Pho Hanh

Tucked away at 65A Lan Ong Street in Hoan Kiem District, Pho Hanh was once featured in the Culture Trip, a world's leading travel and leisure website, as one of the must-try nightlife treats in Hanoi.

Hanh, owner of the eatery, prepares ingredients and
toppings before opening. Photo by VnExpress.

Here, the chicken is sliced into long wedges, offering in one bite a harmonious combination of fat and lean meat. The eatery offers a selection of chicken dishes like pho with or without broth, vermicelli noodles, sticky rice, salad, and boneless chicken.

Chicken is the piece de resistance with its chewy yet tender texture that tastes best with their special rich sauce. A portion ranges from VND35,000 ($1.51) to 60,000. The eatery opens from 6 p.m. until midnight.

Pho Nguyet

Pho Nguyet is a regular stop for many young Hanoians after a late night out in town. The eatery serves pho with broth, dry pho, and vermicelli noodles.

It is most famous for its mixed chicken pho noodles, a dry version of the traditional pho. The noodles are briefly cooked then seasoned with soy sauce and topped with boiled chicken and herbs. Chicken breast slices, chewy, sweet, and moist, pair greatly with dried shallots and toasted peanuts.

A complete bowl comes with shredded chicken, meatballs, eggs, intestines, and noodles. The eatery has been in business for over a decade at 5b Phu Doan Street in Hoan Kiem District. A bowl costs VND35,000 to VND45,000 depending on whether you get additional toppings like drumsticks, wings, extra eggs or intestines.

Pho Nguyet opens from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m and from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Cao Thang dipped chicken pho

Another dry version of chicken pho can be found at the 15B Cao Thang residential area on Cao Thang Street, Hoan Kiem District.

Instead of briefly boiled, pho noodles are eaten with a sweet and sour soya dip. With the skin still attached, chicken pieces are golden in color and topped with lime leaves. To relish, pick up some pho noodles and chicken, and dip them in the sauce.

Dipped chicken pho at the Cao Thang Street eatery.
Photo courtesy of trangnhimtron

The price starts at VND40,000 and goes up to VND50,000 per portion depending on extra toppings like drumsticks, wings, or intestines. The joint opens from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Pho Ha

At Pho Ha the broth is carefully enriched with chicken bones and spices like cardamom, creating a golden, fatty surface.

You can either opt for a regular dry mixed chicken pho or one with chicken drumsticks. Pho noodles are typically dunked in boiling water to soften the texture then mixed with fish sauce and herbs. Finally, a light sprinkling of dried shallots tops it off. The dish comes with refreshing pickled green papaya and carrots.

A portion costs VND45,000. The eatery at 15 Hang Hom Street in Hoan Kiem District opens from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.