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Vietnamese pho and where to try it

Traditional Vietnamese dishes don’t come much better than Pho.
Holidays to Vietnam are unlike any other you’ll experience. This stunning country meets the definition of contrasts. The vista-filled north packs in some of the coolest colonial cities in Southeast Asia, a bewildering timeline of history, and arguably the best-looking national parks known to man. And if you like sunshine with your culture, head down south, where up-and-coming tropical island, Phu Quoc, is rapidly creeping up travellers' must-visit lists. Psst, better get booking before you suffer from a serious case of FOMO.

If there’s one thing you’ll remember for life on a trip to Vietnam, though, it’s got to be the mouth-watering food. Not only is Vietnamese cuisine one of the most delicious in the world, thanks to its wealth of spices and flavours, but it’s really healthy, too. The staple ingredients here include herbs, rice and vegetables, so you can always expect fresh and local ingredients on your plate.

One Vietnamese dish you must try is called pho, AKA noodle soup. This basic bowl normally consists of a beef or chicken broth, flavoured with ginger and coriander, all wrapped up in a sea of rice noodles, spring onions and slivers of chicken, pork or beef. This moreish meal can be eaten at any time of the day, and makes for a great breakfast as it keeps you fuelled up until lunch. Stomach growling? We thought so. Keep scrolling to find out about the best places to try Vietnamese pho…

PHU QUOC

Did you know Phu Quoc is the best place to try out seafood pho in Vietnam? Well, now you do. And you can thank the Gulf of Thailand’s rich waters that surround the island for that. Here, exotic seafood is in plentiful supply and readily available wherever you are staying, so it would be rude not to try it out. So whether you fancy freshly-caught prawns or blue crab in your pho, you’re guaranteed a crustacean sensation at the drop of a rice hat. And when it comes to sampling that world-famous pho, look no further than an authentic street food stall at Dinh Cau’s bustling night market, which you’ll find in Duong Dong Town. You’ll get to gobble down a bowl of pho for as little as £1.00 here, so it’s one not to be missed off your itinerary. Plus, when you’ve finished slurping, you can wash it all down with an ice-cold beer. Bliss.

HO CHI MINH CITY

It goes without saying that Vietnam is the epitome of a foodie’s paradise, but we think Ho Chi Minh City really steps it up a notch when it comes to supper. Here, delicious-smelling food stalls filter through every district, neighbourhood, and alleyway imaginable – so it’s the perfect place to try out some traditional Vietnamese pho. Plus, eating out in Ho Chi Minh City is all about soaking up the buzzing atmosphere, so it’s a must-do while you’re here. One place we’d recommend a visit or two is Van Kiep Street, in District 1. This is one of the liveliest hubs to sample Vietnamese pho, and you can bet that numerous stands are selling the stuff for less than £2.00. Want to know the best part? If you’re a culture vulture, you can dine at dinky tables and chairs among the friendly locals, so you’ll get a real taste of what life’s all about in the big city.

HANOI

Hanoi’s Old Quarter majors in show-stopping pho. And in terms of the best place to try it, we think you should make tracks for Bat Dan Street. Here, shops and stalls have been serving up bowls of traditional pho since the 1960s, meaning the recipe hasn’t been changed because it’s so popular among travellers and locals alike. What to expect? A clear-coloured broth, with tender and juicy strips of beef, rice noodles, and freshly chopped vegetables, so it’s really tasty – and definitely worth a snap or two for Instagram. It only costs £1.50, too, which makes it the ideal snack for those on a budget. And if you fancy eating outside like the locals, Hang Trong Street is your best bet. Customers perch on the edge of tiny stools and expertly use chop sticks to gobble up their meal.

HOI AN

If it’s your first time visiting Vietnam, you better reserve a huge space on your itinerary for Hoi An. This stunning UNESCO-protected city is bursting with international influence thanks to its colonial heritage. Just a few things you can expect to fall in love with include intricate-looking Japanese pagodas, pastel-coloured buildings with Italian-style shutters, and dreamy French bicycles that’ll make you feel like you’re strolling through the streets of Paris. You’re onto a winner pho-wise, too. Hoi An’s pho menu is slightly different to those in the other Vietnamese cities. Here, it’s served with sides of fresh herbs, slices of pickled green papaya, and heaps of roasted dried chilli flakes and peanuts, so it’s much spicier. You’ll still get a great deal, though, don’t expect to pay any more than £3.00 for all of the above.
Fancy tucking into a bowl of Vietnamese pho?

Find out about the best places to visit in Vietnam.
 

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Author: Olivia Hunt

Last updated: 22.09.2017
 

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