Top 10 Best Pho Restaurants in Hanoi Old Quarter
Pho has become a symbol of Hanoi, and nowhere gathers more long-standing pho shops than the Old Quarter, where every street carries its own family recipe and story.
The list below brings together the best pho in Hanoi's Old Quarter, trusted spots with addresses and updated reference prices, so you don't have to wander between dozens of pho signs in the area.
Quick overview of the best pho in Hanoi Old Quarter
Restaurant | Address | Signature | Reference price |
|---|---|---|---|
Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan | 49 Bat Dan | Self-service, queues, run by several generations | 50,000-60,000 VND |
Pho Thin Bo Ho | 19 Hang Voi (new address from 1/2026) | 70 years, stir-fried rare beef pho, founded 1955 | 40,000-65,000 VND |
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su | 10 Ly Quoc Su | Long-running brand with 3 Hanoi locations, open most of the day | 50,000-77,000 VND |
Pho Suong | Trung Yen Alley, Dinh Liet | 3 generations, bones simmered 14-15 hours, no cinnamon or star anise | 55,000-80,000 VND |
Pho Bo Lam | 48 Hang Vai | Listed in the Michelin Guide 2026 | 40,000-80,000 VND |
Pho Khoi Hoi | 50 Hang Vai | Michelin Guide 2026, known for bone marrow and crunchy brisket | 40,000-80,000 VND |
Pho Ga Huyen Huong | Bao Khanh Street | Michelin Selected 2026, chicken pho specialist | 50,000-80,000 VND |
Pho Vui | 25 Hang Giay | Nearly 30 years, light and less fatty broth | 40,000-60,000 VND |
Pho Ganh | Corner of Hang Chieu and Hang Ma | Sidewalk stall, open only late night to early morning | 30,000-60,000 VND |
Pho Man Gam Cau | 1 Gam Cau Street | A distinctive "salty pho" style | 80,000-100,000 VND |
Why is Old Quarter pho considered the original taste?
Pho is a dish built on broth simmered from beef bones for many hours, served with fresh rice noodles, thinly sliced beef or chicken, and finished with spring onion, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lime and chili to taste. It sounds simple, but making a pot of clear, naturally sweet broth without seasoning powder is a craft passed down through generations.
The Old Quarter is where pho has been tied to Hanoi the longest. Many shops here have passed through two or three generations of the same family, keeping the original broth recipe and preparation methods from their earliest days. Notably, the Old Quarter's famous pho spots have recently been recognized by an international source: the Michelin Guide 2026 named several pho restaurants in the area, including Pho Bo Lam, Pho Khoi Hoi and Pho Ga Huyen Huong, an objective mark of credibility rather than self-promotion.
How to choose a good pho spot in the Old Quarter
Among dozens of pho signs in the Old Quarter, not every shop is worth trying. Before choosing, consider these four criteria:
Clear, naturally sweet broth. The sweetness should come from long-simmered bones, not from seasoning powder or heavy MSG.
Fresh rice noodles. The noodles should be soft but not mushy when the broth is poured over, and not tough or chewy either.
A clear history and origin. Favor shops confirmed by several independent sources, not just a sign claiming to be a "family recipe."
Transparent pricing. Reputable shops usually post clear prices, avoiding separate inflated prices for tourists.
Top 10 famous pho restaurants in Hanoi Old Quarter
Here are the 10 pho spots most worth trying in the Old Quarter, each with its own character.
1. Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan
Located at 49 Bat Dan, this is one of the most famous pho shops in the Old Quarter, where diners queue, order and carry their own bowl to the table, a way of operating that few shops still keep. Several generations of the family work side by side here, each in charge of one step, from ladling the broth to slicing the beef.
The shop opens roughly 6:00-10:00 in the morning and 18:00-20:30 in the evening, with reference prices of 50,000-60,000 VND a bowl. At peak hours, a queue stretching onto the sidewalk is a familiar morning sight.
What makes it special: a self-service culture rarely kept in the Old Quarter, where the queue itself has become part of the experience.
First-visit tip: arrive right at opening time to save time in line, and take a moment to watch how the whole family works together to make each bowl, which is part of the charm.
2. Pho Thin Bo Ho
Pho Thin Bo Ho is one of the oldest pho shops in Hanoi, founded in 1955 by Mr. Bui Chi Thin and famous for its pho tai lan, beef quickly stir-fried in hot fat before going into the bowl, giving a distinctive aroma quite different from the usual blanched rare beef.
One important note: according to Kenh14, the shop had to move from its familiar address at 61 Dinh Tien Hoang in early 2026, as the area falls within land clearance for the "Van Hien Boulevard" project and a lakeside park space. The shop now operates at 19 Hang Voi, about 400m from Hoan Kiem Lake. If you have visited the old address before, update to the new one before heading over.
What makes it special: its signature stir-fried rare beef pho, which is hard to find in its original form anywhere else.
What to order: pho tai lan, the very dish that has built the shop's name for nearly 70 years.
3. Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su
Located at 10 Ly Quoc Su Street, this is the original shop of the Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su brand, founded nearly 20 years ago. The brand currently has only 3 locations in Hanoi: the original on Ly Quoc Su, one at N2A Hoang Minh Giam, and one at 26 Lot 6 To Huu, Van Phuc, Ha Dong. It is not a large chain spread across many provinces, as it is sometimes confused with other pho brands carrying similar names. The original shop still draws a loyal crowd of regulars thanks to its rich broth and soft noodles.
The shop keeps fairly flexible hours, roughly 6:00-14:00 and 17:00-22:00, with reference prices from 50,000 to 77,000 VND.
What makes it special: the original shop of the Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su brand, which has only 3 locations in Hanoi and still keeps the atmosphere of the first shop despite adding two more.
What to order: rare beef and brisket pho (pho tai nam), the dish most regulars order here.
4. Pho Suong
Pho Suong traces its roots to the street-vendor pho of Mr. Nguyen Van Ty, who carried his pho through Hanoi's streets from the 1930s. After many ups and downs, his descendants revived the business and opened a permanent shop in Trung Yen Alley, off Dinh Liet Street, now in its third generation with a granddaughter running the kitchen. What sets Pho Suong apart is a broth simmered continuously for 14-15 hours from marrow bones, without cinnamon or star anise as in many common recipes, giving a lighter, cleaner flavor.
Reference price: 55,000-80,000 VND a bowl.
What makes it special: a broth recipe without cinnamon or star anise, giving a clean, light taste unlike most other pho shops.
What to order: rare beef pho, to taste the signature light broth most clearly without strong spices getting in the way.
5. Pho Bo Lam
Located at 48 Hang Vai, Pho Bo Lam has just been named in the Michelin Guide 2026 for Hanoi. The shop specializes in special cuts such as beef core, bone marrow and crunchy brisket, suited to diners who enjoy a richer, more indulgent bowl than regular rare beef pho.
Reference prices range from 40,000-80,000 VND depending on the extra cuts ordered.
What makes it special: selected by the Michelin Guide 2026 and known for special cuts few other shops offer in full.
What to order: add crunchy brisket or bone marrow, which is exactly what sets this shop apart.
6. Pho Khoi Hoi
Just next to Pho Bo Lam at 50 Hang Vai, Pho Khoi Hoi has also just been named in the Michelin Guide 2026. It likewise specializes in special cuts such as beef core, bone marrow and crunchy brisket, and is a worthy second option if the shop next door is too crowded.
Reference prices range from 40,000-80,000 VND depending on the extra cuts ordered.
What makes it special: recognized by the Michelin Guide 2026 just like its neighbor, so you can easily try both in one outing.
What to order: the beef core, to compare directly with how Pho Bo Lam prepares it right next door.
7. Pho Ga Huyen Huong
If beef pho isn't your first choice, Pho Ga Huyen Huong on Bao Khanh Street is a standout for chicken pho, and was also just added to the Michelin Selected 2026 list. The broth is simmered from chicken bones, keeping a naturally sweet, clean taste, with chicken that is tender without falling apart.
Reference price: 50,000-80,000 VND.
What makes it special: a rare chicken pho representative on the Michelin Selected 2026 list in the Old Quarter area.
What to order: chicken pho with thigh meat, which is usually considered more tender and flavorful than breast.
8. Pho Vui
Located at 25 Hang Giay, Pho Vui has been open for nearly 30 years and is well regarded by regulars for its light broth, less fatty than most, suited to those who don't like an overly rich broth.
The shop opens from morning until around 22:00, with reference prices of 40,000-60,000 VND.
What makes it special: a light, less fatty broth, a good fit for the evening or when you don't want too heavy a meal.
What to order: well-done beef pho (pho chin), which suits the light broth style the shop is known for.
9. Pho Ganh
For anyone wanting a truly original street pho experience, Pho Ganh around the corner of Hang Chieu and Hang Ma is a different kind of choice. It is a sidewalk stall with no fixed tables, open only from midnight to dawn, serving mostly night workers and anyone caught hungry in the middle of the night.
Reference price: 30,000-60,000 VND.
What makes it special: an authentic sidewalk pho experience, now almost only found at night in the Old Quarter.
What to try: come during the late-night hours when the stall is open, to fully take in the atmosphere of Old Quarter night pho.
10. Pho Man Gam Cau
At 1 Gam Cau Street, Pho Man offers a distinctive preparation style that few shops in the Old Quarter follow, with a broth richer and saltier than usual.
Reference prices are higher than average, around 80,000-100,000 VND, but many seasoned pho lovers consider it well worth the different experience it offers.
What makes it special: a broth noticeably richer and saltier than average, for anyone wanting to try a different style of pho.
What to order: rare beef pho, to taste the broth's signature richness most clearly without other cuts diluting it.
When to eat pho in the Old Quarter, and what to keep in mind
The morning rush, around 6:30-8:30, is usually the busiest time at most of the shops above. Many shops sell out of broth before noon and close early, so if you want to be sure there's still pho left, it's best to arrive before 9:00.
Some shops only open two sessions a day, early morning and evening, closing entirely around midday and early afternoon, such as Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan. Most Old Quarter pho shops still prefer cash, and small shops rarely have card machines, so it's a good idea to carry small change before you go.
As for Pho Thin Bo Ho, one more reminder: the current address is 19 Hang Voi, no longer 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, so you don't waste a trip to the old location, which is no longer operating.
Where to stay in the Old Quarter for easy morning pho
Most of the pho shops listed above sit within a short walk of the Hang Vai, Hang Giay, Bat Dan and Hang Voi area, near Hoan Kiem Lake. If you're looking for a convenient place to stay so you can start each morning with a steaming bowl of pho, The Haron Hanoi Boutique at 39 Hang Trong is worth considering, just a few minutes' walk from most of the shops above. To explore more dishes around the area, you can also browse our list of the best restaurants in Hanoi's Old Quarter.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the best pho in Hanoi Old Quarter
Which pho restaurant is the best in the Old Quarter? There's no absolute answer since it depends on taste, but the names mentioned most often include Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan, Pho Suong, Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su and Pho Thin Bo Ho. Pho Bo Lam, Pho Khoi Hoi and Pho Ga Huyen Huong are also worth trying, having just been recognized by the Michelin Guide 2026.
Where is Pho Thin Bo Ho's new address? Pho Thin Bo Ho moved from 61 Dinh Tien Hoang to 19 Hang Voi in early 2026, as the old area falls within land clearance for the Van Hien Boulevard project. The new address is about 400m from Hoan Kiem Lake.
How much does pho cost in the Old Quarter? A bowl of pho at Old Quarter shops ranges from about 30,000 to 100,000 VND depending on the shop and extra cuts, with most falling between 40,000 and 80,000 VND.
Which Old Quarter pho restaurants are recognized by the Michelin Guide? In the Michelin Guide 2026, the Old Quarter's named spots include Pho Bo Lam (48 Hang Vai), Pho Khoi Hoi (50 Hang Vai) and Pho Ga Huyen Huong (Bao Khanh Street).
Old Quarter pho is not just a meal, but part of the neighborhood's story across generations. If you value a long-standing family tradition, Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan or Pho Suong are great choices. If you want to try special cuts recognized by international experts, Pho Bo Lam, Pho Khoi Hoi or Pho Ga Huyen Huong from the Michelin Guide 2026 are well worth considering. And if you know Pho Thin Bo Ho from before, don't forget its new address at 19 Hang Voi.
If you're looking for a place to stay right in the heart of the Old Quarter's pho scene, ready to start every morning with a hot bowl just a few minutes' walk away, reach out to The Haron Hanoi Boutique via hotline +84 24 3209 1666, at 39 Hang Trong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi.
