Eating Pho on the sidewalk and Pho for 2.5 million VND in Ho Chi Minh City, what do Western customers say?

(Dan Tri) - Enjoying cheap pho at a street stall and "luxurious" pho at a Michelin restaurant for 2.5 million VND, a French guest had interesting comments.

Cheap sidewalk pho, rich in traditional flavor

Romain is a French YouTuber who has lived in Vietnam for many years. He has a special passion for Vietnamese cuisine and owns a YouTube channel about cuisine with more than 38,000 subscribers.

He has explored many dishes, from popular street food to traditional versions elevated in high-end spaces. In a newly posted video , Romain recorded the process of enjoying two pho dishes that he described as "priced at $1 and $100" (about VND25,000 and VND2.5 million) in Ho Chi Minh City.

A meal at a popular pho restaurant that Romain experienced (Photo: Screenshot).

The first pho restaurant that Romain visited was a small eatery on Tran Khanh Du Street (Tan Dinh Ward). This was a pho restaurant that a Vietnamese friend introduced him to. The restaurant has a small, rustic space.

According to the reporter's research, pho here costs about 50,000 VND to 55,000 VND for a regular serving.

When Romain's bowl of pho was brought out, he couldn't hide his satisfaction at the generous portion, with plenty of beef, rice noodles and side vegetables. He expressed his delight at the generosity of such a modest meal.

As proficient as a native, he quickly squeezed lemon, added chili and herbs to the pho bowl to enhance the flavor. He shared that in France, garlic is not placed on the dining table - a very different thing from Vietnamese culinary culture, where garlic, chili and lemon are always ready for diners to add according to their taste.

Romain was delighted after tasting the pho. He praised the rich, aromatic flavor of the pho. What impressed Romain even more was that the pho restaurant was open almost all day, from early morning until late at night.

The space of the roadside pho restaurant makes French diners feel comfortable (Photo: Screenshot).

According to him, the low price is not the only thing that makes this pho restaurant popular. The pho here also scores points thanks to its fresh ingredients, rich broth, and bustling, friendly street atmosphere. For him, it is a culinary experience that is both delicious and "authentically Vietnamese".

Pho 2.5 million VND in Michelin restaurant

Romain then moved to Anan Saigon - a restaurant nestled in the old Ton That Dam market (Ben Thanh ward).

According to the reporter's research, this is the restaurant that has been honored with "one Michelin star" for two consecutive years, and is also the only restaurant in Vietnam to be honored to be included in the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2023 announced by 50 Best.

At the restaurant, Romain tried the $100 pho dish. This dish is not served in advance, so diners must reserve a table and order before arriving.

Romain enjoys a "Pho-flavored" drink before his main meal (Photo: Screenshot).

This place to enjoy pho is a special space dedicated to pho called "Pot Au Pho", decorated like a bar. The meal Romain ordered was designed for two people, including a special bowl of pho, a pho-flavored cocktail, two molecular-style pho balls with tea and ice cream for dessert.

Before the main course, Romain tried the restaurant’s signature cocktail. The drink intrigued him at first sight with its unusual decoration of a cinnamon stick, some dried star anise and fresh chili peppers dotted on the rim of the glass.

The customer commented that the cocktail's flavor is a blend of familiar herbs and spices, creating a fragrant aroma like a bowl of Vietnamese pho, which made him extremely excited.

When it came to the main course, Romain was surprised by the restaurant’s creative presentation. The pho noodles were placed in a separate bowl, while the beef and bones were displayed in a deep stone bowl, the hot broth steaming and giving off a fragrant aroma.

The 2.5 million VND meal is diverse and eye-catching (Photo: Screenshot).

A bowl of pho is considered expensive at the restaurant (Photo: Trinh Nguyen).

Next to it is a separate serving of raw wagyu beef, along with a small tray containing a variety of spices and dipping sauces. Tasting the broth, the French guest kept exclaiming, saying that the flavor was very special. According to him, the broth was clear, light, not greasy but still rich.

According to Romain, despite the high price, a bowl of pho in a luxury restaurant is still worth trying. Because in addition to the main dish, diners can also enjoy many unique side dishes, inspired by pho, which is something that ordinary restaurants do not have.

However, he also shared that if anyone loves traditional, familiar flavors, Pho Ban Dan is the right choice. With simple preparation, "soft" prices and comfortable dining space, street Pho brings a friendly, everyday feeling.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/an-pho-via-he-va-pho-25-trieu-dong-tai-tphcm-khach-tay-noi-gi-20250722190802377.htm