Pho Chao is located at 52 Nguyen Cong Tru, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. This famous restaurant, although just a regular pho restaurant, has become a symbol of Vietnamese cuisine.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 2

A small pho restaurant but always crowded with diners. Photo: David Zhang

Although the space is small enough to accommodate only 5 tables (4 people each), Pho Chao is always crowded with customers, including both locals and international tourists.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 3

Foreign diners also love Pho Chao. Photo: Jessica O’Sullivan

In particular, Pho Chao has been honored in the Bib Gourmand category of the Michelin Guide, as one of the few culinary destinations with reasonable prices but excellent taste and quality.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 4 title

Pho Chao was honored by Michelin in the Bib Gourmand category. Photo: Dan Viet

Pho Chao’s Nam Dinh pho is famous for its rich broth, with the characteristic fish sauce aroma of the North. The broth is made from 20kg of bones simmered continuously for 48-72 hours.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 5 title

Pho Chao’s Nam Dinh pho is famous for its rich broth. Photo: Michelin

The meticulous preparation process from preparing the bones, soaking in water, treating with salt, ginger, wine, to stewing with 20 herbs such as cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, cloves, coriander, roasted ginger, roasted onions has created a rich and clear flavor. The special thing is that the broth at Pho Chao does not use MSG but is seasoned with shrimp broth powder, meat seasoning powder and a small amount of rock sugar to balance the flavor.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 6

The process of preparing each pho dish here is extremely meticulous to bring about an irresistible delicious flavor. Photo: Michelin

In addition to the traditional Nam Dinh pho, Pho Chao is also famous for pho tine – a dish that combines Vietnamese pho and Canadian poutine. Instead of using pho noodles, this dish uses fried potatoes and is topped with stir-fried beef sauce, bone broth, vegetables and cheese. When enjoying, you can order an extra bowl of pho broth, sliced ​​beef or poached eggs for more variety.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 7

Pho tine is a fusion of Vietnamese pho and Canadian poutine. Photo: Michelin

According to Vietnamtravelio, Pho Chao was established in 2020, but Ms. Bui Thi Dung’s pho cooking career has been around since 1986. Ms. Dung, affectionately called “Mama Dung” by customers, has turned a small pho restaurant into a famous brand. With love and dedication, she has brought delicious bowls of pho, full of the essence of Vietnamese cuisine, to many diners near and far.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 8

“Mama Dung”, the person who creates the soul for each dish. Photo: Vietnamnet

In 2016, Ms. Dung was diagnosed with cancer and had to sell her house and restaurant to go to Ho Chi Minh City for treatment. During her treatment, she continued to work, teaching other patients how to cook pho and bake cakes to revive her finances and spirit. In 2020, when her health gradually recovered, she decided to open Pho Chao to preserve the family’s traditional flavor and share the joy through each bowl of pho.

Pho Chao, from street vendor to Michelin Bib Gourmand 9

Ms. Dung always extracts the best from each dish. Photo: Choi So Hyeon

Since receiving the Michelin Bib Gourmand title, Pho Chao’s customer base has doubled. Customers not only love the taste of Pho but also appreciate Ms. Dung’s spirit and dedication. Many customers come to the restaurant not only to eat but also to chat, share and feel the homely feeling that Pho Chao brings.

Pho Chao currently sells about 200 servings a day, most of which come from the GrabFood app. Dung plans to expand the space to separate the preparation area and the dining area, and add desserts such as coconut jelly and kombucha tea that she has researched and prepared herself.

Pho Chao is not only a restaurant but also a place to preserve and develop the traditional flavor of Vietnamese pho. With her dedication and love for the profession, Ms. Dung has turned Pho Chao into a familiar address for domestic and foreign diners. The Bib Gourmand title from Michelin Guide is a testament to the quality and value that Pho Chao brings. Come and experience to feel the uniqueness of Pho Chao, where each bowl of pho contains the heart and passion of the cook. Hopefully, with the above sharing of Vietnamtravelio Travel Guide, you will have another place to enjoy unique cuisine right in Saigon.