Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ — Restaurant in Hà Nội

Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ: A Tourist Trap Disguised as Authentic Hanoi Pho

Located in a charming alleyway near Ho Guom Lake, Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ certainly looks like the kind of hole-in-the-wall pho joint that tourists dream of finding in Hanoi's Old Quarter. However, don't let the picturesque setting fool you. This isn't a place where you'll experience the genuine flavors of Hanoi.

While I try to avoid being swayed by other reviews, I couldn't help but notice the abundance of 5-star ratings from non-Vietnamese names. My own experience leads me to believe that these reviews might be based more on the idea of authentic pho than the reality of what's being served.

The pho itself was a major disappointment. It was transparently made from a packet, a fact that's difficult to overlook, even for a non-expert. While they added some beef and fresh green onions, these additions couldn't mask the artificial taste of the broth. While pre-packaged noodles might be acceptable in certain situations in Southeast Asia (like roadside dining), it's unacceptable in a centrally located restaurant in Hanoi, especially one charging premium prices.

Speaking of price, at 60,000 VND (and an additional 15,000 VND for the quẩy), Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ charges significantly more than even the best pho outside of the tourist areas. You can find truly exceptional, authentic pho for 20,000 VND less just a short distance away.

The one redeeming quality of Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ is its ambiance. The alleyway location is undeniably charming and creates the impression of a hidden gem. The servers were also friendly and welcoming, which is always appreciated. However, even the friendly service couldn't compensate for the subpar food. It was a bit odd to be told to buy the pho and breadsticks from two different people.

My advice to anyone visiting Hanoi and looking for genuine pho is to avoid Phở Thìn Bờ Hồ. There are countless other places in the Old City where you can find a truly authentic and delicious bowl of pho for a fraction of the price. Don't be fooled by the "look" of the place. This isn't representative of what Hanoians eat.

Ratings:

Overall: 2/5 Food: 1/5 (Pho is clearly from a packet and overpriced) Atmosphere: 4/5 (Charming alleyway location) Service: 3/5 (Friendly but slightly...

100% go if you’re looking for a banging bowl of pho, honestly was one of the best my friends & I have had whilst in Vietnam!!! HOWEVER, please be aware when paying for things… hence the 3 star rating.

This spot offers breadsticks to go alongside your pho which I 100% recommend, however there is a poster which states that you must pay for both your breadsticks and drinks first. My friend and I got 3 Saigon beers and one basket of breadsticks (the basket is 10,000 per one), which we paid the right amount of money for, therefore in our mind was sorted and so we then ordered our pho.

Fast forward to the end of our meal, we go to pay for our 3 bowls of pho and they try to say we haven’t paid for the beers. I tried explaining we paid for them first like the poster said, but they claimed that the only thing they say to pay for first is the breadsticks as they come from a different person. After some time of backward and forwarding my friend decided to just pay them so we could actually leave, however we definitely got taken advantage for here whether intentionally or not.

I definitely recommend getting a written receipt after paying for your initial drinks and breadsticks so this doesn’t...

This store has been around for over 70 years, and can be easily missed due to its narrow passageway. It is located within an alleyway and sometimes motorbikes may pass through! (Very Hanoian indeed).

However, don’t let that stop you from finding this store, as the beef pho is one of the best in Hanoi. If you are travelling to Hanoi for holiday (like me), this is definitely one of the spots to weave into your itinerary. Located opposite Hoen Kiem lake, it is easily accessible for breakfast before heading out or dinner after coming back from a day of working.

When you enter, the staff will ask you how many person, and they will serve you the pho accordingly (no menu given!). However, you can order the Quay (fried dough stick) as well to soak up the delicious soup.

Now for the beef pho: the pho is served with all the garnishes and very perfectly cooked beef (I counted 3 kinds of beef). Broth is delicious and noodles are just of the right texture. I’d recommend squeezing a like in for the added taste, and if you like spicy food do add in some chili as well.

So do check this place out if you’re in Hanoi, and find that PHO...