Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su — Restaurant in Hà Nội

Review for Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư – Hanoi ⭐️ (1/5)

After doing a fair bit of research on where to try traditional phở in Hanoi, Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư stood out — praised in the 2023 Michelin Guide, tons of positive reviews, and viral TikTok content. Naturally, I wanted to see what the hype was about. Unfortunately, my personal experience left a lot to be desired.

When I arrived and asked for a table for one, the woman at the door simply pointed vaguely toward the back wall. The restaurant layout is actually very straightforward, but the way she gestured gave me the impression I should go upstairs — maybe where extra seating was. I walked past several staff on my way up, and no one said a word. Upstairs, I was greeted by about three staff members who, judging by their hand gestures, seemed to be suggesting there was no seating up there. But again, no one clearly communicated anything. So I awkwardly made my way back downstairs to sort myself out.

Eventually, I found a seat by asking a local diner if I could share his table. He kindly agreed, which I appreciated — but all of this was done without a single staff member assisting or acknowledging me.

To make things worse, I wasn’t handed a menu — I had to help myself. And while I was trying to figure out what to order, no one offered any help or even the basic courtesy of offering a drink. The service felt cold and dismissive throughout. I’ve been in Vietnam for two months, and this was the first time I felt unwelcome. I don’t want to throw around the race card lightly, but as a Black British traveller, it was hard to ignore how differently I was treated compared to several white foreign guests who came in after me. They were greeted warmly, helped to their seats, and given immediate attention.

I ordered the beef phở, and unfortunately, even the food didn’t redeem the experience. The noodles were overcooked, the beef was flavourless, and even with the usual fresh herbs and condiments on the side, the dish just didn’t come together. It was bland and underwhelming. I’ve had better phở at small, quiet spots with zero hype.

There was a queue forming as I left, so I can see the place is popular. But to me, popularity doesn’t always reflect quality — or hospitality. I wouldn’t return. It’s not just that the food was average — it’s that I was made to feel like I didn’t belong there, and that’s something I...

Pho 10 Lý Quốc Sư, nestled in Hanoi's bustling Old Quarter, stands as a beacon for pho enthusiasts seeking an authentic Vietnamese culinary experience. Established nearly two decades ago by Mr. Lan and Ms. Lan Anh, whose hometown is renowned for pho, this eatery has garnered acclaim for its dedication to traditional flavors and quality service .

Pho, Vietnam's iconic noodle soup, traces its roots to the early 20th century in northern Vietnam. By 1913, it had become a staple sold by street vendors in Hanoi, evolving into a symbol of Vietnamese culinary identity .

At Pho 10 Lý Quốc Sư, the beef pho (phở bò) exemplifies this rich heritage. The broth boasts a natural, bone-deep sweetness, offering a refreshing taste in summer and a comforting warmth during Hanoi's cooler months . The kitchen, visible through steamed-up partitions, allows diners to witness the theatrical assembly of each bowl, with soup ladled from impressive heights, showcasing the chefs' dexterity.

Michelin Recognition and Pricing The restaurant's commitment to quality has not gone unnoticed; it has earned a Bib distinction in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Vietnam, highlighting its good quality and good value cooking . Prices are reasonable, with a typical bowl of pho ranging from 50,000 to 130,000 VND (approximately $2 to $5.50 USD) .

Pho 10 Lý Quốc Sư operates daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, catering to breakfast, lunch, and dinner crowds . The restaurant's popularity often results in a bustling atmosphere, where patrons may share tables with strangers—a common practice in Hanoi's vibrant dining scene .

For those seeking an authentic taste of Hanoi's culinary legacy, Pho 10 Lý Quốc Sư offers a memorable experience. Its dedication to traditional flavors, efficient service, and recognition by the MICHELIN Guide make it a must-visit destination for pho...

I'm not a huge fan of soups. But every once in a while, I love 💙 the comforting sensation of a hot ♨️ broth. But that broth has to be rich and strong in taste. Take me to a ramen 🍜 spot and I'll always order the more tasteful one (if there's a choice). There's an exception though: pho. I find pho, in general, kinda dull. But for some reason, I love 💙 it... when in Vietnam 🇻🇳! Cause I wouldn't order it out of Vietnam 🇻🇳... ✋ This is the kind of dish I only feel like eating in the country, not sure why. When in Vietnam, pho 🍜 is my go to breakfast. 🙌 On that first day back in Hanoi 🇻🇳, we all felt like having something simple for dinner so we headed to Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su in the old quarter for a simple yet comforting bowl of pho. 🤗 Note that this place is in the Michelin guide... but in Asia, in my opinion, this does not mean a thing and this definitely isn't the reason why we chose that place. 🙅 The menu is quite simple:1 broth, a few combinations of 3 types of meat 🥩 (all beef 🐄) and 2 types of cooking for these meats. Period. And that night, some of these options weren't even available! 😓 The noodles were perfect, the beef quite tasty (although, sincerely, it was hard to feel the difference between the types of meat we were served) and the broth, well, kinda dull, as expected... until I added some garlic 🧄 and chili 🌶️. Then it became so enjoyable! 👍 This is the magic 🪄 of pho 🍜: I never expect anything of it, yet I always enjoy it. 😃 The place was crowded, noisy, messy and kind of dirty, which is normal in Hanoi, and the service was... let's say sufficient. 🤷 We paid VND 70K... €2.5 per person... 🤭

Quality & taste: 8/10 Quantities: 9/10 Atmosphere: 5/10 Originality: 4/10 Ratio price / quality: 9/10 Service: 5/10 How I felt...