho Ngoc and Pho Lai
- https://maps.app.goo.gl/c6GabuvxQmdmzNJe6 Pho Ngoc Ho Hao Hon
- https://maps.app.goo.gl/hv9XfuRrDHrLtUVG8 Pho Lai Binh Thanh
Both of these places have been around for over 30 years, and are highly frequented by locals. Only open in the early morning until about 10:30 am, Pho Ngoc puts their bones in slow heat for over 12 hours and have perfected their style of southern pho for decades. This place has been a favorite among district 1 locals for ages. Again, they’re only open from 5:30am til 10:30am so this one is for the early birds.
Pho Lai is tucked away in an alley in Binh Thanh Phuong 19. This neighborhood has an exceptional foodie scene and a fun vibrant night life. I will do a separate blog on this neighborhood later, but for now, if you find yourself in this area I would definitely make an effort to grab a bowl here. Their best Pho is also in the morning and the cuts of meat sell out fast.
Both of these places do not have an English menu and do not speak English so pointing and smiling will be your friend.
Pho Thin (Northern style Pho in Saigon)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9GCkDZFAEyVnG2FYA Pho Thin
I do not know if there is any relation between this place and the famous one up in Ha Noi, however Pho Thin focuses on Northern Vietnamese style Pho and does it very well.
So what’s the difference between Northern Pho vs Southern Pho
The north do two types of Pho, Beef and Chicken, whereas southerners primarily do beef pho. The northern style beef pho puts an emphasis on the beef flavor of the broth, often using less spices and is less sweet (no rock sugar added whatsoever). Chao Quay – fried savory asian donuts are used as a topping as well.
Southern Style pho imparts a bit more complexity with a heaver use of spices, and the Pho dish is complemented with fresh herbs and bean sprouts. Though southern style pho still focuses on the beefiness of the broth, that focus can be masked by the spices and herbs if done in a non-subtle way.
Pho Thin does an excellent job of making a simple yet absolutely delicious bowl of Northern style Pho. No frills, beefy pho with green onions and cuts of meat. The one in Saigon is delicious, however If you are in Ha Noi I highly recommend trying their original branch as it serves some outstanding Pho. As a bonus, here is a Chicken Pho place that is worth trying if you’re ever in district 7 – Pho Xich.
Excellent Late Night Pho
Pho Hung, Pho Hai, and Pho Quynh
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jb6QZAkdSwyKVckj8 Pho Quynh by Bui Vien
https://maps.app.goo.gl/efRkppeLwhPgmVLw9 Pho Hung
https://maps.app.goo.gl/McAqm15A15ZeuewV8 Pho Hai
After a late night out drinking, sometimes a bowl of Pho is does the trick. These places are open late night (2-3am) and will satisfy that craving. Pho Hung is on Nguyen Trai street and also close to the famous Pho Hien rest establishment. They’re open until 3am, the service is quick, and it’s certainly very good.
If you’re on Bui Vien, Pho Quynh is your best bet. Yes I understand that they are super touristy but to be honest, locals will find themselves here at night as well if they’re in the area because the standard is high and they serve good food. Open late, they offer not only just Pho but Pho Bo Kho which is a stewed beef with Pho noodles. If you haven’t tried Pho Bo Kho yet it is definitely worth dedicating one of your meals towards.
My personal go to spot for late night pho is Pho Hai. They serve down an alley by the canal and 99% of their clientele are local Vietnamese. The pho is good, unfiltered and just plain ol good southern style pho. Cheap, cheerful, delicious.
Wrap up
There are many Pho establishments in Saigon that are absolutely incredible. This would be akin to going to a random pizzeria in Italy and having great pizza even though nobody knows of it. Pho is the national dish of Vietnam and every region does it in their own way. By all means try the random pho place that looks amazing and intoxicates your senses. You never know if you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem or an occasional miss, but that’s all a part of the adventure. Enjoy your Pho tasting journey and I hope this guide helps you along your way!!
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