Phở is a traditional Vietnamese dish that is loved by food enthusiasts around the world. Each region has its own unique flavor of phở, but the most rich and unforgettable one is surely Saigon phở. Check out Saigon Vibes’ list of 10 must-try phở spots in Ho Chi Minh city below, and be sure to visit with your friends and family to enjoy!
Phở Hòa is a beloved phở restaurant in the city center, known for its spacious and airy atmosphere, and especially for its unforgettable, premium-tasting phở. The broth is simmered for a long time with beef bones, giving it a naturally sweet flavor, combined with fresh herbs, onions, and cilantro, creating an irresistible taste
Address: 260C Pasteur, Ward 8, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Phở Thìn offers the Northern-style flavor with a light, sweet broth, and the beef is cooked just right, making it very tender and fragrant. In addition to enjoying the famous phở, you can also admire the old streets of Hanoi through the restaurant’s decor.
Address: 138 Yersin Street, Nguyễn Thái Bình Ward, District 1
The restaurant’s name originates from a very interesting story: One day in the year 2000, President Bill Clinton happened to stop by for a bowl of phở. To commemorate this event, the owner named the restaurant ‘2000,’ marking the moment when traditional Vietnamese cuisine was introduced to the world. The highlight of the restaurant is its delicious, unique seafood phở, a dish that is hard to find at other phở places
Address: 1st Floor, 1–3 Phan Chu Trinh, Bến Thành Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Phở Lệ has been around since 1970, with the first location in District 5 (413 Nguyễn Trãi) – an area known for its noodle shops, wontons, and dumplings. It’s also one of the rare phở restaurants praised for being clean and upscale (compared to other famous phở places) and is busy from morning to night. Fans of Southern-style phở will feel like they’re enjoying the exact flavors they desire at Phở Lệ, as they can request extra toppings like beef balls, rare beef, brisket, flank, tendon, and fatty broth.
Address: 415 Nguyễn Trãi, Ward 7, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City
Note: Best of the best in Ho Chi Minh city
Phở Dậu is a place known for its broth, prepared using an authentic Northern recipe, which is incredibly rich in flavor. Having been in operation for 55 years, it is one of the first places that comes to mind for those wanting to enjoy phở. The taste of Phở Dậu will transport you to a nostalgic and vintage scene of old Hanoi.
Address: 288 Housing Complex, Alley 288 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Note: Must try
Originally a small phở cart from Hanoi that moved to Saigon to sell on the streets, Phở Cao Vân has now become a well-established restaurant with comfortable seating and attractive decor. The phở remains as delicious as ever, and it also holds a wealth of nostalgic memories for many customers. One memorable image for patrons is of a charming 90-year-old elderly person sitting in a corner of the restaurant to collect payment, which adds a very ‘Hanoi’ touch to the experience.
Address: 25 Mạc Đĩnh Chi, Đa Kao Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
This spot might lack ambiance, but it excels in tasty beef noodles at great prices. In addition to the usual raw beef and medium-rare brisket, their springy beef balls are a must-try. For a complete experience, order the house special with everything in the bowl. Basil, bean sprouts, onion, and lime wedges come on the side, so you can customize your phở to your liking.
Address: 241-243 Nguyen Trai Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
Pho Anh is a go-to spot for fans of traditional Southern Vietnamese pho. It’s a popular choice for those seeking a rich and delicious culinary experience. The pho here is renowned for its flavorful broth, simmered from beef marrow bones, delivering a delightful taste.
The silky-smooth noodles paired with tasty beef make for a delicious and flavorful bowl of pho, establishing Pho Anh as one of the best pho in Ho Chi Minh City.
Address: 8 Ky Dong, Ward 9, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City