Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant is nostalgic with cold rice pho

1 Thanh Beo Pho Bo Restaurant – Where bowls of pho are filled with memories of old Hanoi

Amidst the hustle and bustle of Hai Ba Trung center, Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant on Nguyen Du street still maintains a very Hanoi simplicity. Not only because of the traditional bowl of pho, but also because of the unique cold rice pho, a flavor that is both strange and familiar that attracts more and more customers.

From early morning, you will see that the restaurant is filled with two rows of tables. Sometimes diners have to wait 20 to 30 minutes just to enjoy a hot bowl of Thanh Beo beef pho, plus a bowl of cold rice and broth. A way of eating that reminds us of a subsidy period that seems long gone.

2 The story behind the only pho restaurant with cold rice in Hanoi

The owner of Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant is Mr. Hoang Minh Thanh, a 46-year-old man who lives in Hai Ba Trung and opened the first restaurant nearly eight years ago. Since its appearance, Thanh Beo beef pho at 36 Nguyen Du has quickly become a familiar address for the elderly and those who love rustic Hanoi pho.

The reason is also very simple: the restaurant is a rare place that still maintains the way of eating cold rice pho, a culinary memory of subsidized life. Mr. Thanh shared that many older customers are used to “finishing pho and asking for some cold rice to add to the broth.” When opening the second location, also on Nguyen Du street, he decided to give each table a small bowl of rice, so that diners, young or old, could try the old flavors again.

No advertising tricks, no elaborate menus. Just a bowl of clear, sweet pho and a bowl of cold, grainy Dien Bien rice is enough to make Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant full every morning.

3 The flavor makes Thanh Beo beef pho 36 Nguyen Du famous

If you often think Hanoi cuisine is sophisticated in each dish, Thanh Beo beef pho bowl is a proof. Here, everything is carefully prepared down to every detail.

3.1 Typical broth of Hanoi

The pot of broth is simmered from thoroughly washed and deodorized bones, creating a sweet taste without being harsh. That broth is not only “beautiful” when poured into pho, but also suitable for pouring into cold rice. Mr. Thanh admitted that not all pho broths are suitable for eating with rice, so the restaurant must have its own secret.

3.2 Beef selected from good sources

Each slice of beef is strictly selected. The beef is soft, fragrant, not smelly, and retains its natural sweetness. His family works in a slaughterhouse, so Mr. Thanh can choose beef from the source and commit not to use frozen products. Pho cakes are placed in a place that does not use toxic additives, so they are always fresh during the day. Customers who have been regular for many years recognize the stable flavor that not every pho restaurant can maintain.

3.3 Memories of subsidies in a bowl of cold rice pho

Many customers come to Thanh Beo beef pho not simply to eat breakfast. They came to pick up the old flavors. When Ms. Thu Huyen, 60 years old, walked into the restaurant at 7 p.m., her first question was not “What pho is there today?”, but: “Is there any cold rice left?”. The complimentary white rice dish has been included in the menu by the owner since opening the second location.

During the difficult years of the subsidy period, pho was a luxury dish. When they get a bowl of pho, many families share it among themselves by adding cold rice to the broth to “locate” the portion. That simple taste follows many people to this day. At Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant, old memories seem to be revived in the way diners slowly mix cold rice into the clear pho broth and then enjoy it as a second dish.

3.4 Space and service of Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant

No elaborate decorations. No luxury tables and chairs. Instead, Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant has a spacious space, lots of light and is always bustling with the sound of people eating pho in the morning.

International tourists coming here are often surprised by the speed of service: fast, concise, with few words. In the morning, the restaurant is always full. Sometimes it’s so crowded that diners have to wait outside. But everyone was happy because the smell of steaming pho broth and the bowl of cold rice placed on the table turned the wait into a pleasant anticipation.

3.5 Pho set at affordable price but served like a restaurant

In Nguyen Du old town, a bowl of rare-rare pho costs only about 50,000 VND, equivalent to sidewalk pho. But the clean space, quick service, neat tables and chairs, and being given cold rice with pho are things that surprise many guests.

4 Advantages and limitations according to reviews from diners

From the reviews of many domestic and foreign diners, we can briefly review some advantages and disadvantages of pho at the restaurant.

What customers like:

– The broth is light, not harsh, and goes well with both pho and cold rice.

– Large, bright space, suitable for groups of friends or families.

– Fast service even when crowded.

– Reasonable price and right quality.

– The flavor maintains the spirit of old Hanoi pho.

A few limitations:

– The restaurant is very crowded during peak hours, sometimes you have to wait for a long time.

– Some customers reported that the observation of the processing process was not really “eye-catching”.

– Foreign guests may encounter difficulties because not everyone speaks English.

However, the unique flavor and nostalgic feeling are still the reason why Thanh Beo beef pho at 36 Nguyen Du is always full every morning.

5 Why should you try cold rice pho at least once in your life?

– Not just a dish. A bowl of cold rice pho is a whole story about Hanoi: rustic, elegant and full of memories.

– At Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant, every diner, whether young or old, can find a piece of memory. People remember the time of poverty. People who are curious about new experiences. People just want to try to see why there are so many people.

– The atmosphere of ancient Hanoi mixed with the smell of pho broth. The scent of beef and the smell of cold rice blend into the early morning air of Nguyen Du street. A simple but lasting experience.

6 FAQ about Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant

6.1 Why is cold rice pho so memorable?

Delicious pho thanks to well-simmered broth and soft, cold white rice. Pour in pho broth to round out the flavor. In particular, a bowl of pho also carries a memory value that makes people relive a difficult time but full of humanity. And it is the owner’s generosity that creates a rare experience in the heart of Hanoi.

6.2 Who should try Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant?

– People who want to find the standard pho flavor of Hanoi.

– Older people want to relive the memories of subsidized pho.

– Young people love new experiences like cold rice pho.

– People like clean restaurants, fast service, and reasonable prices.

If you are looking for a place that brings both the standard taste of Hanoi pho and old memories, then Thanh Beo Pho Bo restaurant at 36 Nguyen Du is a place worth trying. Among countless pho restaurants in the city, this place chooses to keep it authentic: clear broth, full bowls of pho, and free cold rice as a reminder of difficult but warm days. Also, don’t forget to prepare neat luggage to bring with you. A quality suitcase from Vietnamtravelio will make your journey lighter, more durable and more comfortable.