Each country has its own national dish that is world famous and nothing is more uniquely Vietnamese than Pho. Probably no one has ever tried this dish once and does not like this delicious noodle soup. There is no better place to eat Pho than in Hanoi. Here are the 5 locations in the Old Quarter to find the best bowl of Pho:

1. 49 Bat Dan Street

Located at the heart the Old Quarter, this little shop has been here since the 1960s. Selling only beef noodle, A bowl of Pho here still retains the original taste when it was once introduced. Followers of this place are not the faint-hearted. The broth is clear and rich with reduced goodness of bone marrow but is not fatty. The beef is tender and soft with a glowing pink hue.

When coming to the shop, one must follow the tradition: queue and self-served at the counter instead of waiting for the waiters to come to you. If time is of the essence, it is not recommended to eat here since it might take a while standing in line during the high time. It can cost around 50,000 to 70,000 to dine here.

2. Hang Trong street (at the corner with Hang Gai street)

There is nothing more Vietnamese than eating on the street side where most of the best food is. A bowl of Pho at the junction of Hang Trong and Hang Gai proves no exception. There are no tables, just the smallest type of stools you can find. Those professional foodies can hold the bowl, on one hand, a pair of chopsticks on the others, slurping the clear broth with ease. If you can’t be food ninjas like them, placing the bowl on the stool is acceptable too. Selling only between 5 -7 pm, these street vendors gather not only frequent locals but also intrigued passerby for an afternoon snack. It only costs about 30,000 for a bowl of Pho.

3. Pho Suong on 24 Trung Yen alley

Walking off from the lake, wandering into Dinh Liet street where plenty of scarfs, souvenirs, and paintings are sold, you can find a tiny alley called Trung Yen where Pho Suong is located. Like many other popular places, this little shop has been here for many years. The broth here is famous to be light but still retains the sweetness of meat and bone marrow. The beef here is sliced in big chunk but is definitely still very tender and succulent in your mouth. The shop may be a little small but the owners are friendly and always delighted to serve you.

4. 10 Ly Quoc Su street

To the foodies, Pho at 10 Ly Quoc Su street (near the Cathedral) means the ultimate stamp of quality. If one only has one chance to eat Pho in Hanoi, it is always recommended to eat it here. The broth, the noodle, and the beef are cooked to perfection. There are many different types of beef choice to be had in your bowl of Pho. Fried curler or Quay here are always delicious to dip into the hot broth. Beware that you may want another serving but it is not like a big deal when it is succulent and addictive.

5. 65 Lan Ong street

While the traditional Pho is with beef, there is also the modern adapted version with chicken. This shop only opens when the sky is dark as all the tables and chairs are set up on the pavement. Many young and trendy Vietnamese frequent this place as the go-to for chicken Pho. You can have the traditional soup type but this place is most famous for its dry Pho where the broth is separated from the noodle. They have a special mixing sauce that is secretly hidden under a good serving of Pho and chicken. This is the perfect substitute for a hot bowl of Pho when you are in a desperate fix for one in a hot summer night.