Saigon Pho: The Top 10 Best Pho Places In Ho Chi Minh City

1. Overview

Pho is a traditional Vietnamese dish that can also be considered one of the most typical dishes of Vietnamese cuisine. Pho is not only a dish but also represents the national culinary culture, and this is also a famous dish with international tourists and a famous dish in many countries around the world. Pho originated in Hanoi, Northern Vietnam, and then spread to the Central and Southern regions. Nowadays, Vietnamese pho is also known in many parts of the world, especially Western countries with many pho restaurants in the US, France, Australia, Canada, etc.

The main ingredients of pho are rice noodles and broth, along with thinly sliced beef. In the past, there was only pho bo chin with all the “chin -bap – nam-gau”; later, there were also rare pho, chicken pho, shrimp pho, etc. Pho must always be eaten hot to be delicious; however, getting delicious bowls of pho depends on experience and the traditional secrets of pho cooking. Nowadays, pho has different processing methods and flavors. In Vietnam, there are names to distinguish them: Pho Hanoi (in the north), Pho Hue (in the central region), and Saigon pho (in the south).

In particular, Saigon pho has some special features, making it stand out from other variations of Vietnamese Pho. Furthermore, the choice of ingredients to make Saigon pho broth is also different. In addition to some traditional spices such as roasted ginger, pepper, onions, cinnamon, cilantro, and chives, Saigon people also add dried squid, beef fat, chicken bones, and radishes to make the broth taste sweeter, suitable for your taste different taste. Normally, a bowl of Saigon pho will have accompanying dishes such as beef balls, boiled eggs, intestines, and tendons. Enjoying Pho Saigon, all your senses will be wonderfully awakened by the wonderful blend of all the ingredients. So, during your trip to Ho Chi Minh City, don’t forget to try Saigon pho!

2. Saigon Pho: The Top 10 Best Pho Places In Ho Chi Minh City

2.1. Pho Le

Serving customers for more than 50 years, Pho Le is a familiar address for many street food enthusiasts in Saigon. The unique combination of spices, herbs, broth, and large, flavorful slices of beef in a bowl of Pho Le will conquer the hearts of every diner. If you love the taste of Southern pho, Pho Le restaurant will be a great place for you.

• Address 1: 415 Nguyen Trai Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Address 2: 303 – 305 Vo Van Tan Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Tel: (+84) 2839234008
• Open: 6:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
• Reference price: 3.00 USD– 3.81 USD/bowl.

2.2. Pho Thin

Pho Thin is a pho brand developed for more than 40 years in the capital Hanoi. This is also one of the oldest Pho brands in Hanoi. Not only that, Pho Thin is also present in Korea, Australia, and Japan and conquers demanding international guests. And businessman Le Lien (the granddaughter of Mr. Nguyen Trong Thin) has developed two branches of Pho Thin in Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, if you are looking for a typical Hanoi culinary brand in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, you should definitely not miss Pho Thin.

Here, the most famous dish is the famous pho tai lan with the secret recipe of bone broth stewed for 20 hours. Each bowl of pho is a wonderful combination of the freshness of each piece of beef marinated and stir-fried over high heat. Combined with cool green herbs, it creates an indescribable flavor that captivates diners. In addition, diners can also enjoy other pho dishes at Pho Thin, such as stir-fried beef pho, chicken pho, pho chien phong, etc.

• Address 1: 138 Yersin Street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Address 2: T12 – 04 The Manhattan, Vinhomes Grand Park, Long Binh Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: (+84) 907 699 886
• Open: 6:30 A.M – 10:00 P.M.
• Reference price: 2.80 – 3.61 USD/bowl.

2.3. Pho 2000

Pho 2000 is a prominent family-run restaurant located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Located right next to Ben Thanh Market, Pho 2000 operates the best location among pho restaurants in Saigon, a centrally located and easily noticeable place. During a visit to Saigon in 2000, former US President Bill Clinton enjoyed pho at this restaurant. Pho 2000 is always packed with curious diners from all over the world. Besides the traditional beef pho, this restaurant also offers seafood pho, which includes multiple high-quality seafoods, such as squid, clams, and shrimp.

• Address: 208 – 210 Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: (+84) 799 430 002
• Open: 7:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
• Reference price: 2.0 – 4.01 USD per bowl

2.4. Pho Cao Van

Pho Cao Van is widely regarded as one of the oldest restaurants selling pho in Ho Chi Minh City. This eatery was first opened on Tran Cao Van Street in 1952, the owner of this Phở stand is Mr. Tran Van Phon, who moved from the north to the south to open one of the best pho in Saigon with its special recipe. Pho Cao Van impresses diners with its soft and well-cooked beef, spotless noodles, green onions, and basil.

• Address: 25 Mac Dinh Chi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Open: 6:00 A.M. – 10:30 P.M.
• Reference price: 1.60 – 2.80 USD/bowl
• Tel: (+84) 28 3822 0509

2.5. Pho Hoa Pasteur

A restaurant with a long legacy, Pho Hoa Pasteur consistently ranks as one of the best places to sample Vietnam’s most popular pho and is highly appreciated internationally. Coming here, you can meet diners from many countries around the world. 

The current owner’s family was passed on the recipe by Hoa, who used to sell pho on the street; hence, the restaurant was named after him in honor of his special recipe. Pho Hoa is more of a Southern style, with lots of noodles, herbs, sprouts, sweet broth, and a bowl of bagel twists. Besides serving delicious pho, the restaurant’s decor also has the vibe of traditional Vietnam from the 1960s, which is a huge plus for travelers when visiting.

• Address: 260C Pasteur Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: (+84) 2838 297 943
• Open: 5:00 A.M. – 11:30 P.M.
• Reference price: 3.40 – 3.81 USD/bowl

2.6. Pho Phu Vuong

Pho Phu Vuong is a famous address in Saigon, loved by locals and tourists. The shop has many years of experience and has been passed down from generation to generation. Coming to Phu Vuong Pho, diners will enjoy a delicious bowl of pho and rich broth cooked with its own unique flavor that cannot be found anywhere else. 

Pho Phu Vuong is a combination of Northern and Southern dishes that, once you try it, you will recognize the traditional flavor of Hanoi pho but also the favor of Saigon pho blended in a bowl of Phu Vuong pho. . A delicious bowl of beef pho; the meat is plump, soft, and sweet. In particular, each bowl of pho also comes with super-delicious homemade beef balls made by the restaurant.

• Address: 339 Le Van Sy Street, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: (+84) 903 833 007 
• Open: 7:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. | 4:00 P.M. – 09:30 P.M.
• Reference price: 3.00 USD – 4.21 USD/ bowl

See more in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUw9tWFnSR4

2.7. Pho Dau

Pho Dau is a small restaurant that is very popular with Northerners living in Ho Chi Minh City because the bowl of pho here has the characteristics of Hanoi pho. Mrs. Dau, owner of Pho Dau restaurant in Saigon, has more than 60 years of experience making millions of bowls of pho to serve locals and tourists around the world. If you want to enjoy a typical bowl of Northern Pho without vegetables, hoisin sauce, or beef balls, then come to Pho Dau, located in a small alley on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street.

• Address: 288 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: (+84) 2838465866
• Open: 10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
• Reference price: 2.00 USD – 3.20 USD/bowl

2.8. Pho Minh

Pho Minh is located on the same busy Pasteur street as Pho Hoa Pasteur. Pho Minh stays humble in a small alleyway, so you can easily bypass the place without noticing it and miss a chance to taste one of the best pho in Sai Gon. Pho at Pho Minh is served in some ways: beef balls, well-done steaks, flank, tendon, or tripe. The broth is not given too much spice but is simply made with ginger and grilled dry onion. The decoration is also really simple and airy, with several wooden tables and chairs. Pho Minh is always crowded with both locals and foreign tourists.

• Address:  63/6 Pasteur Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Open: 7:00 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
• Reference price: 2.60 USD – 3.40 USD/bowl

2.9. Pho Tau Bay

First opened in 1954, Pho Tau Bay is a long-standing noodle shop in Saigon that is well-deserving of its reputation. The feature of Pho Tau Bay is the soft and juicy beef slices marinated according to a unique family recipe, which will impress you on the first bite. Besides, the broth is excellent at Pho Tau Bay, and you’ll find a heaping plate of herbs on every table, as well as the typical selection of sliced chilis and limes. Although the space of this restaurant is not luxurious and spacious, its simplicity makes many customers feel the peaceful and gentle vibe of Saigon.

• Address:  435 Ly Thai To Street, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
• Tel: (+84) 907304546
• Open: 6:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M
• Reference price: 2.80 USD – 3.20 USD/ bowl

2.10. Stone bowl pho at pho Vietnam

Stone Bowl Pho at Pho Vietnam is an open-space pho restaurant. The characteristic of pho at the restaurant is that the pho noodles are homemade, so you will be able to witness firsthand how the chefs demonstrate their talent in making pho noodles. This is also a pho restaurant that many tourists come to explore when visiting Ho Chi Minh City. Stone bowl pho served at the restaurant will have broth that is always boiling, making the bowl of pho always stay warm and delicious. The clarity and purity, along with a gentle herbal scent, are the charming highlights of the broth of the stone bowl pho at the Vietnamese Pho restaurant.

• Address:

– Branch 1: 66 Tran Quoc Toan Street, Vo Thi Sau Ward, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

– Branch 2: 36-1 Bui Bang Doan Street, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City.

– Branch 3: 14 Pham Hong Thai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

– Branch 4: 125 Le Duc Tho Street, Ward 17, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City.

• Tel:

– Branch 1: (+84) 943 635 050

– Branch 2: (+84) 909 297 400

– Branch 3: (+84) 902 682 214

– Branch 4: (+84) 903 361 089

• Open: 6am – 10pm (only district 1 branch opens until 3am the next morning)
• Reference price: about 4 USD/portion.

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3. Conclusion

Pho has always been a proud dish of the Vietnamese people. Each type of pho has its own characteristics for each region, especially Pho Saigon, which is always one of the things that makes a strong impression on both locals and international tourists. Hopefully, the top 10 best pho restaurants in Saigon that Metta Voyage shares will help you have a wonderful experience in Saigon. Don’t forget to visit our blog to see many other exciting travel experiences.

4. Contact us

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