Wanting to offer a new experience to diners and advertise Vietnamese cuisine, in 2019, Hoang Duc Lam, the owner of the pho brand with branches in Hanoi and HCM City, created a new version of beef pho attractive in appearance.

Lam uses large bowls, with the diameter of 30 centimeters, made by Bat Trang craftsmen to order from Lam. It takes the craftsmen eight hours to paint and decorate each bowl.

The ancient Bat Trang Pottery Village is well-known for its long tradition of producing porcelain and ceramics. Each bowl is painted with one of five colors which symbolize the five basic elements (metal, wood, water, fire and earth in accordance with Eastern Philosophy). 

Diners can choose the colors they like, or ask for advice from the workers at the restaurant. Vietnamese believe that certain colors suit people best, and if used, the person will be lucky in their life and work.

Lam explained that he uses the bowls because the servings are large and they are eye-catching. In addition, spoons and chopsticks are designed specifically for the special pho.

“Every special bowl of pho is served with a variety of meat and large pieces of ribs, so normal bowls will be useless,” he said.

According to Lam, each bowl contains 350 grams of beef ribs and 100 grams of beef prepared in different ways. Quay (fried dough sticks) and scalded eggs are served with the bowl of pho.

Lam said it takes a lot of time to prepare and to ensure premium quality, so he has to select materials carefully. The beef is from a large cow farm in the north and is used within a day.

The restaurant serves both traditional noodles and large hand-cut noodles, made to order, without borax. The ribs are simmered for 3-4 hours, while the broth is simmered from bones and peanut worms (Sipunculus Nudus) for 24 hours. The process creates a broth with natural flavor, with no artificial spices.

On ordinary days, a serving of the special pho at the restaurant is priced at VND168,000. However, if diners want the pho on Monday, the price is VND99,000.

Thao Trinh