Pho Thin Bo Ho where Hanoi people come back to remember

1 The soul of Hanoi’s past in a bowl of pho

Hanoi is famous for the sophistication in each dish and pho is the “soul” of the capital’s cuisine. Writer Thach Lam once said: “Pho is a special gift of Hanoi… only in Hanoi is it delicious.” With Pho Thin Bo Ho, that quintessence lies not only in the bowl of clear broth and the soft, sweet beef, but also in the story of the perseverance and persistent passion of founder Mr. Bui Chi Thin.

Born in 1928 in Hoai Duc, Mr. Thin entered the profession during the years when the country was still engulfed in the flames of war. After being released from Hoa Lo prison, he chose Hanoi as the place to stay, starting with a small pho vendor roaming around the streets: from Ham Long, Yen Phu to the “Au Tri Vien” area, now Hanoi Children’s Palace.

In the midst of falling bombs and stray bullets, his bowl of pho still burns brightly every night. Writer To Hoai once said: “While the siren sounded, Pho Thin Bo Ho’s lights were still on, Mr. Thin still happily picked up the cakes and joked with humorous verses.” It is that calmness that makes his bowl of pho become a heartwarming dish for even a difficult time.

2 Unique features of Pho Thin Bo Ho

2.1 Brand origin in the heart of the old town

After the liberation of the capital (1955), Mr. Thin and his wife, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ty, opened their first restaurant at alley 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, just a few steps from Hoan Kiem Lake. The pho restaurant is small but always steaming, fragrant with the smell of stewed beef bones and fresh ginger.

Every morning, when Hanoi was still sleepy, Mr. Thin lit the stove and cooked broth in a large pot placed over red coals. His wife prepared pho noodles, onions, lemon and chili. The whole family begins to serve the first guests, who are returning from the night shift or workers starting a new day.

The special thing is that Mr. Thin has never gone to cooking school. All the secrets were compiled by him and tested little by little by himself. From how to choose bones, watch over fire, deodorize beef fat to the proportion of seasoning, everything he puts his heart and soul into. And from then on, the flavor of Pho Thin Bo Ho became the standard of Hanoi pho.

2.2 “Stomach doctor” and love of simple profession

Hanoians at that time called Mr. Thin by the endearing name “stomach doctor”. Not only because a bowl of hot pho helps dispel fatigue, but also because of his gentle smile and cheerful Kieu sentences that he often reads to guests.

He wore a white blouse and white hat, serving wholeheartedly as a physician who heals with food. For him, each bowl of pho is not just a piece of food, but a sharing, a joy to see others warm in the middle of Hanoi’s winter. Although life is still lacking, Pho Thin Bo Ho restaurant is always crowded. It all comes from the “natural aroma”, the delicious taste of pho and the heart of the cook.

2.3 Three generations of succession and expansion journey

From a small shop in the alley, the Pho Thin Bo Ho brand gradually spread. His children followed in their father’s footsteps, opening more establishments across Hanoi such as Le Van Huu, Hang Tre, Tran Hung Dao, Doi Can, Kim Ma… When he was old, every morning he still cycled to visit each store, checked each pot of water, and instructed his children and grandchildren to keep the original flavor.

Later, his eighth daughter brought the taste of Pho Thin to Saigon, opening a restaurant at 170 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3. Over ten years, the restaurant became a familiar meeting place for Northern pho lovers in the Southern city. Even though there was a time to stop operations, the name Pho Thin Bo Ho is still mentioned with respect – as a symbol of traditional Northern flavors.

2.4 Reputation reaches far – From Hanoi to the world

After nearly seven decades, Pho Thin Bo Ho is not just a dish, but a cultural pride. The brand is mentioned in many works, from “Hanoi Old Stories” to international culinary magazines.

Channel News Asia once conducted a report “In Search of Umami – Hanoi: Sauces and Essences” to honor this heirloom pho dish.

In 2019, the Pho Thin family was assigned the responsibility of serving the US-North Korea Summit in Hanoi. In the same year, the brand was honored to receive a certificate of merit from the City Chairman for excellently completing its mission. From 2019 to 2023, Pho Thin Bo Ho continuously participated in the “Pho Day” event organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, affirming its leading position in the Vietnamese culinary industry.

2.5 New progress – Pho Thin Bo Ho in the modern era

In the era of convenience, Pho Thin Bo Ho does not stand still. In 2023, the brand cooperated with CHIN-SU (Masan Group) to launch the instant pho product Pho Thin Bo Ho, which encapsulates the essence of traditional pho in a modern form, helping diners anywhere still feel the authentic flavors of Hanoi.

2.6 A bowl of pho of memories and souls of Hanoi people

In the years after the liberation of the capital, Pho Thin Bo Ho restaurant is still humble on a small street corner. The shop only has a few rows of tables and chairs, fans nestled under the awning, the sound of knives and cutting boards hitting each other rhythmically like familiar music.

There is no elaborate menu. There are only a few dishes: rare pho, cooked pho, rare with rice noodles, rare rolls… but each bowl of pho retains the old flavor. The broth is clear, lightly fragrant with the scent of grilled ginger and onions. Thinly sliced ​​beef, medium cooked, soft but not crumbly. Hot stir-fry, poached eggs, iced tea, all simple but delicious. The pho here does not come with bean sprouts like the South, and is not heavily seasoned but is light, clear, and has a naturally sweet aftertaste. Just a spoonful of broth is enough to evoke a strangely familiar feeling.

3 Diverse pho menu – Simple but full of flavor

Although it has become a familiar brand, Pho Thin Bo Ho still maintains a simple style in each dish. The menu here is a blend of classic and sophisticated flavors:

– Rare cooked pho (Signature): 60,000 VND

– Cooked pho, rare pho, corned pho: 60,000 VND

– Rare pho rolled, rare pho encrusted with bucket: 70,000 VND

– Special pho, stir-fried beef pho: 80,000 VND

Diners can order hot fried eggs or poached eggs, which are two indispensable side dishes when enjoying authentic Hanoi pho. Simple drinks like Coca Cola or mineral water also contribute to balancing the taste buds, making the meal more complete.

4 Protected trademarks have lasting value

“Pho Thin” is a trademark registered for protection since 2014 and is currently used at four main establishments:

Facility number 61 Dinh Tien Hoang, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Opening hours: 06:00 – 13:00 and 17:00 – 22:00

Phone: (+84) 033 9253 464

Website: phothinboho.vn

Facility No. 1 Le Van Huu, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi

Opening hours: 06:00 – 13:00 and 17:00 – 22:00

Contact: 0335 324 076 / 0399 554 076

Website: phothin.vn

Facility No. 1 Hang Tre, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi

Opening hours: 06:00 – 13:00 and 17:00 – 22:00

Contact: 0981 205 122

Website: phothin1955.vn

Facility No. 289 Kim Ma, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Opening hours: 06:00 – 13:00 and 17:00 – 22:00

Phone: (+84) 033 9253 464

No matter where they are, customers still recognize the familiar taste of clear water, soft meat, and sweet taste. An absolute consistency in cooking and serving, demonstrating the family’s spirit of “keeping the craft” for the past 70 years.

You can carry that memory with you on your journey. And don’t forget, the suitcase from Vietnamtravelio will help you preserve every moment as completely as the flavor of Pho Thin Bo Ho: simple, sophisticated and never fading.