Considered by some to be Vietnam's "national dish", Vietnamese Pho has achieved worldwide popularity. A relatively simple dish, Pho is basically a beef noodle soup that can be eaten any time of the day.
Hisotry of Vietnamese Pho or Beef Noodle Soup
Pho is believed to have originated around 100 years ago and is derived from a French soup, "pot au feu", which means "pot on fire". Others believe Pho has its roots in Chinese history. Since its humble beginnings of just beef, noodles and broth, Pho has evolved into many variations, served with fresh herbs and spices.
Today, Pho is typically served with a side plate of fresh basil leaves, lime wedges, bean sprouts, and hot peppers. The meat in Pho can vary by thin cuts of beef, such as steak, flank, or brisket, while other variations such as tripe, pork, and even seafood are now popular.
Pho can also vary by northern or southern Vietnam influences. Northern Pho tends to use wider noodles, versus Pho from the southern region, which tends to use skinnier noodles. The addition of fresh basil, lime, and bean sprouts may be a southern influence as well. Pho's popularity did not reach the southern area of Vietnam until the 1950's, suggesting it originated in the north, most likely in Hanoi.
Beef Pho can be found in many ethnic neighborhoods in countries outside Vietnam, including several excellent options in popular tourist areas like Taipei, Taiwan.
Thanh Ky on YongKang Street in Taipei
There are two branches of Thanh Ky on the ever popular food street, Yong Kang. Located literally across the street from each other, both locations serve a packed house any given day of the week.
Open for over 20 years, this is one of the most popular places for Vietnamese Pho in Taipei. Their signature dish is the Beef Stew Vietnamese Noodles, which is cooked with cow bones and a fish sauce for several hours. Turnips, lemongrass, and onion are added to the broth, which gives it a hint of sweetness. The beef is prepared on a daily basis to ensure freshness.
The signature menu item is Pho #1, which is an award winning Hanoi Beef Pho (NT $165*). Filled with basil, onion, and lime juice, the clear broth and perfectly cooked beef compliment each other, making this one of the most popular options in Taipei. Thanh Ky also serves a variety of other Vietnamese appetizers and salads for those wanting something other than just Pho.
Thanh Ky Vietnamese Restaurant
- 1, Lane 6, YongKang Street
- (02) 2321-1579
- 6, Lane 6, YongKang Street
- (02) 2322-2765
- 11:30am-11:30pm (closed Mondays)
Pho Hoa Vietnamese Noodle Soup Restaurant
Another delicious option for traditional Vietnamese noodle soup is Pho Hoa, tucked away on an alley street in downtown Taipei. Although a Vietnamese chain, this small restaurant still delivers authentic Pho.
The signature dish here is the Chef Pho (small NT $150, large NT $170). This noodle soup combines all the popular ingredients such as meat, chicken, flank, meatballs, and of course tripe. Tripe is a common ingredient in many Asian dishes, so for those who do not like it - stick with the flank or regular beef Pho. Either way, the broth is the key to the delicious flavor here. Like Thanh Ky, Pho Hoa has their own secret recipe broth, which includes a long process of cooking bones in the broth.
Other traditional appetizers include the crispy spring rolls (NT $80), shrimp on sugarcane (NT $80), and do not forget to try a traditional Vietnamese coffee (NT $50).
Pho Hoa
- 43, Lane 190, DunHua S. Road, Section 1
- (02) 2751-5578
- Hours: 11am - 9:30pm
- Cash only
*Based on current exchange rates at the time of publication, $1 US is equal to approximately $31 NT.
Erin De Santiago - Erin is a freelance travel, food/wine, & Disney writer in Taipei, Taiwan, who has traveled within 40+ different countries to date.
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