Wander, a traveler from Malaysia who has visited Hanoi multiple times, recently spent time exploring his favorite dishes like chicken pho, which, he says, is just as delicious as beef pho and is best enjoyed for breakfast.

To find the most suitable taste, Wander decided to try chicken pho at two randomly chosen spots, conveniently located along the routes he planned to explore in the city.

The first place was a chicken pho shop on Bao Khanh Street, a popular dining spot for many locals. There, he ordered a serving of thigh chicken pho priced at VND150,000.

When the dish was served, he noted its simple but appealing presentation. Taking his first bite, he nodded in approval of the broth’s rich, naturally sweet flavor from fresh chicken, paired with thin, smooth rice noodles. The chicken was tender, juicy, lightly pink with crisp golden skin.

However, the serving seemed a bit small for the price. “Perhaps because the shop is in the city center near Hoan Kiem Lake, the cost is higher,” Wander said.

The next pho shop he visited was on Phu Doan Street, a place honored for three consecutive years in the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list. There, he also ordered a thigh chicken pho and noted its presentation was similar to the first shop’s.

He remarked that the pho had a clearer, lighter broth. The chicken was delicious and fragrant, boiled skillfully to retain its richness and juiciness. The rice noodles were soft, becoming smooth and silky after soaking in the broth, yet retaining a chewy texture that didn't break or crumble when picked up with chopsticks.

He found the chicken at the second shop more appealing than the first, though the broth “lacked a little something” compared to the previous one.

“A bowl of thigh chicken pho here costs VND60,000, much cheaper than the first shop. That’s also an impressive point,” he noted.

He found both chicken pho dishes delicious and worthy of their positive reviews. However, he was more impressed with the second shop’s pho. He suggested that each shop’s chicken pho has its own characteristics, so visitors can choose a place to try based on their preferences for the most authentic experience.

Michelin rating 

Bui Thi Minh Thu, the owner of the Phu Doan Street pho shop Wander visited, said the eatery was opened by her mother, Le Thi Minh Nguyet, 69, in 2009.

In 2023, the shop was recognized by the Michelin Guide in the Bib Gourmand category for delicious, affordable dining.

According to Thu, to ensure chicken pho quality, the shop uses free-range chicken sourced from trusted suppliers. This chicken is firm and fragrant, boiled with minimal seasoning to preserve its natural flavor.

After cleaning and boiling, the chicken is carefully portioned into parts like thighs, wings, and breast, neatly arranged. When a customer orders, staff slice the meat and debone it to ensure the chicken remains tender and juicy when served.

The broth is made by simmering pork bones (not including pork leg bones, which can make the broth cloudy and affect flavor) for half a day. The rice noodles used are soft and chewy, resistant to breaking apart when soaked in the hot broth.

A bowl of pho ranges from VND50,000 to VND100,000. Chicken breast pho costs VND50,000, back meat VND55,000, and thigh or wing VND60,000. For mixed meat or extra portions, prices range from VND75,000 to VND100,000.

Thao Trinh