Hanoi was where I had one of the best chicken pho ever — their menu allows one to select the parts of the chicken they wanted. I've never had the back meat of chicken in a pho before, and it was phenomenal.
And I found out about it from a random cafe barista. Sometimes it pays off just to ask someone where they'd eat nearby.
I was just in Hanoi. I stool in line for pho at "michelin rated" shops and had it in tiny stalls manned by a grandma or old couple. always go for the grandma..the michelin ones seem more dilute and cost more. For example, Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su vs. the stall right next to it.
If you can, always ask a local where to go. Most locals don’t want to wait in line unless it’s a special occasion and they know the best underrated and mom and pop restaurants. The ones with lines are usually tourist or internet hype traps and their food gets enshittified quickly.
Hanoi was where I had one of the best chicken pho ever — their menu allows one to select the parts of the chicken they wanted. I've never had the back meat of chicken in a pho before, and it was phenomenal.
And I found out about it from a random cafe barista. Sometimes it pays off just to ask someone where they'd eat nearby.
I was just in Hanoi. I stool in line for pho at "michelin rated" shops and had it in tiny stalls manned by a grandma or old couple. always go for the grandma..the michelin ones seem more dilute and cost more. For example, Pho 10 Ly Quoc Su vs. the stall right next to it.
If you can, always ask a local where to go. Most locals don’t want to wait in line unless it’s a special occasion and they know the best underrated and mom and pop restaurants. The ones with lines are usually tourist or internet hype traps and their food gets enshittified quickly.
I learned this the hard way during Marti Gras.
Cheekily, might not the "purist" want a "pot-au-feu" ? (i have a sincere dislike of purity talk, especially in cookery)
The article mentions it, but doesn't disprove it.
yeah purity seems overrated for almost anything except making drugs
Disappointing that there was not a single picture in the post. And, wow, it’s long!
The purest phở is the one that exists only in your imagination.
He did speak a little distainfully of taking pictures of your pho or having your phone handy while eating.
I think the lack of pictures emphasizes focusing in the moment and enjoying the experience and then remembering it fondly later.
.. or skipping reading the article if you look at it during some short break