Top Best Phở in Hanoi: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide to the 10 Best Places
Are you searching for the top best phở in Hanoi? This comprehensive guide is your key to finding the top best bowls of Vietnam’s national dish in its very own capital city. We know that navigating the bustling streets of Hanoi to find the top best phở can be an overwhelming yet delicious adventure. That’s why we’ve done the legwork (and slurping!) for you. This 2025 updated list represents our top best selection of phở joints, from hundred-year-old institutions to local hidden gems. For any food lover, finding the top best experience is the ultimate goal, and with this guide, you are on the right track.
Phở is more than just a soup; it’s a symphony of flavors, a morning ritual, and a cultural touchstone. In Hanoi, phở is traditionally a beef noodle soup (phở bò), characterized by its incredibly clear, delicate, yet deeply savory broth, simmered for hours with beef bones, charred ginger, onion, star anise, and cinnamon. It’s served with soft flat rice noodles, various cuts of beef, and a minimalist garnish of fresh herbs. Let’s dive into the steamy, aromatic world of Hanoi’s phở and discover the bowls that will define your culinary journey in Vietnam.
1. Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
📍 Address: 49 Bát Đàn, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
A true titan of Hanoi’s phở scene, Phở Bát Đàn is an institution. Prepare for a queue at almost any hour—it’s part of the experience. This is a place where tradition is ladled into every bowl. The process is a well-oiled machine: you queue, you pay, you grab your own bowl, and you find a spot at a shared table.
What Makes It a Top Choice: The broth is the star. It’s one of the most balanced and traditionally pure broths in the city—crystal clear but with an intense beefy flavor that speaks of long, slow simmering. They don’t mess with the classics here.
What to Order: The Phở Bò Tái Nạm (a mix of rare and well-done flank steak) is the perfect introduction. The rare beef is flash-cooked by the hot broth right in your bowl, leaving it incredibly tender.
The Vibe: No-frills, loud, and wonderfully chaotic. This is a place for eating, not for lingering. It’s an authentic Hanoian experience that has remained unchanged for decades.
2. Phở Thìn Lò Đúc
📍 Address: 13 Lò Đúc, Hai Bà Trưng, Hanoi
If Bát Đàn is the king of traditional phở, Phở Thìn is the beloved, rebellious prince. For over 40 years, this spot has done phở its own way, and the city loves it. Instead of simply boiling the beef, Phở Thìn stir-fries it with garlic and green onions before adding it to the bowl.
What Makes It a Top Choice: The iconic stir-fry method imparts a smoky, savoury, and slightly greasy richness to the bowl that is utterly addictive. The broth is noticeably more opulent and fatty than traditional versions, and it’s loaded with a generous amount of green onions.
What to Order: There’s only one option on the menu: Phở Bò Tái Lăn (stir-fried rare beef noodle soup). Just tell them how many bowls you want. Don’t forget to grab a couple of quẩy (fried dough sticks) for dipping.
The Vibe: A bustling, one-trick pony that has perfected its signature dish. The open kitchen lets you watch the masters at work, flames flaring from the wok.
3. Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư
📍 Address: 10 Lý Quốc Sư, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi (with other branches)
For those who want a guaranteed fantastic bowl of phở in a cleaner, more comfortable setting, Phở 10 Lý Quốc Sư is a go-to. It’s wildly popular with both locals and tourists for its consistency and high-quality ingredients.
What Makes It a Top Choice: The quality of the beef is exceptional. They offer a wide array of cuts, from the standard rare flank to more adventurous options like brisket and tendon. The broth is consistently clean and flavorful, striking a great balance between traditional and modern palates.
What to Order: For the ultimate beef experience, try the Phở Bò Đặc Biệt (Special Combo Bowl), which includes a bit of everything. If you love fatty cuts, the Tái Gầu (rare and fatty brisket) is heavenly.
The Vibe: A modern, air-conditioned, and well organized restaurant. It’s a great entry point for first-timers who might be intimidated by the more chaotic street-side eateries.
4. Phở Sướng (The “Happy” Phở)
Source: Báo Dân Trí
📍 Address: 24B Trung Yên Alley, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
Tucked away in a small alley, Phở Sướng lives up to its name, which translates to “Happy Phở.” This spot is a local favourite, renowned for its incredibly tender beef and a broth that will make your taste buds sing.
What Makes It a Top Choice: The secret is in the meat. The beef here is sliced thicker than at many other places, but it is melt-in-your-mouth tender. The broth is clear, slightly sweet, and aromatic, a testament to the quality of the bones and spices used.
What to Order: The Phở Bò Tái (rare beef) is a must-try to fully appreciate the quality of the meat. A squeeze of lime and a few slices of chilli are all it needs to reach perfection.
The Vibe: A cozy, hidden gem. The feeling is less frantic than the big names, offering a more relaxed (but still very local) dining experience. It feels like you’ve discovered a delicious secret.
5. Phở Gà Nguyệt
📍 Address: 5b Phủ Doãn, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
You can’t talk about Hanoi phở without including a chicken option. Phở Gà Nguyệt is a legendary spot for its chicken noodle soup, offering a lighter yet equally complex alternative to its beefy cousin.
What Makes It a Top Choice: The chicken. The meat is poached to perfection—moist, tender, and flavorful. The broth is a golden elixir, lighter than beef broth but with a deep, savoury chicken flavour enhanced by notes of ginger and lime leaf.
What to Order: Try the Phở Gà Đùi (chicken thigh) for the most succulent meat. For a mix of textures, the Phở Gà Trộn (mixed dry chicken noodles) is a fantastic, soupless alternative tossed in a savory sauce.
The Vibe: A classic street food setup that spills onto the sidewalk. It’s especially popular in the evenings, with diners perched on tiny plastic stools under the stars.
6. Phở Vui
📍 Address: 25 Hàng Giầy, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
Another Old Quarter stalwart, Phở Vui (Joyful Phở) has been serving the community for decades. It’s a reliable, no-nonsense spot that consistently delivers a top-tier bowl.
What Makes It a Top Choice: Phở Vui is known for its rich, hearty broth that leans slightly on the saltier, more robust side. It’s a powerful flavour bomb that’s perfect for those who like their phở with a strong, assertive character.
What to Order: The Phở Tái Lăn Gầu (stir-fried rare beef with fatty brisket) offers the best of both worlds: the smoky flavour from the wok and the rich, unctuousness of the fatty brisket.
The Vibe: Small, bustling, and authentically Hanoian. You’ll likely be sharing a table with strangers who quickly become fellow slurpers in a shared moment of culinary joy.
7. Phở Bò Khôi Hói
📍 Address: 50C Hàng Vải, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
This spot, run by a famously “bald-headed” (hói) owner, is a testament to the beauty of simplicity. It’s a bit further off the main tourist track and is fiercely loved by locals for its unchanging, high-quality phở.
What Makes It a Top Choice: The broth here has a reputation for its clarity and subtle complexity. It’s not as bold as some others, but it allows the fragrance of the star anise and cinnamon to shine through beautifully. It’s a connoisseur’s phở.
What to Order: A simple bowl of Phở Bò Chín (well-done beef) is a great way to appreciate the pure, unadulterated flavour of the broth and the expertly cooked, tender brisket.
The Vibe: Utterly local. This is where you go to see Hanoians having their daily breakfast. It’s a humble, authentic spot that puts all its focus into the bowl.
8. Phở Gà Châm Yên Ninh
📍 Address: 64-68 Yên Ninh, Ba Đình, Hanoi
Located in a neighbourhood famous for its chicken dishes, Phở Gà Châm stands out as one of the very best. It’s a larger, more established restaurant than many street-side spots.
What Makes It a Top Choice: They are masters of chicken. The quality of the free-range chicken (gà ta) is superb, resulting in meat that is firm and flavorful, not mushy. They also serve their phở with a signature dipping sauce of salt, pepper, lime, and chili for the chicken meat, elevating the experience.
What to Order: Order a bowl of Phở Gà and a side plate of Gà Chặt (chopped chicken) to share. This allows you to enjoy the phở and also savor the pure taste of the high-quality chicken with the dipping sauce.
The Vibe: A busy, family-friendly restaurant that feels a bit more spacious than Old Quarter joints. It’s a reliable choice for a comfortable and delicious chicken phở meal.
9. Phở Gánh Hàng Chiếu
📍 Address: 7 Chợ Gạo, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội
This isn’t a restaurant; it’s a legacy. Phở Gánh is a sidewalk vendor that sets up shop late at night, carrying on the tradition of “carrying pole” vendors. Finding a bowl here feels like stepping back in time.
What Makes It a Top Choice: It’s all about the atmosphere and the unique, slightly sweeter broth. This phở has a distinct flavor profile, often attributed to the mobile cooking setup. It’s the perfect late-night meal after exploring the Old Quarter.
What to Order: There’s only one choice: Phở Bò. Grab a stool, point to the pot, and get ready for a truly unique Hanoi experience.
The Vibe: Magical and fleeting. Sitting on a tiny stool on a busy street corner at midnight, slurping a hot bowl of noodles under a single light bulb, is an unforgettable Hanoi memory.
10. Phở Bưng Hàng Trống
📍 Address: 1 Hàng Trống, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi
“Bưng” means “to carry,” and that’s exactly what you do here. This vendor has no tables. You’re handed your hot bowl of phở, and you find a spot on a nearby stoop or ledge to sit and eat, carrying the bowl in your hands.
What Makes It a Top Choice: This is phở in its rawest, most interactive form. The experience is as important as the food itself. The broth is savory and well-regarded, but the novelty and immersion in local life are what make it a top best experience.
What to Order: The classic Phở Bò Tái. Be prepared to master the art of balancing your bowl, chopsticks, and spoon without a table!
The Vibe: The ultimate street food adventure. It’s a quick, delicious, and slightly precarious meal that connects you directly to the rhythm of the city.
Mastering the Bowl: A Hanoi Phở Primer
To enhance your experience, here are a few key terms and tips:
- Key Cuts:
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- Tái: Sliced rare beef, cooked by the broth.
- Chín: Well-done or cooked brisket/flank.
- Nạm: Well-done flank.
- Gầu: Fatty brisket (a prized, flavorful cut).
- Bò Viên: Beef meatballs.
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- The Ritual:
- Taste the Broth First: Always taste the broth on its own before adding any condiments. A great phở shop prides itself on its broth, and you should appreciate its pure flavor.
- Add Herbs: Add fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions to your liking.
- Condiments Sparingly: Use the chili sauce (tương ớt), vinegar with garlic, or fresh chilies sparingly. The goal is to complement the broth, not overpower it.
- Slurp Away: Don’t be shy! Slurping is the best way to enjoy the noodles and broth together. It’s a sign of enjoyment.
Hanoi’s phở scene is a universe of flavor waiting to be explored. While this list represents the top best places to start your journey in 2025, the real magic lies in wandering the streets, following the steam, and finding the bowl that becomes your personal favorite. Happy eating!
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