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Saigon Pho Noodle Soup - Facts, Tips & Hacks!

Fun facts, tips, and hacks so you can make the most of your

Phabulous Pho experience, while you're in Vietnam.

Old Growth Trees tower of a street in Saigon, Vietnam

One of my favorite the Streets in Ho Chi Minh City

 SAIGON PHO FACTS

  • Interestingly, Pho is likely the second most popular soup in Ho Chi Minh City. Hu Tieu (pork bone soup) is a true local specialty and best selling soup in the city. 

  • Southern style 'Saigon' Pho has a different (sweeter) flavor profile and more garnishes than its northern counterpart.

  • Southern Pho is served with more types of meat options than northern Pho, including meatballs, tendon, tripe, etc..

  • Pho is traditionally a breakfast food in Vietnam, though you can now find it sold all day long, throughout the country.

  • Beware, some of the most popular Pho shops in Saigon close when they run out of beef stock, or beef. This can be anytime late morning, or into the afternoon. Don't be too late if it's a hot spot!

  • Pho Bo is 'beef' pho'. Pho Ga is 'chicken pho' Pho Ga is not very well known in the west, but is very popular in Vietnam, especially in Hanoi. 

  • Pho Ga (Chicken Pho) can usually, also be ordered 'dry', or without broth in most restaurants that serve it. We highly suggest you experience both versions to get the full experience. Some people like it even better than the soup.

  • Rice noodles are square or round in southern style Saigon Pho.

PHO EATING TIPS​

  • Southern Style Pho is generally more adventurous than Northern Pho. In the south, you will find many more types of beef cuts, including tendon, tripe, and meatballs. It is also always served with a side plate of fresh vegetable garnishes (bean sprouts, Thai basil, coriander, lime, etc..). Get adventurous if you are new.. trust me on this one. 

  • I suggest adding a poached egg to your soup anywhere you eat beef or chicken pho. Eggs are 'real' in Vietnam and only cost around $0.25 USD.

  • Side condiments typically include: Fresh garlic pickled in vinegar / hoisin sauce / chili sauce / fish sauce / fresh chili's / fresh lime / black pepper.

  • Sriracha sauce is not really a thing in Vietnam. Chili Sauce takes its place and it's usually homemade and different form shop to shop. 

  • We suggest you chase your Pho with Jasmin iced tea, which is a local favorite drink.

  • Most of the BEST restaurants in Vietnam serve only one thing, and they do it well. DO NOT expect to find a good Pho at a western style restaurant that serves everything.

  • To avoid stomach problems, I suggest eating at only busy restaurants where they continually turn over fresh food.  

Enjoying the Best Pho Bo Beef Noodle Soup in Ho Chi Minh City 2022

Great Pho Bo (beef noodle soup) Near Western Street in Saigon

Private Street Food Tour Hanoi Vietnam

VIETNAM DINING HACKS

  • ALWAYS ask for 'takeout' bamboo chopsticks when you eat anywhere in Vietnam. Typically,  restaurant chopsticks are hand-washed and reused. Also, some shops use large clunky plastic chopsticks, which can be difficult to use when trying to shovel slippery noodles into your pho-hole as efficiently as possible. 

  • Bring Wet Wipes to clean off your face, hands, then table, soup spoon, etc... You CANNOT have enough wet wipes in Vietnam.

Perfect Breakfast Pho Set up in Vietnam

VIETNAM TRIP DESIGNING

Let us help you plan and design your trip! From food tours, to transportation and accommodation, to the countries best local activities, we can help you make the most of your time and budget.  

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