Pho Hoi An - Rich flavor in the heart of the ancient town

Pho Hoi An is a special version of traditional Vietnamese pho, with a distinct flavor of the old town. Although not as famous as Cao Lau or Quang noodles, Hoi An pho still has its own appeal thanks to its sophisticated preparation and unique ingredients.

1. Characteristics of Hoi An pho - Culinary fusion

Pho Hoi An is a version of traditional Vietnamese pho, with the distinct flavors of Hoi An and Quang Nam. Photo: Hoi An Photography.

Pho in Hoi An not only carries the traditional features of Vietnamese pho but is also influenced by the culinary style of the Central region, with a harmonious combination of local ingredients. When coming to Hoi An, in addition to familiar specialties, a hot bowl of pho is also a choice worth trying.

Rich broth - The broth is simmered from beef or chicken bones for many hours, combined with local spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, creating a natural sweet but still rich taste.
The accompanying spices that make Hoi An pho special are often crushed peanuts, Hoi An chili sauce, pickled garlic, satay, creating a characteristic spicy flavor.

Various pho noodles - In addition to fresh pho noodles, there are also dried pho noodles, which need to be boiled in boiling water to soften the noodles when processing. Dried pho noodles are made locally and dried for long-term preservation. If you need to eat soft pho noodles, ask for soft pho noodles.

Served with raw vegetables and local spices - Hoi An pho always has raw vegetables such as bean sprouts, basil, and coriander.

Rich toppings - Beef pho has many types of meat such as rare, flank, brisket, tendon, and beef balls.

Chicken pho often uses locally raised chicken, which has firm and sweet meat.
Some restaurants also serve pho mixed with rich sauce.

2. How to eat authentic Hoi An pho

Hoi An pho has a rather unique way of eating, with a distinct flavor compared to Hanoi pho or Saigon pho. If you want to enjoy it properly, follow these steps:

2.1 Choose your favorite type of pho

Beef pho: There are many options such as rare, flank, brisket, tendon, and beef balls.
Chicken Pho: Free-range chicken, firm and fragrant meat.
Cassava Pho: Pho noodles made from cassava flour, chewy and soft, very unique to eat.

2.2 Add raw vegetables and spices

Hoi An Pho often has raw vegetables such as bean sprouts, basil, perilla, and coriander.
Accompanying spices include Hoi An chili sauce, pickled garlic, spicy satay, lemon, and fish sauce.

2.3 Enjoy properly

Before eating, sip a spoonful of broth to feel the sweet taste of the stewed bones.
Add lemon, chili, or chili sauce if you like a stronger flavor.
Dip raw vegetables into the pho broth to keep it crispy and enhance the flavor.
When eating, you can add fried dough sticks or bread to make you feel fuller.

2.4 Variations with mixed pho

In addition to pho, Hoi An also has mixed pho - pho noodles mixed with a special sauce, served with beef or chicken, creating an unforgettable rich flavor.

3. Find a good pho restaurant in Hoi An - Here are some suggestions:

3.1 Pho Tung (Phở Tùng)

• Address: 51/7 Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An
• Price: From 30.000 VND/1 bowl

Traditional beef pho with rich broth, cooked from beef bones for many hours.

Soft pho noodles, fresh beef, many options such as rare, flank, brisket, tendon.

The restaurant has a small but cozy space, inside a small alley in the center of the old town, bearing the ancient features of Hoi An.

3.2 Pho Co Quoi (Phở Cô Quới)

• Address: Near the intersection of Cua Dai - Pham Hong Thai
• Opening hours: 06:00 - 09:00
• Price: From 30.000 VND/1 bowl

3.3 Pho Tien (Phở Tiến)

• Address: 133 Tran Hung Dao, Hoi An
• Opening hours: 06:00 - 20:00
• Price: From 30.000 VND/1 bowl

3.4 Pho An Bang (Phở An Bàng)

• Address: Near the intersection of Hai Ba Trung - Lac Long Quan
• Opening hours: 06:00 - 09:00
• Price: From 30.000 VND/1 bowl