Pho, indeed, is not just a simple breakfast meal, but also elevates to the national pride of Hanoi’s culinary culture. Each bowl of pho is a refined symphony of clear and flavorful broth, aromatic herbs, tender and sweet beef, and chewy pho noodles, creating an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Moreover, from street stalls to upscale restaurants, each place offers its unique flavor of pho, depending on the skillful hands and secret recipes of the owners. All of these elements paint a vivid picture of Hanoi pho that is unlike anywhere else.
A Special Pho Restaurant That Makes Hanoi… Less “Bland” Because It Has Been Closed for Years
A famous pho restaurant has become a soulful place for pho lovers, a familiar meeting point to preserve the essence of this dish throughout the years. The restaurant has been around for a long time, but its exact origins are unclear. The current owner, a woman named Chi, inherited the business from the previous generation. Located at the corner of Gam Cau Street, Pho Man is a familiar destination for pho enthusiasts in Hanoi. A few years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the restaurant closed temporarily, but it did not diminish the affection that customers had for it. On pho-lovers’ online forums, many people lamented, “Without Pho Man, Hanoi’s pho scene has become… blander!”
Early in the morning on February 19th, customers flocked to the long-standing Pho Man. Within just one hour, all the tables were full. Some impatient individuals who couldn’t wait for their anticipated bowl of pho opted to switch to other dishes. Pho Man mostly attracts loyal customers who have been coming to the restaurant for years. On the reopening day, these customers eagerly lined up to enjoy a hot bowl of pho on the first morning of spring.
For those who are familiar with Pho Man, the signature dish is the tender beef core pho, made with a special recipe unique to the restaurant. However, on the reopening day, Chi, the owner, stated that they were only serving rare beef. Although this was slightly disappointing, the waiting customers quickly ordered other dishes to enjoy in the meantime.
Pho Man and the Two Extremes: Fans or… Can’t Handle It!
Pho Man attracts customers with two distinct characteristics: on one hand, loyal customers who have been connected to the restaurant since its early days or have developed a taste for it over the years; on the other hand, curious individuals, flavor enthusiasts eager to try Pho Man’s unique taste.
The name says it all: Pho Man is indeed salty, with an incredibly rich broth. In return, the broth is light and the selected beef core provides a fresh and tender sensation in the mouth. The beef is well-cooked, neither too firm nor too chewy, sliced in thin and large pieces that cover almost the entire bowl, creating a satisfying visual appearance. The pho noodles are fresh, delicious, and crispy, easily breaking apart. However, those who prefer chewy noodles may need to request it specifically to the owner.
At the table next to ours were two customers who came to the restaurant out of curiosity from the stories they read on social media. They ordered two bowls of beef core pho, and although they were pleased with the bustling atmosphere of the old-town pho, they couldn’t finish their meal.
“The beef is delicious, the noodles are decently soft, but it’s really quite salty. It doesn’t suit our taste, but we can’t complain,” one of them remarked before taking a quick sip of iced tea.
On the other extreme, loyal customers savor each bowl of pho, cherishing the memories associated with it and relishing each spoonful of fragrant broth that they did not experience during the time the restaurant was closed. These regular customers are easy to spot. They leave the bowl completely clean, even wiping away residual broth!
The reopening of Pho Man after a long hiatus has sparked a great deal of excitement among Hanoi diners. From the early hours of the morning, the restaurant has been bustling with customers, and by 8-9 AM, every inch of the space was occupied. Despite the crowding and long waiting times, many people patiently stayed to satisfy their craving for their beloved savory pho after a long wait.
