Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 06:00-22:00
Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su in Hanoi holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for a clear, traditional Northern beef pho across the Old Quarter from St Joseph's Cathedral.
Signature: Pho tai brisket and flank, Pho nam beef shank, Pho bap tran beef-fillet pho
Order: Pho tai or pho bap tran with rare beef cuts; the broth is the classic clear-anise Hanoi style.
Tip: Original branch only; beware imitations on Ly Quoc Su using the same name. Multiple floors; ground floor for the queue, upstairs for groups.
Vietnamese$old-quarterMon-Sun 06:30-13:00, 16:30-00:30
Pho Ga Nguyet in Hanoi holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for chicken pho on Phu Doan, plated with tender free-range chicken in a delicate, almost-clear broth.
Signature: Pho ga chicken pho, Pho tron dry chicken pho, Chicken thigh on the bone
Order: Pho ga with chicken thigh on the bone, or pho tron the dry version with chopped chicken and herbs.
Tip: Late-night service until midnight makes this the only Bib Gourmand pho counter open after the Old Quarter shuts.
Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 06:00-11:00, 18:00-21:00
Pho Bo Lam in Hanoi holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for traditional Northern beef pho served from a tiny Hang Vai shophouse, family-run for three generations.
Signature: Pho bo beef pho, Pho tai chin rare beef and brisket, Quay fried dough
Order: Pho tai chin: rare beef and well-done brisket together; the bone broth is the canonical clear Northern style.
Tip: Closes for two hours mid-afternoon. The Hang Vai branch is the original; if it's closed, the family runs two other counters in the Old Quarter.
Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 07:00-22:30
Bun Bo Nam Bo Bach Phuong in Hanoi has served one dish since 1986 on Hang Dieu: rice noodles topped with stir-fried beef, herbs, peanuts and crispy shallots.
Signature: Bun bo Nam Bo beef noodle salad, Crispy fried shallots, Roasted peanuts
Order: Bun bo Nam Bo: the only dish on the menu, dressed in a sweet-sharp nuoc cham at the table.
Tip: Long communal metal tables fill with locals and travellers; share a table. The 73-75 branch a few doors down is run by relatives.
Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 06:00-14:00
Banh Cuon Ba Hoanh in Hanoi is a Michelin-listed banh cuon counter near St Joseph's Cathedral, plating hand-ground rice rolls with shiitake and wood ear.
Signature: Banh cuon steamed rice rolls, Pork-and-mushroom filling, Cha que cinnamon pork sausage
Order: Banh cuon with pork and mushroom filling, served with cha que cinnamon pork and a small bowl of nuoc cham.
Tip: Breakfast and lunch only. The rolls are steamed to order over a cloth-stretched cauldron; ask to watch the work at the front.
Vietnamese$old-quarterDaily 05:00-01:00
Xoi Yen in Hanoi serves Hoan Kiem's favourite breakfast sticky rice from a corner shophouse on Nguyen Huu Huan, with caramel pork or Chinese sausage on top.
Signature: Xoi xeo turmeric sticky rice, Pate and Chinese sausage topping, Caramel pork
Order: Xoi xeo turmeric sticky rice with mung bean, fried shallots and a topping of caramel pork or Chinese sausage.
Tip: Ground floor is the open kitchen; head upstairs to sit. Bowls 20,000-50,000 VND; open from 05:00 for breakfast.
