80 years of fragrant Pho Minh in a small alley

Pho is an attractive delicacy and has long left its mark on domestic and foreign food lovers. There have been many famous pho restaurants in Saigon honored by Michelin as culinary addresses worth enjoying. One of those famous pho restaurants is Pho Minh with its unique flavor. So what is it about Pho Minh that has been honored by so many Michelins? Let’s explore with Vietnamtravelio Travel Guide!

1 Pho Minh, a delicious pho restaurant hidden in a small alley

1.1 Brief introduction about Pho Minh

Address: 63/6 Pasteur, Ben Nghe ward, district 1

Business hours: 6h30 – 9h45

Reference price (2024):

– Small bowl: 70,000 VND

– Large bowl: 90,000 VND

Beverage: from 3,000 VND

Phone: 028 3822 0345

Pho Minh is a pho restaurant honored by Michelin Guide as one of the delicious restaurants with reasonable prices in Ho Chi Minh City. Although hidden in an alley, Pho Minh has never been absent from the list of delicious pho restaurants in Saigon.

Famous for its unique flavor and traditional recipe, Pho Minh restaurant attracts even the most demanding diners when they come to enjoy it. Located in a small alley that is quite difficult to find, Pho Minh is always sought out by many food lovers to experience the cuisine.

Although located in the heart of Saigon, Pho Minh is known to food lovers for its attractive Northern flavors. Over many generations, Pho Minh has gradually affirmed its own unique flavor with a unique seasoning style and a family recipe that cannot be confused with any other pho restaurant.

1.2 The 80-year story of Pho Minh restaurant

Pho Minh was originally just a pushcart in 1942. The first owner, the person who started the business, was Mr. Tran Minh. After his family moved to the South to start a business, that was also when the pho cart was born.

Initially, the pho cart was located next to Casino Cinema (later renamed Vinh Quang) owned by Mr. Minh and his sister Nam. By 1950, Mr. Minh’s family had a small house to set up tables and serve pho. At that time, the pho restaurant was located in the house opposite the current restaurant and was not as spacious as it is now.

After more than 80 years of development, Pho Minh has now been passed down to the third generation, Mr. Tran Minh’s granddaughter. The second generation of the pho restaurant is Mrs. Sau, Mr. Minh’s daughter. Although it has gone through many generations, Pho Minh still retains the core flavor of the past with an impressive pot of fragrant broth.

2 How to get to Pho Minh restaurant

Pho Minh is located very close to the center of Ho Chi Minh City, only about 400 meters away, so it is quite easy to find your way here. You can use Google Maps’ instructions or follow the route suggested by Vietnamtravelio as follows: Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee – Le Thanh Ton – turn left onto Nguyen Hue – turn right onto Le Loi – turn left at Pasteur – alley 63 Pasteur (left hand side) – Pho Minh. Because alley 63 is not too wide, you need to pay attention to avoid running too far and having to turn back because it is a one-way street.

3 Some unique culinary experiences at Pho Minh restaurant that you should not miss

Pho Minh is a long-standing pho restaurant famous for its unique culinary style. This pho restaurant has many special features that you can visit to enjoy culinary experiences. Let’s review these experiences at Pho Minh with Vietnamtravelio Travel Guide!

3.1 Enjoy a unique variation of Northern Pho

Initially, when Mr. Minh first came to the South, his pho was authentically Northern with a traditional recipe and a sweet broth made from bones and no other additives were used for seasoning. However, over many generations, the pho at the restaurant has been modified to be closer to Southern and Northern food lovers.

Today’s pho bowls are served with blanched bean sprouts, basil, coriander, lime, soy sauce… in the typical Southern style. The pho bowl has a lot of onions like Northern pho but the broth is not as clear.

Minh Pho broth is richer than Nam Pho. The richness comes mainly from the bone broth and not from spices like cinnamon, star anise, or cloves. In addition to bones, the broth also has grilled ginger and lemongrass to create a unique flavor for the pho.

The beef in the pho bowl is carefully selected to ensure freshness, softness and aroma. Diners can request rare beef, flank, or tendon depending on their needs and preferences. In addition, the restaurant also has a rather attractive pate chaud dish that you can order to enjoy.

3.2 The space is always kept clean

Pho Minh’s service space consists of only 2 rooms with only 9 tables and chairs, quite different from other famous pho restaurants in Saigon. However, the owner has no intention of expanding further because he wants to maintain a spacious and relaxing atmosphere for diners coming here to eat. The elegant green house only has enough space to serve 20 diners at a time. However, despite having a modest space with a large number of diners, Pho Minh still maintains a clean and comfortable space.

4 What do diners think about Pho Minh?

As a famous pho restaurant in Saigon and visited by many tourists, Pho Minh receives many positive reviews from diners about the quality of its food. Let’s listen to what diners think about this pho restaurant!

Diner Hoan Nguyen, who often comes to Pho Minh restaurant to enjoy, commented: “This is a familiar pho restaurant that I often visit every time I go to the center. The pho broth is light and refreshing, so I can eat it over and over again. The stewed beef is soft and has a smoky aroma because it is cooked on a wood stove. The yogurt and pate chaud are also delicious..”

In addition, the restaurant also received many positive comments from customer Quoc Thuan To as follows: “A long-standing pho restaurant (1945) located in a typical alley in District 1. I have eaten here for a long time and come here often. The taste of pho has not changed over the years.”

Besides, Pho Minh is also an address associated with the childhood of many diners. Ms. Uyen, a regular diner of the restaurant shared that: “I have been eating here for over twenty years. Since I was a child, now that I have a daughter over ten years old, my husband and I often take our daughter here for breakfast on the weekends and then go out to play around the center.”

Pho Minh is a famous delicious restaurant that is highly appreciated by many food lovers. This will be a familiar address that you and your loved ones should visit to experience the cuisine every time you have the opportunity to come to Saigon.

Pho Minh is a long-standing pho restaurant with excellent food quality that you should visit to enjoy whenever you have the opportunity to experience Saigon cuisine. This is one of the addresses honored by Michelin Guide for the quality of food as well as the clean, airy space and promises to bring you the opportunity to enjoy a delicious, attractive pho dish.